What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

NP:

Stravinsky
Pulcinella
John Shirley-Quirk, Teresa Berganza, Ryland Davies
LSO
Abbado



I still hold the opinion that some of Abbado's best work was with the LSO, but also the CSO. Like, for example, I prefer his Mahler with the CSO than anything he did with the Berliners.

This is first-rate Stravinsky, let me tell you! This Le sacre (from this set) is quite powerful and haunting when needed.

[Karl Henning]

PI Tchaikovsky
Symphony 1 "Winter Dreams" in g minor, op. 13
Berlin Philharmonic - Herbert von Karajan (rec. 1979)

Some of January will be dedicated to Tchaikovsky, I think.

Beginning with #1.

VS

I'm going with the e minor symphony.

[Mirror Image]

I've been to John's territory with many more composers, of course. 

BTW, a Korngold marathon is running, isn't it? He's a solid composer in my book. The VC is a beauty, and there are many performance that do justice to the score.

Yes, indeed. Korngold was a wonderful composer and wrote some of the ripest Late-Romanticism this side of Moravia. As for the VC, it seems I keep coming back to Ehnes and Mutter. Their performances are etched in my mind at this juncture. His chamber music, operas, lieder...it's all first-rate and gorgeous.

[Mirror Image]

This is first-rate Stravinsky, let me tell you! This Le sacre (from this set) is quite powerful and haunting when needed.

Abbado was a hell of a great Stravinskian. It's too bad he didn't record more of his music with the LSO.

[Karl Henning]

CD 7

Szymanowski
Three Myths, Op. 30 (1915)

Hindemith
Vn Sonata in E (1935)

Poulenc
Vn Sonata in d minor (1942-43)

Christine Michaela Pryn, vn
Joachim Olsson, pf

[Symphonic Addict]

CD 7

Szymanowski
Three Myths, Op. 30 (1915)

Hindemith
Vn Sonata in E (1935)

Poulenc
Vn Sonata in d minor (1942-43)

Christine Michaela Pryn, vn
Joachim Olsson, pf

Three of my all-time favorite composers in a disc. What a clever combination of composers and works.

[Symphonic Addict]

Yes, indeed. Korngold was a wonderful composer and wrote some of the ripest Late-Romanticism this side of Moravia. As for the VC, it seems I keep coming back to Ehnes and Mutter. Their performances are etched in my mind at this juncture. His chamber music, operas, lieder...it's all first-rate and gorgeous.

I did have to say that I really love what Shaham does and make here. I need my Korngold more heartfelt, really longing. Nevertheless, I do appreciate the Mutter, and this by Ehnes is one to take seriously.

Abbado was a hell of a great Stravinskian. It's too bad he didn't record more of his music with the LSO.

I need to revisit his set. There are really some sensational performances and recordings out there!

[Symphonic Addict]

Martinu: Symphony No. 5

A war and valedictory kind of symphony. This is a noble performance, it is not a ultra-sharp playing and conducting, even fierceness. You really hear echoes from war in the first two movements, whereas the 3rd sounds more heroic, and militaristic, yet "victorious". It's an ambivalent piece of music, but certainly a masterpiece.

[Spotted Horses]

Martinu: Symphony No. 5

A war and valedictory kind of symphony. This is a noble performance, it is not a ultra-sharp playing and conducting, even fierceness. You really hear echoes from war in the first two movements, whereas the 3rd sounds more heroic, and militaristic, yet "victorious". It's an ambivalent piece of music, but certainly a masterpiece.

Valek's cycle is often ignored, but I find it excellent, and is my favorite, along with Neumann.

[Mirror Image]

Martinu: Symphony No. 5

A war and valedictory kind of symphony. This is a noble performance, it is not an ultra-sharp playing and conducting, even fierceness. You really hear echoes from war in the first two movements, whereas the 3rd sounds more heroic, and militaristic, yet "victorious". It's an ambivalent piece of music, but certainly a masterpiece.

I should revisit this symphony. It's probably my least favorite of the six, but it does have some wonderful moments throughout. I can't say I've connected with the Válek cycle all that much. Bělohlávek, Thomson and Järvi are still my top picks for the symphonies.

[vers la flamme]

Gavriil Popov: Symphony No.2, op.39, "Motherland". Gennady Provatorov, USSR Radio & TV Symphony Orchestra

First listen to this work. So far, so good. Reminds me a bit of Górecki's 3rd, the slow first movement. This kind of Soviet "socialist realist" music I can get behind...

[Mirror Image]

CD 7

Szymanowski
Three Myths, Op. 30 (1915)

Hindemith
Vn Sonata in E (1935)

Poulenc
Vn Sonata in d minor (1942-43)

Christine Michaela Pryn, vn
Joachim Olsson, pf

A lovely trio of works, indeed.

[Symphonic Addict]

Gavriil Popov: Symphony No.2, op.39, "Motherland". Gennady Provatorov, USSR Radio & TV Symphony Orchestra

First listen to this work. So far, so good. Reminds me a bit of Górecki's 3rd, the slow first movement. This kind of Soviet "socialist realist" music I can get behind...

Thumbs up from me. And please, don't let yourself forget to listen to the more "hysterical" and more revelatory First Symphony.

[Symphonic Addict]

I should revisit this symphony. It's probably my least favorite of the six, but it does have some wonderful moments throughout. I can't say I've connected with the Válek cycle all that much. Bělohlávek, Thomson and Järvi are still my top picks for the symphonies.

Thomson is really fast and exciting. In fact, Bryden Thomson is one of my favorite conductors, not only in this repertoire, but many more, including Arnold, Bax, Vaughan Williams, Nielsen, etc.

Valek's cycle is often ignored, but I find it excellent, and is my favorite, along with Neumann.

I'm noticing his goods quite well recently. The 2nd on this set is just lovely, but never lacking of spirit.

[Symphonic Addict]

The energetic and lovely 4th:

And what tautly conducted it is! Ultra sharp and precise technique from the orchestra.

[Mirror Image]

Thomson is really fast and exciting. In fact, Bryden Thomson is one of my favorite conductors, not only in this repertoire, but many more, including Arnold, Bax, Vaughan Williams, Nielsen, etc.


I'm noticing his goods quite well recently. The 2nd on this set is just lovely, but never lacking of spirit.

If I can use an analogy here, Válek is to Martinů what Schønwandt is to Nielsen. And yes, Thomson was a great conductor. Aside from his Martinů, I particularly like his Vaughan Williams and Walton.

[Mirror Image]

Following Cesar...

NP:

Martinů
Symphony No. 5, H. 310
BBC SO
Bělohlávek

[Symphonic Addict]

Following Cesar...

NP:

Martinů
Symphony No. 5, H. 310
BBC SO
Bělohlávek

Good man! If I remember correctly, there was a controversy about the sound quality of these recordings in terms of the venue.

[Mirror Image]

Good man! If I remember correctly, there was a controversy about the sound quality of these recordings in terms of the venue.

I've pretty much come to accept the recordings "as is" meaning it is good, but not excellent. Thankfully, the performances shine through beautifully and that's what counts.

[Symphonic Addict]

If I can use an analogy here, Válek is to Martinů what Schønwandt is to Nielsen. And yes, Thomson was a great conductor. Aside from his Martinů, I particularly like his Vaughan Williams and Walton.

Ok, yes, I get your analogy. Different approaches to the music, and in many of them, it is succesful, like in these instances. Valid in their own merits,