What are you listening 2 now?

[kyjo]

Taneyev: Symphony no. 2



This symphony boasts a haunting, chorale-like opening and a catchy, energetic finale. I didn't find the central movement as interesting. The performance here has the requisite vigor and character, but suffers from poor intonation in the low brass and a dismally "thuddy" sounding timpani.


Weinberg: String Quartet no. 6



A first listen to any of Weinberg's quartets, and impressive it is indeed. Weinberg's writing for the four instruments is very imaginative and virtuosic throughout, with particularly interesting use of pizzicati. As expected, there's plenty of pathos here, but the music never lapses into self-pity and allows for streaks of light to shine through. The performance is examplary.


Stenhammar: Sensommarnätter



There is no doubt in my mind that this is a masterpiece. Stenhammar was a master of piano writing and these pieces exhibit his trademark bittersweet harmonic language which is unique to him. The fourth piece contains an absolutely spellbinding chord progression in its middle section. The sound of the piano used here may not be to everyone's taste, but somehow it suits the character of the music.


Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto no. 2



This exhilarating concerto doesn't deserve to be completely overshadowed by the 3rd. Especially remarkable is the slow movement, with its use of harp that prefigures Bruch's Scottish Fantasy by over 20 years! It's performed with tremendous gusto by the forces here.


Beach: Gaelic Symphony



It's always good to revisit this superbly tuneful and well-crafted symphony. It's hard not to be touched by the soulful violin and cello solos in the slow movement or thrilled by the impetuous ending!

[kyjo]

Guarnieri: Symphony no. 1



I'm usually impressed by this composer's music, and this is no exception. Each of the movements' titles, Rude, Profundo, and Radioso, suits them to a tee. I was reminded variously of Villa-Lobos, Piston, Braga Santos, and Roussel in this work which exhibits both supercharged energy and soulful lyricism. The finale, in particular, contains some wonderful passages. Superb performance and sound.


Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto no. 3



I've expressed my enthusiasm for S-S' PCs numerous times on this forum, and now I'll go out on a limb and say that they're my favorite PC cycle by anyone. Each one of them is sheer joy from beginning to end, and the curiously underplayed 3rd is no exception. Isn't that finale just thrilling?


Hanson: Merry Mount



For those who like their music subtle, intricate, and intellectual, this piece is emphatically NOT for you! This, Hanson's only opera, is a no-holds-barred smorgasbord of sheer epicness, with glorious melodies and edge-of-your-seat drama. And the subject of the opera is the Puritans, of all people! Any admirer of opera and/or Hanson must hear this!!


Rawsthorne: Symphony no. 2 A Pastoral Symphony



As has been commented, this concise work bears little resemblance to RVW's symphony of the same name outside of the fact that they both utilize a soprano solo in the final movement. Rawsthorne's unique harmonic language is present throughout and he paints a distinctly un-idealized picture of the English countryside. Very intriguing stuff.


Damase: Piano Sonata



One of this composer's most dramatic and harmonically "spicy" works, and what a thrill ride it is! The lovely Damase-ian lyrical "oases" are here, of course, but they're effectively spread out over the course of the work. Any admirers of the composer should hear this!

[kyjo]

Juon: Piano Quartet no. 1 Rhapsody



This has to be one of my favorite piano quartets. It possesses such sheer imagination and originality, with dramatic passages as well as ones of a charming, folksy character. It's fortunate to have received such a fine recording as this.


Scott: Symphony no. 1



I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this early work, which is in a Romantic style as opposed to the impressionist one he later adopted (and which I find rather diffuse). It's no masterwork, but bubbles over with infectious spirit in the manner of Dvorak or Stanford.


Melartin: Symphony no. 3 (New edition, Finnish RSO/Oramo)

https://youtu.be/CgLRS_sw5oA

I'm very grateful to whoever uploaded this live performance to YT. The "new edition" adds almost ten minutes of music to the edition used in the commercial Ondine recording, making this wonderful symphony even more epic and expansive than before! Great performance, too. We can only hope for commercial recordings of the new editions of all the Melartin symphonies!


Bax: Harp Quintet and November Woods




Superb performances of two of Bax's singular masterworks.


Korngold: Kings Row



I don't normally listen to film music, but WOW! This is absolutely glorious! Korngold in his element.

[kyjo]

Escher: Musique pour l'esprit en deuil and Le Tombeau de Ravel for 6 instruments

A first listen to these works.

And....what did you think? I recall being highly impressed by the dramatic Musique pour l'esprit en deuil.

[pjme]

Rudolf Escher is a fascinating composer. His music is often grandly lyrical, harmonically refined and at times nervously exiting, full of tension.

Two symphonies:
https://youtu.be/kol18eG1oLw
https://youtu.be/2je9cpNyjPg

and
Hymne du grand Meaulnes
https://youtu.be/vTMlwGsZkKQ

Musique pour l'esprit en deuil is superb.

[Que]

Morning listening via Spotify:



An Italian all male Early Music ensemble that delivers top performances?

How rare and amazing is that?  Great find!

Q

[Roasted Swan]

I'm listening to that box for the first time in years.
At the moment
Appalachia
The Halle Orchestra conducted by Barbirolli

I've forgotten just how good this work is.

+1 for Appalachia.  I think this work is one of Delius' truly great pieces - where he manages to stay absolutely true to his own artistic/aesthetic creed (visionary/ecstatic perception of transience etc) whilst also producing music that is formally satisfying - a really good set of orchestral variations.  Barbirolli's last studio recording as I recall.  Quite a work to go out on.......

[Harry]

Morning listening via Spotify:



An Italian all male Early Music ensemble that delivers top performances?

How rare and amazing is that?  Great find!

Q

On this label, thats pretty rare!

[Maestro267]

Brian: Symphony No. 11
NSO Ireland/Leaper

[Biffo]

John Ireland: Piano Works Vol 3 played by Eric Parkin. 17 short pieces, starting with A Sea Idyll - bargain price lossless download from Chandos

[Traverso]

I'm listening to that box for the first time in years.
At the moment
Appalachia
The Halle Orchestra conducted by Barbirolli

I've forgotten just how good this work is.

Enjoy your Delius 

[Traverso]

Haydn

Symphonies 59 & 65

[Todd]

Op 131.

[Maestro267]

Stankovych: Symphonic Poem
NRO Ukraine/Sirenko

New purchase. Tons of bells and glistening percussion in this.

[Papy Oli]

John Kinsella - Symphony No.10

[Traverso]

Johann Nepomuk Hummel

Piano Quintet

[Iota]

I'm going to have to listen to some Haydn to get that shock of the old feeling.

Excellent expression. Surely 'shock of the old' is what many here seek on a regular basis.

I guess the period instrument here is Arthur Rubinstein. 

Maderna: Concerto for two pianos and Oboe Concerto No. 1 ...

There are the second and third works I've ever heard by this composer, and I must say I found them engrossing. I was particularly struck by the Oboe Concerto.

I found all of three of Maderna's oboe concertos remarkable and very engaging in many ways when listening to them a while ago. Haven't heard the Concerto for Two Pianos, but that will now change.

Now playing:



Dove:
Run to the Edge
The Ringing Isle
Gaia Theory

Very attractive music, relatively light, put together with commendable craft. I get the impression that this is music where one sees the large part of what there is to see on first encounter, will have to wait to find out, but if so, plenty of room for all sorts.

[Christo]

John Kinsella - Symphony No.10

[Traverso]

François Couperin

Quatrième Livre

[not edward]

Bought this as a download a few days when it was 50% off on eclassical, and finally getting a listen.

Wow. That is all.