What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

Very fun music.  He's like a Japanese Lenny Bernstein.

I own this entire Japanese series on Naxos. I should definitely revisit some of them. This looks like a good recording. A Japanese Bernstein, eh? Oh...that already sounds promising.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Amazing playing, but he could dial back the intensity a bit so he doesn't sacrifice his tone for drama's sake. He and Rochberg worked together on the transcription of the original violin work. 74 minutes based on the famous 24th Caprice by Paganini--whew!

Great recording!
You may like the album of Scarlatti transcriptions by Yepes as well.

[Bachtoven]

Great recording!
You may like the album of Scarlatti transcriptions by Yepes as well.

I've heard it--didn't do much for me, especially since he overdubbed some of the parts! (Listen with headphones: There are clearly 2 guitars playing at times.)

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Mahler
Das Lied von der Erde
Yvonne Minton, mezzo-soprano
René Kollo, tenor
CSO
Solti

[Symphonic Addict]

Symphony No. 8 from this glorious cycle. Man, viscerally exciting would be appropriate to describe this performance. The work is played as a rollercoaster of moods and emotions that is draining. I could think it is even one of the more grotesque and baleful readings I have ever heard. It's thrilling as hell!!!

[Mirror Image]

Symphony No. 8 from this glorious cycle. Man, viscerally exciting would be appropriate to describe this performance. The work is played as a rollercoaster of moods and emotions that is draining. I could think it is even one of the more grotesque and baleful readings I have ever heard. It's thrilling as hell!!!

Absolutely! Kondrashin's is my favorite Shostakovich cycle.

[Symphonic Addict]

More Russian meat:

Rachmaninov: The Bells

Undeniably understandable the reputation of this rendition and magnificent recording. Clear, overwhelming, eloquent, poignant, lyrical aplenty.

[Symphonic Addict]

Absolutely! Kondrashin's is my favorite Shostakovich cycle.

Along with Haitink, Rozhdestvensky and Barshai, my overall favorites.

[Daverz]

Along with Haitink, Rozhdestvensky and Barshai, my overall favorites.

I have this in the old green Korean Aulos label box, and have always wondered if the Melodiya transfers are improved enough to seek out the newer box.

[T. D.]

Good evening to you as well, Karl!

THREAD DUTY:

Inevitably, more Busoni. Excerpts from his magnum opus Doktor Faust: the Symphonia, the Festliches Aufzug (Cortège), the Symphonisches Intermezzo, and the final scene of the opera).

The classic recording conducted by Ferdinand Leitner, with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in the title rôle.



That symphonia, with the chorus singing "Pax! Pax!", is really something (as is the rest of the opera). 

Yes, a great recording of an opera I rate highly! Have owned a copy for decades. Saw a live performance back in early '90s. Often consider getting the Nagano recording, but to date haven't.

[Mirror Image]

I have this in the old green Korean Aulos label box, and have always wondered if the Melodiya transfers are improved enough to seek out the newer box.

I haven't heard that Korean set (it looks super cool and it's DSD so that's rather interesting), but I can say that the Melodiya set sounds quite good, but I have nothing else to compare it to.

I certainly dig the reissued Melodiya set because of the cool cover art for each CD sleeve:

[Mirror Image]

Along with Haitink, Rozhdestvensky and Barshai, my overall favorites.

All fine cycles. I also like Jansons the more I listen to it.

[Daverz]

I haven't heard that Korean set (it looks super cool and it's DSD so that's rather interesting), but I can say that the Melodiya set sounds quite good, but I have nothing else to compare it to.

I think it was just DSD "mastering".

[Mirror Image]

Last work for the night:

Mendelssohn
Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 107 "Reformation"
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nézet-Séguin

[Mirror Image]

I think it was just DSD "mastering".

Indeed. Does the set sound good?

[Daverz]

Indeed. Does the set sound good?

There were some rough patches of these Soviet recordings.  I admit I don't return to this set often.  I remember 4 an 8 were highlights.  For 13 I prefer the Gromadsky recording to the one included here.

TD: Malipiero Piano Concerto No. 1.  A lovely work, though it just sort of ends precipitously in a cheeky way.

[Mirror Image]

There were some rough patches of these Soviet recordings.  I admit I don't return to this set often.  I remember 4 an 8 were highlights.  For 13 I prefer the Gromadsky recording to the one included here.

I don't listen to Kondrashin a whole lot these days, but if I want to hear the Soviet 'raw and intense' style, he certainly fits the bill. Have you heard Muti's new recording of the Babi Yar? I listened to it earlier today and enjoyed it immensely. I need to go back revisit it, though.

[Daverz]

I don't listen to Kondrashin a whole lot these days, but if I want to hear the Soviet 'raw and intense' style, he certainly fits the bill. Have you heard Muti's new recording of the Babi Yar? I listened to it earlier today and enjoyed it immensely. I need to go back revisit it, though.

I've been waiting for my mood to be right for No. 13, because I wanted to hear the Haitink, one I've never heard before.

[Mirror Image]

I've been waiting for my mood to be right for No. 13, because I wanted to hear the Haitink, one I've never heard before.

I'll take that as a "no". Anyway, the Haitink is outstanding! One of my favorite performances of this symphony.

[Linz]

I am listening to a better recording of Zoltan Fekete's Bruckner 3