What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

Speaking of something being so good...

NP:

Sibelius
Luonnotar, Op. 70
Soile Isokoski (soprano)
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Leif Segerstam



It's cold and raining outside and yet the haunting beauty of Luonnotar seems like an ideal match. Amazing performance, btw.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Strauss
Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24
Berliners
Karajan

From this set -



For me, this Karajan set is one of the landmark recording projects released by Deutsche Grammophon. The stars were aligned in every performance in this set or, at least, they were for this listener. You can't have a Strauss collection without Karajan. Sorry, that's just how it is folks!

[Linz]

Karajan's Bruckner Symphony 3 from this set DG's early CD release

[Mirror Image]

Karajan's Bruckner Symphony 3 from this set DG's early CD release

Sweet, but what do you think about the audio quality of this set, Linz? I've heard many complaints about it and I've never been too happy with it.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Strauss
Vier letze Lieder
Gundula Janowitz, soprano
Berliners
Karajan

From this set -

[Linz]

To my ears it seems fine but I am 66yrs old so The boosted treble doesn't seem to bother me, it may even help

[Mirror Image]

To my ears it seems fine but I am 66yrs old so The boosted treble doesn't seem to bother me, it may even help

[Klavier1]

While well played, I think it could use more energy and intensity at times. I'll give it a second listen in the coming days. It was recorded in the Fazioli Hall in Sacile, Italy, so presumably he's playing a Fazioli piano. It certainly sounds good.

[Harry]

Johann Sebastian Bach.

Complete Organ Works, volume X.

BWV: 688, 689,802-805. 552, 704,703,698,699,701,696,697,702,Anh55,765,Ahn70,1128,583,718,566.

Ute Gremmel Geuchen, plays on a Johann Andreas Silbermann organ, 1741, Strasbourg, Eglise Saint Thomas.
SACD recording.

Near perfect.

[Que]

[Tsaraslondon]

Mutter was still a teenager when these recordings were made, but they show an artistic maturity beyond her years and the technique is of course phenomenal.

[Harry]

Bo Linde.

Orchestral Works Volume II.

A Merry Overture.
Musica Concertante.
Suite Variee.
Suite Boulogne.
Gävle SO, Petter Sundkvist.
SACD recording.

First listen.

[aligreto]

Dowland: Complete Lute Works [O'Dette] CD2





Wonderful music, playing and sound.

[Que]

Dowland: Complete Lute Works [O'Dette] CD2





Wonderful music, playing and sound.

I'd wish Harmonia Mundi would reissue this set - it's long overdue....

[aligreto]

Brahms: Symphony No.1 [Gardiner]





I like the general "feel" and sweep of this first movement. The woodwinds are portrayed particularly well in the two inner movements. The horn in the final movement has a wonderful bite to it. There is great drama and tension in the final movement.

[aligreto]

I'd wish Harmonia Mundi would reissue this set - it's long overdue....

Yes, that might introduce it, and its genre, to a younger audience.

[Traverso]

Mozart

Piano Concertos No.13 -15 & 17

[Traverso]

I'd wish Harmonia Mundi would reissue this set - it's long overdue....

The same goes for the Couperin Rousset recordings.

[aligreto]

Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 [Rowicki]





The opening movement is quite a buoyant presentation. It is sweeping and expansive in its outlook. It is optimistic in tone. The varying levels of drama, tension and emotions are well delivered. The brass and the woodwinds in particular are preeminent in the presentation of the sound colour. I like the Rowicki presentation of the slow movement. It is tender, pensive, wistful and charmingly hesitant and questioning. The movement, however, ends on a positive note. The sonorities and the sound colour are very well portrayed. I favour his treatment of the woodwinds. The third, scherzo like movement is a very graceful performance with a slightly disconcerting undercurrent to it which is very engaging. Rowicki opens the final movement in a robust way. The lower register strings are very engaging. The folk and dance elements of the music come across very strongly here. Rowicki is very successful in portraying Dvorak's musical heritage and optimal sound world and orchestral colour.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Edvard Grieg: Lyric Pieces, from op.68 & op.71. Emil Gilels

These are so good.

+1