What are you listening 2 now?

[vandermolen]

Interesting, Jeffrey. Finland has quite attractive symphonists besides Sibelius, Madetoja, Klami, Melartin, Kokkonen, Aho, among others.

I suspect that it would appeal to you Cesar (after all, you are one of the 'usual suspects'  )

[Que]

Baroque chalumeau, clarinet, & other instruments - stimulated the other day by the Baroque Chalumeau disc posted by Que (top left below) and seeing a favorite performer, i.e. Jean-Claude Veilhan, I put together the playlist below on Spotify (own only the Graupner and recommended!) - listening on my den stereo via Apple TV - Dave

This morning I listened to this familiar (to us) recording! 



Loved it, all over again... 

[Irons]

Frank Bridge: Oration / Sonata.



Oration is a war cello concerto like no other. In fact it is so much more then a 'concerto'. As described in Anthony Payne's notes: the Oration is a funeral address to the fallen in the Great War. A complex work although not a difficult listen at all, and very moving - a chilling march, marching to certain death? The epilogue is unexpected and strange, it crossed my mind that Bridge is depicting the afterlife. A stunning work.

The massive Piano Sonata (over 30 minutes) is along the same lines only this time a funeral address for one man, his friend, the composer Ernest Farrar. This work is not so clear in its utterances, more restless. I listened after Oration and on this occasion the sonata opens oddly, which I thought not far removed how Oration closed. 

[Symphonic Addict]

I suspect that it would appeal to you Cesar (after all, you are one of the 'usual suspects'  )

What about the other 2 symphonies on the CD, Jeffrey?

[Symphonic Addict]

The meaning of 'apotheosis of romanticism' is this: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor. I consider that Rachmaninov would have been proud of this work.

[André]

CD 5

It seems made up of odds and ends. Starts with 25 minutes of unendurable dreck: Aventures and Nouvelles aventures for 'singers' (all they do is shout Ah! or Eh! or Ouh! aleatorily) and seven instrumentalists. It is mightily irritating. Then there is a piece for tape called Artikulation. That, too is annoying - at least as heard on headphones, with the sound source pingponging incessantly. I put an end to my misery by listening to one minute of each work and skipping to the next track.

Then we have 'Eight Pieces from Musica Ricercata' for accordion. If the Goldberg Variations fell prey to the grubby fingers of accordionists, why not play some Ligeti ? As it stands, the work is actually quite listenable. I won't mind giving it another airing eventually.

The Sonata for cello is a major work despite its short duration (2 movements lasting a mere 4 minutes each). Superb performance by David Geringas. The other works on the disc are folk-based (romanian and hungarian). But before we get there there's a 39 second piece for trumpet titled The Big Turtle Fanfare from the South China Sea. It's tonal and vaguely folkish. The CCP would have okayed it.

[T. D.]

[André]

Disc two. Sonatas K. 304, 306, 376, 377. Szigeti's tone is frayed but the phrasing is just magical. Horszowski is perfect. My go to version remains that of Boskovsky and Kraus, but the musicality on display here is worthy of respect and admiration.

[Todd]

[Carlo Gesualdo]

A warm hello to folks out here in the world no mater were , and by this I mean everywhere.

So nice into whit respect such a class act hey, but that about it no ''états d'âmes'' or bitterness for tonight, I'm listening to sexy & attractive analogue(LP's) of Renaissance Spain on Turnabout label & NON-SUCH music of Charles Quint V woaw this is verry nice ,, I could go on and on but won't, love these trust me, cherish these  believe when I shawl say, this is it, Cabezon... blast... love his work, incredible keyboardist

[kyjo]

Maximilian Steinberg: Symphony No.2:

Gotta love that ending!

[kyjo]

Frank Bridge: Oration / Sonata.



Oration is a war cello concerto like no other. In fact it is so much more then a 'concerto'. As described in Anthony Payne's notes: the Oration is a funeral address to the fallen in the Great War. A complex work although not a difficult listen at all, and very moving - a chilling march, marching to certain death? The epilogue is unexpected and strange, it crossed my mind that Bridge is depicting the afterlife. A stunning work.

