What are you listening 2 now?

[ritter]

Mozart's Serenata notturna, KV 239 and the Posthorn-Serenade, KV 320 are two of the eternally great works IMHO.

Indeed they are...so easy to take them for granted. 

Good evening, Fergus.

[aligreto]

Indeed they are...so easy to take them for granted. 

Good evening, Fergus.

The taking for granted of great music is a constant danger. We should be on our guard against it constantly. Works like these have stood the test of time and taste for centuries for very good reason.

I hope that you have had a pleasant evening. 

[vandermolen]

Richter: Exiles [Kristjan Jarvi]





I did not listen to the entire album, I merely chose to listen to the work "Exiles".

I found this work to be highly repetitive. That, however, was not unexpected. Given that, the core of the music is essentially very engaging. It gradually builds up, through the movements, to a highly charged emotional crescendo. This is wonderfully delivered by the orchestra and developed by Jarvi.

+1 'Exiles' is the highlight. My favourite Max Richter album.

[Linz]

Bruckner 9 From 1993 with Takashi Asahina

[Klavier1]

No.30-32 from this superb set.

[André]

A hodge-podge of a program, nicely played.

[JBS]

Landed today. So far, so very good.

[Cato]

No.30-32 from this superb set.

How does it compare to complete cycles by pianists from earlier generations e.g. Claudio Arrau, Wilhelm Backhaus, Friedrich Gulda, etc. ?

[André]

And its natural mate, Danny Elfman's score to Tim Burton's Batman

[kyjo]

Symphony No. 2

I had forgot how compelling this symphony manages to be. I'm in the first movement and it's thoroughly engaging to say the least. There are some cleverly disguised Dvorak gestures here, but with American accent.

Indeed, it turns out I enjoy this work more than I had previously thought. The second and fifth movements, in particular, are irresistibly tuneful and great fun! There's definitely more to the work than its famously zany ending.

[kyjo]

From the same double CD the turbulent Bridge, Cello Sonata. Standing astride the old and new Frank Bridge. Composed between 1913 and 1917 this work is of interest at many levels, not least WWI and the development of the composer himself.

A great work which, as you say, stands at the precipice between Bridge's late-romantic early style and his darkly chromatic mature style. One can hear premonitions of "things to come" in the mysterious opening of the 2nd movement.

[kyjo]

Regarding Arnold's ballets, I can't recommend this disc highly enough:

[asin]B002NLRD4A[/asin]

These ballet scores cover the entire gamut of Arnold's music personality, from richly noble and sumptuous (Homage to the Queen), sardonic and humorous (Sweeney Todd), to darkly psychological (Electra). Wonderful stuff all-around!

My bad, the image isn't appearing. Let's try this again:

[Mirror Image]

Now playing The Miraculous Mandarin from this new acquisition:



Damn, this is so good! This is played with some bite to it --- incredibly intense. I have to say I've enjoyed Dausgaard's work with the Scottish BBC SO so far. His Sibelius Kullervo (on Hyperion) is one of my favorite performances of this work.

[Mirror Image]

Last work for the night:

Brahms
String Quartet No. 3 in B-flat major, Op. 67
Belcea Quartet

[Linz]

I am now listening to Marcus Bosch's Bruckner 9 with The Samale and Cohrs Mazzuca Finale

[Klavier1]

How does it compare to complete cycles by pianists from earlier generations e.g. Claudio Arrau, Wilhelm Backhaus, Friedrich Gulda, etc. ?

Definitely more technically secure, yet not without feeling. I think he combines some of the old-world interpretive sensibilities with cleaner, more effortless technique.

[Que]

I would definitely not disagree with you there, Que. Svetlanov offers wonderfully exciting and incisive presentations of these works.

I can recommend his recordings of: Borodin, Glazunov, Kalinnikov, Lyadov and naturally Tchaikovsky!

[Que]

Morning listening - 2nd disc:



What gorgeous music! Although the intricate dense textures might revael their secrets to experienced Early Music listeners only. And great performances, some of Beauty Farm's best IMO.
This morning I managed to decifer the liner notes in small white print on black pages... still think presentation is ridiculous.

[Que]

Last disc. What a magnificent, game changing series 

I'm about to pull the trigger on another set....

[Mandryka]

Gothic Voices, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. This is ars antiqua songs and motets, lots lyricism and variety though always the same Gothic Voices sound. It is becoming increasingly clear to me that I don't like Margeret Philpot's voice I'm afraid - I just find what she does boring. For balance I'll say that I love Covey Crump's voice! The singing generally has the feeling of very well executed museum pieces rather than incandescent risk taking spontaneous music making - I wonder if they over rehearsed. That makes the CD a bit like an aural reference book.