What are you listening 2 now?

[Florestan]

When I first got this I thought it was appalling. Music pulled about in a way which seemed ugly and natural. So it was promptly ignored for years until this afternoon and now it seems wonderful, joyous music, a joy to hear.

I had exactly the same initial response to Pletnev playing Mozart Piano sonata 15, K 533. And exactly the same change of heart yesterday.

Am I ill? What is happening to me?

What wine did you have, and how much? 

Btw, what do you mean by "ugly and natural"?

[Florestan]

have a composer friend who has seizures at the mere mention of John Rutter's name.  But I have to say I like his music.  Of course I do understand my friend's position - he feels that Rutter is too obvious, plays the sentimental/saccharine card too easily and perhaps most annoyingly (for my friend) gets a level of attention and praise his music does not merit.

With all due respect to your friend, this sounds like typical professional envy directed at a more successful and popular colleague.   

[Florestan]

Haydn: op.50/1



Oh dear God. It's been a couple of years since I've listened to op.50 (first listen in the "new" house, which for some reason feels oddly relevant here even though that's been true of lots of works). I remembered I liked the first movement of op.50/1 and that it was one of the things that encouraged me to pick the Amati, but..

I'd forgotten just how utterly amazing it was. The way that Haydn holds the music back and then unleashes the triplets. Sublime.

My own journey through Haydn's SQs (Kodaly on Naxos) is currently at Op. 74/1. I can't say I have a firm favorite, my favorite is always the one I'm listening to at any given moment. After I finish this, I plan to start again, this time with Auryn and going backwards from Op. 77 to Op. 1.

[Harry]

I am a year older now, but not a tad wiser
O, well, diving in a large amount of CD'S waiting for me, and calling out to listen to them, and yes they actually do that!

The Cozens Lute Book.
Works by: Robinson, Dowland, Bacherlar, Laurencini, Danyel, Hollis, Anonymus.
Anthony Rooley, Lute.

A measly 43 minutes of music on this disc, but a wonderful blast from the past. Recorded in 1976, it sounds the works. I have been a staunch admirer of Rooley since those early days. The poise and gallantry in his playing is always constant and has been the main attraction for me over the many years of his active life. Never forgave him though that he left Emma Kirkby, the nightingale amongst sopranos, how could he! Sound is quite decent for its time, but it betrays the date of the recording. 

[Harry]

The Dark Lord's Music.
The Lutebook of Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, (1582-1648)
Works by: Reys, Du Gast, Johnson, Batcheler, Gauthier, Hely, Despond, Lord Herbert.

Martin Eastwell, Lute.
10 course lute after Hans Frei by Martin Haycock 2005, & 10 course lute after Sixtus Rauwolf by Tony Johnson, 2016.
Recording Venue: The Church of St James, Hunstanworth, County Durham, 2016 and  2017.

I like what I hear, well balanced and a calm projection of the music. Both lutes sounds fantastic, so yes well worth hearing, especially for some of the unknown composers on this disc. The acoustics are fantastic, with plenty of air around the instrument. Very intimate and involving.

[Mandryka]

Seems pretty good as a performance, but I'm not so keen on the music. The Gershwin is too much in evidence for me.

[Mandryka]

What wine did you have, and how much? 

Btw, what do you mean by "ugly and natural"?

Riccitelli Cabernet Franc 2018, just a glass.

The rubato seemed to draw attention to itself and didn't appear to have any other function.

[SimonNZ]

Never forgave him though that he left Emma Kirkby, the nightingale amongst sopranos, how could he!

Wait. What? He left Emma Kirkby?

[Harry]

Wait. What? He left Emma Kirkby?

Divorced her, that is what I meant to say

[aukhawk]

Hmm.  Three of Bach's keyboard Partitas in orchestrated form - guaranteed to set any purist's teeth on edge.  But it's a bit like discovering three new Orchestral Suites.


