What are you listening 2 now?

[Mirror Image]

Mono, but very clear. No complaints from me in that regard.

Thanks, Rafael. It's a historic set, so I definitely had to own it.

[SonicMan46]

Dussek, Jan - Keyboard Sonatas - continuing my perusal of this fortepiano (FP) series, V. 4-6 w/ Tuija Hakkila on two FPs (one restored, the other a copy) dating from the late 1790s; Wolfgang Brunner also on two diferent FPs (one a copy after Michael Rosenberger, Vienna, c. 1810; the other an original, likely restored, by John Broadwood, London, 1804; and Viviana Sofronitsky on a Paul McNulty copy after A. Walter, 1792; 3 volumes left, maybe for tomorrow?  Dave

   

[Linz]

Now for one of my Favorite 3rds with Remy Ballot with the Almonte Orchestra St. Florien it is a slow and majestic reading

[Linz]

Yes I believe the Inbal recording From the set is the same as the one I posted

[ritter]

Thanks, Rafael. It's a historic set, so I definitely had to own it.

It certainly is. In his memoirs, An Improbable Life, that I'm skimming through now, Craft mentions how difficult it was to get this Webern project off the ground, and how initially some of the musicians involved were hostile to a music that then was still very new and unknown. He had to work with photocopies of the manuscript scores, which Universal Edition made available only at Stravinsky's express request. The latter even threatened Columbia to stop recording his own works if the Webern LPs weren't relessed. In a footnote, though, Craft then proceeds to blow his own horn by quoting David Schiff of the NYT: "Mr. Craft attained worldwide fame in the mid-1950s with his set of the complete works of Schoenberg's disciple, Anton Webern, an album that soon became as essential to an intellectual's library as a copy of James Joyce's Ulysses".   

THREAD DUTY:

Following the Webern with Craft's recording of several Gesualdo madrigals (the pairing of both composers, along with Stravinsky, was typical of Craft's concerts in the 1950s —and it makes a lot of sense IMHO).

[Karl Henning]

Don't get ahead of yourself.

No fear! Reason tells me that all the symphonies of all the dead composers will be recorded before any symphony of mine.

[Karl Henning]

It certainly is. In his memoirs, An Improbable Life, that I'm skimming through now, Craft mentions how difficult it was to get this Webern project off the ground, and how initially some of the musicians involved were hostile to a music that then was still very new and unknown. He had to work with photocopies of the manuscript scores, which Universal Edition made available only at Stravinsky's express request. The latter even threatened Columbia to stop recording his own works if the Webern LPs weren't relessed. In a footnote, though, Craft then proceeds to blow his own horn by quoting David Schiff of the NYT: "Mr. Craft attained worldwide fame in the mid-1950s with his set of the complete works of Schoenberg's disciple, Anton Webern, an album that soon became as essential to an intellectual's library as a copy of James Joyce's Ulysses".   

THREAD DUTY:

Following the Webern with Craft's recording of several Gesualdo madrigals (the pairing of both composers, along with Stravinsky, was typical of Craft's concerts in the 1950s —and it makes a lot of sense IMHO).

Thanks for mentioning An Improbable Life again, Rafael. I appear to have found a copy!

[ritter]

Thanks for mentioning An Improbable Life again, Rafael. I appear to have found a copy!

Good evening, Karl!

[Karl Henning]

TD:

Schubert
Quartet in C, D.46
Wiener Konzerthausquartett

[Roasted Swan]

I wouldn't hold your breath for Hahn or Ehnes to record the work. But there are many other fine performances of the work, like this one for example:



But in terms of performance and audio fidelity, the Mordkovitch/Downes is still my go-to recording for this work. The passion from all involved is noticeably evident from the first couple of measures.

That Cappelletti disc is excellent - it was my introduction to the Concerto Gregoriano.  There's another excellent disc of Respighi Concertante works that is also a little-known gem;



Turban is another fine player.....

[Karl Henning]

Schubert
Quartet in B^b, D.68
Wiener Konzerthausquartett

[kyjo]

Cras: Piano Quintet and String Quartet À ma Bretagne



Absolutely some of the most lovely and colorful chamber music ever written by a Frenchman! The Piano Quintet a life-affirming masterwork which evokes the wash and spray of the sea in the glimmering sunlight, as well as featuring some distinctly "Arabian" sounding melodies (reflecting Cras' career as a naval officer in foreign countries). The String Quartet starts off in darker-hued, passionate Franckian waters but eventually develops into a vitally folksy paean to his homeland. Exemplary performances and sound.


