What are you listening 2 now?

[Karl Henning]

I always think that a harpsichord, rather than piano, version of Goldberg Variations should have been used in the movie.

(* chortle *)

[Karl Henning]

Listening to this work yet again. Exquisite piece and the performance is sublime.

Great piece!

[Mirror Image]

Great piece!

Yes, indeed. Do you have any favorite performances of it, Karl? It seems I've accumulated quite a few.

[Karl Henning]

Yes, indeed. Do you have any favorite performances of it, Karl? It seems I've accumulated quite a few.

Nope, just love it each time I hear it.

[Mirror Image]

Nope, just love it each time I hear it.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Boulez
Sur Incises
Dimitri Vassilakis, Hideki Nagano, Florent Boffard, Frédérique Cambreling, Sandrine Chatron
Marianne Le Mentec, Vincent Bauer, Daniel Ciampolini, Michel Cerutti
Pierre Boulez

[Symphonic Addict]

Foerster: Symphony No. 4

This is a superb account of this kind of forgotten Czech gem, but truth be told, we do need a more modern recording of it. Chandos, CPO or Supraphon could undertake the journey, hopefully.

[Madiel]

Another reconstructed Chopin-Ashkenazy LP.



"Volume Five" had

Side A: The op.49 fantasy and the op.48 nocturnes.
Side B: Ballade no.3 (op.47), Mazurka a Emile Gallard, Mazurkas op.50, Tarantelle, Prelude in C sharp minor op.45.

I must applaud the programming decisions someone (Ashkenazy?) was making back in the 70s/80s in these volumes. Rather than going "here's the waltzes album, here's the polonaises album etc" (which is exactly how the CD reissue box does it), on most volumes works were grouped fairly chronologically, but also it seems with a real focus to how well pieces would form a program. Time and again in the volumes I've listened to so far, the decisions as to how an LP side opens, progresses and closes feel really well judged. Big pieces make a statement. Smaller pieces like mazurkas or waltzes provide nice contrast.

Side A of this particular album is pretty darn epic. I'll probably need a rest before Side B.

[Spotted Horses]

Another reconstructed Chopin-Ashkenazy LP.



I must applaud the programming decisions someone (Ashkenazy?) was making back in the 70s/80s in these volumes. Rather than going "here's the waltzes album, here's the polonaises album etc" (which is exactly how the CD reissue box does it), on most volumes works were grouped fairly chronologically, but also it seems with a real focus to how well pieces would form a program.

That was the point, the recordings were released in reverse chronological order, with a few exceptions, such as not separating the two sets of Etudes.

That seems great when the entire thing is available, but it was exasperating to me when the series was in progress. I wanted the 4 Ballades and they were not all available, and the ones that were were in different releases. That's why I got Arrau instead (not a bad outcome).

[Symphonic Addict]

Piano Concerto No. 1

Assertive performance and lively woodwinds.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Debussy
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Orchestre de Paris
Barenboim



This is a first-listen to this Barenboim performance and, from what I've heard in the past, he's in his element in Debussy, which is a composer he feels a strong affinity.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Debussy
Images, Books I & II
Kocsis

[Madiel]

That was the point, the recordings were released in reverse chronological order, with a few exceptions, such as not separating the two sets of Etudes.

That seems great when the entire thing is available, but it was exasperating to me when the series was in progress. I wanted the 4 Ballades and they were not all available, and the ones that were were in different releases. That's why I got Arrau instead (not a bad outcome).

I think the Ballades are one of the cases where listening to everything in a genre works. But listening to 19 waltzes straight, for example, they can outstay their welcome.

I also think it helps to highlight that many of the mazurkas, waltzes and polonaises that get given high numbers and tacked on at the end are actually early works. I don't see the point of labelling polonaises as numbers 8, 9 and 10 when they're actually all earlier than the first 7.

[classicalgeek]

It's a nice work, but not quite in same league as Church Windows or Belkis, Queen of Sheba, but still enjoyable. You definitely need to give a listen to Concerto gregoriano. This is a work that gave me an even further appreciation of Respighi's music.

I'll definitely check out the Concerto gregoriano, John - thanks for the recommendation!

Thanks for the report! Metamorphoseon has become my very favorite work by Respighi - as much as I love many of his other works. In addition to the typical Respighian orchestral wizardry that's present, I find that this work possesses a depth and sincerity that is really touching and even haunting. The Simon/Philharmonia recording is of course great, but I'd recommend John Neschling's recent recording with the Liège Philharmonic on BIS as well. It's a more spacious, intimate approach and is stunningly recorded. And, importantly, I find the playing of the principal soloists to be more secure in the crucial Cadenza movement than in the Simon/Philharmonia version.

I think most BIS recordings are on Spotify, so I'll definitely listen to Neschling. I thought the cadenza movement was really striking - it gave the piece a really fascinating 'Concerto for Orchestra' vibe.

TD:

It's all-Respighi, all the time!

Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite no. 1
Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite no. 3
Three Botticelli Pictures
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra



Of course, the Ancient Airs and Dances are marvelous, real gems of form and orchestration. And the Botticelli Pictures are a collective masterpiece - it's astounding what Respighi does with such small forces! I was particularly taken with the hypnotic dotted rhythms of The Birth of Venus this time around. And of course the performances are excellent!

[Mirror Image]

I'll definitely check out the Concerto gregoriano, John - thanks for the recommendation!

You're welcome. Definitely give this performance a listen:

[Mirror Image]

Foerster: Symphony No. 4

This is a superb account of this kind of forgotten Czech gem, but truth be told, we do need a more modern recording of it. Chandos, CPO or Supraphon could undertake the journey, hopefully.

I love several Czech composers, but Foerster is one of the most boring I've heard. I remember listening to his violin concerti and I actually fell asleep. Forgettable music.

[vandermolen]

I love several Czech composers, but Foerster is one of the most boring I've heard. I remember listening to his violin concerti and I actually fell asleep. Forgettable music.

He's not one of my favourites but I quite like the Easter Symphony and Cyrano de Bergerac.

[Mirror Image]

He's not one of my favourites but I quite like the Easter Symphony and Cyrano de Bergerac.

Well, at least someone likes him.

[Mirror Image]

Last work of the night:

Ravel
Shéhérazade
Véronique Gens, soprano
Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
John Axelrod

[Harry]

Marin Marais.
Quatrieme Livre de Pieces de Viole (1717)
Francois Joubert, Caillet, Bass Viol.
L'Acheron.
CD III.