What are you listening 2 now?

[SonicMan46]

Well, I still reading Richard Crawford's history of America's Musical Life - long book (nearly 900 text pages; for me about 300 pages to go and just into the 20th century - SO, thought that I'd go through my 'American classical music' collection - not that large (just over 100 discs); up first:

Barber, Samuel (1910-1981) - Orchestral Works w/ Marin Alsop conducting - starting w/ the Cello Concerto, Adagio, and Symphonies - own 4 more CDs but most alternate interpretations of what is in the Naxos box, plus his SQ/Piano Sonata on different Ives' discs - not interested in his vocal output (although have 2 versions of Knoxville.....), but the piano music w/ John Browning seems to be well received - any comments?  Thanks.  Dave

   

[classicalgeek]

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.

I'm listening to it on Spotify, but I may well add it to my (long) list of future purchases - I've also heard his arrangement of 'Die Meistersinger'; while that was enjoyable, I liked 'Parsifal' a lot better. So just 'Tristan' and 'Der Ring' to go (looking forward to both!)

[Karl Henning]

It will be a while yet before I can play this again:

https://www.youtube.com/v/Fa_q4yX9CIs&t=9s

[Florestan]

Pjotr Tchaikovsky.

The Nutcracker.

Marinsky Orchestra, Valery Gergiev.

A perfect concert performance, in excellent sound. Not for the faint of heart.
As with the Philips recording with the Kirov Orchestra (1998) Gergiev does some additional humming, that has a way of irritating me. But the wealth of detail is amazing, plus the bonus of a Russian interpretation, it adds authenticity beyond measure.

Listened to this last week. The relentless drive and the super-fast tempi worked perfectly well until, and including, the Nutcracker's battling with the mice army. After that they become irritating and I stopped it after a few numbers more. 

[classicalgeek]

A wonderful recording.

Found this on Spotify, giving it a spin now. The first movement of the Piano Quintet has the same hypnotic, static quality some of his late orchestral music has. I'm loving it.

[Karl Henning]

I own that CD, but haven't listened.
Piano quintet, hmm. No ondes Martenot?

(* chortle *)

[classicalgeek]

Some Koechlin chamber music on Spotify: 



While the Piano Quintet shares some characteristics with the later orchestral works (the third movement is absolutely lovely), the String Quartet no. 3 is more in the Debussy/Ravel mode, but it's still unmistakably Koechlin's own. I greatly enjoyed both works!

[mahler10th]

It will be a while yet before I can play this again:

https://www.youtube.com/v/Fa_q4yX9CIs&t=9s

Listened to it all.  In it I hear a kind of crestfallen disappointment and the pain of confinement.  And sheer loneliness.  But there are some moments of hope.  Overall it actually made ME feel quite lonely in the atmosphere created by that solitary Clarinet. Flashes of thought, and even perhaps anger are apparent?  This is definitely a Thinking Mans piece!

[bhodges]

Not quite live, but a stream from a few hours ago:

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Susanna Mälkki, conductor

Kaija Saariaho: Vista
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7

https://areena.yle.fi/1-50946353?fbclid=IwAR1JhTGetZEd9DaHFwGq-U-dMKtwErnYesK7XHvvPYizfHcKKToPLHE5X60

--Bruce

[classicalgeek]

The Viola Sonata and Cello Sonata from this set on Spotify:



Both thoroughly enjoyable works. I don't think I've found a Koechlin piece to be any less than top-notch so far! I've looked for this box set, but it seems to be sadly out of print (same with the box of all his orchestral music under Holliger.)

[VonStupp]

Carl Maria von Weber
Piano Concerto 1 in C Major, op. 11

Nikolai Demidenko, piano
SCO - Sir Charles Mackerras (rec. 1994)

While CMvW's outer movements are pleasantly perky, it is his adagios that I love.

VS

[Klavier]

Filippo Gorini (piano)

I'm finding this mesmerising. Had never heard of Gorini before. Only twenty five. If this is one of his first recordings he's set the bar incredibly high.

I agree--it's great! I also enjoy this Beethoven recording:

[Sergeant Rock]

Shostakovich Symphony No. 6, Caetani conducting




Sarge

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

It will be a while yet before I can play this again:

https://www.youtube.com/v/Fa_q4yX9CIs&t=9s

Atmospheric, and lonely, music. Sounds excellent!

[Symphonic Addict]

This composer has meant a real find this year to me. I think others have posted impressions about him in this thread. These violin concertos are pretty satisfying and especially distinctive. I can't pigeonhole his style even though it sounds familiar, Germanic and tonal. There is another disc that contains a suite for orchestra with very suggestive and bucolic titles as movements: Tableaux Romands (?)

[Symphonic Addict]

Shostakovich Symphony No. 6, Caetani conducting




Sarge

He scared you?

[Symphonic Addict]

Carl Maria von Weber
Piano Concerto 1 in C Major, op. 11

Nikolai Demidenko, piano
SCO - Sir Charles Mackerras (rec. 1994)

While CMvW's outer movements are pleasantly perky, it is his adagios that I love.

VS

The Konzertstück is fantastic, so are the other piano concertos, but it's the former that makes the honours here in my view.

There is a recording with Colin Davis on RCA that is not as strong as this performance and recording. In this Hyperion CD (or another), there is a part where the piano plays a tremendous fortissimo in the low keys!! Very shattering.

[VonStupp]

The Konzertstück is fantastic, so are the other piano concertos, but it's the former that makes the honours here in my view.

There is a recording with Colin Davis on RCA that is not as strong as this performance and recording. In this Hyperion CD, there is a part where the piano plays a tremendous fortissimo in the low keys!! Very shattering.

Indeed, and I hope to get to that one yet tonight. I will see if I can find your example.

VS

[Sergeant Rock]

He scared you?

Sarge

[Symphonic Addict]

SSymphony No. 2 in C minor

This is Järvi in his element! Ultra-hedonistic and impassionate rendition in spectacular sound. The 3rd movement has to be counted among the most beautiful, epic and striking in the Russian side of the world. Loved this!




Suk: Fantastic Scherzo

A wonder. A big jewel of an orchestral and tuneful creation!