What are you listening 2 now?

[vandermolen]

I blame Karl. 

Yes, you're right. This was a perfectly good table until Karl mentioned that he was listening to Bernstein's recording of 'Jeremiah Symphony' featuring Jennie Tourel:

[Harry]

Johann Sebastian Bach.
Johannes Passion.
Choir de Chambre de Namur.
Les Agremens.
From the Box German Baroque Sacred Music. Passion & Resurrection.
CD VI & VII,

Never had a feel for all the passions Bach wrote, and this performance is no exception. Low energy performances, nothing stands out. Soloists are so so, choir is shouting out the lines instead of singing them, tempi are putting you to sleep, thus the overall expression is almost as flat as a pancake. O, well, I have given up hope that I will ever like the passions.

[Roasted Swan]

Eve since the first time that I heard it a considerable number of years ago I must confess that Ravel's Bolero is a real hate for me. I appreciate what it is doing but I just do not like it. It is so repetitive and boring. Given that, I am a great admirer of Ravel's music [other than Bolero!].

I completely get why many people find Bolero a major turn-off.  But I must admit I do have a curious fascination for it.  I can't say I listen to it a lot or often, but in the right performance I do find it utterly compelling.  And the performance is the key.  To my ear there is a "just so" tempo that is steady but inexorable - a kind of 'fate takes to the dance floor' feel.  Also, the conductor/orchestra need to to be so nuanced and subtle in the gradation of the build to the final collapse.  When all those musical building blocks are in place then I am completely convinced.  But its a fragile structure - any of those elements missings or out of balance and all you are left with is a repetitious fairly tedious tune......

[vers la flamme]

Joseph Haydn: Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuze, H 20/2. Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Concentus Musicus Wien, Arnold Schoenberg Chor

Happy belated to Haydn, happy Good Friday to all.

[aligreto]

I completely get why many people find Bolero a major turn-off.  But I must admit I do have a curious fascination for it.  I can't say I listen to it a lot or often, but in the right performance I do find it utterly compelling.  And the performance is the key.  To my ear there is a "just so" tempo that is steady but inexorable - a kind of 'fate takes to the dance floor' feel.  Also, the conductor/orchestra need to to be so nuanced and subtle in the gradation of the build to the final collapse.  When all those musical building blocks are in place then I am completely convinced.  But its a fragile structure - any of those elements missings or out of balance and all you are left with is a repetitious fairly tedious tune......

As a matter of interest, what performance would you recommend? I am always open to convincing.

[Harry]

Johann Sebastian Bach.
Johannes Passion. Third part.
Christ lag im Tödesbanden.
Choir de Chambre de Namur.
Les Agremens.
Ricercare consort.
From the Box German Baroque Sacred Music. Passion & Resurrection.
CD VII.

[Biffo]

To start the day, Victoria: Tenebrae Responsories - Feria VI in Parasceve - Responsaria IV - IX - Westminster Cathedral Choir directed by David Hill - Responsaria for Good Friday

Later, Mozart: Piano Concerto No 12 in A major, K 414 - Daniel Barenboim conductor & soloist with the English Chamber Orchestra

[vandermolen]

I completely get why many people find Bolero a major turn-off.  But I must admit I do have a curious fascination for it.  I can't say I listen to it a lot or often, but in the right performance I do find it utterly compelling.  And the performance is the key.  To my ear there is a "just so" tempo that is steady but inexorable - a kind of 'fate takes to the dance floor' feel.  Also, the conductor/orchestra need to to be so nuanced and subtle in the gradation of the build to the final collapse.  When all those musical building blocks are in place then I am completely convinced.  But its a fragile structure - any of those elements missings or out of balance and all you are left with is a repetitious fairly tedious tune......

I've always liked 'Bolero'.

[Madiel]

Mozart, Symphonies 44, 47 and 45.

Trying Jeffrey Tate's performances and rather enjoying.

[Madiel]

Haydn, Piano trio no.7 (Hob. XV:41)



EDIT: Delicious.

