What are you listening 2 now?

[Que]

Giustini, Lodovico (1685-1743) - Piano Sonatas, Op. 1 w/ Paolo Zentilin on modern Fazioli pianos (F278 model) - Brilliant has now published two separate 3-disc sets of these works; the first in 2010 w/ Andrea Coen on a reproduction fortepiano by Kerstin Schwarz after B. Cristofori, 1726 (2nd pic below); and the second from 2018/19 w/ Paolo Zentilin on the modern pianos mentioned; reviews are attached.

Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) invented the mechanism of the modern piano.  Giustini (as described in the quote below) published the first 'piano' sonatas in 1732 specifically to demonstrate the dynamics and nuances of the instrument although not until mid-18th century were other composers writing 'fortepiano' sonatas.  These 12 sonatas are in 4 or 5 movements, most w/ 'dance movement' designations like in Baroque suites; however Zentilin beautifully performs these works on a modern piano; Jed Distler's review ends w/ 'an irresistible release'.  This one is a keeper for me - I did own the Coen set but culled it from my collection, probably was not enthralled w/ the fortepiano copy and/or performances, cannot remember.  Dave

 

I was very taken, and still am, with the Andrea Coen recording. 

[Karl Henning]

Good day to you as well, John (and a belated happy Saint John's / midsummer day).

This is only the second of the 15 CDs of the series I listen to. And so far, so good...I'm actually pleasantly surprised by the Symphony for Concert Band...

I think I was in 10th grade when I played that in a Region Band. That experience was one big prompt for me to become a composer.

TD:

First-Listen Fridays!

Weinberg
Sonata № 2 for violin solo, Op. 95
Linus Roth

Sonata № 2 for viola solo, Op. 123
Julia Rebekka Adler

Kabeláč
Symphony № 6, Op.44 « Concertante » for clarinet & orchestra (1961-62)
Karel Dohnal, cl

Symphony № 5, Op.41 « Drammatica » for soprano without text & orchestra(1960)
Pavla Vykopalová, sop

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Marko Ivanovič

[Karl Henning]

Well, I'm not sure that Krommer's entire oeuvre should be dismissed summarily

I am indeed doubtful that any composer's entire œuvre should be so dismissed, Dave. Not merely debatable but prima facie irrational.

[Karl Henning]

I could take a try on these works for winds to assess this composer better then. I don't dismiss his symphonies at the point of considering them bad music. They do offer a very pleasant listen, just that the works didn't resonate with me as I wanted.

Fair enough.

[SonicMan46]

I was very taken, and still am, with the Andrea Coen recording. 

Hi Que - well, may have been one of those days getting out of bed on the wrong side -    The new set w/ Zentilin is special w/ these works almost sounding like modern compositions (published the year George Washington was born!) - they are on Spotify if you care to take a listen.  Dave 

P.S. for all, I was only vaguely aware of the 'piano brand' Fazioli but was reading HERE - the Model F278, used in the Zentilin recordings range in price (in USD) from $225,100 to $326,100 - WOW! 

[Roasted Swan]

I'd venture even further by saying that Latin American composers are under-represented by all the classical labels, too. I'm still waiting for better, more driven performance of Castillo's Paál Kabá for example.

I don't know the composer/work you mention - I see its one of those Marco Polo recordings - for which you are grateful for the repertoire recorded but with a nagging sense that it could be done a lot better.......

[SonicMan46]

I am indeed doubtful that any composer's entire œuvre should be so dismissed, Dave. Not merely debatable but prima facie irrational.

Now Karl - you know me by now - just a 'tongue in cheek' comment (or I would not have that much Krommer in my house -  )  Dave

[Mirror Image]

I don't know the composer/work you mention - I see its one of those Marco Polo recordings - for which you are grateful for the repertoire recorded but with a nagging sense that it could be done a lot better.......

Gustavo Dudamel was basically a leading light for me in Latin American music, but it seems he's only interested in core repertoire these days.

