What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

https://www.youtube.com/v/f7UIjHmsZ0g

Grace Williams: Symphony No. 1 (Symphonic Impressions)

An ominous and gripping symphony. This broadcast has very good sound quality.

[André]

Disc two: tone poems op 107, 108, 109 and 111 (op 110 appears on the first disc).

Dvorak wrote his tone poems in 1896 (op 107-110, based on folk legends collected by Karel Erben) and 1897 (op 111, for which no particular source exists). In many ways the last is different from the other four. It lacks any literary context or plot, and is conceived more as a generic orchestral piece possibly intended as a tribute to Brahms, who had died a few months before. While comparable in artistry to the Symphonic Variations or the Scherzo Capriccioso, it is not on the same exalted level as the preceding opuses. It is played here by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra under Aloïs Klima. The others are with the great Czech Philharmonic under Zdenek Chalabala.

The Water Goblin and The Noonday Witch in particular stand out for their incredible rythmic and harmonic inventiveness. To the regular symphony orchestra forces Dvorak added a bass clarinet, english horn, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tam-tam and bells. Both were favourites of Janacek, who conducted them and acknowledged their influence in his own artistic development. Erben's tales were the kind told to children to make them behave (malevolent goblins and witches snatching little kids away). Spooky and almost sadistic stuff.

Chalabala's performances with the Czech Philharmonic have for decades been the benchmark for these works. The characteristic sound of this orchestra was at its best in the early sixties, with spicy winds, biting string sound, pungent winds, all superbly enhanced by the reverb from the Rudolfinum hall in Prague. There are other excellent versions of these works, but none that tell a story as vividly as those. This set is a treasure trove.

[Mirror Image]

I think I did listen to some of Rattle's performances on my first trip through Szymanowski, and I'm sure I will again as his reputation in this music is excellent. The thing that's striking me with Wit is the clarity, which is no easy thing in such hot-headed music. Credit to the the engineers just as much as the performers.

Yes, indeed. What I also like about the Wit series are the works that don't make it to disc very often (if ever!) like Veni Creator or Mandragora for example.

[Mirror Image]

Three Places in New England

Pounds the table!

[Mirror Image]

More chamber goodness from Koechlin:

Viola and Cello Sonatas

[listener]

VIEUXTEMPS: Violin Concertos 1 - 4
Misha Keylin, violin    Janaček Philharmonic Orch.   Dennis Burkh  (1-3)  Arnhem Philharmonic, Takuo Yusawa (4)

[vers la flamme]

Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, op.34. Arthur Rubinstein, Guarneri Quartet

Brilliant performance of this dark and intense chamber work. I need to track down more of the Rubinstein/Guarneri stuff. I am so impressed with what I'm hearing.

[Symphonic Addict]

Pounds the table!

A very cool work.

[Symphonic Addict]

Violin Concerto in A major

What an utterly beguiling work! It's sheer joy. I wonder why I waited for so long to give it a listen.

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Well Gurn Blanston head chief oof GmG good music sirr, the best Gesualdo or one of the best EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble Gessualdo Madrigali, one superb CD fluid voice all in all a great cd, none the less a very gifted skilled ensemble James Weeks Director 

[Mirror Image]

More Koechlin!

Violin Sonata, Op. 64
Stéphanie Moraly (violin), Romain David (piano)

[Todd]

Disc 2.

[Mirror Image]

Sibelius
4 Pieces, Op. 115
Nils-Erik Sparf (violin), Bengt Forsberg (piano)



Has Sibelius ever wrote a note I didn't like? The answer is 'no'. He didn't write much music towards the end of his life, but he did write several more chamber pieces. The fact remains that Sibelius didn't stop composing cold turkey. He didn't write any other large scale work, but this doesn't mean he's stopped composing. People also forget that he had a tremor in hands that prevented him from composing for long periods of time. I believe I read that somedays he could hardly hold a pen.

[SimonNZ]

"Il Viaggio di Lucrezia" - Mara Galassi, harp

[T. D.]

 

[Que]

Morning listening of a new arrival, 4th and last disc:

 

Q

[Que]

Johannes Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, op.34. Arthur Rubinstein, Guarneri Quartet

Brilliant performance of this dark and intense chamber work. I need to track down more of the Rubinstein/Guarneri stuff. I am so impressed with what I'm hearing.

Ha, a like minded spirit!! 

The Rubinstein/Guarneri stuff covers Brahms, Fauré and Dvořák, and is all mandatory IMO. 
Best sound quality is on the issues in the Rubinstein Edition as the one pictured.

Q

[pjme]

Good morning!

[Irons]

Finzi: Cello concerto.



The finale reminded me of Mozart of all people.

[Que]

Test drive on Spotify:



Q