What are you listening 2 now?

[Karl Henning]

Zwilich: Symphony No. 3



A fine work in a mid-last-century muscular American symphony kind of way (Mennin comes to mind).

Thanks! I believe I need to hear this.

[Daverz]

Thanks! I believe I need to hear this [Zwillich Sympony No. 3].

Looking on Qobuz, there's also a recording with the New York Philharmonic:

https://open.qobuz.com/album/0191773901318

Zwillich: Violin Concerto



I like this even more than the Symphony.

[bhodges]

Nice! And IMHO (I'm not that much of a Verdian), you've left the best for the end. Falstaff is a miraculous score!

I agree Falstaff is an intriguing opera, actually it's one of the few Verdi's works I greatly appreciate! But I admit Otello is not bad either.

Yes, they don't appeal me very much, but there are exceptions and Falstaff is one of those. I hope you'll enjoy it when you listen to it, Cesar. 

And another vote for Falstaff! My first time hearing it was years ago, in concert—and I walked out at intermission.  Fast-forward to years later, when I heard it again and was kicking myself, especially since by walking out I missed the last 20 minutes or so, which are incredible. Otello is marvelous, but Falstaff is much lighter, more playful. Hard to believe Verdi wrote it so late in life.

I only have a single recording—with Bryn Terfel in the title role, conducted by Claudio Abbado—and like it just fine. But there are no doubt others equally good, depending on which musicians you are drawn to.

-Bruce

[JBS]

Zwilich: Symphony No. 3



A fine work in a mid-last-century muscular American symphony kind of way (Mennin comes to mind).

I just listened to this for the first time last night


Will require further listening before I describe it, but the Peanuts Gallery is nice and yummy.

[JBS]

TD
This landed today, after a slight saga (the vendor sent me a Slipknot CD the first time) so I'm now hearing Enescu's Octet for the first time ever.


The premise is that all the composers had some personal connection to Enescu, as teacher or friend or fellow performer. The exception is the Pais work which came in first in a competition for (paging Andrei) young Romanian composers.

[JBS]

And another vote for Falstaff! My first time hearing it was years ago, in concert—and I walked out at intermission.  Fast-forward to years later, when I heard it again and was kicking myself, especially since by walking out I missed the last 20 minutes or so, which are incredible. Otello is marvelous, but Falstaff is much lighter, more playful. Hard to believe Verdi wrote it so late in life.

I only have a single recording—with Bryn Terfel in the title role, conducted by Claudio Abbado—and like it just fine. But there are no doubt others equally good, depending on which musicians you are drawn to.

-Bruce

There may not be a Falstaff recording that's not good.

[foxandpeng]

Ralph Vaughan Williams
Symphony No 3 'A Pastoral Symphony'
Symphony No 4
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Manze

[vers la flamme]

Some middle and late Beethoven tonight:



Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.3 in E-flat major, op.55, the "Eroica"; Symphony No.4 in B-flat major, op.60; Große Fuge in B-flat major, op.133. John Eliot Gardiner, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique; Guarneri Quartet

I read along with the score for the symphonies, it was a great experience. The Gardiner Beethoven cycle is really good. I got it for something like eight dollars, and it definitely suits my mood at times. The Guarneri Quartet Beethoven SQ cycle is also VERY good. There is such warmth to it, it feels special.

[vers la flamme]

Henri Dutilleux: Symphony No.2, "Le Double". Yan Pascal Tortelier, BBC Philharmonic

No one ever really talks about Dutilleux's symphonies, but I really like them both. These Chandos Dutilleux recordings are very enjoyable. So glad I decided to randomly pick up one of them at a used bookstore three years ago, introducing me to this composer I'd never heard of before.

[Karl Henning]

TD
This landed today, after a slight saga (the vendor sent me a Slipknot CD the first time) so I'm now hearing Enescu's Octet for the first time ever.


The premise is that all the composers had some personal connection to Enescu, as teacher or friend or fellow performer. The exception is the Pais work which came in first in a competition for (paging Andrei) young Romanian composers.

Groovy. I should listen afresh myself.

[vers la flamme]

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Whitsunday Hymn; Flos Campi; The Lark Ascending; Symphony No.3, "A Pastoral Symphony". David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Jacques Orchestra; Hilary Hahn, Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra; Adrian Boult, New Philharmonia Orchestra

Getting a bit of a headstart on the sesquicentennial listening, though I probably won't binge as much as some of the other guys here.

The Pastoral is my favorite by far of his symphonies. I haven't heard Boult's recording much, having just gotten it recently—but it is sounding really good at the moment.

[Operafreak]

In War & Peace- Joyce DiDonato (mezzo)- Il Pomo d'Oro, Maxim Emelyanychev

[Symphonic Addict]

Yes, they don't appeal me very much, but there are exceptions and Falstaff is one of those. I hope you'll enjoy it when you listen to it, Cesar. 

Thank you, Ilaria!

[vandermolen]

It's early in the morning here but I had to play some Vaughan Williams (in view of his 150th Birthday today) before going to work.
So, A Pastoral Symphony, LSO, André Previn. I don't know a better recorded performance:

[Pohjolas Daughter]

It's early in the morning here but I had to play some Vaughan Williams (in view of his 150th Birthday today) before going to work.
So, A Pastoral Symphony, LSO, André Previn. I don't know a better recorded performance:

Good idea to haul out those Previn recordings.  Will dip into them later today.  I was able to get a used set of them some years ago:



PD

[vandermolen]

Good idea to haul out those Previn recordings.  Will dip into them later today.  I was able to get a used set of them some years ago:



PD

Yes, I prefer that to the more recent Previn/LSO boxed set as it has a nicely illustrated decent booklet with it.

[Que]

Morning listening on Spotify:

[Harry]

Morning listening on Spotify:

Good morning Que.

I am exploring Voces Suaves also, but until now they are always half good and half irritating for me. Voices are very personal, so much is clear to me.

[Harry]

Yes, I prefer that to the more recent Previn/LSO boxed set as it has a nicely illustrated decent booklet with it.

The RCA set by Previn with the Symphonies by VW are still the touchstone for me. Riveting performances.

[Traverso]

Yes, I prefer that to the more recent Previn/LSO boxed set as it has a nicely illustrated decent booklet with it.

Good morning Jeffrey,I just purchased  this edition