What are you listening 2 now?

[Traverso]

Gesualdo


This is one of their finest in my opinion

[Biffo]

Johannes Brahms: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B flat major, op. 83 - Daniel Barenboim piano with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado - a live concert from November 1994, streamed from the Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall

[vandermolen]

Patrick Hadley 'The Trees So High' followed by Philip Sainton's doom-laden, though ultimately defiant, 'Nadir' - two fabulous works and both very moving in different ways. 'Nadir' was a response to witnessing a child being killed in a bombing raid on Bristol in world War Two. His score is prefaced with a reference to the ancient Chinese classic - Lao Tze's 'Tao Te Ching':
Lao Tze the Chinese philosopher who lived about 2000 years ago said 'The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. Victory should be abated with funeral rites'. Sadly his words are as true now as they were then.

[Operafreak]

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring/ & other works for two pianos four hands

Marc-André Hamelin (piano), Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)

[Florestan]

D664.

Honestly, better than I expected after the Impromptus disaster (https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,29166.msg1438268.html#msg1438268) and the ensuing interesting discussion with Madiel. Still ponderous and heavy overall (especially in the slow movement, although the middle section is quite nicely done) but at least there's no feeling of dirge anymore and she even plays poetically /playfully when needed. Decidedly an improvement from the Impromptus. Yet, I dread the perspective of hearing her D958, D959 and D960 in which by her own admittance she goes full Bruckner-mode.

[Biffo]

Johannes Brahms: Symphony No 2 in D major - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado - a live concert from May 1994, streamed from the Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall

[vandermolen]

Kaljo Raid; Symphony No.1 - an epic, memorable and inspiriting score:

[aligreto]

Roussel: Symphony No. 2 [Janowski]





The opening of the first movement is wonderfully dark hued and atmospheric. The scoring for the lower register instruments is terrific. The tempo and level of drama increase in intensity soon after. The emotional intensity level is the same as earlier but the delivery, in terms of the tempo and dynamics is at another level in this orchestral flurry. This sequence is repeated to close out a very engaging first movement.
Roussel seems to be writing each movement of this work in two contrasting sections each. The second movement opening is somewhat quirky, upbeat and very engaging. There is wonderful scoring for the woodwinds here. The mood, tone and atmosphere then changes and becomes sombre and introspective. This section is, however, wonderfully atmospheric. These two tones and atmospheres are wonderfully combined in the passage to conclude the movement.
The drama and tension continues at the beginning of the third movement. Once again the orchestration created a wonderful atmosphere. It works its way steadily and inexorably towards a subdued conclusion with no definitive resolution. Still, an excellent work overall.

[aligreto]

Gesualdo


This is one of their finest in my opinion

A wonderful disc indeed.

[Madiel]

Dvorak

Four Songs on Serbian folk poems, op.6



Songs from the Dvur Kralove manuscript, op.7



It's hard to know how much the differences between these 2 works, written at basically the same time, are from the music and how much from the singers. The Serbian folk poems sound very 'folksy', but that might just be Cechalova's thinner voice and even intentionally sounding 'girlish' when all the songs are about maidens. Whereas in op.7, Fink sounds far more Romantic.

There's one alternative recording for op.6 that I know about, though from memory the singer is not at all good.** As for op.7, the only alternative to Fink is her own earlier recording... on the same super obscure label as Cechalova!

**Ah, I found the other op.6 recording, actually the male singer is quite good, but he's singing in German which isn't ideal. Simrock strikes again. EDIT: Switches between a male and a female singer, the female one is a bit of a warbler but probably still better than Cechalova.  SECOND EDIT: And indeed, more professional-sounding singers do somewhat reduce the difference between op.6 and op.7, but they don't entirely erase it.

THIRD EDIT: Oh Dear God. The male singer sings the 1st and 4th songs in German. The female singer sings the 2nd and 3rd songs in Czech. That's just embarrassingly stupid. FOURTH EDIT: Found online liner notes claiming the Czech versions of the 2 songs he does in German are lost. Um, no. I own them.

[DavidW]

Sorry, you seem to be in a minority which is fine - hopefully other more positive comments will appear?  Dave

I'm actually with Madiel but not hating.  I just think London Haydn is overrated, they're fine but not exceptional.

[DavidW]

Worth your time?

Yes definitely.  I like the Chinese Songs but really liked the fourth symphony and will revisit it soon.

[DavidW]

For me Bach cantatas bwv 152 and 199 Koopman.  I particularly like the bwv 199.

[aligreto]

Concluding listening to Vol. 2 of the Bax Chandos cycle





Northern Ballad No. 3
Mediterranean
Symphonic Scherzo

[vandermolen]

A. Tcherepnin 'Narcisse et Echo':

[Spotted Horses]

Roussel: Symphony No. 2 [Janowski]





The opening of the first movement is wonderfully dark hued and atmospheric. The scoring for the lower register instruments is terrific. The tempo and level of drama increase in intensity soon after. The emotional intensity level is the same as earlier but the delivery, in terms of the tempo and dynamics is at another level in this orchestral flurry. This sequence is repeated to close out a very engaging first movement.
Roussel seems to be writing each movement of this work in two contrasting sections each. The second movement opening is somewhat quirky, upbeat and very engaging. There is wonderful scoring for the woodwinds here. The mood, tone and atmosphere then changes and becomes sombre and introspective. This section is, however, wonderfully atmospheric. These two tones and atmospheres are wonderfully combined in the passage to conclude the movement.
The drama and tension continues at the beginning of the third movement. Once again the orchestration created a wonderful atmosphere. It works its way steadily and inexorably towards a subdued conclusion with no definitive resolution. Still, an excellent work overall.

Your notes are very interesting. Thanks for sharing them.

I've only listened to the second symphony from this set, but I have a feeling these recordings are destined to become my favorites.

[Maestro267]

Tabakov: Symphony No. 2
Bulgarian NRSO/Tabakov

[Mirror Image]

That's arguably the finest performance of Symphony No.3 on disc. It has a unique atmosphere. I much prefer it to Bernstein's CBS/Sony recording.

I certainly enjoyed it, Jeffrey. The audio quality was also first-rate.

[Traverso]

Mozart


Three Piano Quartets

[vandermolen]

I certainly enjoyed it, Jeffrey. The audio quality was also first-rate.

My brother had the Everest LP John - it was one of my first favourite pieces of classical music. I think that there is something very special and authentic about that recording. Interesting that he recorded many of his work with London based orchestras.