What are you listening 2 now?

[SonicMan46]

Bach, Johann Christian (1735-1782) - Wind Symphonies w/ the two groups shown below (the first a new arrival) - these were some (if not the last) of 'London Bach's' final compositions, published there in 1781-82 around the time of his premature death; these are listed in Warburton's (i.e. W) catalog as the last works in the 'chamber' category, as shown below.  These are really 'wind serenades or sextets' for double clarinets, horns, and bassoons.  The Consortium Classicum recording w/ Klöcker has been in my JC Bach collection for a while and adds a double bass (thus, kind of a septet) (not explained 'why' in the notes?).  The London Wind Soloists w/ Jack Brymer are just the six wind instruments (all modern) - this recording is from 1967 (vs. the other from 1991) - both are well performed and with excellent sound, although I must say that the Londoners pique my interest more - reviews (just a few) are attached for those interested - I bought this new arrival used, but disc surface was pristine and played perfectly; either one is a recommendation if you want these works in your collection.  Dave

Opus numbers from Ernest Warburton's The Collected Works of Johann Christian Bach (Source).
W BInc7 \ Symphony for winds No.1 in E flat major
W BInc8 \ Symphony for winds No.2 in B flat major
W BInc9 \ Symphony for winds No.3 in E flat major
W BInc10 \ Symphony for winds No.4 in B flat major
W BInc11 \ Symphony for winds No.5 in E flat major
W BInc12 \ Symphony for winds No.6 in B flat major

 

[classicalgeek]

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 5
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Adrian Boult



Sublime.

[Madiel]

.

[vandermolen]

Hi Jeffrey,I will listen to the Sea Symphony in the coming days,I enjoyed the music,I have little to compare,only the EMI Boult recordings.I'm happy with both.

Haitink's performance brought that work alive for me Jan. For many decades I had not related to 'A Sea Symphony'. I hope that you enjoy it as well - the best music is in the last movement.

[vandermolen]

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 5
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Adrian Boult



Sublime.

I grew up with that set on LP - it remains very special. Boult, after all, premiered three of the symphonies (3, 4 and 6 I think).

[classicalgeek]

I grew up with that set on LP - it remains very special. Boult, after all, premiered three of the symphonies (3, 4 and 6 I think).

No one does Vaughan Williams quite like Boult - no doubt because of the personal connection. One of my favorite RVW cycles - perhaps my co-favorite with Slatkin.

Speaking of the Sixth:
Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 6
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis
(on Spotify, where I also listened to the Fifth)



Perhaps not my favorite RVW symphony, but it does have its moments. The Epilogue in particular reminds me a little of the end of Shostakovich's Fourth and Eighth Symphonies - bleak, desolate music.

[classicalgeek]

Beethoven

To end the Day.....

Egmond Op.84 "Die trrommel Gerühret"

You can **never** go wrong with Janet Baker. Her Brahms Alto Rhapsody with Boult is one of my favorite recordings of anything!

[classicalgeek]

Continuing my Vaughan Williams mini-binge:

Symphony no. 8
London Symphony Orchestra
Andre Previn

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Shostakovich
Symphony No. 14 in G minor, Op. 135
Marina Shaguch (soprano), Arutjun Kotchinian (bass)
Gürzenich-Orchester Köln
Dmitri Kitayenko

[Peter Power Pop]

I'm currently listening to – and thoroughly enjoying – the Seiji Ozawa & Boston Symphony Orchestra box set:



Details at Amazon

[Mirror Image]

I'm currently listening to – and thoroughly enjoying – the Seiji Ozawa & Boson Symphony Orchestra box set:



Details at Amazon

What composer and work?

[André]

Shostakovich: Symphony No.11 'The Year 1905'
L'ORTF Cond. André Cluytens
This is a most atmospheric and gripping performance, made in 1958 with Shostakovich present at the recording session. It has a unique atmosphere and, of course, the symphony was only recently composed. It's a pity that this was the only commercial recording of a Shostakovich symphony conducted by Cluytens:

A great performance in very good sound. The timbres of the french orchestra give the performance a very special flavour.

