What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Pounds the table! Aside from Szymanowski and Penderecki, Lutosławski must be counted as a favorite of mine amongst the Polish composers.

That is an interesting combination of geniuses, each with a voice of their own.

I really need to return to Dutilleux at some juncture. I run hot/cold with his music a lot of the time, though. I do like his earlier works, especially those found this fantastic recording:

Both Dutilleux's symphonies are fascinating sound-worlds in themselves. I was utterly captivated by that Naxos recording.

I remember enjoying Le loup from that disc quite a lot. It has some touches of Prokofiev here and there.

[Mirror Image]

By Hahn I know some of his chamber music and concertos, and they're as you say: exquisite.

Yeah, I'm still becoming more familiar with his style, but I'm rather enjoying what I've heard so far. There's still such a large swarth of his works that haven't been recorded. Like, for example, look at all the ballets he wrote and how many actually have been recorded. A damn shame.

[Symphonic Addict]

+1 I agree with the Lutoslawski Concerto for Orchestra analogy - another work which occupies this nocturnal, mysterious, and colorfully orchestrated sound-world is Tubin's 6th Symphony.

Yes, there are a relentless and sparkling orchestration/rhythmic vitality in the Tubin that share some ideas with the aforementioned works.

[Symphonic Addict]

Karlowicz is a strange case for me. I adore, cherish, and treasure beyond description his ineffably beautiful and melodic Violin Concerto - in fact, it's my favorite VC by anyone! But I'm quite indifferent to his Rebirth Symphony and the rather morbid tone poems. To me, they're quite derivative of Tchaikovsky and R. Strauss and lacking the memorable ideas of either.

Wow! Those are major words! To be honest, I don't remember his VC with that strong vividness.

Regarding the Tchaikovsky-Strauss connection, they're quite apt. It's impossible not to be reminded of them when hearing some Karlowicz's orchestral works.

It's 10x better than Tubin's 1st Symphony, I'll give you that!

I will surely take it. 

[Madiel]

He also re-did the Andante spianato in 1968, but apparently with no orchestra (at least the track listings mention no orchestra).

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to google "spianato" because I just realized I have no idea of what it means

ETA
It seems to mean "levelled" or "flattened" and (in the feminine form spianata) is the term for a type of salami.

Well the andante part doesn't need an orchestra. But yes, sometimes people go on to do the whole thing without an orchestra in the polonaise after. EDIT: Apparently, Chopin is also known to have played just the andante on its own.

As for "spianato"... yes that's a weird one. And I'm not sure that googling is giving the best result here. The Wikipedia entry for the piece suggests "even" or "smooth" as a translation, which sounds better.

[Symphonic Addict]

Rangström: Symphony no. 1 In memoriam August Strindberg and Dithyramb



This is exciting stuff with good ideas, however Rangström tends to over-write for the brass, giving this work a rather "bombastic" feel without many moments of lyrical respite. I must say that the brass section of the Norrköping SO acquit themselves marvelously with Rangström's demanding writing! My favorite works by him remain the 2nd and (especially) 3rd Symphonies and the extraordinary song cycle Haxorna (The Witches).


Pejačević: String Quartet and Piano Quartet



In the String Quartet, her final work, Pejačević tried to update her harmonic language to be more "modern", to varying degrees of success. There's some engaging music to be found in it, though. The compact (21 minute) Piano Quartet, while not a masterpiece like the Quintet, is a tuneful, accessible work with a particularly touching slow movement.


Brahms Piano Trios no. 2 and 3



The joyous and melodic 2nd Trio has always been a favorite of mine, especially for its rather spooky scherzo and contrastingly gorgeous, long-breathed trio section. The super-compact 3rd Trio is by turns severe, enigmatic, and lyrical. Superb performances by the Oliver Schnyder Trio.


