What are you listening 2 now?

[aligreto]

Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 2 [Gewandhaus Quartet]





There is terrific energy, drive and excitement in the first movement. The music is really attacked here. The second movement has very fine quartet writing and is very intense; it is very appealing music. The intermezzo is a wonderful piece of writing in ABA form containing two wonderful contrasting sections. The final movement starts off angrily and menacing and then races off excitedly. Once again, the music is attacked to great effect here. The movement concludes exquisitely with glorious harmonic writing.

[aligreto]

You don't need me to say this, but: Nothing wrong with that approach, Fergus.

Cheers, Karl.

[aligreto]

It's also noteworthy because both the name and the opus are incorrect. It's actually a Greetings/Salutations Overture (or in German "Huldigung"), and it's op.48!

I found this out last night, the second edition of the box set appears to have had some poor editing. Which of course has resulted in incorrect metadata being spread far and wide given this is the mostly available version of the recordings.

Wow, thank you for that information.

[Florestan]

A few first-listens



The very opening bars had me on the edge of the seat and after the final chord I stooped to pick up my jaw which must have dropped on the floor some time during the 3rd movement. Such a ravishing experience! The sweeping power of this music took me to planes and places where I'd never been before. An absolute masterpiece.



A different, but no less exhilarating and powerful, experience. That a 15yo could write music exhibiting such complete mastery of form and such expressive depths is nothing short of a miracle, just like in Mozart's case. These quartets are full of passion and tenderness, life-affirming and gorgeously tuneful. The big surprise is a piano quartet which Felix wrote at the teder age of 12 (sic!) and which is sheer delight from start to end, a masterpiece of elegance and a feast of memorable melodies. The inclusion of this work makes this twofer the only genuinely complete on the market, all others known to me don't feature it. Mendelssohn was a genius and I should spend much more time with his music than I used to.



Rachmaninoff --- All-Night Vigils, Op. 37 / St Petersburg Chamber Choir, Nikolai Korniev, Olga Borodina (MS), Vladimir Moztovoy (T)

The first time I listened to this piece in its entirety. While listening I wondered what it would have been like to hear it in the Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer in Moscow . The very thought gave me goosebumps and sent shivers down my spine. The majestic chants, the soaring solos, the feeling of calm yet powerful devotion and the deeply mystical, otherworldly atmosphere would have been enhanced a thousand times in that particular setting, amid the icons, the incense and the wide space. This monumental piece is one of the best, most deeply felt and beautiful expression of Christian faith in general and of Eastern Orthodox faith in particular known to me. Thank you and God bless your soul, Sergei Vasilyevich!

[Papy Oli]

Good morning all,

Another dozen of Canteloube's Chansons d'Auvergne to start the day. Lovely.

[Madiel]

Mozart, Mitridate Act 1



It's unlikely I'll listen to the whole opera tonight. But I suspect the recording is going to be another winner from this series.

[vandermolen]

Bernstein 'Facsimile' with LB conducting.
I've always liked historical performances and I especially like this CD (part of a double CD set) as 'Facsimile' and the 'Jeremiah Symphony' are together on the same disc in fine performances:

Now 'Jeremiah' - I think that this 1945 recording is the greatest performance on disc and the most deeply felt of all. LB conducting the St Louis SO with Nan Merriman.

[Biffo]

Vaughan Williams: Folk Songs from Sussex -

Mary Bevan soprano
Nicky Spence tenor
Roderick Williams baritone
Jack Liebeck violin
William Vann piano
Chorus

From Vol 1 of Folk Song Arrangements. Vol 2 was reviewed this morning of BBC R3 Record Review - ordered and on its way.

[Papy Oli]

Closing the Bizet exploration with another version of his Symphony in C.

[aligreto]

Miaskovsky: Symphony No. 18 Op. 41 [Svetlanov]





This is a very fine work. There is definitely a sonic seed change here: tones and textures are lighter and somewhat leaner. A different, more mature voice is emerging whilst still adhering to the same basic principles. The same thoughts and ideas are being treated in a slightly different way. It is very interesting.

[vandermolen]

Vaughan Williams: Folk Songs from Sussex -

Mary Bevan soprano
Nicky Spence tenor
Roderick Williams baritone
Jack Liebeck violin
William Vann piano
Chorus

From Vol 1 of Folk Song Arrangements. Vol 2 was reviewed this morning of BBC R3 Record Review - ordered and on its way.

Roderick Williams is always good.
Now playing (arrived today) Uuno Klami's Psalmus, conducted by Ulf Soderblom:

[aligreto]

Dvorak: Violin Concerto.



Suk's later recording, the first with Ancerl. Neumann?

The Dvorak Violin Concerto is a powerful and lyrical work. I do not have that version but one with him playing with the Prague Philharmonic also under Neuman.

[aligreto]

A different, but no less exhilarating and powerful, experience. That a 15yo could write music exhibiting such complete mastery of form and such expressive depths is nothing short of a miracle, just like in Mozart's case. These quartets are full of passion and tenderness, life-affirming and gorgeously tuneful. The big surprise is a piano quartet which Felix wrote at the teder age of 12 (sic!) and which is sheer delight from start to end, a masterpiece of elegance and a feast of memorable melodies. The inclusion of this work makes this twofer the only genuinely complete on the market, all others known to me don't feature it. Mendelssohn was a genius and I should spend much more time with his music than I used to.

You may have noticed, Andrei, that I have begun a Mendelssohn Chamber Music odyssey myself. I have, in the past, paid scant attention to the string quartets of Mendelssohn. That has changed significantly after hearing this set performed by the Gewandhaus Quartet. Both the music and their performances of it are excellent thus far.

[aligreto]

Closing the Bizet exploration with another version of his Symphony in C.

What did you think of that presentation, Olivier?

[Papy Oli]

What did you think of that presentation, Olivier?

very lively performance and very clear recording, top notch. That makes me curious to sample other Roth/Siecles recordings. I see that they have done some Debussy, Ravel, etc.

[Stürmisch Bewegt]

I had a nearly complete collection of Lenny's Mahler recordings, in various iterations and media, except for No. 7, and the Gods determined several days ago that I really ought to own it, so they made it available second-hand and billig eingekauft at that! (I wonder if I could further encourage their thoughtfulness and generosity with alms and devout worship...)

[Florestan]

You may have noticed, Andrei, that I have begun a Mendelssohn Chamber Music odyssey myself. I have, in the past, paid scant attention to the string quartets of Mendelssohn. That has changed significantly after hearing this set performed by the Gewandhaus Quartet. Both the music and their performances of it are excellent thus far.

I've noticed it, Fergus. Great minds think alike. 

Next on my list are M's SQs but with the Eroica Quartet.

[Que]

[aligreto]

Next on my list are M's SQs but with the Eroica Quartet.

I have no doubt that you will enjoy the journey, Andrei.

[aligreto]

very lively performance and very clear recording, top notch. That makes me curious to sample other Roth/Siecles recordings. I see that they have done some Debussy, Ravel, etc.

So, watch this space.