What are you listening 2 now?

[André]

I believe he does quite well with it he handles the orchestra well and I think it deserves to be in anyones Library of Bruckner 8s

Thanks ! 

And what about Klee's 9th ? He is not known as a Bruckner symphony conductor. Trivia: He was the husband of soprano Edith Mathis.

[aligreto]

Rott: Orchestral works conducted by Weigle:





Orchestervorspiel: This is a short but very engaging work.

Ein vorspiel zu Julius Cäsar: This is another relatively short work and I find that it has a good presence. I like the orchestration and the tension in the work.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

To be honest, I've only heard this incredible performance on YT by Santiago Cañón-Valencia and Naoko Sonoda: https://youtu.be/EeR-7vTWc9A

Wow, killer performance!

[classicalgeek]

Another in Naxos' Japanese composers' series:

Teizo Matsumura
Symphony no. 1
Symphony no. 2
To the Night of Gethsemane
RTE National Symphony Orchestra
Takuo Yuasa
(on Spotify)



At first listen, these pieces didn't really leave an impression on me. I confess I've had a difficult time getting into the more avant-garde style (although I like certain pieces by, for instance, Lutoslawski and Ligeti); I may return to these later just to listen again and see if my initial thoughts have changed.

[vers la flamme]

Ludwig van Beethoven: Lieder. Fritz Wunderlich, Hubert Giesen

One of the best records DG ever put out, for my money. So good.

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Wednesday

Fauré
Super flumina Babylonis (Psalm 136)
Sinfonieorchester Basel, Balthasar-Neumann-Chor
Ivor Bolton



A rather impressive piece. This piece has a bit of agitation to it, too, which I don't normally associate with Fauré, but it's certainly welcomed. Such an incredible composer. I still don't like the title of this particular series --- it doesn't really make any sense.

[Mirror Image]

Looks tasty!

It was, indeed.

[Symphonic Addict]

I love the Prokofiev and the Arnold CD. The 'War and Peace' CD is one that I can listen right through from beginning to end with much pleasure. I totally agree with what you say about the 'Russian Overture' Cesar. I especially like the 'Snow Storm' episode in 'War and Peace'. The Arnold CD arguably features his two greatest symphonies.

NP

I was surprised to find a Hurwitz review of the Honegger CD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeebaH--kZI

That is also one of my favorite Prokoviev CDs, and as you say, Jeffrey, the War and Peace suite contains some very inspiriting music.

[Symphonic Addict]

Great choices, as ever. Big  +1

Thank you, my friend!

[Symphonic Addict]

Great music, annoying cover art.

I beg to differ, I find the cover art cleverly done for the CD purpose. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Add Casella to the (long) list of composers I'd like to know better! What I've heard of his really intrigues me.

Thank you for the recommendations! I'll start with Bekku (the one you compared to Prokofiev) and go from there.

EDIT: It appears the Bekku Symphony disc isn't available on Spotify. I think that's the first Naxos CD I've tried to find where I've come up empty. But you've given plenty of options!

Batiz should be available on Spotify - that's good to know. And the CD is also available on Regis - that should make it a little easier to track down if I go that route on disc. As far as the Rapsodia, maybe it was the performance? Though I've heard Roscoe in other things and he's a pretty solid pianist. I'll keep listening; I see there's a performance on the Batiz disc. Thank you so much for your recommendations!

I didn't know that the Bekku wasn't on Spotify. Very odd. Another option is to try on Youtube.

Casella is a brilliant composer. You'll be in a real treat when you explore more of his output.

[Symphonic Addict]

I couldn't find the Bekku Symphonies disc recommended by Cesar/Symphonic Addict on Spotify , but I did listen to this:

Akio Yashiro: Symphony
Sadao Bekku: Deux Prieres pour orchestre
NHK Symphony Orchestra
Hiroyuki Iwaki



A historic 1958 recording, but the sound was fine. I found the Yashiro Symphony grim and austere, but quite atmospheric. Lots of solo passage and chamber music-like textures; rarely was the full orchestra employed. Not an easy listen, but worth the time. Perhaps it was the French title of Bekku's work that put me in this frame of mind, but I was often reminded of Ravel or Roussel, and the second 'prayer' has a fugato (beginning in the strings) the sounds an awful lot like Honegger. Definitely enjoyed this work!

