What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

I think this one is pretty unique to his oeuvre. He's composed some concerti that are quite good, but do check out his SQs, which are probably my favorite works of his that I've heard so far. The Keller Quartet on ECM is rather recommendable I'd say.

I'll keep them in mind. Thanks, John.

[Symphonic Addict]

The 'Bold Island Suite' is one of my favourite works by Hanson Cesar and I'm surprised that this appears to be its only recording. That CD would be a great introduction to Hanson's music as the 2nd Symphony is given a fine performance.

Yes, I would be pleased to receive this great CD as a gift, or giving it to another who wants to know Hanson's works.

[Symphonic Addict]

Currently:





Walton: String Quartet in A Minor


Quite an awesome work - love that haunting slow movement...

I first had thought this was his second quartet because of the dissonances and how adventurous it is. The 2nd one is, let's say, more "neoclassical" and much more rhythmic. Walton's chamber music is quite rewarding and finely written.

[Symphonic Addict]

Nielsen: Symphony No. 3 Sinfonia espansiva
Langgaard: Antikrist

Hot stuff, ah? This Nielsen 3rd effortlessly blows your socks off. This is almost cinematic in its impact and committed playing and conducting. An amazing journey of a musical piece. This is one of the most life-affirming works I know in my life. Miraculous.

Whenever I hear Antikrist I can't get enough of it. Supremely visionary and epic music in a good way, of course. The music that inhabits here is just glorious. The references with the Symphonies 4-6 and 10 are audible and cleverly interwoven.

[Symphonic Addict]

I actually enjoyed this  .

I find rather "funny" how Hurwitz reacts to certain works and composers. He doesn't care if he's too mean or maybe he doesn't assess or review music with more rigour (?).

[Symphonic Addict]

Max Bruch
Scottish Fantasy, op. 46
Serenade in A minor, op. 75
Romanze in A minor, op. 42
Adagio Appassionato, op. 57
In Memoriam, op. 65
Konzertstucke in f-sharp minor, op. 84

Salvatore Accardo, violin
Gewandhaus - Kurt Masur

The last of Bruch for now.

I think these violin concertante miniatures are the bees knees; too bad we don't have more. Odd no one else has put together a collection of just Bruch's concertante works, but these ones with Masur and Accardo have been just fine and I found them dirt cheap at the time too.

 

CPO has recorded the integral of his concertante works for violin as well, but yes, none includes the ones for other combinations.

[Symphonic Addict]

£4.60 used on Amazon UK. Go for it Lol! 

Yes, Lol. This steal is not available for so long! 

[Symphonic Addict]

Honegger: Hymne for string decet

The composer here is intensely moving and visceral. What a piece! This must not be the version for 10 instruments, but for string orchestra. The sound is thicker and dense. I'll want to hear the original version too. A stunner.

[JBS]

The excellent Dvorak website lists just 4 recordings. http://www.antonin-dvorak.cz/en/string-quintet1-recordings

I know the Supraphon one is in the Dvorak "Chamber Music" box, but I don't have that.

The Supraphon boxes can be thought of as one-stop shopping for all your Dvorak needs.

TD

Jean Martinon conducted the two Weber concertos, while Morton Gould conducted the Nielsen.  Recordings made in 1966-68.

[Mandryka]

Thanks, this is nice. I more or less threw in the towel on "New Complexity" years ago, but still occasionally listen to solo piano in the genre. Will check out more of the release in bits and pieces.

Another good one to try is Epigram III - it reminds me of Scriabin.

[T. D.]

Another good one to try is Epigram III - it reminds me of Scriabin.

Thanks. I've heard Lemma-Icon-Epigram (of which Epigram is the 3d movement), though I can't recall much offhand...I assume you mean the third movement of Epigrams? Going from the short clips on the Divine Art site, that does sound a bit like Scriabin, definitely more so than the first bit mentioned.

Listening to  (yes, I enjoy Bach on piano  ):

[Mandryka]

It is here, track one is five minutes long, Five (version 1) - very very interesting harmony, and this from a composer who said he wasn't interested in harmony.

[Mandryka]

Thanks. I've heard Lemma-Icon-Epigram (of which Epigram is the 3d movement), though I can't recall much offhand...I assume you mean the third movement of Epigrams? Going from the short clips on the Divine Art site, that does sound a bit like Scriabin, definitely more so than the first bit mentioned.

The early music is very free, bold and exciting, I like the first string quartet, called sonatas for string quartet. There's an early recording by Arditti (made before their complete set)

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Saturday

Gubaidulina
Music for Flute, String and Percussion
Emmanuel Pahud, flute
LSO
Rostropovich



Awesome! Damn, Cesar, this yet another Gubaidulina work you should hear!

[T. D.]

The early music is very free, bold and exciting, I like the first string quartet, called sonatas for string quartet. There's an early recording by Arditti (made before their complete set)

I've always enjoyed the Arditti (and others) recording of La Chute D'Icare on Etcetera.
Years ago, I remember clarinetist Carl Rosman saying (in effect; I can't recall exact words) on a forum that at some point, after surmounting the performance difficulties of New Complexity, a musician feels joy in playing it.
That particular NC recording is one of the few that seemed to convey that joy; most others(especially non-piano solo works) I heard sounded like dry drudgery. But I once attended a good live performance of Lemma-Icon-Epigram by Steven Gosling, one of the leading pianists (at that time; maybe he still is) on the New York contemporary music scene.
I also like the performance of Dillon's Spleen on James Dillon 2(Montaigne), though I can't recall the name of the pianist.

[Symphonic Addict]

String Quartet No. 4

It's the first time this work makes sense to me. I can say it's quite an impressive work that is related to twelve-tone technique or serialism. The music is bittersweet, uneasy, "scratches" your brain. It grows on you with repeated listens, and the effort pays dividends. Very rewarding.




Ballata delle gnomidi

Respighi at the peak of his powers. He was a magician writing for the orchestra. A quite colourful and vibrant piece not devoid of hauntingly lyrical passages.

[vandermolen]

String Quartet No. 4

It's the first time this work makes sense to me. I can say it's quite an impressive work that is related to twelve-tone technique or serialism. The music is bittersweet, uneasy, "scratches" your brain. It grows on you with repeated listens, and the effort pays dividends. Very rewarding.




Ballata delle gnomidi

Respighi at the peak of his powers. He was a magician writing for the orchestra. A quite colourful and vibrant piece not devoid of hauntingly lyrical passages.

Two of my favourite composers. The Geoffrey Simon CD is very special.

Now playing: Weinberg Piano Quintet - one of his finest works IMO:

[vandermolen]

Glazunov: Symphony No.3 - a work that I've come to increasingly appreciate recently:

[Madiel]

The Supraphon boxes can be thought of as one-stop shopping for all your Dvorak needs.

There are still things missing from them, though. But yes the performances are generally pretty well-regarded.

[Que]

Morning listening: