What are you listening 2 now?

[André]

All three works. Carmina Burana is very well known, but not the other 'scenic plays' composed later, in a less melodic, spikier idiom and minimal instrumental contributions. I suspect these really need to be seen as well as heard. On their own they make for a rather primitive,, skeletal musical repast. I know some prefer Catulli Carmina to its more famous predecessor and it's indeed a fascinating work. To me though it's more like being on peeling duty.



Early stereo recordings originally released on Qualiton (Concerto and Summer Evening) and DGG (Háry János). The composer-led Concerto for Orchestra clocks in at 22 1/2minutes while all others do it around 16-17 minutes. A very substantial difference. Maybe a more romantic approach ? I don't know the work well, so I can't make comparisons. Summer Evening is an early work and shows an impressionistic as well as some folk-based influences. Nice, but not a revelation.

The Háry János Suite is conducted by Fricsay and was recorded one year later in the flattering acoustics of the Jesus Christus Kirche, Berlin, where all Karajan recordings of the 1960s were done. The sonic difference is staggering. The Qualitons are serviceable, especially the delicately scored Summer Evening, but the DGG is of demonstration quality. As a performance it has not been bettered.

[Madiel]

What did you think?

Honestly, I don't remember much at this point, I'd have to go back. But in general there is plenty of interest in early Bartok.

Thread duty: Dvorak, From the Bohemian Forest. One of the best reasons to get this box.

[JBS]

In his Bach album, his playing (and the recording sound) is very cheesy and sugary. I love the disc, but I imagine that purist people wouldn't like it.

I liked that CD a good deal as did Jens Laurson (who seems to have stopped posting here). I don't however remember it as being "sugary".

[JBS]

TD
Haydn

Symphonies 32-34
Cologne Chamber Orchestra
Helmut Muhler-Bruhl cond.

[Mirror Image]

Nice CD. Glazunov also shielded his Jewish students (from the Tsarist authorities). When asked by the authorities how many Jewish students there were at the Conservatoire, Glazunov replied that he had no idea as he'd never bothered to count them!

Hah!

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Thursday:

Nørgård
Voyage into the Golden Screen
Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra
Giordano Bellincampi

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I liked that CD a good deal as did Jens Laurson (who seems to have stopped posting here). I don't however remember it as being "sugary".

Ok, maybe brown sugar! 

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Adès
Arcadiana
Endellion Quartet

[Que]

Morning listening:



https://www.classicstoday.com/review/odhecatons-exemplary-palestrina/

[vandermolen]

Malcolm Arnold: Symphony No.2

[Que]

Yesterday I mentioned the Venetian Renaissance composer Andrea Gabrieli.
I have one more recording in my collection:

[Harry]

Malcolm Arnold: Symphony No.2

Jeffrey, I would be interested of what you think of these performances, if you please! Sound and performance.

[foxandpeng]

Bræin: Symphony No. 3



Exciting music.

+1

[vandermolen]

+1

+2

TD

Ormandy's remastered 1975 recording of 'The Planets' - absolutely terrific! Arrived today. A great performance, beautifully re-mastered and presented with the original LP cover (notes and all). This sounds so much better than my original 'Gold Seal' LP recording:

[vandermolen]

Jeffrey, I would be interested of what you think of these performances, if you please! Sound and performance.

I had to turn it off in the end Harry as I was not in the mood for Arnold's 2nd Symphony, which is one of my least favourite anyway (I prefer the odd numbered symphonies + No.6 best). From what I heard, I'd say 'nothing special' and that the Groves recording is much better from both the recording and performance point of view. Having said that I recall being very impressed by Handley's coupling of symphonies 1 and 5 on the original CD release. Having got the Handley box out I will work my way through the set and let you know what I think. I have all three sets (Handley, Hickox/Gamba and Penny) and enjoy them all. I especially like Arnold's own recordings of his symphonies - his very slow No.1 is easily my favourite and is invested with much more gravitas than any other recording I have heard.

[Mandryka]

The Suzuki is my favourite recording on harpsichord, if you'd prefer an alternative view. (But I have very specific interests re the Partitas, being mostly nos. 4 and 6, rather indifferent to the others.) I do like Esfahani as well, but mentally categorise him alongside people like Christophe Rousset and Andreas Staier (and a theoretical, as-yet-nonexistent Pierre Hantaï recording) in interpretive style, which is something I'm less interested in. Still, it seems like a very good exemplar of that style.

I've been listening to Blandine Verlet's Astrée recording and I thought of this post, because it is exceptional in 4 and 6 - and 5 and (most of all maybe) 2. If you don't know it, you should.

Rousset and Staier seem outstanding in 3. Is Esfahani? I still haven't heard it.

(My interest in the music has been revived after buying Rübsam's)

[Iota]

Bræin: Symphony No. 3



Exciting music.

Can't help seeing Daniel Craig every time that cover is posted.


Here:




Each time I return to this I'm rewarded with an even greater appreciation of its manifold attractions. The chalumeaus are gorgeous!




Boulez: Pli selon pli

Boulez, Schafer


Also this, which really is a quasi-miraculous work, and which makes a strangely nice pairing with the Telemann.

[Que]

Hat tip SonicMan:



Charm, character and quirkyness typical of CPE.
Excellent performances. It all sounds sooo perfect and easy, we 've come a long way...

Here:



Each time I return to this I'm rewarded with an even greater appreciation of its manifold attractions. The chalumeaus are gorgeous!

They are!!    I found the concerto for two chamuleaus the highlight of that recording.

[foxandpeng]

James Cohn
Symphonies 2 & 7
Slovak RSO
Naxos

Roy Harris
Symphonies 3 & 4 'Folk Song Symphony'
Colorado SO
Naxos

I've really quite enjoyed these this morning, after the customary DSCH start to the day. The Cohn symphonies have been really growing on me in the last couple of months, following his recent death, and I'm surprised he isn't mentioned more often. I know he has composed more for TV and films, and isn't one of the big guns, but still.

I should know Harris better, so am poking at him today starting with #3, which is justifiably lauded, and #4, which ... isn't. This isn't so great, huh? I keep looking over my shoulder for a young Doris Day in cowboy boots.

I wish. *coughs*

[Biffo]

Schubert: Fantasy in C major, D 760, Wanderer - Vladimir Ashkenazy piano