I don't recall having heard that Yashiro symphony, CG. Grim and austere are words that sometimes suit my mood. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Symphonic Addict]

Who gives a s*** what he says! I'm not a fan of Taverner, but I wouldn't make a whole video on YouTube about it. The guy clearly has too many axes to grind. Anyway, a grain of salt I always say!

The only work I like/know by Tavener is The Protecting Veil. Even Hurwitz despised that piece. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Another in Naxos' Japanese composers' series:

Teizo Matsumura
Symphony no. 1
Symphony no. 2
To the Night of Gethsemane
RTE National Symphony Orchestra
Takuo Yuasa
(on Spotify)



At first listen, these pieces didn't really leave an impression on me. I confess I've had a difficult time getting into the more avant-garde style (although I like certain pieces by, for instance, Lutoslawski and Ligeti); I may return to these later just to listen again and see if my initial thoughts have changed.

Contrary to you, I was very impressed by these pieces at first, mostly the two symphonies. Yes, the language could be somewhat aggressive, cacophonic, but I do enjoy them whenever I revisit them. Hopefully they'll grow on you if you want to persevere.

[foxandpeng]

Malcolm Arnold
Complete Conifer Recordings
Symphonies 7 & 8
Vernon Handley
RPO

Very enjoyable day spent with Malcolm Arnold and Vernon Handley. Shame I didn't get all the symphonies heard today, but there is always tomorrow for #9!

[classicalgeek]

I didn't know that the Bekku wasn't on Spotify. Very odd. Another option is to try on Youtube.

Indeed the Yuasa recordings of the first two symphonies are on YouTube! Thanks for the tip. Also by Bekku on YouTube: Third and Fourth Symphonies, a Sinfonietta for Strings, and a Viola Concerto. I don't know if these are from other CDs, LPs, or concert performances, but I'm looking forward to exploring!

Casella is a brilliant composer. You'll be in a real treat when you explore more of his output.

I know, I suspect I'll be enthralled! So much great music, so little time...

I don't recall having heard that Yashiro symphony, CG. Grim and austere are words that sometimes suit my mood. Thanks for the suggestion.

It's a really fine work. Maybe not as immediately approachable as the Bekku, but well worth getting to know.

Contrary to you, I was very impressed by these pieces at first, mostly the two symphonies. Yes, the language could be somewhat aggressive, cacophonic, but I do enjoy them whenever I revisit them. Hopefully they'll grow on you if you want to persevere.

I'll definitely give it another listen down the road.

TD:
Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Violin concerto no. 1 'Italiano'
Violin concerto no. 2 'The Prophets'
Tianwa Yang, violin
SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiberg
Pieter-Jelle de Boer
(on Spotify)



The first concerto didn't really do much for me - though the performance was extraordinarily fine! The second concerto, on the other hand, is quite a fine piece. Sort of Korngold-meets-Bloch (in his more Jewish-inspired works) again, with splashy orchestration mixed with that harmony rich in parallel fifths and fourths. In both pieces Ms. Yang is an exceptional soloist, and the orchestra is excellent.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Debussy
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
New York Philharmonic
Bernstein



I used to be unfairly about this particular recording and really Bernstein's way with Debussy in general, but I've learned to appreciate his approach. It's a bit more muscular than what I'm accustomed to hearing and there is some questionable playing from the woodwinds, but, despite its warts, I think it's a lovely performance.

[Karl Henning]

And there was sampling, and there was springing: the first purchase.

[Madiel]

Greeting from the new house, where I've now successfully connected the desktop PC and the CD player to the wifi network.

So far the Haydn piano trios (Beaux Arts) are proving a very nice backdrop as I slowly bring order to the chaos of boxes. Although maybe I should try The Creation...

[Karl Henning]

Greeting from the new house, where I've now successfully connected the desktop PC and the CD player to the wifi network.

So far the Haydn piano trios (Beaux Arts) are proving a very nice backdrop as I slowly bring order to the chaos of boxes. Although maybe I should try The Creation...

Welcome home!