What are you listening 2 now?

[Harry]

New acquisition, first listen.

Music from Eighteenth century Prague.
Volume II from 10.

Vaclav Gunther Jacob.
Missa dei Filii.
Dixit Dominus.
Vezirius Turcicus.

Valentin Rathgeber.
Concerto in F/D/C.

Capella Regia Praha, on period instruments, Robert Hugo.
See soloists on the back cover.

Wow, another success in this series, Jacob's music is a revelation, as is Rathgeber's. And such fine performances, and all bought for 12,99€. I count my lucky stars. Sound is exemplary.



Throughout the 18th century, Prague was a significant European centre. When it comes to music, it fused in a singular manner influences primarily from Dresden, Vienna and Italy with the famous Czech musicality and folk culture. In a superlative and historically knowledgeable interpretation, the newly originating cycle »Music from Eighteen-Century Prague« will map the-yet-to-be-appreciated wealth which is still being discovered in Prague, Czech and foreign archives and which directly reflects the variegated picture of the musical life of the capital. Vaclav Gunther Jacob's »Missa Dei Filii«, which in world premiere opens this series, is an example of the creation of one of the most popular composers from the Czech lands in the first third of the 18th century. Jacob was primarily synonymous with the Benedictine Monastery of Saint Nicholas in Prague's Old Town, yet thanks to several printed music collections his fame spread far beyond the country's borders (prints have been preserved in, for example, Munich and Bologna) and earned him a number of commissions from abroad. Through this CD, the remarkable work of the stylistically highly original composer has for the first time in centuries the opportunity to draw the attention it deserves and be listened to by lovers of Baroque music. The recording is noteworthy for its vivacity and stylistic purity – attributes characteristic of Capella Regia Praha.

[Que]

For fans of early Italian opera, this set is absolutely outstanding:

Count me in! 

[SonicMan46]

New release, first listen.

Andreas Romberg.  Violin Concertos.  No 4 in C major.  No. 12 in G minor.  No. 9 in A major.

Chouchane Siranossian, Violin.  Capriccio Barockorchester, Dominik Kiefer.

Finally some recording with the Violin Concertos by Romberg, and very good they are, musically and performance wise. Sound is top notch too. Siranossian is a excellent violinist, and plays with a lot of panache, yet never overaccentuates. Highly detailed, her clear and pure tone makes for very pleasant listening time. Orchestra is well up to the task.

Hey Harry - I listened to the Violin Concertos recording above on Spotify this morning - excellent!  The price at Amazon USA is a little steep at $20 USD - now there are a bunch of 'Rombergs', i.e. Andreas' cousin Bernhard, the cello player; and of course Sigmund Romberg (of Student Prince et al fame).  So, had to see 'what' I already owned of A. Romberg's music - just 5 CDs, all chamber works w/ the 4 below up for a listen - Dave

     

[steve ridgway]

Boulez - Pli Selon Pli.

[Karl Henning]

Nielsen
Vn Cto, Op. 33
Arve Tellefsen, vn
Royal Phil
Menuhin

[ritter]

Boulez

Notations for Piano
Sonatina for flute and piano
Sonata for Piano No.1

Great stuff. I particularly like the Sonatine. How are you finding early Boulez, Olivier?

Boulez - Pli Selon Pli.

Un chef d'oeuvre absolu! . Good day, Steve.

[Daverz]

These works are recorded in a warm, slightly opaque acoustic.  I enjoy it, but I wonder if it's not a softening of the music.  I only disliked Aïs, which had vocalizations that sounding like people making horsey noises.

[Mirror Image]

NP: Mahler Rückert-Lieder (Ludwig/Klemperer)



Pure magic!

[Mirror Image]

NP: Martinů Piano Trio No. 3 in C major, H. 332 (Smetana Trio)

[Mirror Image]

NP: Enescu Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 26/2 (Rautiu/Rundberg)

[Symphonic Addict]

Unabashedly bombastic yet fun.

The Golden Age gave me a better impression than this one.

[ritter]

Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F major, op. 93. Arturo Toscanini conducts the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

[Mirror Image]

NP: Arnold Peterloo, Op. 97 (Gamba)

[vandermolen]

Bloch 'Israel Symphony'
Russian State Symphony Orchestra/Svetlanov
Best and most deeply-felt performance that I know of this moving work (also available on Brilliant Classics):

[Mirror Image]

NP: Elgar Symphony No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 63 (Davis)

[ritter]

And now, Hans Werner Henze's Undine (or Ondine). Oliver Knussen conducts the London Sinfonietta.

[Mirror Image]

And now, Hans Werner Henze's Undine (or Ondine). Oliver Knussen conducts the London Sinfonietta.

What do you think about Henze's music, Rafael? Good evening to you.

[Mirror Image]

Okay...I had to turn the Elgar off.

[Mirror Image]

Ah...this is more of my speed:

NP: Debussy Images, Books I & II (Jacobs)

[ritter]

What do you think about Henze's music, Rafael? Good evening to you.

In general, I enjoy it. I've seen two of his operas fully staged, The Bassarids and L'Upupa, and found much to admire particularly in the former. Recently I listened to Der Prinz von Homburg on CD, and it's very effective.

Thanks to our fellow GMGer pjme I approached the cantata Being Beauteous (it's in the big DG box, but I had never listened to it) and was quite impressed.

And this Undine, which I got to know when the recording was first released, is very attractive IMHO.

There's other works that I don't appreciate that much, e.g. Nachtstücke und Arien (which created a mini-scandal in Darmstadt at its premiere) and many more, but in general Henze is a composer I enjoy.