What are you listening 2 now?

[Traverso]

Handel

The Wind Sonatas
CD 2

Frans Brüggen
Bob van Asperen
Anner Bijlsma
Bruce Haynes
Hansjürg Lange

[vandermolen]

That's on my next order list too, I bought some years ago already a naxos CD and was duly impressed. Be interested in your impression of the music and sound!

Very enjoyable Harry. As I said the Symphony (string orchestra) 'To the Memory of Nizami' (1941) should appeal to admirers of VW's Concerto Grosso. I'm now on to 'One Thousand and One Nights Suite (1979-2017). I was puzzled by the 2017 date, considering that Amirov died in 1984, but now I've read that it is a Suite derived from the complete ballet. I was also puzzled as my first encounter with this work was on the old Olympia label spread over two discs. I remember that the late Francis Wilson, who ran Olympia records (all credit to him) was very enthusiastic about this Amirov work and strongly recommended it to me. It is very enjoyable and should appeal to those with an oriental tooth who admire Khachaturian and works like Melikov's 'Legend of Love'. The Suite opens encouragingly with the 'Orgy Scene' although, in all honesty, I prefer the Orgy Scene from Basil Poledouris's score for 'Conan the Barbarian'. Still, I don't think that you'll be disappointed by this disc although, on balance, I find more depth in the Symphonic Mugams. The sound is fine although I don't have your state-of-the-art sound system. The music is exciting, atmospheric and full of 'Eastern Promise'. Hope that helps!

[Iota]

Feldman: Palais de Mari


The music's manatee-like state of suspension and stillness returned me to a very infant-like state of being. Twenty five minutes was gone almost before it started. The choice of piece prompted by a discussion on the Feldman thread.

[André]

Symphonies 4 and 2.

The 4th, like the 5th, is somewhat elusive - at least in this listening round.

I must give it another try soon. In the case of the 2nd I was struck by how magnificently dark and imposing it sounds under Thomson. I then put the Lloyd-Jones back in the player and found it to be tamer in sound (his discreet organ is no match for Thomson's massive, room-filling instrument) as well as less concentrated in argument. Vertically as well as horizontally then , Thomson makes the 2nd an awesome statement.

Next in line will be the Bostock 6th and Thomson's 7th. It looks like Thomson is turning into a hands down favourite. I emailed Chandos to inquire about the possibility of releasing the Thomson discs of Bax orchestral works (9 discs) into an economical, slimline box - like they did for the Arnold symphonies, Glière orchestral works and Vaughan Williams film music. Wouldn't that be great ? 

[Harry]

Very enjoyable Harry. As I said the Symphony (string orchestra) 'To the Memory of Nizami' (1941) should appeal to admirers of VW's Concerto Grosso. I'm now on to 'One Thousand and One Nights Suite (1979-2017). I was puzzled by the 2017 date, considering that Amirov died in 1984, but now I've read that it is a Suite derived from the complete ballet. I was also puzzled as my first encounter with this work was on the old Olympia label spread over two discs. I remember that the late Francis Wilson, who ran Olympia records (all credit to him) was very enthusiastic about this Amirov work and strongly recommended it to me. It is very enjoyable and should appeal to those with an oriental tooth who admire Khachaturian and works like Melikov's 'Legend of Love'. The Suite opens encouragingly with the 'Orgy Scene' although, in all honesty, I prefer the Orgy Scene from Basil Poledouris's score for 'Conan the Barbarian'. Still, I don't think that you'll be disappointed by this disc although, on balance, I find more depth in the Symphonic Mugams. The sound is fine although I don't have your state-of-the-art sound system. The music is exciting, atmospheric and full of 'Eastern Promise'. Hope that helps!

It helps Jeffrey, thank you for this elaborate epistle.

I bought this CD on Naxos in 2010.

Azerbaijan capriccio
Gyulistan Bayati Shiraz
Kyurdi Ovshari
Shur
Russian Philh Orch o.l.v. Dmitry Yablonsky. Naxos 8572170. Bought March  2010.

[Irons]

Miaskovsky: 23rd Symphony.

Not being a first hearing did not stop me completely taken by surprise with the heartfelt beauty of the opening Lento movement. In typical Miaskovsky fashion this reverie is disturbed by a marching village band!

Two points struck me relating to comments on Miaskovsky recently. Unlike the 21st Symphony, where the best recordings are non-Russian, in my view the 23rd benefits from a Russian hand on the tiller. Secondly, the sonics of the compete set are variable, some are not so good in typical Soviet engineering. Others though are in excellent sound and 23 is one of the good ones.

