What are you listening 2 now?

[vers la flamme]

Round two:



Allan Pettersson: Concerto for Strings No.1. Johannes Goritzki, Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss

Holding off on the 3rd for now because it's so damn long, and because I'm intimidated by the prospect of a 30-minute movement for strings alone labeled only "Mesto". But this is really interesting music to me right now.

Interestingly, I have one other recording from these forces (Goritzki and the Kammerakademie): symphonies by Michael Haydn. Talk about diversity of repertoire.

[prémont]

The Netherlands is full of good organs and good organists -- a Vivialdi/Bach transcription in Maastricht, played by Joske Siebelink. Lovely to see this good film of the organ,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE9F39aWU2w&ab_channel=JoskeSiebelink

Thanks, I'm duly impressed. It is very well done by a 19-year-old.

[vers la flamme]

Edward Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, op.38. Richard Hickox, London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, soloists Felicity Palmer, Arthur Davies and Gwynne Howell

Ah, what a wonderful performance; I'm glad to have it, even if I ultimately prefer Barbirolli/Hallé. The work itself has really blown me away each time I've listened to it over the past month, and fully convinced me of Elgar's greatness. And English oratorio is really not a genre I go for often. (In fact it might be the only one I've ever listened to, unless we're counting Handel.)

[Todd]

9.  Very well played, as expected.  The relative highlight is the Molto vivace, where the Dude and crew bring out some string detail and later some wind detail in a manner slightly different from other versions.  Not a top five choice, or anything, but nice.  Pity he did not record the Sixth, too.

[Karl Henning]

Victor Herbert: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2-Mark Kosower (cello)-Ulster Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta

What do you think?

[Karl Henning]

Victor Herbert, a cellist, conductor and composer, best remember for his operettas pre-WW I - first paragraph below from his rather impressive Wiki article.  On Spotify, I listened to the Kosower/Falletta recording and enjoyed - then to the Lynn Harrell/Marriner older performance (well reviewed in Fanfare) - but the 'anthology' on the second disc was of much less interest (not a fan of operettas) - I'd like to have these cello concertos by Herbert in my collection, so will look at some more reviews.  Dave

ADDENDUM: - reviews of Kosower vs. Harrell attached - might depend on the bonus tracks and/or recording dates/sonics - I had a 100% Irish grandmother and have always liked Irish music & tunes, so the Falletta might be my pick? 

mildly amusing to me, I noted when watching Little Murders, that we see Eliott Gould near the Victor Herbert monument in Central Park.

[aligreto]

Mahler: Das Lied von Der Erde [Herreweghe]





This is Mahler with a difference. It is a chamber version of the work arranged by Schoenberg-Riehn. I do not know the background to this rearrangement.
It is very lean in terms of orchestration when compared to the original Mahler version. Despite the relatively sparse orchestral accompaniment it is still very detailed, musically.
I like the voices of both the vocal soloists.
I am not normally one for one composer rearranging another composer's work but this is a vibrant presentation; certainly in the first half of the work. Everything here is well balanced and presented.
Of course one was waiting in anticipation of Der Abschied to see what effect this lean approach to such profound music had. Obviously, the vocalist has a major part to play here.
To be fair, Remmert did a very good job and the overall atmosphere was not overly diminished by the absence of a full orchestra here even if it falters a bit occasionally along the way.
It may not be as overwhelmingly intense as the full presentation but it was still impressive overall for what it is and the presentation should certainly be heard.

[Karl Henning]

Round two:



Allan Pettersson: Concerto for Strings No.1. Johannes Goritzki, Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss

Holding off on the 3rd for now because it's so damn long, and because I'm intimidated by the prospect of a 30-minute movement for strings alone labeled only "Mesto". But this is really interesting music to me right now.

Interestingly, I have one other recording from these forces (Goritzki and the Kammerakademie): symphonies by Michael Haydn. Talk about diversity of repertoire.

I've found a used copy at a nice price. My curiosity is piqued.

[aligreto]

It appears to be very attractive collection, although it not seems to be an out-of-print, relatively difficult to find item.

Firstly, I am a self professed solo piano-phobe.
Secondly, I particularly like the music of Poulenc.
Thirdly, I find the pianism of Le Sage, given what I have already admitted, to be top drawer. I am impressed thus far.
Fourthly, if you can find the set, it comes very well recommended from me.

Although I had this music by others, the comments and reviews on this Eric Le Sage offering impressed me, so I made a purchase at ArkivMusic - only $25 (plus S/H) - unfortunately the 6 discs are in a double jewel box (extra front and back flippable inserts), which was crack in several places and not useable - contacted their support and w/i a week I was sent a new 6-disc Jewel box WELL packed - if you don't currently own this music, the Le Sage performances are excellent and the packaging is a space-saver.  Dave

Thank you for offering a possible solution here Dave.

[Karl Henning]

Victoria: Tenebrae Responsories [Phillips/Tallis Scholars]





Tamquam ad latronem
Tenebrae factae sunt
Animam meam dilectam
Tradiderunt me
Iesum tradidit impius
Caligaverunt oculi mei

I've been dipping into the Michael Noone Victoria box of late, myself, Fergus!

[vers la flamme]

^Can't wait to hear your thoughts Karl.



George Frideric Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54. Andrew Parrott, Taverner Choir & Players

First listen, excellent performance from the Parrott and his Taverner people.

[aligreto]

I've been dipping into the Michael Noone Victoria box of late, myself, Fergus!

That is a terrific set which I trust that you are enjoying.
Good day to you, Karl.

[vandermolen]

John Kinsella: Symphony No.7 (live recording)

[Lisztianwagner]

Allan Pettersson
Violin Concerto No.2

[Todd]

[Karl Henning]

Shostakovich
Symphony № 4 in c minor, Op. 43
BBC Symphony
Gennady Rozhdestnensky
h/t to Jeffrey

[vers la flamme]

Allan Pettersson
Violin Concerto No.2

What do you think?

Now playing:



Edward Elgar: The Spirit of England, op.80. Andrew Davis, BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, tenor Andrew Staples

The first movement has some really beautiful melodies. Elgar was a gifted melodist.

[aligreto]

Strauss: Metamorphosen [Holliger]





This is glorious and magnificent music. It is a work that is fundamentally about loss and yearning for something lost.
This version is definitely different from others that I have heard before. Yes, it has a great sense of tragedy and yearning but I find it to be, somehow, a more gentle and very poignant presentation than others' but, interestingly, with no loss of intensity. It is definitely no less intense than other versions that I have heard but neither is it filled with the despair and desolation that I have encountered elsewhere.
It is a wonderful presentation and I very much like it.
The harmonic writing in this work is just superb! If you have not heard this work you are definitely missing out on something that is genuinely special and wonderful.

[aligreto]

John Kinsella: Symphony No.7 (live recording)

That disc yet again, Jeffrey.
Wonderful.
They say that quality, like cream, always rises to the top.

[Karl Henning]

Now playing:



Edward Elgar: The Spirit of England, op.80. Andrew Davis, BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, tenor Andrew Staples

The first movement has some really beautiful melodies. Elgar was a gifted melodist.

Tangentially, you remind me that I've not listened to The Music Makers in an age ....