Nielsen: String Quartets no. 2 in F minor and 3 in E-flat major



Two singular masterpieces in incredible performances - above all the Third, which is hard to believe was written in 1897-98 (before the 2nd Symphony, even!) considering how harmonically advanced it is. There is a questing originality and quirkiness about the 1st movement that is fascinating, especially its downright bizarre ending! The slow movement is remarkably dark and intense, while the rustic scherzo is memorable for its "bat out of hell" trio section. This and its companion disc with the 1st and 4th quartets are essential acquisitions for any Nielsen and SQ fans. 'Nuff said!


Ginastera: Glosses sobre temes de Pau Casals



A stunningly imaginative work in which simple folk-like melodies are married to "experimental" techniques. Ginastera knew how to conjure up some fantastically creepy and suggestive timbres from the orchestra!

Your impressions about the Rangström are right, there is no a right balance between the instruments to hold the work well. Nevertheless, it's quite a ride indeed!

All those Ginastera Naxos releases are indispensable to any serious listener of this composer.

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Monday

Hahn
Piano Quintet in F sharp minor
Quatuor Parisii, Alexandre Tharaud

From this OOP set:

[Mirror Image]

That is an interesting combination of geniuses, each with a voice of their own.


Both Dutilleux's symphonies are fascinating sound-worlds in themselves. I was utterly captivated by that Naxos recording.

I remember enjoying Le loup from that disc quite a lot. It has some touches of Prokofiev here and there.

I'd have to say, though, that Szymanowski is hands down my favorite Polish composer. He's such an odd admixture of Richard Strauss, Scriabin, Debussy and later on, Bartók, but, yet, he has a completely unique style that is unmistakably his own.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Villa-Lobos
Uirapurú
Simon Bolivar SO of Venezuela
Mata

[Madiel]

Beethoven piano quartets

[Mirror Image]

Last work for the night:

Britten
Christ's Nativity
BBC Sings
Bedford

[Madiel]

I enjoyed this compilation album so much back in the day on cassette that I hunted down a CD version more recently.



Much of it comes from Previn's "Music Night" albums. In several cases this album was probably the first reason I'd heard of a composer.

[Que]

Morning listening - might be my favourite Glen Gould recording:

[Irons]

Rangström: Symphony no. 1 In memoriam August Strindberg and Dithyramb



This is exciting stuff with good ideas, however Rangström tends to over-write for the brass, giving this work a rather "bombastic" feel without many moments of lyrical respite. I must say that the brass section of the Norrköping SO acquit themselves marvelously with Rangström's demanding writing! My favorite works by him remain the 2nd and (especially) 3rd Symphonies and the extraordinary song cycle Haxorna (The Witches).

Rangstrom holds a special place. The 3rd Symphony is my favourite (not heard 4th) also rate highly the 1st. On paper the 2nd should be a favourite with its pastoral overtones but I do not enjoy quite as much as the other two.

TD

Bartok: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.

[Irons]

Morning listening - might be my favourite Glen Gould recording:

Fast (Italian Concerto) but love it.

[Madiel]

A random dive into byways of the music of Dukas. Prix de Rome stuff.

[Harry]

Johann Gottfried Walther.

Complete Organ Works, Volume III
Chorale settings II.
Simone Stella plays on a Francesco Zanin Organ, 2006, Church of Sant Antonio, Padua.

[Harry]

Joseph Joachim Raff.

Symphony No. 1 "An das Vaterland", opus 96, in D major.

Eine Preis-Symphonie in fünf Abteilungen fur das große Orchester.
Seiner Königlichen Hoheit dem Durchlauchtigsten Fursten und Hern Karl Alexander Großherzog von Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach in tiefster Ehrfurcht gewidmet.

Bamberger Symphoniker, Hans Stadlmair. 

[Madiel]

Vague plans to go to bed listening to Piano Concerto No.1

[Harry]

Frank Bridge.
Orchestral Works, Volume I
The Collector's Edition.
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Richard Hickox.