[kyjo]

Very enjoyable Harry. As I said the Symphony (string orchestra) 'To the Memory of Nizami' (1941) should appeal to admirers of VW's Concerto Grosso. I'm now on to 'One Thousand and One Nights Suite (1979-2017). I was puzzled by the 2017 date, considering that Amirov died in 1984, but now I've read that it is a Suite derived from the complete ballet. I was also puzzled as my first encounter with this work was on the old Olympia label spread over two discs. I remember that the late Francis Wilson, who ran Olympia records (all credit to him) was very enthusiastic about this Amirov work and strongly recommended it to me. It is very enjoyable and should appeal to those with an oriental tooth who admire Khachaturian and works like Melikov's 'Legend of Love'. The Suite opens encouragingly with the 'Orgy Scene' although, in all honesty, I prefer the Orgy Scene from Basil Poledouris's score for 'Conan the Barbarian'. Still, I don't think that you'll be disappointed by this disc although, on balance, I find more depth in the Symphonic Mugams. The sound is fine although I don't have your state-of-the-art sound system. The music is exciting, atmospheric and full of 'Eastern Promise'. Hope that helps!

I haven't been too impressed with some Amirov works I've heard, the exception being the delightful PC on Arabian Themes which he co-wrote with Elmira Nazirova (of DSCH 10 fame).

[North Star]

A bunch of Haydn lately from these sets

   

[asin]B001DSR9PC[/asin]

[SimonNZ]

[Symphonic Addict]

The sheer quantity and the amazing quality make Haydn's probably the finest set of piano trios ever composed and the BAT is a box for the ages. I've listened to it in its entirety during the total lockdown this spring and it helped me enormously to preserve my sanity and good cheers. Go for them all, there's not one single item less than very good.

Thanks, Andrei. I'm thinking of hearing all of these charming trios these next weeks. And a wise decision of yours to listen to them in these complex months.

[Symphonic Addict]

One of my favorite sets. If he had written nothing more than these trios (and of course, there's QUITE a bit more), his reputation would be secure. Also, the performances are stellar.

--Bruce

In spite of I've only heard one trio, I can wholeheartedly agree with you.

[Symphonic Addict]

Saint-Saëns' Piano Trio No. 2 and Suk's Piano Trio



Somehow I couldn't remember how this work was, and it was like I had listened to it for the first time. The first movement conveys a sense of real passion that becomes overwhelming in some passages, supremely ardent and sensational. That was a formidable movement. Then 3 short movements come with a more amiable mood. The 5th movement shares a little of the intensity of the 1st one. Trio Wanderer's playing is impressive to say the least.




Another accomplished piece that shows the great compositional skills of a young composer. It's relatively short but imbued with memorable ideas.

[kyjo]

Saint-Saëns' Piano Trio No. 2 and Suk's Piano Trio



Somehow I couldn't remember how this work was, and it was like I had listened to it for the first time. The first movement conveys a sense of real passion that becomes overwhelming in some passages, supremely ardent and sensational. That was a formidable movement. Then 3 short movements come with a more amiable mood. The 5th movement shares a little of the intensity of the 1st one. Trio Wanderer's playing is impressive to say the least.




Another accomplished piece that shows the great compositional skills of a young composer. It's relatively short but imbued with memorable ideas.

That Trio Wanderer recording of the S-S piano trios is desert island material. Wonderful music played with the utmost advocacy. And indeed, the first movement of the 2nd trio is one of the composer's most passionate, inspired creations. I think the lovely third movement is all too short.

I should revisit the Suk piano trio. I think very highly of his piano quartet and quintet.

[kyjo]

Magnard: Cello Sonata



This work has Magnard's characteristic quirkiness and occasional elusiveness stamped on it. The rather low-profile opening doesn't seem to promise much, but my attention was soon grabbed by a striking rhythmic figure that pervades the first movement. Indeed, one of the main features of this work is its rhythmic ingenuity. And there's no shortage of emotional intensity in the funebre slow movement.


Torroba: Concierto en flamenco



Despite the fact that the thematic material wasn't necessarily too remarkable, this was still an enjoyable listen, due in no small part to the fiery performance it's given here.


Suk: String Quartet no. 1



It's not on the level of his piano chamber works (this is typically the case with Romantic Era composers anyways), but still worth a listen. The march-like scherzo was particularly delightful, and it was really interesting to hear two different versions of the finale: the original 1896 version is relatively straightforward, while the 1915 version is notably more complex and disorienting, demonstrating the significant development in Suk's style.


