What are you listening 2 now?

[André]

One of my favorite Tveitt discs, mostly because of the magical variations.

After a second listening today both works 'settled' even better. I could see either one making a splash in the concert hall. Truly splendid.

[Mirror Image]

NP: Hindemith Trio for Viola, Heckelphone and Piano (Ensemble Villa Musica)

[Mirror Image]

Because it's "for harp, harpsichord, piano and 2 string orchestras"?  And the intended type of harpsichord is the big Pleyel type.

'Fearing that the unusual instrumentation of the "Petite symphonie concertante" might limit performances, Martin later rescored the work for a conventional large orchestra (without solo instruments) as the "Symphonie concertante".' (from Wikipedia)

The original work is much more interesting, though.  I'm only aware of one recording of the "Symphonie concertante" by Bamert on Chandos.

This certainly makes sense. I find the original instrumentation much more interesting, too. I own that Bamert recording of Symphonie concertante, but I might have another lurking around somewhere. I want to say it's with Thierry Fischer, but I don't think so.

[Mirror Image]

Some Messiaen piano, the 6th Prelude. The gentle arpeggiation is suitably soothing for this time of night.

And then Igor Levitt playing the 5th of the six chorale preludes by Brahms via Busoni. I have fallen for this little piece in a big way - it has a wonderful driving energy and logic about it that does a great job of realigning my sensibilities... If that makes any sense at all. It is late.

I might have to revisit Messiaen's Préludes. I recall they're pretty good. Oh and it's great seeing you post again, Benji! It's been a long time.

[Alek Hidell]

Every time I fall behind in this thread and then finally catch up, I tell myself I won't let myself fall behind again. But then a day passes and ten more pages have been added.

So I'm finally back to the present, and I'm currently listening to this:



Beautiful stuff, naturally, and introducing me to several of the man's works that are completely new to me. I was impressed by the previously-unknown-to-me Cassazione (Op.6), of which there appear to be two versions (as so often seems to be the case with Sibelius) - I haven't yet heard the "final" version. Anyway, enjoying all of it.

Before this was Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica - now there's a bit of a contrast for you.

[Mirror Image]

Every time I fall behind in this thread and then finally catch up, I tell myself I won't let myself fall behind again. But then a day passes and ten more pages have been added.

So I'm finally back to the present, and I'm currently listening to this:



Beautiful stuff, naturally, and introducing me to several of the man's works that are completely new to me. I was impressed by the previously-unknown-to-me Cassazione (Op.6), of which there appear to be two versions (as so often seems to be the case with Sibelius) - I haven't yet heard the "final" version. Anyway, enjoying all of it.

Before this was Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica - now there's a bit of a contrast for you.

The Sibelius Edition on BIS was a one of those series that I had to have and it took me several years to finally get all the volumes. It's certainly one of the best purchases I've ever made.

Thread duty -

Hindemith Der Schwanendreher (Zimmermann/Graf)

[Brian]

Today I had the rare privilege of hearing Poulenc's music for the short film La Belle au bois dormant.

As best I can tell there is no commercial audio recording of the work. But incredibly the National Film and Sound Archive here in Canberra is one of 2 places in the world listed on WorldCat as having a copy of the film.

And they let me watch it. Twice.

Poulenc himself played harpsichord. There are also wind instruments (definitely clarinet and bassoon and fairly sure flute and oboe are the others), a harp and percussion (at least a xylophone and woodblock), though the 'credits' don't give all that detail for the rest of the instruments.

About 6 minutes long, continuous score throughout the film, which is stop motion puppetry. It's basically an advertisement for a wine company, where the prince is told that wine will revive sleeping beauty ("l'âme du vin reveillera la belle"). She wakes, everyone has champagne and dances.

Wow!!

[Brian]

Another rather wonderful rediscovery buried in amongst discs I own but don't really know.  This time, Atterberg's Symphony No.3 "West Coast Pictures" on CPO.  Couple with the better-known (more familiar to me at least) Symphony No.6 "Dollar Symphony".  But No.3 is positively epic!  Originally 3 separate Tone Poems (Sun Smoke, Storm & Summer Night) that Atterberg brought together under this symphonic title.  Wonderfully sweeping and exciting music in what seems to be a very good performance - I wonder how Jarvi's newer version on Chandos compares? - I imagine its the sort of score that would suit Jarvi well.



I also didn't realise Atterberg was one of the avatars used here until just now either!

The Jarvi Atterberg #3 has one horrible defect - at the very end of the symphony in the final big climax, inaudible percussion!! It was a live recording from years before the rest of the Chandos series, and the live engineers (or performers) messed up.

[Mirror Image]

NP: Xenakis Mists (Claude Helffer - piano)

From this superb box set:

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Hello guys I fell neck deep into Peter Warlock Music, was so impress by the download of Warlock Choral Music on naxos that I purchase it in CD media and... that feel morally obligated to by an on 60'' vinyl of Warlock Choral ,chanson , instrumental ,all does it's is dark choral music I favor more, that is pitch dark.

Any fan of Peter Warlock here?
I am a born again fan now, what a strange, odd, creepy kinda fellow ? hey ?

I am looking for more  dark choral work aala  Peter Warlock other composers, that I would dig in choral work of the early past century?

[JBS]

NP: Hindemith Trio for Viola, Heckelphone and Piano (Ensemble Villa Musica)

Two questions
Is the music worth getting?
What the heck is a heckelphone?

[Mirror Image]

Two questions
Is the music worth getting?
What the heck is a heckelphone?

Absolutely! If you like Hindemith, then it's certainly worth it, IMHO. The heckelphone is a cousin of the oboe, but with a lower pitch.

[Mirror Image]

NP: Boulez Cummings ist der Dichter, 2nd Version (Boulez/BBC SO & Singers)

[SimonNZ]

[springrite]

What the heck is a heckelphone?

Sounds like something one should take to a protest rally!

[amw]

Disc three, the neverending string quartet.

Dvořák did make a huge amount of cuts to the quartet, although ultimately decided not to publish it at all. It is an interesting case because although the quartet is clearly too long as written, many of the cuts don't make a lot of sense musically. They can all be heard (or rather, not heard) on the Zemlinsky Quartet recording, which does make a good side by side case study with the Prague/Panocha/Stamitz recordings.

[Mirror Image]

Sounds like something one should take to a protest rally!

And I'm sure you'll be the first to be bludgeoned.

[Mirror Image]

One more work before bed...

NP: Hindemith Die Junge Magd. Six Poems of Georg Trakl for Alto With Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet, Op. 23B (Cornelia Kallisch/Ensemble Villa Musica)

[SimonNZ]

[Madiel]

Early Mozart soprano arias: K.77, 78, 79 and 88.