What are you listening 2 now?

[Karl Henning]

My traversal of Koechlin's Le livre de la jungle continues with La méditation de Purun Bhagat:



Some of Koechlin's music has this static, almost hypnotic quality - and this is such a piece. But it works flawlessly - I was transfixed from beginning to end. Amazing stuff.

Possibly my very favorite Koechlin score.

[classicalgeek]

Of course, the whole work of Le livre de la jungle isn't in this Holliger series was never recorded, which I find so odd. The omission in question is Trois poèmes. There are only two complete recordings of Le livre de la jungle: Zinman and Bedford. Both have their strengths/weaknesses, but I'm proud to own both. Leif Segerstam has a recording on Marco Polo, but like Holliger only contains the orchestral pieces and not Trois poèmes. And this pretty much does for this work's discography.

I had the Zinman recording, but I sold it on eBay along with most of my CDs years ago. I remember listening to it once through - it must not have left much of an impression (which is strange, considering how much I'm loving the music now.) Of course, now I'm listening with the full score, which helps. I see it's available on Amazon Marketplace for a reasonable price, so maybe I'll have to order it! What's strange is the near total absence of his other orchestral works from recordings - I think Holliger recorded some of his non-Jungle Book symphonic poems for the first time. I don't know if Hänssler plans more releases in the Holliger survey - they've already boxed up 7 CDs, so maybe they're done.

[classicalgeek]

Possibly my very favorite Koechlin score.

I know! It's a really special piece. I was floored by the sheer beauty of Vers la voûte étoilée, but Purun Bhagat is right up there.

[Mirror Image]

I had the Zinman recording, but I sold it on eBay along with most of my CDs years ago. I remember listening to it once through - it must not have left much of an impression (which is strange, considering how much I'm loving the music now.) Of course, now I'm listening with the full score, which helps. I see it's available on Amazon Marketplace for a reasonable price, so maybe I'll have to order it! What's strange is the near total absence of his other orchestral works from recordings - I think Holliger recorded some of his non-Jungle Book symphonic poems for the first time. I don't know if Hänssler plans more releases in the Holliger survey - they've already boxed up 7 CDs, so maybe they're done.

I have no doubt that Hänssler are done with Koechlin or, at least, the Holliger series of orchestral works. I'm not too surprised you sold the Zinman recording, because Koechlin isn't a composer that gives his secrets over so easily. Sometimes a long hiatus from the music ends up being a blessing in disguise. FYI, my favorite Koechlin orchestral work is Le buisson ardent, Parts I & II. But, overall, I think Le livre de la jungle is his masterpiece. It has such a vastness of scope to it. Do check out the chamber music, too, if you haven't already. The SQs, Violin Sonata, Viola Sonta, Oboe Sonata and Sonate à sept are favorites of his chamber oeuvre.

[Klavier]

His is a name that should be better known--has some Scriabin influence but he also has his own voice. Very well played and good sound.

[Mirror Image]

It's good to see you posting again, Klavier.

[listener]

SIBELIUS: Symphonies  4 & 7
Philharmonia O.     Karajan, cond.
Contrasts in tempo and volume a bit wider than most other performances, good mono recording
MARTINÚ, NOVÁK and FOERSTER      Cello Concertos
Jiří Bárta, cello     Prague Philharmonia    Jakob Hrůša, cond.

[Klavier]

It's good to see you posting again, Klavier.

Thank you!

[Harry]

Just finished listening to Parsifal: An Orchestral Quest:



I do like opera, but only occasionally and only if I'm in the right frame of mind. But I could listen to the orchestral bits from operas any time! Parsifal has some amazing music.

I bought this series with Henk de Vlieger who connected all the bits and bobs together. So this is the closest I will ever get to Wagner. The SACD recordings are pretty good, and the performances are not lacking in energy or commitment.

[Harry]

Georg Philipp Telemann.

Wind concertos Volume IV.

La Stagione Frankfurt, Michael Schneider.

[Irons]

Weinberg: Chamber Symphony No.3.

More symphonic then the 1st. More everything, really.

[Harry]

Richard Strauss.
Violin concertos & other miscellaneous works.
Arranged by Peter von Weinhardt.
Arabella Steinbacher, Violin.
WDR SO, Lawrence Foster.

[Que]

[Harry]

Sergei Prokofiev.
Symphony No. 5 in B flat major.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Romeo and Juliet.

Novosibirsk Academic SO, Thomas Sanderling.

[Traverso]

Bach

[Harry]

Hermann Gradener.

Violin concerto No.2 in D minor.

Karen Bentley Pollick, Violin.
National SO of Ukraine, Gottfried Rabl.

[Papy Oli]

Good afternoon all,

JS Bach - BWV 114 (Gardiner SDG Vol.9)

[mahler10th]

I had the Zinman recording, but I sold it on eBay...

I have just bought the same from Ebay!  Got it for five pounds, should be arriving tomorrow or so...
Meanwhile...Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto is playing...

[Spotted Horses]

Bliss, Piano Quartet, Maggini Quartet, Daniel Donohoe



A striking work in three movements which a first movement which begins slowly and gathers momentum, a charming intermezzo and a vigorous finale. The first movement has a sort of Dvorak/New World feel, maybe some modal writing? Thoroughly enjoyable!

[Traverso]

Fantasias,Pavans & Galliards

Gustav Leonhardt