[Traverso]

This is a recording that still does not fail to move me after so many years.

Two pictures and the same recording

[Brahmsian]

Haydn, Piano trio no.7 (Hob. XV:41)



EDIT: Delicious.

Whenever I see this cover, for some reason I think of those AT-AT Walkers on Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back.

[Stürmisch Bewegt]

I look forward to hearing Clérambault's Cantatas someday but in the interim, have enjoyed these for several years :

[Madiel]

Whenever I see this cover, for some reason I think of those AT-AT Walkers on Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back.

Not a crazy connection to make.

[Stürmisch Bewegt]

Cross-post:

https://www.youtube.com/v/egru61LZWTc

The composer has listener comments turned off on Youtube, but he cannot escape them here:  This is a singularly delectable and entrancing work, marvelously modal at times, does the heart good.  I need to listen to the other body parts...

[Papy Oli]

Eve since the first time that I heard it a considerable number of years ago I must confess that Ravel's Bolero is a real hate for me. I appreciate what it is doing but I just do not like it. It is so repetitive and boring. Given that, I am a great admirer of Ravel's music [other than Bolero!].

Hi Fergus,
I have managed to avoid over-exposure on this one over the years so I still enjoy it very much the few times a year I pick it up. If anything, I appreciate it even more now since I have heard it live for the first time with the Hallé in one of our last pre-covid concerts. Nothing short of a revelation to experience such a well known war horse.

Like Swan said further up, the building up has to be just right for the listener. It won't be everyone's cup of tea but I particularly like Celibidache's slower version of the Bolero. It is one of those where the build up really works (for me) and is worth investing the (extra!!) time.   

[Papy Oli]

I completely get why many people find Bolero a major turn-off.  But I must admit I do have a curious fascination for it.  I can't say I listen to it a lot or often, but in the right performance I do find it utterly compelling.  And the performance is the key.  To my ear there is a "just so" tempo that is steady but inexorable - a kind of 'fate takes to the dance floor' feel.  Also, the conductor/orchestra need to to be so nuanced and subtle in the gradation of the build to the final collapse.  When all those musical building blocks are in place then I am completely convinced.  But its a fragile structure - any of those elements missings or out of balance and all you are left with is a repetitious fairly tedious tune......

Very nicely put, RS 

[Harry]

New acquirement, first listen.

French Music for Ballet.

Henri Sauguet.
Les Forains.

Jules Massenet.
Ballet Suite from Herodiade.

Jacques Ibert.
Les Amours de Jupiter.

Estonia National SO, Neeme Järvi

This is for one great feast. Such fine Ballet music, expertly played and recorded. Ballet is my first love in classical music, and in this I wallow in this brand new release.

[Brahmsian]

New acquirement, first listen.

French Music for Ballet.

Henri Sauguet.
Les Forains.

Jules Massenet.
Ballet Suite from Herodiade.

Jacques Ibert.
Les Amours de Jupiter.

Estonia National SO, Neeme Järvi

This is for one great feast. Such fine Ballet music, expertly played and recorded. Ballet is my first love in classical music, and in this I wallow in this brand new release.

Harry, please feel free to also post this in the "What Ballet Music Are You Listening To" thread.  . No obligation, but feel free to do so.

[aligreto]

Hi Fergus,
I have managed to avoid over-exposure on this one over the years so I still enjoy it very much the few times a year I pick it up. If anything, I appreciate it even more now since I have heard it live for the first time with the Hallé in one of our last pre-covid concerts. Nothing short of a revelation to experience such a well known war horse.

Like Swan said further up, the building up has to be just right for the listener. It won't be everyone's cup of tea but I particularly like Celibidache's slower version of the Bolero. It is one of those where the build up really works (for me) and is worth investing the (extra!!) time.

Cheers Olivier. I have to be honest but I am not a Celibidache fan so I am not sure that combination will work for me. 
However, If I can find it I will investigate it.