What are you listening 2 now?

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Prokofiev: Egyptian Nights, On the Dnieper, Pushkiniana. Gennady Rozhdestvensky & Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra.

[Symphonic Addict]

The three symphonies by Elliott Carter:



Only his tonal, populist, cheerful First Symphony managed to captivate me to some extent, although this performance is not completely convincing. The other two didn't hold my attention. Those works can have their admirers, but I don't count myself as one of those. So far, his string quartets are the only pieces I can genuinely claim I enjoy or like.

[DavidW]

[kyjo]

This morning, Dohnanyi String Quartet No 3, Kocian Quartet



A very fine work. Dohnanyi's early works seem to take up where Brahms left off, but in his later works his individual, more edgy style emerges. Beautifully performed and recorded here. I have the discs from this series, but I ended up streaming it (can't hurt to send a few extra pennies to the producers).

An utterly fantastic work which I had the privilege of performing recently! The tremendously exciting first movement has an intensity that almost prefigures Shostakovich in places. By contrast, the slow movement is a beautifully tranquil (mostly) theme and variations, and the finale is a brief rondo where Dóhnanyi's infectious sense of humor comes to the fore.

[kyjo]

I would like to add one thing to your list - the Violin Concerto! It has a shockingly beautiful and rhapsodic emotional melody...surely one of the sunniest inspirations of the Victorian era. 

Now it's time for me to try these chamber works, which I don't know. Also not sure if I've heard the second Piano Concerto.

I've yet to listen to Stanford's VC - thanks for the suggestion! I see that Hyperion recorded it as part of its Romantic VC series. Oh, and the 2nd PC is a must for lovers of that genre. It occupies a very happy stylistic medium between Brahms and Rachmaninoff. 

[AnotherSpin]

[Karl Henning]

The three symphonies by Elliott Carter:



Only his tonal, populist, cheerful First Symphony managed to captivate me to some extent, although this performance is not completely convincing. The other two didn't hold my attention. Those works can have their admirers, but I don't count myself as one of those. So far, his string quartets are the only pieces I can genuinely claim I enjoy or like.

Did you try the Clarinet Concerto?

[Symphonic Addict]

Did you try the Clarinet Concerto?

Not yet. Actually, none of his concertos is known to me, except for the one for orchestra.

[Symphonic Addict]

Bartók: String Quartets 1 and 2

After my traversal of Shostakovich's quartets, time to follow with another phenomenal cycle. Simply extraordinary these two works. Music that never gets old.

[Daverz]

The three symphonies by Elliott Carter:



Only his tonal, populist, cheerful First Symphony managed to captivate me to some extent, although this performance is not completely convincing. The other two didn't hold my attention. Those works can have their admirers, but I don't count myself as one of those. So far, his string quartets are the only pieces I can genuinely claim I enjoy or like.

I did not care for Symphonia at all, nor any of the other orchestral works.  Perhaps it's just not his fach?

[Symphonic Addict]

I did not care for Symphonia at all, nor any of the other orchestral works.  Perhaps it's just not his fach?

Not sure about the answer, those works must have their merits, but like you, they do little for me. I prefer my music with more "warmth", rhythm and definite form. Carter's music happens to be too academic and strident to my ears, but then again, I do dig his string quartets.

[Symphonic Addict]

Prokofiev: Violin Sonata No. 2 in D major

I use to hear the First Sonata most of the time and I forget how utterly irresistible its sister is. Prokofiev's gift for melody and lyricism is in full display here. What a magnificent piece.

[steve ridgway]

Mahler: Symphony No. 4

[AnotherSpin]

Mahler: Symphony No. 4

Your verdict?

[steve ridgway]

Your verdict?

I got a relaxed feeling at times imagining listening to a performance in Vienna of the time.

[Spotted Horses]

An utterly fantastic work which I had the privilege of performing recently! The tremendously exciting first movement has an intensity that almost prefigures Shostakovich in places. By contrast, the slow movement is a beautifully tranquil (mostly) theme and variations, and the finale is a brief rondo where Dóhnanyi's infectious sense of humor comes to the fore.

I can only imagine what a pleasure and privilege it is to perform works of this level of quality.

[Harry]

Peter Mennin.
Orchestral Works.
See back cover for details.
Albany SO, David Alan Miller
Recorded in 1996 at the Troys Saving Bank Music Hall.

Mennin is a fine composer and this SOTA recording clearly sets out a standard if it comes to interpretation. Very enjoyable.

[Harry]

Second rerun.
1917 - Works for Violin & Piano.
See back cover for details.


I needed to play this CD again so soon after I played it for the first time. It has something special which I cannot pinpoint, other that it is pretty marvelous. And SOTA sound too.

[Papy Oli]

Beethoven - Sonata for Cello and Piano No.3 Op.69 (Starker, Sebok)

[Traverso]

Mahler: Symphony No. 4

Certainly one of my favorite Mahler symphonies.