What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Tchaikovsky
Pieces, Op. 72
Postnikova

[vandermolen]

Early morning listening:
Sibelius: Karelia Suite
A fabulous remastering of this famous set:

I like these sets which enclose the individual discs in mini versions of the original LP sleeves. I think that the hill is Pen-Y-Ghent which I scrambled up many years ago:

[vandermolen]

Allan Pettersson: Symphony No.6

[Roasted Swan]

Early morning listening:
Sibelius: Karelia Suite
A fabulous remastering of this famous set:

I like these sets which enclose the individual discs in mini versions of the original LP sleeves. I think that the hill is Pen-Y-Ghent which I scrambled up many years ago:

This was my very first set of Sibelius (The old EMI set with Sibelius' ear drawn in because the shadowy picture was too moody!)  I absolutely loved it to bits and played it to near oblivion.  But coming back to the set years later in an early CD version I remember thinking how ropey the Halle playing was.  I think its the 2nd symphony where the walking double bass line is chronically out of tune.  I must admit with so many other choices out there I have not returned - perhaps I should!  I have the set in this iteration



do you think the sound is significantly better on the new remastering you mention?

[vandermolen]

This was my very first set of Sibelius (The old EMI set with Sibelius' ear drawn in because the shadowy picture was too moody!)  I absolutely loved it to bits and played it to near oblivion.  But coming back to the set years later in an early CD version I remember thinking how ropey the Halle playing was.  I think its the 2nd symphony where the walking double bass line is chronically out of tune.  I must admit with so many other choices out there I have not returned - perhaps I should!  I have the set in this iteration



do you think the sound is significantly better on the new remastering you mention?

Hello RS. I don't have your technical musical expertise but I do think that the sound is significantly better here. I think it's a pity that Barbirolli never AFAIK recorded Tapiola as I greatly admire his Sibelius recordings.

[Harry]

Start my morning listening with this fine example of Female power.

"Its a girl"

A whole day for listening, hopefully uninterrupted, that would be nice, and be able to play four new CD's. They arrived yesterday, amongst them the English Strings works on Chandos, Jeffrey is promoting on every street corner in England.

[Irons]

Sounds fantastic!

Not had chance to hear Piston yet, the Diamond I have and thought his string quartet very good indeed. A composer I will take a look (listen) at. Any recommendations?

[Que]

Morning listening on Spotify:



Uhmm... Added instruments, sloppy singing in places, a preference for a theatrical, contrasted ("grainy") and "highlighted" approach. Dominique Visse's voice is still not a plus.

I'm not as harsh as the 1st reviewer below, but this is not one for the collection.

https://earlymusicreview.com/desprez-le-septiesme-livre-de-chansons/

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2021/Jan/Josquin-livre-RIC423.htm

[The new erato]

A really worthwhile symphony 5. As my CD purchases are dwindling, this is a series I follow, my interest once upon a time having been lit by this very fine disc:

[Harry]

A really worthwhile symphony 5. As my CD purchases are dwindling, this is a series I follow, my interest once upon a time having been lit by this very fine disc:

I could not agree more my friend. The Toccata dis volume III is on my play list today. I am told that more releases are on the roll. Volume IV will be due this year.

[The new erato]

Morning listening on Spotify:



Uhmm... Added instruments, sloppy singing in places, a preference for a theatrical, contrasted ("grainy") and "highlighted" approach. Dominique Visse's voice is still not a plus.

I'm not as harsh as the 1st reviewer below, but this is not one for the collection.

https://earlymusicreview.com/desprez-le-septiesme-livre-de-chansons/

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2021/Jan/Josquin-livre-RIC423.htm

I need to relisten more carefully. Obviously a disc not up to Ricercars usual high standards.

[The new erato]

Finally received this set, bought on the strength of inclusion of some interesting, not too overrecorded, repertoire, and the fact that it contains their groundbreaking Bartok cycle:



Played the disc with William Schumann quartet no 4 and Ingolf Dahls trio for clarinet and two strings yesterday, and it certainly didn't dissappoint.

[Tsaraslondon]

I've come to the end of my mini Brahms odyssey and realise I started and finished with what are, along with the Alto Rhapsody my favourite Brahms works, the Violin Concerto and Ein deutsches Requiem.

This classic Klemperer recording comes with a host of memories and harks back to a different era of music making. No doubt younger listeners will have more modern favourites, but this one still does it for me. I don't quite know how to express it, but there was a sort of honesty and integrity about making records back in those days, when the release of each new album, both in the pop and classical world, was considered an event. I think we've lost some of that in the digital/streaming age.

[The new erato]

No conductor IMO had more integrity than Klemperer, and I understand, and, share, your opinion cempletely.

[Papy Oli]

Bach - Cantatas BWV 75, 39, 20

Gardiner Vol.1

[The new erato]

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.

Totally agree. No 1 is a fabulous concerto but I always wonder why no 2 is overlooked. Your assessment is spot on.

[Harry]

Jacques Offenbach.

Musique Symphonique et Ballets d' Orphee aux Enfers. (1874)

Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin, Howard Griffiths.

Fine performances, very good sound.

[vandermolen]

Start my morning listening with this fine example of Female power.

"Its a girl"

A whole day for listening, hopefully uninterrupted, that would be nice, and be able to play four new CD's. They arrived yesterday, amongst them the English Strings works on Chandos, Jeffrey is promoting on every street corner in England.

Haha - hope you enjoy it Harry.

[aligreto]

Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 135 [Gewandhaus Quartet]





This is a big, powerful and emotionally filled work. It is almost Symphonic in concept if not in terms of ensemble size [which is merely a medium of presentation]. This work takes one mentally, spiritually and emotionally to many different places with its contrasting themes and moods. This is a fine presentation; it is very well paced and expansive. Due regard must be paid to the music in the final movement. It is both exquisitely beautiful and profound in every aspect. One simply cannot listen to it and not be moved. It is simply incredible music and, at approximately 6:30 minutes, perhaps caps the canon of String Quartet music writing thus far, if that is not a stretch too far.

[vers la flamme]

Igor Stravinsky: Sonata for Two Pianos. Ralph van Raat, Maarten van Veen.

Great piece! I need to hear more of Stravinsky's chamber music.