What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Bræin: Symphony No. 3



Exciting music.

All the three symphonies are worth-listening. Much so, actually.

[Symphonic Addict]

Well? Is it worth enduring or not?

I still have not listened to the lot, but even so, I dare say "yes."

I think Karl has a much more expert ear for and tasted better this music than me, certainly. My fault, I'm honest. There are many eloquent, mystic, ultra-virtuosic, fiendishly moments, but there were two the contrapuntal movements I felt like they were too much of the "same thing" for their benefits, I mean. A passacaglia after some minutes is hard to hold coherently and that engages at once. Some minutes after that the content gets meaningless. It's a towering achievement for a human being, of course (both composer and player themselves), but I'll take his music carefully.

[Symphonic Addict]

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

Oh! And it turns out to be one of my overall favorites, including nos. 1, 5, 7 and 9.

[Symphonic Addict]

The jolly, tuneful finale is undoubtedly the highlight of the work for me, though the other movements contain fine music. I agree about the first movement being overlong.

Tovey was a fine composer, if a little decent, but it's undeniable how a masterful craftsman he was. His lovely String Quartet No. 1 in G major is something not to be missed, for instance.

[Symphonic Addict]

Khachaturian Symphony No.1 USSR State SO, Composer.
In the absence of Tjeknavorian's LSO recording I've decided that this is the best CD version (in terms of performance and recording):

A very fine one, indeed. This work is good fun, and consistently tuneful and compelling being a first symphony.

[Traverso]

Strauss in St. Petersburg.

Johann Strauss II
Newa-Polka, Dedicated to Queen Isabella II of Spain.
Persischer Marsch, Dedicated to Naser al-Din, Shah of Persia.
Russischer Marsch/Marsch of the Horse Guards, Dedicated to his Majesty Alexander III, Emperor of Russia.
Großfürstin Alexandra-Walzer.
Olga Polka, Dedicated to the Grand Duchess Olga Feodorovna.
Alexandrinen Polka.
Abschied von St. Petersburg.
Bauern Polka,

Johan Strauss II and Josef Strauss.
Pizzicato Polka.

Johann Strauss II.
Großfürsten Marsch.
Vergnügungszug.
Wein, Weib, und Gesang, Waltz.
Krönungs Marsch, Dedicated to Tsar Alexander II.
Hofball Quadrille.
An der Wolga, Mon Salut.
St. Petersburg, Hommage. Quadrille nach Russischen Motifen.
Auf zum Tanz, Schnell-Polka.
Russische Marsch-Fantasie.
Alexander Quadrille, Serbian Quadrille No. 2, Dedicated to Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic.

Estonian National SO, Neeme Järvi.



Some years ago a big box from the label Naxos was released with music from the Strauss family based on freshly minted scores. For me that was quite an event, since I am an enormous fan of their music. How great was the disappointment when I went through that box. Yes all the music was there, but the orchestras, conductors, were second tier, as well as the sound, An exception has to be made for some conductors, but really the members of the orchestras, were not motivated, due to the lack of rehearsal time. Many musical mistakes were made, some things should have been recorded anew, and so on. Due to that fact I shy away from this box.
Then there is Chandos, Järvi and the Estonian orchestra, and they set the standard for future recordings. All the Strauss members were fabulous orchestrators, and never short of a gripping melody. Järvi is my champion, for he is keenly aware of what it takes to make this music world class. Such joy and happiness for me. When I am depressed I will put up this recording, and the my world is right again.
What a pity he and Chandos only recorded one disc, but I treasure it. Fabulous sound and a perfect performance.

And sing along with the Bauern Polka 

[Symphonic Addict]

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

Not bad! 

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Tonight I'm revisiting Nicolas Gombert (a controversial composer), but there is the man that I don't care about is personal life, but a true musical genius,  avant-garde of his time, don't believe me, try

Gombert a la Coronation, In Hilo Tempore motets, that is a remarkable CD on BONGIOVANNI Label, very excellent.