The massive Piano Sonata (over 30 minutes) is along the same lines only this time a funeral address for one man, his friend, the composer Ernest Farrar. This work is not so clear in its utterances, more restless. I listened after Oration and on this occasion the sonata opens oddly, which I thought not far removed how Oration closed.

Two of Bridge's finest works!

[kyjo]

Raff - Piano Quartet no. 1 in G major



I'd forgotten how excellent this work is! Raff's melodic invention is at its peak here. The outer movements are overflowing with energy and good humor, and the variation-form slow movement is quite touching. Excellent performance, too.


Glazunov - String Quartet no. 4 in A minor



Enjoyable and well-crafted, if a bit generic. The bustling, colorful scherzo is certainly the highlight here - a cracking movement!


Børresen - Symphony no. 1 in C minor



Though his 2nd and 3rd symphonies have their merits, I'd have to say this is his strongest one overall. It's very much like Tchaikovsky with a Nordic accent; indeed, its form is based off the Russian's Pathetique, complete with a slow, lamenting finale (it ultimately ends triumphantly though, unlike the Tchaik). Passionate music passionately played!


Brouwer - Guitar Concerto no. 3 Elegiaco



A really interesting work; Brouwer seems to have a quite distinctive style. The first movement is ominous with threatening outbursts from the timpani - not quite what you'd expect in a guitar concerto! The other movements are less surprising but never predictable and always engaging.


Arensky - String Quartet no. 1 in G major



A generally lighthearted, folksy work that has an especially inventive finale. The Ying Quartet play this music with an abundance of style and character - their first violinist uses delightful and tasteful portamenti to great effect.

[kyjo]

Lloyd: Symphony no. 9

https://youtu.be/YWCls9RNfxM

It's quite similar to his more expansive 8th Symphony in the successive characters of each of the three movements: the 1st is incessantly cheery (a bit too much so!), the 2nd is dark and pensive, even angry at times (no Lloydian big tune here!), and the finale is a colorful, unstoppable romp, brilliantly orchestrated. Not on the level of nos. 4 thru 7 but still worth hearing. The performance here, led by Edward Downes (conducting an unnamed orchestra) is quite good but is taken from a radio broadcast so the sound isn't great. (I couldn't access the OOP Conifer recording with the composer conducting the BBC Phil.)


Glazunov: Piano Sonata no. 1 in B-flat minor



I'll quote Amazon reviewer G.D.:

"Written in 1900, I am willing to rate is as one of the truly great masterpieces of the piano literature - Glazunov's first sonata can hold its own in comparison to virtually any other piano sonata written by any composer, and its neglect is atrocious.

From the very opening of the darkly lyrical and superbly developed first movement the work is utterly gripping, and the reflective and meditative andante, which rises to a wonderful climax, is one of the most appealing slow movements I have heard in a long time. Still it is the gorgeously wistful and instantly memorable third movement that is probably the strongest. The flighty first subject is wonderful in itself; the second subject is simply marvelous, and the way they develop into and around each other proves once and for all that Glazunov is a greater composer than the image of him as a romantic who scores his points exclusively by his skill as an orchestrator suggests."

My only gripe with this piece is that it doesn't quite deliver the dramatic intensity that I associate with the key of B-flat minor! Other than that, it's a really beautiful work as the above review suggests.


Boccherini: Cello Concerto no. 2 in D major



What an absolutely fertile musical imagination Boccherini had! The first movement of this concerto, in particular, is gloriously fresh and inventive. The performances here are absolutely superlative and testimony to Hugh's stature as a cellist; they're big-boned and energetic without lacking elegance.


Grainger: La scandinavie, suite for cello and piano



It's good to have another extended work by Grainger other than his astonishing orchestral piece The Warriors. Grainger's deep admiration of Grieg and Nordic folk music shines through in this delightful, melodic work.


Farnon: Symphony no. 2 in B major Ottawa



I remember Cesar recommended this a while back, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Cast in the rich, Korngoldian key of B major, its radiant, noble finale is particularly impressive. What it rather lacks in well-argued symphonic discourse it makes up for in filmic opulence.

