What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Widor: The two Piano Concertos

Widor is often associated with organ symphonies, but he also wrote much more different music apart from organ pieces. These two works succeeded my expectations the first time I heard them and today I confirmed they have quite good melodic ideas and overall, they could be better than the average. The first one is somewhat close to Saint-Saëns' style (it's the best of the two I think), whilst the second one brings Rachmaninov to mind.

[foxandpeng]

Harald Saeverud
Symphonies 2 and 4
Oleg Kristian Ruud
Stavanger SO
BIS

Saeverud or sleep?

Go, Harald.

[JBS]

My turn to hear this.


About 30 minutes in. So far so good.

[Symphonic Addict]

Bartók: String Quartets 3 and 4

[Bachtoven]

[JBS]

My turn to hear this.


About 30 minutes in. So far so good.

Now that it's done, I liked it. But I would never have thought I was hearing period instruments if I hadn't known beforehand.

Moving on--back to the Mitropolous set

Berlioz R&J
"Complete orchestral score" means none of the vocal/choral movements. Which is a bit odd because the tracklisting in the book that's part of the set is accompanied with a full page photograph showing a concert performance that included vocal soloists and chorus.

[AnotherSpin]

Now that it's done, I liked it. But I would never have thought I was hearing period instruments if I hadn't known beforehand.

[..]

I listened a few days ago, the aftertaste is rather unpleasant than neutral. It seems that mentioning the period instruments is not much more than an attempt to somehow stand out against the background of more memorable approaches.

[steve ridgway]

Mahler: Symphony No. 5

This is far more to my liking; dramatic, dynamic and rhythmical, it seemed to flow more coherently. The brass stood out particularly well. I will definitely listen to this a few more times before revisiting 1-4 .

[AnotherSpin]

Mahler: Symphony No. 5

This is far more to my liking; dramatic, dynamic and rhythmical, it seemed to flow more coherently. The brass stood out particularly well. I will definitely listen to this a few more times before revisiting 1-4 .

No need to expect coherence from Mahler . Here we hear a continuous change and contrasting mixture of radically opposite moods, a kaleidoscope of melodies, emotions and styles beyond good balance.

[Harry]

Le Parfaict Danser,
Dance Music from 1300-1500.
Performed by: Into the Winds.
Recording Venue: église Notre-Dame de Centeilles, May 2022.

Courtly dance in the Renaissance was more than just a social pleasure, it was meant to unite earthbound people with the divine, through the grace and perfection of its movements. And so I conclude that this recording is exceptional well done, Artistically, it is one of the best interpretations I have heard with music from that time. Very dedicated musicians who play with great pleasure and motivation. This is Foot tapping stuff, absolutely delightful. SOTA sound.

[vandermolen]

Villa-Lobos Uirapuru & Prokofiev Cinderella.

Those Villa-Lobos recording will be reissued soon on Alto. Uirapuru was a great discovery for me (it shows the influence of Stravinsky's 'Firebird'). It's arguably my favourite work by VL and is certainly very atmospheric.

[vandermolen]

Howard Hanson: Symphony No.6
A rather anachronistic but heart-warming work from 1968.
At one point it shows the influence of Britten's 'Sea Interludes' from Peter Grimes. The slow movement (the 3rd of 6th movements) is especially moving:

[Harry]

ALGERNON ASHTON.
MUSIC FOR CELLO AND PIANO.
See back cover for details.
Recorded at Challow Park Studios, Oxfordshire, 6–8 December 2011.

I must admit that I never heard of this composer, a free cycling musical entity who is called the best kept secret in the circles of the British "inizia". He has clearly his own voice, coming from the influence of Johannes Brahms and from thereon creates music that has a unique character. And that ain't half bad. I clearly enjoyed the exercise, and will dive into what is recorded and available on Qobuz. The sound is quite direct and at times a bit harsh, and has to be played on a low volume, but knowing that, its clear sailing.

[Papy Oli]

Good morning all,

Respighi - "The Birds", and other works

[Lisztianwagner]

Karol Szymanowski
Harnasie

Simon Rattle & City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

[Harry]

In the repeat modus, the Second Violin Concerto. Scrumptious!

[Cato]

WOW!  Y'all are  listenin' to some great stuff today! 

Hartmann: Piano Sonatina and Piano Sonata No. 1

Widor: The two Piano Concertos

Bartók: String Quartets 3 and 4

Leo ORNSTEIN!

Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Villa-Lobos   Uirapuru & Prokofiev Cinderella.

Good morning all,

Respighi - "The Birds", and other works

Karol Szymanowski

Harnasie

Simon Rattle & City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

My contribution:

Tcherepnin goes back to his fascination with percussion in his final concerto for piano.


Seven minutes of some of the greatest piano music ever composed: S. Taneyev's Prelude and Fugue

Tomas Svoboda: Overture of the Season  Fun stuff!

[Traverso]

Byrd



One on the very few instrumental discs in this box

[Harry]

Igor Stravinsky.
See back cover for details.
Suisse Romande Orchestra, Neeme Järvi.
Recorded in 1993, at the Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland.

I can start my hyperbole again about Järvi and Mordkovitch, but I will not
Suffice to say all is well in that realm.
Fine recording and superb performance I will add.

[VonStupp]

Leroy Anderson
Goldilocks
BBC CO - Leonard Slatkin

Leroy Anderson seems tailor-made for the Broadway stage. Can't stop humming Shall I Take My Heart and Go?.
VS