What are you listening 2 now?

[foxandpeng]

James MacMillan
Symphony 3 'Silence'
James MacMillan
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Chandos

Bit of a James MacMillan evening, it seems. Symphony 3 tracks the idea of the silence of God in suffering and tragedy. From what I've read, MacMillan ponders the idea of God present in silence, rather than absent. Not sure how that works out in the symphony yet, as I think this might be my maiden listen. I was sure I'd listened before, but this isn't familiar yet!

More than one play on the cards, I think 🤔

I like MacMillan's 3rd very much indeed. From the gentle orientalism and careful creation of tension, through to the full blown drama and angst, this is great music. 

Fourth time through now, and still much to discover and enjoy.

[vandermolen]

Hendrik Andriessen (1892–1981)
Symphony No. 4 (1954)
Libertas venit - Rhapsody (1954)
Capriccio (1941)
Canzone (1971)
Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, David Porcelijn.
Recorded at the Enschede Muziek, (2012-2013), Centrum, Netherlands.
TT= 56:16.

The fourth symphony shows very clearly what a versatile composer Andriessen was. From whatever angle one approaches it, this work is an epitome of his compositional prowess. It is so well constructed that every note is firmly anchored in the context, namely to show that he masters all genres down to the last detail. The first part "Molto Grave, energico" has a dark beginning, and the light barely appears. The technique takes the music to perfection, and it sounds like he wants to say, see this is me! The second part "Andante Sostenuto" digs even deeper into the mood, as if the darkness were an end in itself. Even Mahler makes an appearance from time to time. This movement makes a deep impression on me! The third part of this work returns to the energetic beginning, albeit with a Vivace instead of Molto Grave. The violins determine the rhythm and drive the melodies into a frenzy. Three minutes into the movement, the melancholy molto grave determines the balance in the development of the symphony, and then continues in a milder way. A perfect ending. Personally, I think this is Andriessen's best work. I could run it continuously without getting tired of it.
Libertas Venit-Rhapsody, begins as darkly as the Fourth Symphony, with beautiful brass, on which the violins lean in comfort, and an almost elegiac mood wrings itself out of the context. The timpani strike deeper into the minor key at a desperate pace, as to arise at a jolly tempo into the major key. Really impressive.
The next work "Capriccio" tries to find a light tone, with an oriental touch here and there. The emphasis is again in line with the previous works on this CD, with the brass and the violins having an important element in common, namely perfect harmony.
The last work on this CD "Canzona" is a glorious conclusion. Short and sweet in expression, even a little pastoral in expression, and magical even.
Perfect recording and sound.

A very fine symphony

[foxandpeng]

James MacMillan
Symphony 4
Donald Runnicles
BBC Scottish SO

After the first three programmatic symphonies, MacMillan #4 is a purely abstract work with no underlying text. This seems to me more angular, more dissonant, and more uneasy than the symphonies I've heard so far from him. I think there is value in having heard 1 - 3 before coming here, if only to attune the ear to the way he writes.

Lots to appreciate in this, from threaded melodies to unexpected turns, but I suspect that repeated listening will yield a great deal.

[Mandryka]

Now on Spotify.  And how strange to listen to this after listening to the introvert and prayerful Josquin from Tetsuro Hanai. 

[Mandryka]

I will check the music.
The poster for their recital January this year. They will do Firminus Caron in June.

Can't help feel that the move from Josquin to Palestrina is a move in the wrong direction (forward, where the music IMO deteriorated, rather than back.)  Caron is a good idea though, a very good idea!

[Florestan]

Not to sound smart, but there's always hope for Christians.

Well, yes, of course, but I wasn't talking about that hope. 

[Que]

On Spotify:



A Florestan recommendation! 
A nice discovery, but I find this performance rather underwhelming.... There seems to be one other recording by Paul Dombrecht (below), but I couldn't find it.

[vandermolen]

Cyril Scott: Cello Concerto

[Mandryka]

Listening to Missa Jesus Autem, and it's a doozy. 

[Lisztianwagner]

Karol Szymanowski
Symphony No.1

Antoni Wit & Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra


Stunning symphony, its intense chromatic whirlwinds and the timbric colour remind me of Wagner and Schönberg's Verklärte Nacht very much.

[pjme]

Gál: Violin Concerto and Violin Concertino

First listen to both works.

Interesting music, very silly cover...
I should explore more Gal.

[Florestan]

Stabat Mater

[Que]

Listening to Missa Jesus Autem, and it's a doozy. 

I particularly like that set as well. Their Caron gives me more than the Huelgas recording, for instance.

[Biffo]

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 5 in D - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Alexander Gibson. Thanks again to Jeffrey for the disc.

[Madiel]

Earlier today: Pogorelich album no.3



We actually had this one on LP. Frankly I never listened to the concerto, and the piece is still only of mild interest to me in any form but this performance seems decent enough. It's the polonaise performance that I used to listen to all the time, because it's exhilarating.

[Karl Henning]

Interesting music, very silly cover...

I take your point, though I like the fact that they bucked the "sexpot soloist" trend.

[Karl Henning]

TD:

JSB
BWV 72 « Alles nur nach Gottes Willen »

[Mandryka]

I particularly like that set as well. Their Caron gives me more than the Huelgas recording, for instance.

It would be better still with the sonority and introspectiveness of Tetsuro Hanai or their mentor, Rebecca Stewart.

[Cato]

I take your point, though I like the fact that they bucked the "sexpot soloist" trend.

For example...

This poor girl!  She just can't find a dress that fits right! 







Well, on second thought, maybe it does fit right!   

[DavidW]

Dvorak SQs 10, 13 Prazak Q