What are you listening 2 now?

[Linz]

Beethoven Lenny with Vienna Philharmonic CD2

[Que]

Morning listening of the 5th and last recording in the Peterhouse Partbooks series by Blue Heron:

   

An amazing set with unique and special (early) repertoire. I very much hope that Blue Heron will move on to partbooks of later date.

A wonderful end to the series

https://www.blueheron.org/learn-more/the-peterhouse-partbooks/music-from-the-peterhouse-partbooks/

[Que]

[Harry]

A Bach Album.

His Majestys Consort of Voices & Sagbutts and Cornets, Timothy Roberts.
Chamber Organ is by Justin Sillman, 1983 after Originals, prepared by Andrew Joliffe.
Pitch: A=440 Hz, unequal temperament.

Since last time i have listened to this disc (2012) I am pleasantly surprised at the quality of the music and performance. Hyperion's customary good sound is also an added bonus with all that brass. Thoroughly enjoyable!

[Mandryka]

Hassler

CD 2

Starting with the second CD of this fine set with a variety of beautiful organs, with good recordings and performed by Manual Tomadin who is able to involve you as a listener in this music.

The Magnificat cycle is just incredible music, I'm listening to one now, it says track 74, 2nd tone, sandwiched between a ricercar and a canzon, the magnificat starts (unusually?) with a toccata.

[aligreto]

Complete Organ Works [Foccroulle] CD 8





Music from the Weimar period played on the Schnitger organ in the Ludgerikirche in Norden.

The Toccata and Fugue BWV 538, given its intensity here, is a particularly standout performance for me.   

[Madiel]

Bartok: Piano Quintet (B. Kelemen, V. Frang, violins; K. Kokas, viola; N. Altstaedt, cello; N. Lonquich, piano)



Lately I can't get enough of piano quintets - there's so many astounding works in this genre beyond the "usual suspects", and this one is no exception. I've seen some deride this early work as "derivative/conservative/etc" and I don't agree at all. Conservative in comparison to Bartok's later works, perhaps, but full of character, riotous energy (that finale!), inventive harmonies and textures, and permeated throughout with an unmistakable folksy stamp. Each movement becomes even more incredible than the previous one, and that's saying a lot considering the first movement is already pretty damn good! And to say nothing of this incredibly characterful and vigorous performance - I can't imagine it being bettered.

I think it was you who shared your enthusiasm when I tried this same recording in my chronological exploration of Bartok. It certainly is worth listening to.

[Madiel]

Currently listening to: another Chopin/Ashkenazy LP reconstruction.



The cover doesn't mention the Polonaises which are among the highlights for me. Works from around 1829-31, a few somewhat familiar like the op.9 Nocturnes, but also plenty of less familiar works such as ones that were posthumously published. And much entertainment to be had - there's a clear step up in maturity here from Chopin's earliest works.

[aligreto]

Ibert: Divertissement [Jarvi]





This work is certainly a buoyant if not a boisterous piece of music. It is also quite playful and quirky in its nature. It certainly brought a smile to my face. The third movement, Lento, is the only movement that is not highly animated. It does, however, have its own wonderful atmosphere.

[Traverso]

Hassler

When you listen to this third CD you again notice how easily you are carried away by this fantastic release. I don't know any other versions but there is nothing wrong with this, it immediately appeals to me.

All moods are covered, from sadness to joy, great "unterhaltung".

[vers la flamme]

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.9 in D minor, op.125. Fritz Reiner, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

[Traverso]

Buxethude

More organ now with this fine Buxtehude box

CD 1

Praeludium In G Minor BuxWVVV149   
Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland BuxWVVV211   
Gelobet Seist Du, Jesu Christ BuxWVVV189   
Puer Natus In Bethlehem BuxWVV217   
Der Tag Der Ist So Freudenreich BuxWVV182   
In Dulci Jubilo BuxWV197   
Lobt Gott, Ihr Christen Allzu Gleich BuxWV202   
Ciacona In C Minor BuxWV159   
Passacaglia In D Minor BuxWV161   
Ciacona In E Minor BuxWVV160
Praeludium In G Minor BuxWV148   
Jesus Christus, Unser Heliland, Der Den Tod Ueberwand BuxWVV198   
Komm, Heilger Geist, Herre Gott BuxWVV199   
Nun Bitten Wir Den Heilgen Geist BuxWVV209   
Nun Bitten Wir Den Heilgen Geist BuxWVV208   
Komm, Heliger Geist, Herre Gott BuxWVV200   
Gott Der Vater Wohn Uns Bei BuxWVV190   
Praeludium In C BuxWVV137

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring for piano 2 hands performed by Dag Achatz on BIS



This is on LP.  Several cools things about it:  1) Dag Achatz arranged is own version of this (not done before as far as I know) listening to both Stravinsky's orchestral version and using Stravinsky's own arrangement for piano 4-hands.; 2) It was cut at 45 rpm [according to BIS] "In order to do full justice to the huge dynamic range which Dag Achatz employs, this record has been cut at 45 rpm, thereby affording an extra 4 dB of headroom than on normal LPs."

Wonderful arrangement!  Certainly very different than the orchestral version, but worthy on its own merits.

PD

[Florestan]

Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring for piano 2 hands

It's the very first time I encounter this expression: piano 2 hands. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

It's the very first time I encounter this expression: piano 2 hands. 

I know--it seemed rather odd to me too!    I guess that they were trying hard to make sure that people realized that it wasn't Stravinsky's version for piano 4 hands?

Amazing how much dynamic range there is on this recording. 

PD

[Harry]

CPE Bach.

"La Folia", and other works.

The Purcell Quartet.
Robert Woolley plays on a Harpsichord, Three manual, Robert Goble & Son, 1986, after H.A. Hass, Hamburg 1740.

A very enjoyable CD, which some great music making, and very good sound. The recording dates back to 1986, how the years fly by!

[Papy Oli]

Good afternoon all,

Haydn - Die Schöpfung (Gardiner)

[Traverso]

Bach

Weiter mit Bach

CD1

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Debussy
Children's Corner
Alain Planès

From this set -

[Harry]

CPE Bach

Symphonies & Concertos, for Harpsichord or Cello.

Raphael Alpermann, Harpsichord.
Peter Bruns, Cello
Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin

Quite a fine recording.