What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

Fauré
Requiem, Op. 48
Michael George (bass), John Scott (organ), Mary Seers (soprano)
English Chamber Orchestra, Corydon Singers
Matthew Best

[André]

I took a chance on this one as I was curious to hear the symphonic poems of Dubois and Champagne. I'm glad I did. Both works are worth hearing not just once, but certainly for the long run as well. The Dubois is a three movement work of some 20 minutes. The last (Adonis awakening) is strikingly tuneful. Gorgeous melodies and harmonies, worthy of the best from Saint-Saens and d'Indy. The Champagne work is rather short but very substantial musically. It tells the story of Hercules and the maid Omphale, to whom he was sold as a slave by the god Hermes. A rather somber, moody piece of some power. I was expecting something jolly, along the lines of the Saint-Saens work Le Rouet d'Omphale. On paper the Strauss and Wagner works look like odd disc mates but as a whole the program works very well, as all the works are about fate and drama. I was pleasantly surprised by the orchestral execution. The ensemble doesn't count a lot of strings (29 violins and violas vs the usual 38-40). The resulting textures allow the winds and brass greater prominence in the mix. Recommended.

[Daverz]

Skalkottas has the reputation of writing relatively "accessible" serial music. From the little I've heard, I agree. Bought one disc years ago, liked it, thought about getting more but other priorities came up...

Now listening:

Arrived unexpectedly today. Starting with disc 2, which concludes with SQ #2.

Great to hear that this MSR set came promptly.  I can't agree about Skalkottas: he was very capable of writing impenetrable music, although I do admire his integrity.

[Traverso]

I don't know why but as of late I can't see any of the pictures you post. 

I don't know what the reason is,it is visable for me.Sometimes I miss some pictures as well.

[Symphonic Addict]

String Quartets 1 and 2

Right now I'm being blown away by this surprising music. A quite promising beginning to hear the whole cycle.




Another body of works I'll be exploring these days. Today I started out with Morceaux Opp. 9, 10 and 19.

[T. D.]

Was reminded of this yesterday, promised to listen.
Skalkottas: I guess it's just as well I never explored his music (beyond 1 disc decades ago)...too many other composers moved ahead of him in the queue.

[Mirror Image]

Enescu
Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 26/2
Valentin Radutiu (cello), Per Rundberg (piano)



A magnificent work as seems to be the case with Enescu's later works in general.

[Mirror Image]

Britten
String Quartets Nos. 1-3
Britten Quartet



It just doesn't get any better than this, folks. It really doesn't.

[Irons]

Wordsworth: 2nd Symphony.



A splendid symphony. Hard to fathom why Barbirolli and the BBC had a problem with it.

[Mandryka]

I started listening to Belder play some Farnaby and Byrd (vol 7) but rapidly turned to this, and fuck! It's a real shock to listen to Egarr with the Belder still in your head because the tuning of the harpsichord that Belder uses really changes the music so dramatically. I prefer the results to Belder's and I find the selection of music on this CD more consistently interesting. I especially appreciate the way that Egarr avoids hammering out the pulse more, maybe because there are less dance pieces.

[Harry]

Recent acquisition.

Victor Herbert.

Serenade for String orchestra, opus 12.
Seven pieces for Cello & String orchestra.
Three pieces for String orchestra.

Maximilian Hornung, Cello.
Kammerorchester Pforzheim, Sebastian Tewinkel

Herbert writes happy music, simple but affective, thus a good start of the day. It is well recorded and performed.

[Harry]

Recent acquisition.

Joan Manen.
Symphony No. 2, "Iberica"
Barcelona SO, Darrell Ang.

This is a long Symphony, lasting almost 56 minutes. The first movement alone is about 21 minutes, and despite is coherent structure outstays its welcome by a wide margin. There are some interesting moments, but as a whole it is not very satisfying. My mind keeps wandering while listening. The second movement fares better, but does not create the magic I expected, after listening to his sublime Violin concerto, No. 3. The third movement I think is the best, being slightly wayward, and has a sentimental tinge to it that falls well into my current mood. The last movement has a tight rhythm to it, and holds some memorable episodes, it is certainly well argued throughout.  And although I like his music in general, this symphony is not a dam buster for me. The performance is very good, as is the recording.

[Harry]

New acquisition.

Alfredo Casella.
Concerto for orchestra, opus 61.
A Notte alta, opus 30.
Symphonic fragments, from "La donna serpente", opus 50.

Martin Roscoe, Piano.
BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea Noseda,

As the first volume, it is superb. That goes for all aspects of this production. Just love the second movement of the opus 61, there is all what makes Casella the composer he is. A really fine disc with music that keeps your attention.

[Que]

So far, so very good. 

Q

[Papy Oli]

Wordsworth: 2nd Symphony.



A splendid symphony. Hard to fathom why Barbirolli and the BBC had a problem with it.

I should really revisit this one sometime soon (among other Lyritas).

[Papy Oli]

[Traverso]

Hooper-Morley & Tomkins

[Madiel]

My last throw of the Satie dice... 

[Biffo]

Handel: Five (of 9) German Arias - Dorothea Röschmann soprano with Akademie für Alte Music Berlin - from the set Famous Arias - pleasant listening

[Carlo Gesualdo]

William Cornysh on The cardinal's singers super supa sweet