What are you listening 2 now?

[Traverso]

I do enjoy their sound so far. That's only the second album of theirs I know (the other being German Consort Music 1660-1710). Any other CD's of theirs worth investigating please, Jan ?

 

Don't be alarmed, I hope you can listen to fragments on YouTube. The Purcell box with three CDs is attractively priced and very nice. If you like Emma Kirkby, the Monteverdi is a must.
De Teleman is very attractive with the magnificent Suite for recorder and orchestra.
The muffat is one of my favorites, have fun and if you can't find something and I have it I'm happy to help.

[Traverso]

Praetorius

Christmas Music
Westminster Cathedral Choir
Parley of Instruments David Hill

[Traverso]

I like the 3rd. What's this performance like Jan?

PS I've just noticed that it features in my Decca Eloquence Bruckner box set - so I can find out myself! 

It is a fine one Jeffrey,in the same league as his "classic"fourth.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Barber: Four Excursions, op.20 for piano.

Barber takes four idioms of American music Boogie Woogie, Blues, Cowboy Song and a Hoe Down and brilliantly incorporates them into a four part classical piece. I sometimes find the results a bit disjointed when popular and classical music are mixed together but not here. It feels natural, not a classical composer trying to be popular or the other way around. Funnily enough, another who comes to mind who was able to do this was also American, Copland.

+1

PD

[Traverso]

Some people are interesting, Jan, and some people are not. Some people are interested and some people are not. That is the way of things, Jan.

Thank you for your lucid remarque  Fergus 

[Mandryka]

In Toccata 11, the space between the phrases, those small points of respiration, contain the universe. Know what I mean?

[Harry]

Walter Bricht.

Orchestral Works, Volume I.

Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Andrew Constantine.

Unknown and unloved.

[vandermolen]

It is a fine one Jeffrey,in the same league as his "classic"fourth.

Cheers Jan!

[Sergeant Rock]

Arnold Symphony Nos. 4 & 3, Handley conducting




Sarge

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

+1

Walton: Symphony No.1 LPO, Slatkin an excellent version with a great coupling:

I don't have the recording. I must get the disc.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Respighi: Suite in E maj.

[Mirror Image]

Anne-Sophie Mutter's virtuosity and fabulous technique is not in doubt, but there are times where the freedom it allows her can get in the way of the music, which I feel is what happens here in the Tchaikovsky, which was recorded live in Vienna. It was no doubt thrillingin the concert hall, but I'm not sure it responds to repeated hearings. Tempi are stretched to the limit, both slow and ultra fast, as in the final movement, which is unbelievably fast, but with every note in place. The playing throughout is sensational, but some will no doubt feel we get too much of Mutter and not enough of Tchaikovsky. I have equivocal feelings. It's not how I'd always want to hear the work played, but I don't mind giving it the occasional airing and just giving in to Mutter's uber-Romantic approach to it.

The Korngold concerto was recorded in the studio and suits Mutter's intense Romanticism rather better. In fact I'd suggest that this is one of the best performances in the catalogue. I first heard it on the radio blind, but even before the announcer had confirmed it, I knew I was listenin to Mutter. Previn, as always at his best in Korngold, supports her every step of the way, and I'd say the disc was worth acquiring for the Korngold alone. Presumably, if buying the download, you can do that anyway.

A disc of two halves.

Yes, the Korngold is worth the price of admission. A stunning performance and a favorite of mine.

[Brahmsian]

Dvorak: Symphony No. 2 [Rowicki]





I really like this work. It has a wonderful grand sweep to it throughout the work, even in the wonderful slow movement. I find the music to be buoyant and exciting. This presentation also has a particularly fresh feel to it. I also find the orchestration to be wonderful and particularly effective.

A great symphony. A Scherzo of nearly unmatched depth! 

[Karl Henning]

Barber: Four Excursions, op.20 for piano.

Barber takes four idioms of American music Boogie Woogie, Blues, Cowboy Song and a Hoe Down and brilliantly incorporates them into a four part classical piece. I sometimes find the results a bit disjointed when popular and classical music are mixed together but not here. It feels natural, not a classical composer trying to be popular or the other way around. Funnily enough, another who comes to mind who was able to do this was also American, Copland. 

https://www.youtube.com/v/Q8ZVj1y2IEI

[aligreto]

Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande [Plasson]





This is beguiling and atmospheric music.

[aligreto]

A great symphony [No. 2]. A Scherzo of nearly unmatched depth! 

One can but marvel at this music. Ray.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Roussel
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 53
Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire
Cluytens

[Traverso]

Tchaikovsky

The Nutcracker

[listener]

Pop favourites played well:
ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstance Marches op. 39  Salut d'amour op. 12
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on "Greensleeves"
KABALEVSKY: The Comedians Suite op. 26   
SAINT-SAËNS:  Carnival of the Animals
Philharmonia O.,    Charles Groves, cond.
and not so well known:
COPLAND: Duo for Flute and Piano   HARRIS : Lyric Study
BARBER: Mélodies passagères  op. 27   Canzone op. 38
Robert BEASER: Variations for Flute and Piano
Paula Robison, flute  Timothy Hester, piano

[Biffo]

Mahler: Symphony No 7 in E minor - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam conducted by Mariss Jansons - wonderful live performance from December 2000 - beautifully played and recorded