What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Brahms
String Sextet No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 18
The Raphael Ensemble

[Mirror Image]

Béla Bartók: Cantata Profana, Sz.94. Pierre Boulez, Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

So far so good, though this work has yet to really click with me I think.

I LOVE Cantata Profana. Man, what a work and this is the best performance of it. The other version I heard is with Solti, but Boulez really shines here. I'd love to know what it is about Bartók's music that gives you so much trouble?

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Brahms
String Sextet No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 18
The Raphael Ensemble

I have to say this work put me sleep and I mean this as a criticism. There are some nice ideas, but as a whole, this isn't one of Brahms' better works.

NP:

Bartók
Cantata Profana, Sz 94
CSO & Chorus
Boulez

[Daverz]

I haven't heard works enough of his thus far to give a more accurate appreciation, but most of his stuff I've heard has been original, sometimes groundbreaking and modernist but approachable. He likes to play with sonorities, timbres and compose for different kinds of ensembles. His first three symphonies and string quartets are the works I have in better esteem. The other day I listened to his piano concerto Concerto in due tempi but I was underwhelmed. Maybe with more listens it could grow on me.

His music has always sounded like pleasant noodling to me. 

[Mirror Image]

Another Bartókian classic: the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Sz. 110, BB 115 (Argerich/Kovacevich/Goudswaard/Roo) from this set -

[Symphonic Addict]

I have to say this work put me sleep and I mean this as a criticism. There are some nice ideas, but as a whole, this isn't one of Brahms' better works.

The heartfelt 2nd movement and the sparkling scherzo are the highlights of the piece IMO.

[Symphonic Addict]

His music has always sounded like pleasant noodling to me.

What works have you heard by him?

[Mirror Image]

The heartfelt 2nd movement and the sparkling scherzo are the highlights of the piece IMO.

There were some nice sections, but I just wasn't engaged with the music as a whole.

[JBS]

The heartfelt 2nd movement and the sparkling scherzo are the highlights of the piece IMO.

Hear hear! That second movement is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever produced.

TD
Monteverdi
Ninth Book of Madrigals/Scherzi Musicali
Delitatae Musicae, M. Longhini cond.

[Madiel]

He's a composer that confuses not because his stylistic palette is all the place, but because even with this vast range of styles that he toys around with, I haven't really figured out who he is as a composer. I do like his Symphony No. 3 a lot, but it seems that many people hold this symphony in high regard. I might have to do a deeper dive into his oeuvre and see what sticks and doesn't. Thanks for your feedback. I wasn't sure how you felt about his music.

I'm going chronologically through all the works I can find recordings of, and he still confuses me...

The 1980s in particular (which is where I am now). It seems to be a period where he's being all over the place and I often find it hard to understand. Quite different from Symphony no.3 or Spell.

[Que]

Morning listening of a new arrival, 3rd disc:

 

Originally issued by Harmonia Mundi, surprise, surprise... 

Q

[Irons]

Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major

I often forget Roussel composed superb chamber music, and this sonata is a fine instance of that.

What do you think of the 1st Violin Sonata? More Romantic then expected, I enjoyed the work very much.

[vandermolen]

MENDELSSOHN: Organ Sonatas 2-6 from op. 65
Giulio Piovani, Mascioni organ of the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, Alessandria
disc plays 65:17, so omitting no.1 is explainable
ELGAR: Cantique op. 3,  Organ Sonata in G op.28, Vesper Voluntaries op. 14
Georgi Alexandrovich MUSHEL: Samarkand Suite
Daniel Justin, Benjamin Saunders    organ of Leeds Cathedral
       both of the above from the Brilliant Organ Box 1
LYAPUNOV: Violin Concerto in d, op.61   Symphony no.1 in b, op. 12
Maxim Fedotov, violin   Russian Philharmonic Orch., Dmitry Yablonsky, cond.

+1 for Lyapunov

NP
Gliere: Symphony No.2

[pjme]

Happy 125th birthday Paul Hindemith!

https://www.youtube.com/v/LR-X9tyaCM8

[Madiel]

Szymanowski, Penthesilea

Rather luscious in this recording. I'm definitely inclined to stick with Antoni Wit for the orchestral works.



And then 6 Songs, op.20. I've heard quite variable singing of Szymanowski's songs so far. This is one of the good ones.

[vers la flamme]

I LOVE Cantata Profana. Man, what a work and this is the best performance of it. The other version I heard is with Solti, but Boulez really shines here. I'd love to know what it is about Bartók's music that gives you so much trouble?

I enjoy Bartók's music a lot, he has certainly grown on me as a composer. I was just listening to some of his piano music this morning. This work in particular just didn't really do it for me. Probably just need to listen to it more.

Now playing:



Antonín Dvořák: Piano Trio No.4 in E minor, op.90, the "Dumky". Beaux Arts Trio

Another composer whose music is growing on me. This is a brilliant and dramatic chamber work in multiple movements. Great performance from the Beaux Arts.

[Traverso]

Mozart

Symphony No38 & 39

Academy of st. Martin in the Fields  Neville Marriner

[Todd]

Disc 2.

[Judith]

Well, ran a marathon today. (Not literally as I can't run)  Listened to all three Beethoven Razumovsky Quartets because I hadn't any of them for a while and wanted to refresh.  From Beethoven Quartet set by Endellion String Quartet🎼🎼

[Biffo]

Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été - Stéphane Degout (baritone) and Les Siècles conducted by François-Xavier Roth