What are you listening 2 now?

[Florestan]

Gentle is perhaps the last adjective I should generally ascribe to Ludwig van.

Yes, maybe not a happy choice, but then again what is the opposite of aggressive?

[Karl Henning]

On Spotify:

'at's a passel o' menuets!

[Karl Henning]

More from the Concertgebouw's fantastic weekend, 'Made in America.' From 27 January, Korngold's suite from The Sea Hawk, with conductor Stéphane Denève is worth all, but many will delight in the opener, Alfred Newman's fanfare for 20th-Century Fox, done as you have never heard it before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chrPnlsjfUY

--Bruce

Lord help me, but I think of Terry Gilliam's Twentieth Century Vole.

[Iota]

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
François-Frédéric Guy (piano)


A happy encounter prompted by a sighting upthread somewhere (sorry can't remember who). Beethoven finding a doorway to a better place(?) .. whatever his purpose, he's greatly helped by an impressive FFG, whose fresh lyricism doesn't linger on the fact.
Went on to listen to Op. 54, No. 22, where the playing is full of light and air absolutely fitting to the sunny surroundings. Such lovely sonatas both, full of humanity and honesty.

[Spotted Horses]

Hammarklavier Sonata, Angela Hewitt (new release).



I only focused on the first movement today, that's as fast as I can absorb this Sonata. I found the performance splendid, wonderfully fluid in the dramatic passages, and the central fugato came alive under Hewitt's fingers. I snuck in the Scherzo and will tackle the expansive slow movement tomorrow.

There was a time decades ago when I listened to this work obsessively, then got burned out on it. But now I have a wonderful feeling of not being lost in the argument as it unfolds. Pollini is my reference, which I doubt will ever be surpassed in my regard.

[Que]

[vers la flamme]

Erwin Schulhoff: Violin Sonata No.1, op.7. Oleh Krysa, Tatiana Tchekina

First listen to this composer. I'm very impressed so far. Very unique stuff. Kind of reminds me of Hindemith.

[Todd]

Disc six, a hodge podge of Liszt works, capped off by the sonata.  Cziffra in his hypervirtuosic element.  One knows production is not critical when the producer and engineer is not known for La Campanella.  The dazzling Gnomenreigen has one awful edit right in the middle of an almost impossible to believe passage.

[vers la flamme]

Franz Schubert: Symphony No.1 in D major, D 82. Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

I can't believe how good this symphony is for how early it is in Schubert's career. Harnoncourt really brings it to life. Such an excellent cycle.

[Mandryka]

aggressive?

Bashful.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Janáček
On an Overgrown Path
Firkušný



This is my favorite set of Janáček's piano works. Performed authoritatively by Firkušný who, if I'm remembering correctly, studied with the composer.

[ritter]

First listen to Iannis Xenakis' Oresteia:



This might be effective in live performance, with its atavistic tone and plethora of percussion effects, but TBH I find it of scant musical interest. Not my cup of tea, and a work I'm unlikely to return to.

[Mirror Image]

First listen to Iannis Xenakis' Oresteia:



This might be effective in live performance, with its atavistic tone and plethora of percussion effects, but TBH I find it of scant musical interest. Not my cup of tea, and a work I'm unlikely to return to.

This is how I feel about Xenakis in general, although there are a few works of his that I do enjoy and think have some musical substance. A Boulez or Ligeti he is not that's for sure. And a good day to you, Rafael.

[VonStupp]

PI Tchaikovsky
String Quartet 3 in e-flat minor, op. 30
Endellion Quartet

VS

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Henze
Whispers from Heavenly Death
Edda Moser, soprano
Berliners
Henze



Lovely. I could see this being on a concert program of Schoenberg, Berg, K. A. Hartmann, Dallapiccola et. al.

[SonicMan46]

 

Que - my Mozart Symphony box is the one inserted above - just checked my orders on Amazon, purchased back in 2010 for $80 USD - assume same recordings but yours must be a newer re-packaging - was there any re-mastering?  Dave

[Biffo]

NP:

Janáček
On an Overgrown Path
Firkušný



This is my favorite set of Janáček's piano works. Performed authoritatively by Firkušný who, if I'm remembering correctly, studied with the composer.

In the notes for the original LP release of this set Firkusny recalls his lessons with Janacek. He was only 5 at the time and he remembers Janacek's patience and kindness. He also remembers playing Janacek's works and how the composer would spontaneously change the scores.

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Sunday

Honegger
Poèmes d'Apollinaire, H 12
Brigitte Balleys, Jean-François Gardeil
Billy Eidi



Gorgeous. I believe Rafael spoke highly of this song cycle.

[Klavier1]

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
François-Frédéric Guy (piano)


A happy encounter prompted by a sighting upthread somewhere (sorry can't remember who). Beethoven finding a doorway to a better place(?) .. whatever his purpose, he's greatly helped by an impressive FFG, whose fresh lyricism doesn't linger on the fact.
Went on to listen to Op. 54, No. 22, where the playing is full of light and air absolutely fitting to the sunny surroundings. Such lovely sonatas both, full of humanity and honesty.

I think it was me. Glad you like it-it's one of my favorites. His playing is astonishingly accurate unless there were some patch-up sessions after the audience left, but that can be tricky to match the sound since an empty and full venue sound different. Anyway, I'd like to think it's just as he played it. He offers a nearly perfect blend of lyricism and dramatic power when needed.

[Mandryka]

I think this is a really successful Ars Subtilior compilation. The instruments and voices are beautifully balanced, the singing is sensual but not too languid.