What are you listening 2 now?

[Madiel]

Nielsen: Bohemian-Danish Folk Song

(one of the newer digital iterations of Blomstedt's Danish cycle, not actually this cover but they just repackage and recycle)



EDIT: I think this is Nielsen's last stand-alone orchestral work. After this there's some incidental music and a couple of occasional cantatas.

[Traverso]

Bach

Vol.4  CD 3

[Madiel]

Stravinsky: The Fairy's Kiss



First listen to this CD purchase. I'm sure I've listened to the work once before some years ago, though what version I used I don't know. It wouldn't have been this one as Hyperion recordings were not streamable at the time.

By my reckoning it's Stravinsky's 2nd longest ballet, after The Firebird.

[prémont]

I can well imagine some might say it lacks excitement, drive, or momentum. But I, for one, am quite content with his rather unhurried approach, which allows the clarity and beauty of the piece to shine through. It is, indeed, far from bombastic or overblown—hardly the sort of thing to make Stanislavski quiver with excitement. On the contrary, it is transparent, airy, and exquisitely delicate. Measured, with a clear intent to uncover the music's inner substance. Not everyone, of course, will agree with Egarr's vision, and I can quite see why. For me, too, his version won't be a standout—but nor does it provoke any particular displeasure.

I agree that Egarr seems to weigh beauty and transparency very highly and certainly takes his time to display this. But the backside of the medal is that his version misses almost completely the element of playfulness, which IMO is the most vital element of a large part of the variations. So it's a mentally "truncated" and a bit harmless interpretation he delivers.

[Karl Henning]

The 7th is cast in 7 severe, gloomy slow movements....

A nod to the Shostakovich 15th?

[Traverso]

Locatelli

CD 14

Concerti Grossi

Ensemble Violini Capricciosi

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Chopin Piano Sonata in B-flat minor, Op. 35

[Karl Henning]

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Bridge The Sea



Absolutely gorgeous work.

[ritter]

Messiaen is one of your favorite composers? Hmmm...I thought you weren't too fond of his music?

Well, I thought there was no point in making distinctions among the three composers in my post, saying something like "two favourite composers, and one with whom I have a love-hate relationship"... 

[ChamberNut]

Disc 27

Well, here's one I didn't enjoy. I couldn't actually finish the disc. This is just not music to my taste.

[prémont]

Disc 27

Well, here's one I didn't enjoy. I couldn't actually finish the disc. This is just not music to my taste.

I have not heard the CD in question, but Monteverdi's madrigals always left me cold.

[Karl Henning]

Disc 27

Well, here's one I didn't enjoy. I couldn't actually finish the disc. This is just not music to my taste.

Oh, that's too bad. I love the Monteverdi madrigals. Don't know that recording FWIW.

[Karl Henning]

I have not heard the CD in question, but Monteverdi's madrigals always left me cold.

Interesting. While doing my doctoral work, I took a Monteverdi course. I really did find that I loved everything I heard.

[AnotherSpin]

I agree that Egarr seems to weigh beauty and transparency very highly and certainly takes his time to display this. But the backside of the medal is that his version misses almost completely the element of playfulness, which IMO is the most vital element of a large part of the variations. So it's a mentally "truncated" and a bit harmless interpretation he delivers.

I think you've captured the essence. Playfulness in interpretation is precisely what I can do without. The world is already frivolous enough; no need to look for more of it in music

[Traverso]

Vivaldi

CD 2

L'Estro Armonico

[Mandryka]

Disc 27

Well, here's one I didn't enjoy. I couldn't actually finish the disc. This is just not music to my taste.

78 mintes of madrigals is a big ask, especially if you don't follow the poetry.

[Roasted Swan]

Now playing Bridge The Sea



Absolutely gorgeous work.

Oh YES!!!!!!

[Karl Henning]

78 mintes of madrigals is a big ask, especially if you don't follow the poetry.

Ties in with an earlier point about CDs not representing intended or ideal listening experience. 

[AnotherSpin]

I can't recall when I first heard these quartets. It must have been a long time ago, most likely during those carefree, blissful days of my youth. Ever since, the moment the music begins, I feel as if I'm effortlessly transported back to that distant realm. The Quartetto Italiano's performance evokes this feeling with remarkable subtlety.