I really dig, Gombert motets vol. 1-2 and Masses on Fra Bernardo, and the cherry on the sunday is Orf Missa Pulchra es, very sweet  stunning , pretty , fluid voice , a masterpiece, hail ORF.

Beside this  the naxos release or fabulous, Jeremy Summerly release  is very good, my favorite is from Capella Allamire, by Peter Urquhart, the song are ,super, the CD a keeper.

So that about it, for now, take good care,  stay well, eat you're dark green and dark violet veggies, there good for yeah, sure some will tell me Eggplant and zucchini are awful, yes it's one an acquire taste and there the best veggie according to Scientific American magazine, I like also Turnip  & potato cream, know how to cook to make it's tasty, I'm gifted in cocking , no complaint yet, only compliments, to my greatest joy 

[André]

Again!

Oh yeaaaah ! 

[T. D.]

[Carlo Gesualdo]

 Now that I explore Gombert, I revisiting My L'Oiseau Lyre release of Carlo Gesualdo's  Madrigals and Josquin Missa Di Dadi & Missa Paysant Regretz, very good stuff, L'Oiseau Lyre is an awesome  label.

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Saturday

Gubaidulina
In Tempus Praesens
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
LSO
Gergiev



Wow...this is outstanding! The language isn't far removed from Penderecki, but one of the frightening characteristics of Gubaidulina's music is how she allows those silences to happen either before or after a climax. This isn't 'easy' music, but, lately, I've been challenging myself to get further and further out of my comfort zone in terms of repertoire that I like. So far, I have to say the rewards have far outweighed any kind of negative impressions I've had. Of course, I'm no stranger to post-WWII music having bent my ears into a pretzel (and loving every minute of mind you) with Boulez, Scelsi or Xenakis, but it seems I just haven't given enough time to composers like Pettersson, Gubaidulina, Kacheli, Penderecki, Panufnik or Henze just to throw some names out there of composers who have intrigued me more recently.

[SimonNZ]

earlier:



now:

[vandermolen]

Oh yeaaaah ! 

Haha 
Having owned this CD for years I've only recently realised how great a work it is.

[Que]

Morning listening:



What a gorgeous recording!  A perfect fit for Vellard.
And as far as I could see, little to none overlap with the recordings by Van Nevel and Visse.
I'm glad Vellard and his ensemble found a new home at Evidence Classics.

This arrived on disc, which happens not very often anymore.
Streaming leads to new discoveries, but also filters out the duds and satisfies curiosities without making the purchase of the physical recording necessary. Overall, I buy much less. Which saves money and shelve space. And with an already large collection, the law of diminishing returns is prevalent anyway....

[Que]

Picking up where I left off:



Disc 3: Comiençan los hymno, Motetes de a cuatro, Comiençan quatro Kieries de cada tono

A set that warrants an occasional dip into it. 

[vandermolen]

Ivanovs: Symphony 20

[aligreto]

Victoria: Sacred Works [Noone]





Missa Salve Regina a 8 [1592]

[Carlo Gesualdo]

How come I'm am the only one that like, AEON smart, very clever, entertaining, talented,  Daniel D'Adamo madrigals whit Sigismondo d'India?

This is what I'm LISTENING THIS MORNING GOT THE ACTUAL cd NOT STREAMING.

[Biffo]

Bantock: In the Far West - Serenade for string orchestra

Holy cow! Expert craftsmanship in this unbelievable and majestic creation! A well-deserved member waiting for the membership of the Greatest British Ones (G.B.O.) league. I'm in the first movement and I'm utterly captivated by its exquisite counterpoint and touching tunes. Stupendous! Strongly recommended from now on!

This new CPO release has been a major find this year to me. This is like a A Celtic Symphony-but-with-more-counterpoint-like sensational work. A fascinating piece for sure. Extraordinary sound quality as well.

Thanks for the tip off, here and in the GB thread. Could well be a purchase soon!