Dvořák: Symphony no. 5



Kubelik and BPO give a passionate account of this generally pastoral symphony which suddenly turns to Sturm und Drang drama in the remarkable minor-key last movement.


Langgaard: Music of the Spheres and Symphony no. 14 The Morning



Two very different sides of the quirky Dane - the tremendously visionary and imaginative Music of the Spheres and the conservative yet endearing 14th Symphony with its gorgeous slow movement (Unnoticed Morning Stars - what a great title!). Is it more a suite than a symphony? Yes. Does the movement 'Dads' rush to the office sound particularly hectic? No. But it's very enjoyable all the same!


Saygun: Symphonies 1 and 2



Saygun's music is rarely easy listening - but it repays your close attention. These symphonies are frequently dark, tense, and complex in texture, but that doesn't preclude some haunting atmosphere and more lighthearted folksy gestures from time to time. His 4th Symphony remains my favorite, but these are still excellent.


Beethoven: String Quartet no. 15, op. 132



A superb performance of a masterpiece.

[aligreto]

A well-polished performance 

It certainly is. I am enjoying the music of Arnold thus far.

[aligreto]

Now for one of my Favorite 3rds with Remy Ballot with the Almonte Orchestra St. Florien it is a slow and majestic reading

That sounds very appropriate for this wonderful symphony.

[ritter]

And now, to round off this Robert Craft evening in the appropriate way, his 1956 Paris recordings of Stravinsky's Choral Variations  'Vom Himmel hoch" and Canticum Sacrum (with the Domaine Musical Orchestra, the Chorale Élisabeth Brasseur, and tenor Jean Giraudeau and baritone Xavier Depraz in the Canticum — and Pierre Boulez in the control room  ).

[Karl Henning]

Not much of a surprise, surely:

Schubert
Quartet in D, D.74
Wiener Konzerthausquartett

[Madiel]

If played in chronological order, yes. If arranged in a well-thought order, no. Lipatti immediately comes to mind: he almost turned them into a piano suite.

And we're back to the art of programming again.

I don't always want people to do it. I mean, if someone supplies me a group of opuses in number order so be it. In the days of digital music I just won't listen to it all at once. But I do like it when people show they've put some thought into the music listening experience.

Don't get me started on pop albums...

Currently listening to: Chopin Ashkenazy volume five LP again. With fewer distractions.

[Mirror Image]

It certainly is. In his memoirs, An Improbable Life, that I'm skimming through now, Craft mentions how difficult it was to get this Webern project off the ground, and how initially some of the musicians involved were hostile to a music that then was still very new and unknown. He had to work with photocopies of the manuscript scores, which Universal Edition made available only at Stravinsky's express request. The latter even threatened Columbia to stop recording his own works if the Webern LPs weren't relessed. In a footnote, though, Craft then proceeds to blow his own horn by quoting David Schiff of the NYT: "Mr. Craft attained worldwide fame in the mid-1950s with his set of the complete works of Schoenberg's disciple, Anton Webern, an album that soon became as essential to an intellectual's library as a copy of James Joyce's Ulysses".   

Quite interesting, Rafael. Thanks! You're a fountain of information.

NP:

Saint-Saëns
String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, Op. 112
Sarastro Quartett



Utterly sublime. Hat-tip to Cesar for pointing this recording out to me. It was incredibly difficult to find a physical copy of it, but thank goodness for the byways of eBay.

[Symphonic Addict]

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.

By Foerster I like his 4th Symphony, Cyrano de Bergerac Suite, string quartets and piano trios. I haven't heard any other work by him that really stands out.

He was more succesful at writing for chamber forces, methinks.

[Mirror Image]

By Foerster I like his 4th Symphony, Cyrano de Bergerac Suite, string quartets and piano trios. I haven't heard any other work by him that really stands out.

He was more succesful at writing for chamber forces, methinks.

I guess my initial problem with Foerster (and remember it's solely my problem) is that I just don't hear any unique or individual musical ideas that I find either alluring or striking in any way. Thankfully, there are so many other composers that I do want to hear more music from.