What are you listening 2 now?

[Papy Oli]

Glass to wrap up the evening.

[Mirror Image]

Glass to wrap up the evening.

Oh god...oh god...oh god...god...god...oh...oh...oh...god...god...god...

[Mirror Image]

Villa-Lobos, Heitor (1887-1959) - Non-Orchestral Music from the recordings below - Dave

   

Sweet!

[Mirror Image]

The Stravinsky works that come to mind as those I don't really care much for (apart from the really minor ones, like the Four Norwegian Moods, the Ode, etc.) are Oedipus Rex, Apollo, Jeu de Cartes, the Symphony in C, the Basel Concerto, the Cantata, and The Rake's Progress (even if the latter does have some beautiful passages). Scènes de ballet is "downmarket" IS, but is really fun (as are the Danses Concertantes).

Only one work for the desert island? I can't... I could possibly narrow it to three if my life depended on it: Pulcinella, Les Noces, Agon (in chronological order).

How about you, John?

THREAD DUTY:

Today's  homage to Stravinsky ends with one of the jewels of my collection, Pierre Boulez's 1965 recording of Les Noces (French version by C.-F. Ramuz), with forces of the Paris Opéra.

Interesting feedback, Rafael. Yes, I know my question is impossible, but I suppose Orpheus would have come to the desert island with me if I were only allowed on Stravinsky work. I have really become rather enamored with it. I especially like Stravinsky's stereo recording of it on Columbia. What an incredible performance.

[Mirror Image]

Ligeti - Requiem.

Awesome! Love that work.

[Papy Oli]

Oh god...oh god...oh god...god...god...oh...oh...oh...god...god...god...

At ease  I am fine  Glass is even half-full for me on this one, John (I already love his concerto for 2 timpanis in a different style). I am enjoying this too 

[Mirror Image]

At ease  I am fine  Glass is even half-full for me on this one, John (I already love his concerto for 2 timpanis in a different style). I am enjoying this too 

Alright, but I won't repeat myself with my own thoughts on his music.

[JBS]

Pierre Henry - Messe pour le temps présent

The "electronic jerks"?
I admit to being totally unfamiliar with Henry's music. What is it like?

TD
This landed today so the first 2 CDs now.

I can't find a listing on Amazon for the set. It's a somewhat updated version of an older Brilliant set (some of the older set's recordings were carried over).

[Karl Henning]

Alright, but I won't repeat myself with my own thoughts on his music.

I see what you did, there.

[Mirror Image]

I see what you did, there.

[Que]

Morning listening:



First spin of the very first recording by the Egidius Kwartet. Wonderful.

Q

[Irons]

Ernst Toch: 6th & 12th String Quartets.



Neglect is mostly for a reason but listening to these two quartets maybe Toch is undeserving of such treatment. The early 6th, composed when Toch was a seventeen year old schoolboy in Vienna (shades of Korngold?) is tuneful and classical, the first movement has echoes of Dvorak's "American" quartet. The 12th composed after his emigration to America is modern but not a difficult listen, in fact I enjoyed the work immensely. I am not a musician so unable to describe music itself but although these quartets are worlds apart (literally) there was a common musical thread to both that I found interesting and particular to the composer.     

[Harry]

Morning listening

J.S. Bach: Orgelwerke, Vol. 10: Klavierübung III, Prelude+Fugue in E flat major, the Greater chorales. (1)

Clavier-Übung III (Part 1):
1. Prelude & Fugue in E flat major ("St. Anne"), BWV 552: Prelude [9:28]
2. Chorale Prelude Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit (I), BWV 669 [3:33]
3. Chorale Prelude Christe, aller Welt Trost (I), BWV 670 [5:42]
4. Chorale Prelude Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist (I), BWV 671 [5:00]
5. Chorale Prelude Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (VI), BWV 676 [6:02]
6. Chorale Prelude Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot (II), BWV 678 [5:55]
7. Chorale Prelude Wir glauben all an einen Gott (I), BWV 680 [3:20]
8. Chorale Prelude Vater unser im Himmelreich (II), BWV 682 [7:39]
9. Chorale Prelude Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam (I), BWV 684 [5:13]
10. Chorale Prelude Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (I), BWV 686 [6:21]
11. Chorale Prelude Jesus Christus, unser Heiland (VI), BWV 688 [4:38]
12. Prelude & Fugue in E flat major ("St. Anne"), BWV 552: Fugue [7:34]

Ewald Kooiman plays on a Joseph Gäbler organ 1750, Klosterkirche Benediktinerabtei,  Weingarten, Germany



I am not a great fan of this organ. I find the voicing complicated, and it somehow does not sound comfortable, I miss the balance, and this harmonious tinge. Furthermore, recording in this venue seems to be complicated, for I did not hear a recording yet of this organ, that made me sit up. I find the Clavierübung a bit driven, as if Kooiman does not take its time to develop the music. I miss dedication, and find the uneven tempi bothersome.  Well it cannot be all perfect, although the organ was a wrong choice. And to be honest I somehow feel that Kooiman was not happy about it either. Sound on this first volume is mediocre.

[Mandryka]

I know it's not the last word in performances, but this morning, sun streaming into the room, Tuinstra playing Ach wie nichtig seems perfect - with one gripe: I wish he'd play with more atacca.

[Mandryka]

Morning listening

How's your eyes doing after that big op you had?

[Harry]

How's your eyes doing after that big op you had?

So far so good, sight has improved with almost 25 %, so in total 80% on both eyes. Some Vertigo will stay because of the plus minus balance, but I am grateful. Thank you for asking!

[Que]

So far so good, sight has improved with almost 25 %, so in total 80% on both eyes. Some Vertigo will stay because of the plus minus balance, but I am grateful. Thank you for asking!

Good news. 

[Harry]

Joachim Raff.
Piano Works Volume V.

Grande Sonate, opus 14.
Blätter und Blüten, opus 135a.

Tra Nguyen Piano.


I find the recordings in this box of exceptional quality. To be frank I did not hear anything better so far when it comes to the piano music by Raff. The performance is remarkable, with a recording that captures every detail. I especially like the Grande Sonate from 1881, a late work conceived on a quasi symphonic scale, it has a bleak nobility in its expression that appeals hugely to me, especially in it emotional culmination in the middle and end.

[Mandryka]

. Some Vertigo will stay because of the plus minus balance, but I am grateful.

That sounds horrible! But I guess you learn to live with it.

Listening to the Kooiman CU3 you had earlier now. There is something uncomfortable about it, tense, you must have hypnotised me! Noisy organ.

[Mandryka]

Morning listening:



First spin of the very first recording by the Egidius Kwartet. Wonderful.

Q

I like this very much, as you know I am convinced I was a Dutchman in a previous life. Can you understand the lyrics spontaneously, or is renaissance Dutch really different?