Raff: Symphony no. 2



I'm not quite sure why I was ambivalent about this work in the past, indeed, it's one of his most convincing works in the genre, exuding boundless optimism and confidence. The noble variation-form slow movement with its stormy central section is particularly wonderful, as is the tuneful, heroic romp of a finale. Jarvi and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande give a simply superb performance, crisp and fresh in a way that suits Raff's style to a tee. It makes me regret that they haven't recorded any more Raff symphonies besides this and the 5th.


Prokofiev: Visions fugitives



While Prokofiev is one of my favorite composers, I can't say I liked this work at all. It's all too low-key and aphoristic for my taste. That said, I found one of the pieces to be quite haunting: no. 8.

[kyjo]

Hahn: Piano Quintet



An absolutely superb work, teeming with memorable themes and lovely shadings of color. Indeed, I haven't been able to get the agitated, syncopated opening theme out of my head for quite some time now! It's given a great performance here, in an enterprising program along with Gliere's String Octet and Shostakovich's Two Pieces for string octet.


Atterberg: Three Nocturnes from Fanal



My first listen to this dramatic, atmospheric work, and quite excellent it is! It's certainly quite far removed from the tranquil Chopinesque essay that we've come to expect from works of this title. It's almost like a miniature three-movement symphony. Now, let's hear the whole opera!


Three Cello Sonatas: Delius, Hummel, and Röntgen no. 2




The Delius is a concise work constructed of long, ecstatic phrases. The Hummel is a glorious work, full of bittersweet lyricism. It deserves to be played alongside the Beethoven sonatas, and dare I say it's finer than them in some regards! Ditto the Röntgen, which is a passionately turbulent affair with a deeply introspective slow movement. The finale contains a clear thematic allusion to Beethoven's Tempest sonata, and none the worse for that. One wonders how this music can be so little-known, it is truly inspired from start to finish.


Forsyth: Viola Concerto



A work that breaks no boundaries, but is splendidly written by this quite unprolific late-romantic Englishman. The first movement, in particular, has some great thematic material.


Bowen: Piano Trio in E minor



Yes, people were still writing good old-fashioned Romantic piano trios in 1946! This work shouldn't be missed by admirers of this composer (of which I know there are precious few on this forum ). The slow movement is quite touching and the finale is a real romp of a tarantella.

[vandermolen]

Hahn: Piano Quintet



An absolutely superb work, teeming with memorable themes and lovely shadings of color. Indeed, I haven't been able to get the agitated, syncopated opening theme out of my head for quite some time now! It's given a great performance here, in an enterprising program along with Gliere's String Octet and Shostakovich's Two Pieces for string octet.


Atterberg: Three Nocturnes from Fanal



My first listen to this dramatic, atmospheric work, and quite excellent it is! It's certainly quite far removed from the tranquil Chopinesque essay that we've come to expect from works of this title. It's almost like a miniature three-movement symphony. Now, let's hear the whole opera!


Three Cello Sonatas: Delius, Hummel, and Röntgen no. 2




The Delius is a concise work constructed of long, ecstatic phrases. The Hummel is a glorious work, full of bittersweet lyricism. It deserves to be played alongside the Beethoven sonatas, and dare I say it's finer than them in some regards! Ditto the Röntgen, which is a passionately turbulent affair with a deeply introspective slow movement. The finale contains a clear thematic allusion to Beethoven's Tempest sonata, and none the worse for that. One wonders how this music can be so little-known, it is truly inspired from start to finish.


Forsyth: Viola Concerto



A work that breaks no boundaries, but is splendidly written by this quite unprolific late-romantic Englishman. The first movement, in particular, has some great thematic material.


Bowen: Piano Trio in E minor



Yes, people were still writing good old-fashioned Romantic piano trios in 1946! This work shouldn't be missed by admirers of this composer (of which I know there are precious few on this forum ). The slow movement is quite touching and the finale is a real romp of a tarantella.

+1 for Atterberg and Foulds

[vandermolen]

It helps Jeffrey, thank you for this elaborate epistle.

I bought this CD on Naxos in 2010.

Azerbaijan capriccio
Gyulistan Bayati Shiraz
Kyurdi Ovshari
Shur
Russian Philh Orch o.l.v. Dmitry Yablonsky. Naxos 8572170. Bought March  2010.

Kyurdi Ovshari and Shur are the highlights of that CD, especially the last section of the former.

[Que]

Morning listening:



Really excellent. 

Q

[Harry]

The Ear of the Huguenots.
Huelgas Ensemble, Paul van Nevel.

[aligreto]

Recent listening:


Wagner: Parsifal [Knappertsbusch]