What are you listening 2 now?

[Brian]

Oopss. Anyway, this is a very recent release, right? Or is it a reissue?

It's a brand new reissue of a 1996 Marco Polo recording.

[Florestan]

It's a brand new reissue of a 1996 Marco Polo recording.

Thanks. I'll get it asap.

[Linz]

Szell and The Cleveland Orchestra and Haydn's Early London Symphonies

[Linz]

Thanks Sarg

[Brian]

Thanks. I'll get it asap.

By the way, when I copied and pasted the image URL to post here, I accidentally put it in a work file also and someone asked me what it was 

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I haven't heard this performance, but the one on CPO is more than satisfactory that I haven't sought out alternatives. Looks like I can save my money after all.

The CPI recording is vg. The Kondrashin gig sounds pretty good though.

[SonicMan46]

Scarlatti, Domenico - Sonatas (guitar transcriptions of works below) w/ Stephen Marchionda on a modern guitar (by Antonio Marin Montero, 2009, with Savarez Blue Corum strings).  Well, if you like Scarlatti on guitar, difficult to top this performance and sound recording by MDG (a SACD which I cannot play); a single but excellent review attached.  Any other suggestions for Scarlatti guitar transcriptions?  Dave

 

[vandermolen]

Damase: 'Symphonie' (1952)
Returning to work tomorrow, so needed to hear something inspiriting and uplifting:

[amw]

Scarlatti, Domenico - Sonatas (guitar transcriptions of works below) w/ Stephen Marchionda on a modern guitar (by Antonio Marin Montero, 2009, with Savarez Blue Corum strings).  Well, if you like Scarlatti on guitar, difficult to top this performance and sound recording by MDG (a SACD which I cannot play); a single but excellent review attached.  Any other suggestions for Scarlatti guitar transcriptions?  Dave

Leo Brouwer (not on CD but probably available from archive.org), Narciso Yepes (DG), Toyohiko Satoh probably doesn't count and it's only a few sonatas but still good. Obviously also a few individual selections by Segovia. I don't know enough guitar/lute/etc recitals of this music and would also be interested to hear more.

[Linz]

CD 2 of this set now

[Traverso]

Beethoven 

This is a very fine recording of the fith symphony,traditional but very well done.

[André]

Fine performances all around, perhaps low on grit and tension - uncharacteristically for this conductor. Superb playing and sound.

[classicalgeek]

I could go the rest of my life without hearing another Bax work. Sorry Bax enthusiasts! The same applies to Havergal Brian. Elgar's 1st is pretty good, but his 2nd is my favorite (and one of my favorite British symphonies). I should revisit the Rachmaninov --- I seem to recall this is a favorite of Cato. Have you heard the Martinů 1st? If not, rectify this soon! How about the Roussel?

I like some Bax symphonies more than others (nos. 1 and 4 are particular favorites, while I've yet to warm up to no. 7), though I'm not as familiar with the symphonic poems (outside of Tintagel, which I really enjoy) or the chamber music. I'm working my way through the Martinů symphonies, and I started with no. 1, which I quite enjoyed; I should listen again soon. It's been years since I listened to Roussel's First though I remember liking it (perhaps it's time to crack open the Deneve Roussel symphony set, which I bought some months ago!)

Uhh, I couldn't!! Above all for Bax. Brian is a cult composer, like many with Mahler or those who prefer Bruckner.

His music has some distinctiveness, but I think he used percussion too much IMO, or he didn't know how to make it more "memorable". Frankly, I could live without his music, except some symphonies (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 16).

With me, the verdict is still out on Brian - I haven't listened to most of his symphonies, but I'm quite impressed by the scope of the Gothic, even if I'm still warming up to the music.

Bliss: A Colour Symphony, Hickox

Bliss is always a fine choice!

TD: revisiting a first-listen from a couple of months ago, in a different recording:

Alfvén
Symphony no. 4
Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Stig Westerberg
(on Spotify)



I think I slightly prefer Westerberg's recording to Järvi's from the complete symphony set. If nothing else, the sumptuous orchestration comes into greater focus. Once again, I could have done without the wordless solo vocal parts - I just don't see what they add to the piece. And maybe the work could have benefitted from more clearly delinated sections or movements. That said, once again I really enjoyed the work, and this performance in particular.

[aligreto]

Rachmaninov: The Isle of the Dead [Ashkenazy]





Incredibly this is the first time that I have heard this work!

Obviously, this was always going to be dark, foreboding and atmospheric music and so it turns out to be here. It is a wonderfully atmospheric presentation. The scoring is obviously directed towards enhancing the tone and atmosphere of the theme and this is well portrayed here. One gets the distinct impression of flitting spirits throughout the work. The tone is wonderfully snarling and menacing at times with great bite in the scoring and the performance of it coupled with powerful drama and tension. This is a very powerful and gripping presentation of this work.

[SonicMan46]

Scarlatti, Domenico - Guitar Transcriptions - just own the single MDG CD posted earlier of Domenico on guitar - so, looked on Spotify and put together the 4 recordings shown below; the first three are single performers, i.e. Luigi Attademo, Stephen Schmidt, and Fabio Zanon; the last is w/ the Oregon Guitar Quartet - 4+ hours.  Dave



     

[Linz]

bruckner 7 with Eugene Ormandy conducting The Philadelphia Orchestra

[Karl Henning]

With me, the verdict is still out on Brian - I haven't listened to most of his symphonies, but I'm quite impressed by the scope of the Gothic, even if I'm still warming up to the music.

I need to listen to the Gothic again.

[classicalgeek]

Rachmaninov: The Isle of the Dead [Ashkenazy]





Incredibly this is the first time that I have heard this work!

Obviously, this was always going to be dark, foreboding and atmospheric music and so it turns out to be here. It is a wonderfully atmospheric presentation. The scoring is obviously directed towards enhancing the tone and atmosphere of the theme and this is well portrayed here. One gets the distinct impression of flitting spirits throughout the work. The tone is wonderfully snarling and menacing at times with great bite in the scoring and the performance of it coupled with powerful drama and tension. This is a very powerful and gripping presentation of this work.

A remarkable work, and stunningly orchestrated as well! Rachmaninov sometimes doesn't get the credit he's due as an orchestrator. You describe it perfectly - glad you finally heard it!

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Szymanowski
Harnasie, Op. 55
Andrzej Bachleda, tenor
Krákow Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Wit



I actually prefer Wit's earlier Szymanowski recordings to what he later did on Naxos. There's a more visceral quality in the conducting and the slightly edgy sonics give the music a bit more bite.

[Sergeant Rock]

Szell and The Cleveland Orchestra and Haydn's Early London Symphonies

More great Szell and Cleveland. You're on a roll today, Linz  The boys and I approve!

Sarge