[André]

Interesting! I wonder how it compares with the RCA Requiem - I have to confess I'm not familiar with either of Munch's recordings (yet). My go-to Berlioz Requiem for a long time was Robert Shaw with the Atlanta Symphony on Telarc, but it's been ages since I heard it.

Both are quite different. Munch in Munich (!) conducts in a more patient, even way. That DGG interpretation sounds more collected, more 'sacred' than in Boston. It is dramatic and monumental in the big moments whereas emotions such as fervor, terror and grief are more to the fore in Boston - and the orchestral sound is totally different. If you are interested in Munch's Requiem, you should hear his public concert (in Symphony Hall) from about the same date (his BSO recordings often followed concerts). It is searing. A harrowing experience. It's on the net somewhere.

[Daverz]

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 2:



I'm a big Martinon fan, but I think this is better played and recorded.

[classicalgeek]

Both are quite different. Munch in Munich (!) conducts in a more patient, even way. That DGG interpretation sounds more collected, more 'sacred' than in Boston. It is dramatic and monumental in the big moments whereas emotions such as fervor, terror and grief are more to the fore in Boston - and the orchestral sound is totally different. If you are interested in Munch's Requiem, you should hear his public concert (in Symphony Hall) from about the same date (his BSO recordings often followed concerts). It is searing. A harrowing experience. It's on the net somewhere.

I'm guessing it's on YouTube? Unless it's been issued on some pirate label. Either way, I look forward to starting with his RCA Requiem and going from there! If it's anything like the disc of overtures I heard yesterday, I'm in for a real treat.

Thread duty: finishing up my RVW mini-binge

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 9
Piano concerto in C major
London Symphony Orchestra
Howard Shelley, piano
Bryden Thomson
(in Spotify)



The Ninth has some beautiful moments - I'm still getting to know the work, and so my opinion of it is still forming. The Piano Concerto is an interesting work - it actually reminded me of Bartok in spots, with its rhythmic drive and energy. But the second movement, and the very end, are Vaughan Williams through and through.

[classicalgeek]

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 2:



I'm a big Martinon fan, but I think this is better played and recorded.

Happy to hear that! I got the 3-CD box with all five symphonies with Soustrot and Malmo; it's in my listening backlog...

[Mirror Image]

I'm guessing it's on YouTube? Unless it's been issued on some pirate label. Either way, I look forward to starting with his RCA Requiem and going from there! If it's anything like the disc of overtures I heard yesterday, I'm in for a real treat.

Thread duty: finishing up my RVW mini-binge

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 9
Piano concerto in C major
London Symphony Orchestra
Howard Shelley, piano
Bryden Thomson



The Ninth has some beautiful moments - I'm still getting to know the work, and so my opinion of it is still forming. The Piano Concerto is an interesting work - it actually reminded me of Bartok in spots, with its rhythmic drive and energy. But the second movement, and the very end, are Vaughan Williams through and through.

I like the rearrangement RVW did of his Piano Concerto for two pianos and orchestra better than the original for just piano/orchestra. You definitely should check out that version. It's interesting you mentioned Bartók, because he went on record to say how much he admired this work from RVW.

[JBS]

I thought it was too much like Dufay à la Schubert to be interesting - I mean they sing it in the manner of 19th century songs.

Admittedly I've only listened to it once, but I can't say I heard anything that hit me as "19th century".

TD
Definitely a 19th century artifact, including Joan escaping from prison and dying of wounds received in battle.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Glazunov
String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106
Utrecht String Quartet

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

NP:

Prokofiev
Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, Op. 100
Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne
Kitayenko

Nice!

NP:

Glazunov
String Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106
Utrecht String Quartet

I like the art work, Unexpected Visitor.