What are you listening 2 now?

[Traverso]

How wonderful. I have that vinyl. It is also a work that I like.

I used to have the LP as well. 

[Mirror Image]

Yeah, it's such a great piece - I really wish Jones' first two symphonies would get recorded at some point. I agree about the general excellency of American 3rd symphonies - if only Barber had gotten around to one!

I agree! There's a Naxos recording too John. Hanson's 3rd Symphony is another great one in my view.

Absolutely, fellas. Oh Jeffrey, I own that Jones Naxos disc you're talking about. It's rather good. I should give it another listen at some point.

[kyjo]

Alfvén: Swedish Rhapsody no. 3 Dalarapsodi



This substantial (21-minute) rhapsody isn't quite as memorable or concise as the famous first in the series, but it has plenty of atmosphere and folksy spirit, as well as a surprisingly apocalyptic section near the end!


Dutilleux: Symphony no. 2 Le double



I detected some gestures similar to Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra in this fantastically inventive and colorful work, notable for its prominent harpsichord part. It receives a fantastic performance and recording here - Dutilleux's music has been remarkably well-served on disc.


Martinů: Nonet



Though written in the last year of his life (1959), this is an energetic, life-affirming work which breathes youthful optimism and doesn't fall into the trap of repeating motives from previous works of his. A really nice discovery for me, and one of the highlights of his chamber oeuvre IMO.


Howells: Hymnus Paradisi



Just sublime stuff, full of a deep sense of yearning and spiritual ecstasy. Howells was a real master of choral writing.


Howard Blake: Violin Concerto The Leeds



This superbly accessible and melodic concerto stands in the great line of works by RVW, Finzi, and Moeran, and doesn't have much to envy from those earlier British masters. Blake's experience in the field of film music shines through here in the occasional "cinematic" quality of the orchestration. The slow movement is really beautiful, even if it does just narrowly avoid being overly sentimental.

[Symphonic Addict]

Damn...what a fine symphony. I was also reminded by Hovhaness at some points, especially in some of the faster string passages. I'll definitely be replaying this one again later on tonight. What's the deal with American 3rd symphonies?!?!? Copland, Schuman, Harris, Diamond et. al.

It is! I re-listened to it some days ago and I was blown away by its musical language.

[Bachtoven]

[Mirror Image]

It is! I re-listened to it some days ago and I was blown away by its musical language.

Yes, indeed. I'm guessing you listened to the same performance I did (Friedel/LSO on BIS)?

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Ifukube
Ritmica Ostinata
Kazuoki Fujii, piano
Tokyo SO
Michiyoshi Inoue



Such a fun piece. I've loved this work for many years. I also think highly of Sinfonia Tapkaara. I really should explore more of Ifukube's music.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Sibelius
Symphonies Nos. 1-3
Luonnotar, Op. 70
Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49
Phyllis Curtin, soprano
New York Philharmonic
Bernstein

[Todd]

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

NP:

Ifukube
Ritmica Ostinata
Kazuoki Fujii, piano
Tokyo SO
Michiyoshi Inoue



Such a fun piece. I've loved this work for many years. I also think highly of Sinfonia Tapkaara. I really should explore more of Ifukube's music.

Hope you will use Godzilla for your avatar someday! 

[Mirror Image]

Hope you will use Godzilla for your avatar someday! 

Hah! I'll leave Godzilla for you to use.

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Thanks for posting this. I had heard his oddball harpsichord music, but I didn't know he wrote organ music too. Listening to it now and . . . it's wacky. There's even a mass! 

(I have a CD by Olimpio Medori of Stiegleder Ricercari.)

Glad you like it Mandryka, indeed Azzolino music is stranger than strange for it's era, Whom is Olimpio Medori I will wiki this in a moment, cool, have a nice day sir

[JBS]

I think this is the first time I've listened to the full operetta in a few decades

1951 mono suffers from shrill/tinny strings.

[Operafreak]

[Symphonic Addict]

Yes, indeed. I'm guessing you listened to the same performance I did (Friedel/LSO on BIS)?

Yes, that one. The Naxos recording contains the Tuba Concerto, so it's good to have both discs.

[Symphonic Addict]

Alfvén: Swedish Rhapsody no. 3 Dalarapsodi



This substantial (21-minute) rhapsody isn't quite as memorable or concise as the famous first in the series, but it has plenty of atmosphere and folksy spirit, as well as a surprisingly apocalyptic section near the end!


Dutilleux: Symphony no. 2 Le double



I detected some gestures similar to Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra in this fantastically inventive and colorful work, notable for its prominent harpsichord part. It receives a fantastic performance and recording here - Dutilleux's music has been remarkably well-served on disc.


Martinů: Nonet



Though written in the last year of his life (1959), this is an energetic, life-affirming work which breathes youthful optimism and doesn't fall into the trap of repeating motives from previous works of his. A really nice discovery for me, and one of the highlights of his chamber oeuvre IMO.


Howells: Hymnus Paradisi



Just sublime stuff, full of a deep sense of yearning and spiritual ecstasy. Howells was a real master of choral writing.


Howard Blake: Violin Concerto The Leeds



This superbly accessible and melodic concerto stands in the great line of works by RVW, Finzi, and Moeran, and doesn't have much to envy from those earlier British masters. Blake's experience in the field of film music shines through here in the occasional "cinematic" quality of the orchestration. The slow movement is really beautiful, even if it does just narrowly avoid being overly sentimental.

I'm with you on the Alfvén. It's not one of his best works by any means.

The other choices are very nice, too, albeit I don't know the Blake yet.

[Symphonic Addict]

Melartin: Symphony No. 6

That sort of "Mahlerian" funeral march which opens the work is enough to hook you for the rest of the piece.

[Operafreak]

[Irons]

d'Indy: La Foret enchantée.

[Madiel]

Mozart, Symphonies 22 and 23.