Anyway, here's something kind of amusing (or, at least, for me it is), separated at birth?

                              Larry Fine                                                              Ricardo Castillo

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Martinů
Field Mass, H. 279
Ivan Kusnjer, baritone
Miroslav Kejmar, trumpet
Czech Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra
Bělohlávek



A poignant work for Martinů. I believe I prefer this performance slightly to the Mackerras on Supraphon. Hopefully, Jakub Hrůša will get around to recording this work (and other Martinů works).

[Roasted Swan]

Gustavo Dudamel was basically a leading light for me in Latin American music, but it seems he's only interested in core repertoire these days.

Anyway, here's something kind of amusing (or, at least, for me it is), separated at birth?

                                                             Ricardo Castillo

Separated at birth.........?

[VonStupp]

Maurice Ravel
Piano Concerto for the Left hand in D Major

Sergei Prokofiev
Piano Concerto 4 in B-flat Major (left hand), op. 53

Benjamin Britten
Diversions for Left-Hand Piano and Orchestra, op. 21

Leon Fleisher, piano
Boston SO - Seiji Ozawa (rec. 1990-91)

An interesting mix.

[Karl Henning]

I don't know the composer/work you mention - I see its one of those Marco Polo recordings - for which you are grateful for the repertoire recorded but with a nagging sense that it could be done a lot better.......

There's that.

[Karl Henning]

Now Karl - you know me by now - just a 'tongue in cheek' comment (or I would not have that much Krommer in my house -  )  Dave

(* chortle *)

[Mirror Image]

Separated at birth.........?

[Mirror Image]

Is he Bela Lugosi's understudy? 

He seems to have that effect, eh.

[bhodges]

Recorded just last night, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center uploaded this fascinating program called "Bohemian Masters," with a stellar group of musicians.

Martinů: Nonet for Winds and Strings (1959)
Suk: Elegie for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 23 (1902)
Suk: Quartet in A minor for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 1 (1891)

Artists:
Ransom Wilson, flute; James Austin Smith, oboe; David Shifrin, clarinet; Bram van Sambeek, bassoon; Radovan Vlatkovic, horn; Wu Han, piano; Juho Pohjonen, piano; Adam Barnett-Hart, violin; Daniel Hope, violin; Sean Lee, violin; Mark Holloway, viola; Paul Neubauer, viola; David Finckel, cello; Mihai Marica, cello; Jan Vogler, cello; Kurt Muroki, double bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aQGLTRr9EE

--Bruce

[André]

Works from 1959-1991 for solo violin, violin and piano, viola and piano, cello and piano, string trio and string quartet. Erdmann's style is pithy, terse, not acerbic but quite cerebral nonetheless. Lots of wide intervals and rythmic incisiveness make alternate with slower, more sustained passages.

[Madiel]

Please, don't do it, Harry! The fact that we can't always agree on musical tastes doesn't mean that you have to leave the site. I apologize if I offended you.

Don't apologise. Your assessment was absolutely accurate.

[Mirror Image]

Recorded just last night, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center uploaded this fascinating program called "Bohemian Masters," with a stellar group of musicians.

Martinů: Nonet for Winds and Strings (1959)
Suk: Elegie for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 23 (1902)
Suk: Quartet in A minor for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, Op. 1 (1891)

Artists:
Ransom Wilson, flute; James Austin Smith, oboe; David Shifrin, clarinet; Bram van Sambeek, bassoon; Radovan Vlatkovic, horn; Wu Han, piano; Juho Pohjonen, piano; Adam Barnett-Hart, violin; Daniel Hope, violin; Sean Lee, violin; Mark Holloway, viola; Paul Neubauer, viola; David Finckel, cello; Mihai Marica, cello; Jan Vogler, cello; Kurt Muroki, double bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aQGLTRr9EE

--Bruce

This looks like a great program, Bruce!

[Mirror Image]

Now playing this entire recording: