What are you listening 2 now?

[Brahmsian]

The Passacaglia from the 1st VC is a masterpiece in itself. The 2nd VC has always been elusive to me for some reason.

I've warmed up to the 2nd violin concerto over time, but yes, the first is my favourite vc of any composer.

That Passacaglia is so sublime!

[Mandryka]

Every aspect of this performance of the second French suite is original - the relation of the voices in the more contrapuntal movements, the rubato, the speed of the basic pulse, the timbre of the instrument - all new, all fresh.

[aligreto]

Victoria: Sacred Works [Noone]





Quam pulchri sunt
Sancta Maria
Trahe me post te
Magnificat Primi Toni
Beata es Virgo

[Karl Henning]

Just names starting with "B" allowed on this CD: Florent Boffard plays Beethoven ("Apassionata"), Berg (Piano Sonata) and Boulez (Troisième sonate, including the rarely performed formant Antiphonie). Quite a program, eh? And beautifully played, I hasten to add...

Boffo!

[aligreto]

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No 1 in B-flat minor, Op 23 - John Ogdon piano Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. I haven't heard this performance for years (probably decades). I remember someone telling me it sounded like Ogdon and Barbirolli having a fight - it is certainly a heavyweight performance.

As you know, there are two basic types of concerto; one where the concertante instrument is supported and accompanied by the orchestra and the other is where the concertante instrument is pitted against the orchestra. Am I incorrect in thinking that Mendelssohn, with his Violin Concerto, was the first to create the scenario of the second instance above? I am sure that the erudite musicologists here will verify or correct my memory.

[Karl Henning]

Dmitri Shostakovich
Cello Concerto 1 in E-flat Major, op. 107
Cello Concerto 2 in g minor, op. 126

Alexander Ivashkin - cello
Moscow SO - Valery Polyansky (rec. 1997)

These have always been the toughest of Shostakovich's concertos for me, but they seem deeply personal.

I like this recording very well.

[VonStupp]

Dmitri Shostakovich
Jazz Suite 1 & 2
Piano Concerto 1 in c minor, op. 35

Vincent Youmans
Tahiti Trot (Tea for Two), op. 16 (orch. Shostakovich)

Ronald Brautigam - piano
RCO - Riccardo Chailly (rec. 1988-91)

A fun album, and if I remember correctly, a big sell for Chailly whilst at the Concertgebouw. The last Shostakovich for today!

[VonStupp]

I like this recording very well.

My first introduction to Ivashkin, and I agree, tis a good 'un.

[André]

Reger - complete works for violin & cello + piano. /CPO recordings, 8CD box

A real find. I had a bit of the stuff, but this is really good. For example the CD with violin sonatas op.107 & 103b, which I've been listening to many, many times since the arrival just a few days ago.

The CPO box is still on sale at JPC for only 19.99 Euros.

A very rewarding set indeed !

[Brahmsian]

Dmitri Shostakovich
Jazz Suite 1 & 2
Piano Concerto 1 in c minor, op. 35

Vincent Youmans
Tahiti Trot (Tea for Two), op. 16 (orch. Shostakovich)

Ronald Brautigam - piano
RCO - Riccardo Chailly (rec. 1988-91)

A fun album, and if I remember correctly, a big sell for Chailly whilst at the Concertgebouw. The last Shostakovich for today!

Oh absolutely love this album!

[VonStupp]

Oh absolutely love this album!

I hadn't taken this out in a coon's age. I am definitely happy it was a Shostakovich day, so I could revisit it.

[André]

The Concerto and the Variations are impressive, large scale works for piano left hand and orchestra.



The 4th symphony. A cooler, less expressionistic interpretation than Mehta's.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

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

Sounds fantastic!

[Karl Henning]

Sounds fantastic!

Verily.

[Symphonic Addict]

Symphony in C sharp minor

God, I LOVE this!!!!

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Josquin for tonight folks, two vynil, heck , tasty!!!

One is a NON-SUCH label brewed, this is the one I'm currently listening and enjoying, It basically Called,thus said thee title of release from 1968, the sexy analogue day's of the 60, good old NON-SUCH, AH!!!

So whiteout losing time:

JOSQUIN DESPREZ- missa ave Stella + Four Motets, University of Illinois Chamber Choir
George Hunter Direction, it's splendid.

What about the other one, yep what about it, Okay, but first, red Carpet, dramatic drum rolls...here it is!!! behold!!!!

JOSQUIN DESPREZ- missa l'homme Armé whit some motets, great release from Stereo Supraphon, Die Music Wien\Die Prague Madrigalsanger ensemble release 1963, heck love 60'' vynil and 50'', but by now you all know this, Direction: Miroslav Venhoda.

And that about it for now...

[Mirror Image]

Dmitri Shostakovich
Violin Concerto 1 in a minor, op. 99
Violin Concerto 2 in c-sharp minor, op. 129

Lydia Mordkovitch - violin
Scottish NO - Neeme Järvi (rec. 1989)

Might as well continue with Shostakovich today:

Pounds the table! Glorious performances.

[Mirror Image]

The Passacaglia from the 1st VC is a masterpiece in itself. The 2nd VC has always been elusive to me for some reason.

I love both VCs and, yes, the 2nd VC is a curious one and written in a key (C-sharp minor) that I've read is an awkward one for the violin. I'm not sure how true this is. Anyway, I've really come around to it as I think it's bleak and seething with bitterness like much late period Shostakovich.

[Mirror Image]

Boffo!

Just don't call him a mofo.

[Mirror Image]

It's a peculiar (even extravagant) idea to write a concerto for contrabassoon, but I'm not sure if it worked well. The instrument simply doesn't have the timbre to stand out into the massive orchestra Aho used here, not even in its solo passages. The Tuba Concerto is in another league, a much more succesful composition and the instrument is more notable.

I don't think I've heard this concerto (yet), but what you write does make a lot of sense, Cesar. What I would've probably done is have reduced the orchestra of nothing but violins, two piccolo flutes, two trumpets, harp and some light percussion. Basically, higher register instruments, so that the contrabassoon can be heard clearly. I believe I've heard the Tuba Concerto and recall enjoying it.