Partitas 1, 2 & 5 orchestrated, cond. Trevor Pinnock

Sad to say I probably won't listen to this again.  I do feel perhaps the orchestral textures are maybe a bit overdone in places - but in the hands of one of the specialist HIP bands such as Akademie fur Alte Musik or English Baroque Soloists, this would probably be much more successful.  But these musicians tread carefully and smoothly through the music, rather in the manner of a chamber orchestra from 50 years ago.  I think I need more crackle and pop, more swing.

[Florestan]

Riccitelli Cabernet Franc 2018, just a glass.

Well, try it every time you revisit a recording that you disliked in the past.   

The rubato seemed to draw attention to itself and didn't appear to have any other function.

Then why do you call it natural?

[Mandryka]

Well, try it every time you revisit a recording that you disliked in the past.   

Then why do you call it natural?

typo -- unnatural is what I meant. Too much wine obvs.

[Florestan]

Euphonic, harmonious, beautiful music. Baroque belcanto. Exquisite performance, SOTA sound. Love it.



I doubt there is a better performance in better sound of these concertos. Mrs. Oberlinger rocks in this repertoire.

[Florestan]

typo -- unnatural is what I meant. Too much wine obvs.

Hah! 

[Florestan]

Apparently the Las Vegas PhO is conducted by Donato Cabrera.
Las Vegas PhO

The Las Vegas Symphony is ... something else:
https://lasvegassymphonyorchestra.com/
"Many new shows were then created and launched through the Las Vegas Symphony Orchestra. Including "The King Symphonic" The Music of Elvis Presley and Sons of Mozart – The Untold Musical Journeys also created by CEO Shea Arender."

More power to them! It is (long past) high time that concerts become what they once were: entertaining, fun and popular.

[Harry]

Hugo Kaun 1863–1932.

»Im Urwald«, Two Symphonic Poems after Longfellow op.43.
Symphony No.3 in e minor, op.96.
Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Jonathan Stockhammer.
Recording: Haus des Rundfunks, Saal 1, 2022.

It is completely incomprehensible that this great music by a great composer could be so completely forgotten. Pfitzner and Furtwängler even performed his 3rd Symphony,  inaugural concert at the Berlin State Opera in 1920. His music is expansive and grandiose. The two symphonic poems are lush and very pictorial and expressive. It's hard to escape the melting power of the 15-minute Adagio from his symphony. The other three movements also leave a great impression with their power and feeling. A great discovery, and very good sound.

[Madiel]

My own journey through Haydn's SQs (Kodaly on Naxos) is currently at Op. 74/1. I can't say I have a firm favorite, my favorite is always the one I'm listening to at any given moment. After I finish this, I plan to start again, this time with Auryn and going backwards from Op. 77 to Op. 1.

So many riches to be had. In case people haven't worked it out, I'm largely consuming Haydn with breakfast. It makes for a great start to the day, and just with the quartets it will take a long time before a repeat. If I add piano trios and symphonies to the mix, maybe even masses... I think I can readily get to the point where I have enough material for a year.

[vandermolen]

Tcherepnin (Nikolai) Narcisse et Echo
This work has given me much pleasure - thanks to Cato (Leo) for recommending this magical score:

[Harry]

Tcherepnin (Nikolai) Narcisse et Echo
This work has given me much pleasure - thanks to Cato (Leo) for recommending this magical score:

That is without a doubt a very good recording. I played this CD probably some 8 months ago, and not once but 6 times in a month. The Alternative on Chandos is also a very good, and partners well with the CPO recording. One should have both is my advise.

[pjme]

More power to them! It is (long past) high time that concerts become what they once were: entertaining, fun and popular.

Dear Andrei, I'm not convinced 

" a modern spin on a classic genre of music, all inspired by the people and culture of the glamour and mystique of Las Vegas. " 

There's a 3rd orchestra in Las Vegas: Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Orchestra. 
Nice: https://youtu.be/dnc4_TwGGMQ?si=151SSdtHXpuxxX65