What are you listening 2 now?

[Iota]

Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
Niklas Sivelöv (piano)

A very enjoyable salt-of-the-earth kind of performance, from a Swedish pianist new to me. Looking forward to the Kreisleriana and Arabeske on the same disc.

[Lisztianwagner]

Pounds the table!

Ditto for your choice about RVW's Pastoral Symphony. 

[Mirror Image]

Ditto for your choice about RVW's Pastoral Symphony. 

[vandermolen]

Ralph Vaughan Williams
A Song of Thanksgiving
The Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains

Sir John Gielgud, narrator
Bryn Terfel, baritone, et al.
Corydon Singers
City of London Sinfonia - Matthew Best

Bringing this one back out again. Enjoying it thoroughly.

VS

Yes, that's a fabulous disc. I have the boxed set in which it features,

NP
Sibelius: Lemminkainen Suite - a GMG recommendation and very good it is too. A warm-hearted and beautifully recorded account featuring the best performance of 'Lemminkainen in Tuonela' since Thomas Jensen's classic account.:

[vandermolen]

In that case, look for: 

Thank you my friend! 

[vandermolen]

And now I begin my Vaughan Williams Elder journey, but I'll start with a familiar disc and a personal favorite:

A great place to start John!

[vandermolen]

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 6 in E minor - Hallé Orchestra conducted by Sir Mark Elder

What's your verdict Biffo?

[Mirror Image]

A great place to start John!

Yes, indeed.

Now playing this entire Janáček Ančerl recording:



For me, this is one of the greatest recordings of Janáček ever recorded. Ančerl is in his element and I don't think I've ever heard as terrifying of a performance of Taras Bulba as this one. Holy smokes!

[Linz]

Ralph Vaughan Williams, Sir Adrian Boult

[André]

Two distinguished pianists pair up in this unusual venture, Engelbert Humperdinck's arrangement of scenes from Parsifal for piano-4 hands. Humperdinck was responsible for the piano rehearsals of Wagner's last work at Bayreuth in 1881 and these arrangements were made as a kind of 'souvenir de Bayreuth' memento. Curiously, what works best in piano garb is also what Wagner did best in full orchestral form: the Prelude, the Liebesmahl music, the Entry in the Graal burg of Montserrat and Parsifal's redemption scene. The parts that always have me yawning are no better in piano reduction: the Flower Maidens music and the rest of the scene in Kilngsor's realm are on a much lower level of inspiration. Some of Parsifal's music is set to a bell-like swaying gait that transfers really well to the piano. Similarly the otherworldly harmonies of the failed hero's redemption music work splendidly on the ivories. Not a replacement for the real thing obviously, but a fascinating peek into a very special soundworld.

[Karl Henning]

.

[prémont]

Kooiman Coronata vol.I

Nice 

[ritter]

Boulez


CD 7

A succession of marvellous pieces on that disc, culminating in the hauntingly beautifully Mémoriale (a perennial favourite of mine). Good evening to you, Jan.

Two distinguished pianists pair up in this unusual venture, Engelbert Humperdinck's arrangement of scenes from Parsifal for piano-4 hands. Humperdinck was responsible for the piano rehearsals of Wagner's last work at Bayreuth in 1881 and these arrangements were made as a kind of 'souvenir de Bayreuth' memento. Curiously, what works best in piano garb is also what Wagner did best in full orchestral form: the Prelude, the Liebesmahl music, the Entry in the Graal burg of Montserrat and Parsifal's redemption scene. The parts that always have me yawning are no better in piano reduction: the Flower Maidens music and the rest of the scene in Kilngsor's realm are on a much lower level of inspiration. Some of Parsifal's music is set to a bell-like swaying gait that transfers really well to the piano. Similarly the otherworldly harmonies of the failed hero's redemption music work splendidly on the ivories. Not a replacement for the real thing obviously, but a fascinating peek into a very special soundworld.

I was very disappointed by that arrangement of Parsifal by Humperdinck when I purchased the disc (soon after it was first released  several years ago). Your comments certainly have made me think about giving it another chance. Bonsoir to you as well, André.

[Linz]

Sibelius Symphony No. 4 in A major and Symphony 7 in C major and Tapiola with Lorin Maazel

[Karl Henning]

Nice 

Digging it!

[Karl Henning]

Maiden-Listen Monday!

Gil Shaham playing the Korngold Concerto, Op, 35

[Traverso]

Nice 

+1

[Symphonic Addict]

Indeed, I find much fascination and satisfaction in his first two quartets, above all the masterful No. 2. But No. 3, damn, that's a tough nut to crack! It's too introverted and even "cryptic" for my tastes.

You and I have similar feelings regarding that quartet. It's not my favorite by any means.

[Symphonic Addict]

Cool, Cesar. I remember listening to this symphony a few years ago and thinking it was enjoyable but not particularly special. I should revisit it, I guess!

It's not a lost masterpiece, but on that day I really did find it memorable and utterly charming.

[Symphonic Addict]

What a pity, Cesar, as I greatly enjoy his 3nd and 5th symphonies. I guess L. Glass is one of those lesser-known composers who lacks consistency of quality across his output.

It seems that Glass is not a last name that features great composers.