What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Britten
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
James Clark (treble vocals), Julian Godlee (vocals), Osian Ellis (harp), James Clarke (vocals)
Choir of King's College Cambridge
Sir David Willcocks



Sir David Willcocks


This is without a doubt my favorite recording of A Ceremony of Carols and I own many of them. It even bests Britten's own, which is no easy feat. I believe that Willcocks was in his element in this particular work.

[Bachtoven]

Angelo Gilardino's music is moderately dissonant but still very listenable. Excellent playing from everyone.

[Irons]

In a certain way like Nielsen did as well.

Yes, too-prolific composers is almost never a good idea.

Agreed, especially symphonic works. Miaskovsky a prime example with Haydn an exception.

TD
Bentzon: 5th Symphony.

[Que]

Morning listening in "full lockdown":



The sun is out, it's a beautiful morning. 

[Mandryka]

A really warm and expressive interpretation of the Ligeti etudes,  well recorded to boot. I don't know who Kei Takumi is but I think that whoever he is, he's someone to watch.

[aligreto]

A Secret Labyrinth [Van Nevel]: CD 15: Features the music of Loao Lourenco Rebelo.





The harmonies and the easing from one phrase into the next in the Lamentations for Maundy Thursday are divine. Not that the performances of any of the Vespers on the CD are not of a high standard. They are and the singing, once again from these forces, is impeccable. I also like when a brass section is occasionally added to proceedings, yielding a wonderfully full sound.

[Mookalafalas]

Apparently the first full set of Haydn's symphonies--but played by a chamber orchestra. Listening to the French symphonies.  Fun and dynamic.
    A pleasure, of course. It's Papa!!

[Tsaraslondon]

Excellent performances of all three works.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

J.S. Bach's
Suites for Violoncello Solo
Anner Bylsma
1992

Thought that this would be a nice way to ease into the day.  Currently on:  Suite No. 1

PD

[aligreto]

Dvorak: Hussite, Dramatic Overture  [Rowicki]





Yes, this version certainly is dramatic and atmospheric and it is filled with tension all interspersed with lyrical passages. It is very well played and paced.

[aligreto]

Apparently the first full set of Haydn's symphonies--but played by a chamber orchestra. Listening to the French symphonies.  Fun and dynamic.
    A pleasure, of course. It's Papa!!

How interesting. I always assumed that the Dorati cycle was the first complete set, for some reason.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Goffredo PETRASSI: Divertimento in C maj.

[Traverso]

Messiaen

Cataloque d'Oiseau

CD 1 1er Livre

complete with feathers ......

[aligreto]

Mahler: Symphony No. 7 [Tennstedt]





The unfolding of the opening movement is a fine thing here. I like the tone that Tennstedt takes in this movement. It is not overpowered with angst. Although it has wonderful power, drama and tension throughout, coupled with requisite serenity in the relevant passages, I find this presentation to be something of a dispassionate one, and I mean that in a good way. Tennstedt lets the music speak for itself and the pacing allows this to happen readily. The playing is superb as is the sound. The unfolding of the opening of the second movement is another very fine thing here. There is great depth and breath to the interpretation of this movement. I feel that there is a wonderful sense of peace to it. The Scherzo opens with a wonderfully dark, menacing and disconcerting tone. This is maintained throughout the movement which has a wonderful gritty edge to it. The Trio is of the same ilk and is slightly unnerving. Nachtmusik II speaks with that definitive voice that was Mahler's and Tennstedt takes us on a gentle and serene journey. The music is wonderfully played and the pacing is very spacious. The final movement opens with a gallop and a blaze of brass. This exuberant and ebullient tone pervades throughout the movement. This is a powerful but controlled, in a good way, presentation of this movement. The Conclusion is glorious.

[Biffo]

Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Suite, op. 22 - Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Sakari Oramo, never been impressed with his symphony cycle with the CBSO but this is a fine performance from a concert in October 2018

[The new erato]

Listening to this:



A historically important opera with fine playing. Unfrtunately a couple of the singers in my roles are subpar to my ears (thankfully not in major roles), this is a live production and I imagine they will have worked better onstage. Definitely worth a listen for liebhabers of early opera and/or the Orfeo legend.

Good review here: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2021/Mar/Rossi-orfeo-GCD923903.htm#:~:text=Rossi%E2%80%99s%20L%E2%80%99Orfeo%20was%20recorded%20in%20the%20northern%20Italian,catalogue%20-%20of%20music%20by%20Telemann%20and%20Lully.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A CD of Joan Tower's [a contemporary American composer, born 1938]
First work:  Stroke
On Naxos

*A very powerful, rather violent sort of work.  She wrote it just after her younger brother had a stroke.  First listen for me; trying here to find a delicate balance between listening to it and trying to get some things done around the house--including finishing putting up Christmas decorations.  Not really 'holiday' music, but have been wanting to check out her violin concerto which follows it for some time.

*Will describe it better later on....

PD

[SonicMan46]

How interesting. I always assumed that the Dorati cycle was the first complete set, for some reason.

Hi Fergus - from my previous readings, the Märzendorfer's recordings were made between 1967-1971 and distributed on LP - the CDs were made from LPs because the original tapes (not sure if analog or digital at that time?) could not be located - assume any clicks and pops were removed but don't know about whether the vinyl sound compression would have been expanded for a better dynamic range - just a lot of unknowns.  MusicWeb review attached w/ several links that has details on these recordings.  My only 'complete' set is Adam Fischer, but I do have several recordings of Nos. 82 through 104, most w/ Kuijken.  I'd probably prefer to get the Hogwood et al collection on period instruments if even available at a decent price?  Dave

[Karl Henning]

Morning listening in "full lockdown":



The sun is out, it's a beautiful morning. 

Good luck, friend!

[Karl Henning]

J.S. Bach's
Suites for Violoncello Solo
Anner Bylsma
1992

Thought that this would be a nice way to ease into the day.  Currently on:  Suite No. 1

PD

Very nice!