What are you listening 2 now?

[Traverso]

That is an interesting selection, especially the Frescobaldi.  I've listened to Koopman for the cantatas and organ works, but didn't know that he also performed some of the solo keyboard works of Bach.

The Frescobaldi is a very fine recording

[Mirror Image]

NP: Roussel Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 7, "Le poeme de la foret" (Janowski)

[Symphonic Addict]

Because Hurwitz recommended it (hahaha): Schulhoff's Symphony No.1 (but not from CPO). Oh, fabulous. Something of Hindemith and Martinu appears here. There is an exotic Chinese, militaristic feel to it I find irresistible. Also, the rhythmic vitality, melodies and orchestration are top-notch. A very fine first symphony by anyone IMO.

[Mirror Image]

Because Hurwitz recommended it (hahaha): Schulhoff's Symphony No.1 (but not from CPO). Oh, fabulous. Something of Hindemith and Martinu appears here. There is an exotic Chinese, militaristic feel to it I find irresistible. Also, the rhythmic vitality, melodies and orchestration are top-notch. A very fine first symphony by anyone IMO.

A fine symphony, indeed. And good thing you didn't listen to the CPO recording because this one is a dud, IMHO. Lackluster performances. Which one did you listen to? Válek on Supraphon? Yinon on Koch? As I have pointed out several pages back, I detected a Martinů and Hindemith influence, but also some Gershwin-like moments as well. A worthwhile symphony. Do check out his chamber, ballets, concerti and solo piano works --- they're sublime.

[Mirror Image]

NP: Stravinsky Orpheus (Orpheus Chamber Orch.)

From this set:



One of the most ravishing introductions in all of music. The whole ballet is so gorgeous.

[Symphonic Addict]

A fine symphony, indeed. And good thing you didn't listen to the CPO recording because this one is a dud, IMHO. Lackluster performances. Which one did you listen to? Válek on Supraphon? Yinon on Koch? As I have pointed out several pages back, I detected a Martinů and Hindemith influence, but also some Gershwin-like moments as well. A worthwhile symphony. Do check out his chamber, ballets, concerti and solo piano works --- they're sublime.

I heard the Yinon one. Exciting to say the least, and powerfully recorded. I see your point about Gershwin. That jazzistic element is there as well. I know some other works by him, and indeed, John, Schulhoff has everything to be considered a composer of stature.

[Mirror Image]

I heard the Yinon one. Exciting to say the least, and powerfully recorded. I see your point about Gershwin. That jazzistic element is there as well. I know some other works by him, and indeed, John, Schulhoff has everything to be considered a composer of stature.

The Yinon is the one I listened to several nights ago and it was thrilling. What is interesting about Schulhoff and Gershwin is Schulhoff was writing classical works with jazz leanings before Gershwin, but, for whatever reason, didn't get this acknowledgment. You definitely should look into his oeuvre --- there are so many works that demand attention, IMHO.

[Symphonic Addict]

Falla achieved to upraise his neoclassical phase with the delightful and very Spanish of El Siglo de Oro Concerto for harpsichord, flute, oboe, clarinet, violin and cello. The apotheosis of Spanish Musical Neoclassicism.




How atmospheric it's the opening of the Harp Concerto. Harmonically arresting and severe. It reminded me a little of Ives and Martin.

[Mirror Image]

Falla achieved to upraise his neoclassical phase with the delightful and very Spanish of El Siglo de Oro Concerto for harpsichord, flute, oboe, clarinet, violin and cello. The apotheosis of Spanish Musical Neoclassicism.

Massive fan of Falla! Good for you to listen to his Harpsichord Concerto. I recall our Rafael is also quite the fan of this composer. I believe I have savored every morsel Falla has composed at this juncture.

[Symphonic Addict]

Massive fan of Falla! Good for you to listen to his Harpsichord Concerto. I recall our Rafael is also quite the fan of this composer. I believe I have savored every morsel Falla has composed at this juncture.

Do you know his cantata Atlántida? It's a work I've wanted to be familiar with.

[Mirror Image]

Do you know his cantata Atlántida? It's a work I've wanted to be familiar with.

Yes, I'm not too crazy about Atlántida, although it does have some good parts. I tend to listen to Falla's solo piano, chamber and ballets the most. I also like the operas, La vida breve and El retablo de maese Pedro. Psyché is also an incredible piece.

[Mirror Image]

NP: Falla Psyché (Higuera-Aragón/Dutoit)

[Symphonic Addict]

Yes, I'm not too crazy about Atlántida, although it does have some good parts. I tend to listen to Falla's solo piano, chamber and ballets the most. I also like the operas, La vida breve and El retablo de maese Pedro. Psyché is also an incredible piece.

Ah, ok. I suppose I'll skip it for now. I also know La vida breve and El retablo. Nobody like Falla knew how to express the essence of Spanish soul as much as him, even above Albéniz o Granados, and that is represented quite well in both works.

[Mirror Image]

Ah, ok. I suppose I'll skip it for now. I also know La vida breve and El retablo. Nobody like Falla knew how to express the essence of Spanish soul as much as him, even above Albéniz o Granados, and that is represented quite well in both works.

This is true. I'd say Falla is my favorite Spanish composer, but I'm rather getting to enjoy Roberto Gerhard's music more and more. Of course, he's of a later generation than Falla.

[Mirror Image]

NP: Falla El retablo de maese Pedro (Dutoit et. al.)

[Que]

Morning listening - starting with a recently arrived 5CD box set:

 

[Que]

 

A Glossa recording from 2011.

Q

[Irons]

Massive fan of Falla! Good for you to listen to his Harpsichord Concerto. I recall our Rafael is also quite the fan of this composer. I believe I have savored every morsel Falla has composed at this juncture.

RCA released a LP (CD?) of Joaquin Achucarro performing both harpsichord and piano versions of the Concerto on the same LP side.
I would expect harpsichord to be superior as that the composer's original intention but what is surprising is the degree of superiority in this recording at least. Achucarro is an excellent pianist in "Nights in the Gardens of Spain".   

[Benji]

A new recording of Gorecki's third symphony, and an incredible piece that I had not heard before (Vehadi).  Lisa Gerrard delivers an exceptional performance, best singing I've heard in the third.  I will order this when it is released on cd.

My friend, I love your programming choice and I'm going to join you for some of these. But first up forgive me for offering the opposite opinion on the Górecki. I really do like Gerrard's voice in other contexts but I feel she's overreaching here - her range seems stretched. When the emotional climax arrives in the second movement it didn't have enough power and fell a bit flat, compared to my favourite performance by Polish soprano Zofia Kilanowicz which is heart-piercingly intense.

If think the most generous thing I can say about Gerrard's performance is that it is very human in its frailty and perhaps you could argue that in the grief-laden context of the piece, that's a desirable quality.

Vehadi though - this is gorgeous and a fantastic display of her talents, and I will listen to this again.

David I wonder if you might like this disc. It's an odd one - from 1989 era Jan Garbarek on ECM so expect a bit of synth and icy sax - but the singing is not something you hear every day and it is idiosyncratic, but most importantly very beautiful. I think it's really special, I have an inkling you might agree. I'm discovered it in Spotify - seems to be well OOP on disc.

[Que]

Neapolitan Antonio Ferradini in unadulterated Rococo style/ Stile Galante.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Feb09/ferradini_TC713101.htm
http://mldd.blogspot.com/2018/02/antonio-ferradini-300-years.html

Q