[kyjo]

Poulenc: Concert champêtre (George Malcolm/ASMF/Iona Brown)



It had been too long since I'd listened to this incredibly delightful and witty work, with surprises at every turn. I hadn't recalled the humorously off-kilter bass drum part in the first movement or the bittersweet elegance of the siciliano-like slow movement.


Rosenberg: Symphony no. 4 The Revelation of St. John (Gothenburg SO/Ehrling et al.)



I recall André thinking highly of this work, and I'd have to agree with him. While it may not reach the same terrifying climaxes of the Franz Schmidt oratorio on the same subject matter, it does have the benefit of being more concise than that work. I seem to recall hearing this work being called "forbidding" in some review, and I can't really agree. It's all very accessible and individual, sounding like no-one else. Throughout the work, Rosenberg contrasts simple, homophonic choruses with impassioned recitatives and colorfully scored, exciting orchestral writing. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys 20th century choral/orchestral music.

Stanford: String Quartet no. 3 in D minor



A good if not exceptional work. The impassioned, harmonically interesting slow movement is the highlight here. I could imagine a more persuasive performance than that which is given by the Dante Quartet here.


Alwyn: Symphony no. 2



A darkly impressive, dramatic work in two substantial movements. A little after the 10-minute mark in the second movement, the music takes a turn towards the light with a deeply inspiriting and eloquent coda. Though I think the 3rd is overall his finest symphony, this one isn't far behind.


Hindemith: Cello Sonata, op. 11/3



An angry, relentless work! Hindemith at his darkest and most impassioned. Hugely impressive, and a great performance!

[vandermolen]

What about the other 2 symphonies on the CD, Jeffrey?

Hope to listen to them today Cesar. Certainly the brooding opening of Symphony No.2 sounded very promising.

[vandermolen]

Gotta love that ending!

+1 it's very moving.

[vandermolen]

Poulenc: Concert champêtre (George Malcolm/ASMF/Iona Brown)



It had been too long since I'd listened to this incredibly delightful and witty work, with surprises at every turn. I hadn't recalled the humorously off-kilter bass drum part in the first movement or the bittersweet elegance of the siciliano-like slow movement.


Rosenberg: Symphony no. 4 The Revelation of St. John (Gothenburg SO/Ehrling et al.)



I recall André thinking highly of this work, and I'd have to agree with him. While it may not reach the same terrifying climaxes of the Franz Schmidt oratorio on the same subject matter, it does have the benefit of being more concise than that work. I seem to recall hearing this work being called "forbidding" in some review, and I can't really agree. It's all very accessible and individual, sounding like no-one else. Throughout the work, Rosenberg contrasts simple, homophonic choruses with impassioned recitatives and colorfully scored, exciting orchestral writing. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys 20th century choral/orchestral music.

Stanford: String Quartet no. 3 in D minor



A good if not exceptional work. The impassioned, harmonically interesting slow movement is the highlight here. I could imagine a more persuasive performance than that which is given by the Dante Quartet here.


Alwyn: Symphony no. 2



A darkly impressive, dramatic work in two substantial movements. A little after the 10-minute mark in the second movement, the music takes a turn towards the light with a deeply inspiriting and eloquent coda. Though I think the 3rd is overall his finest symphony, this one isn't far behind.


Hindemith: Cello Sonata, op. 11/3



An angry, relentless work! Hindemith at his darkest and most impassioned. Hugely impressive, and a great performance!

Two of my favourites there Kyle; Rosenberg Symphony No.4 which has some wonderfully poetic moments. One critic described Rosenberg as having something of an 'Old Testament Prophet' about him (the symphony is based on the New Testament). Alwyn's Second Symphony is my favourite of his cycle although I like them all. I agree that Symphony No.3 (which John Ireland thought the best British symphony since Elgar) is a highlight. I rather like the filmic First Symphony and the opening movement of Symphony No.4 is my favourite movement of any of his symphonies (unfortunately the second movement, which I find rather banal, is my least favourite).

Now playing: 'Walton conducts Walton'
Portsmouth Point:

[Que]

Taking Dave's (SonicMan) lead - via Spotify:



Q

[Irons]

Two of Bridge's finest works!

I have no argument with that.