What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Schulhoff: Variations on an original Dorian theme and Fugato, op. 10

[Symphonic Addict]

Sciarrino: Il suono e il tacere

My first encounter with this composer. What a strange work. It seems repetitive (there's a motive that runs throughout with little changes), but somehow it manages to catch the attention if you have the patience for it, of course.

[VonStupp]

Benjamin Britten
Phaedra, op. 93
A Charm of Lullabies, op. 41
Lachrymae, op. 48a
Two Portraits
Sinfonietta, op. 1

Sarah Connolly, mezzo
Maxim Rysanov, viola
BBC SO - Edward Gardner

A mix of vocal and orchestral music from Britten. Britten's purely instrumental music often takes a while for me to grasp, but his vocal music is always an immediate pleasure.

I really need to revisit Dame Janet's Phaedra.
VS

[Symphonic Addict]

Piano Trio, Violin Sonata, Sonata for two violins and Prelude for cello and piano. Exceptionally performed and recorded.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Continuing on with the Arnold symphonies --- now playing Symphony No. 6, Op. 95

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Following @Madiel yet again but a different performance from the Neschling on BIS

Now playing Villa-Lobos Chôros No. 10 "Rasga o Coração"

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now streaming via Presto Music --- Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102



I still have a free trial run of Presto Music until next month, so might as well take advantage of it.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Benjamin Britten
Phaedra, op. 93
A Charm of Lullabies, op. 41
Lachrymae, op. 48a
Two Portraits
Sinfonietta, op. 1

Sarah Connolly, mezzo
Maxim Rysanov, viola
BBC SO - Edward Gardner

A mix of vocal and orchestral music from Britten. Britten's purely instrumental music often takes a while for me to grasp, but his vocal music is always an immediate pleasure.

I really need to revisit Dame Janet's Phaedra.
VS

I really like Edward Gardner's Britten series on Chandos. I'm going to listen to his Peter Grimes tomorrow night. Have you heard it?

[AnotherSpin]

Many thanks to @Mandryka for the mention — it led me to choose this particular Gielen version among the many available. I was instantly captivated by its softness and purity, and by the near-total absence of any tendency toward cheap exaggeration, mock ferocity, or the naïve bombast found in the interpretations of some other conductors. The Sanctus and Agnus Dei are pure magic — I felt an immediate urge to go back and hear them again. A truly remarkable performance.

[steve ridgway]

Murail - Ethers

[Madiel]

Debussy/Rameau



The CD copy of this album has been sitting around for 18 months since I listened to the other 2 from Víkingur Ólafsson's initial 'triad' of Deutsche Grammophon albums that I bought in their box form. The 3 that made me a fan on streaming, before subsequent releases made me less of one.

I couldn't really tell you why I held off on this one. But tonight's the night.

Listening again, but pausing between pieces or blocks of pieces.

I do mostly like it, and the transitions from one composer to the other are quite clever. The one big downside I have so far is that Debussy's Serenade for the Doll is obscenely fast. "Allegretto ma non troppo" is what the score says, Vikingur is full-on Allegro, and his liner notes group it with the pieces on either side as having toccata-like elements. Not at all right. I know why he did it within his larger musical plan for the album, but as someone who knows that piece particularly well it's jarring.

[steve ridgway]

Messiaen - Chronochromie

[Karl Henning]

Messiaen - Chronochromie

Great disc!

[Spotted Horses]

You may also want to try this ensemble:

And while you're at it, Silesian is also great in Bacewicz:

I'm a big admirer of their Bacewicz cycle and would be interested to hear their Weinberg recordings. However the Arcadia recordings on Channdos are 50% off for FLAC downloads on Presto, and a big temptation. Probably I'll stream the Silesian Quartet's Weinberg recordings.

[Florestan]

The Ravel is a little creepy on Mothers Day. Just saying.

Indeed. Ma mère l'Oye would have been much more appropriate. 

[AnotherSpin]

Another numb recording from Peter Watchorn.

[Harry]

António Pereira da Costa (c.1697–1770)
Concerti Grossi-No.5-10.
Ensemble Bonne Corde.
Recorded 25–28 October 2021 at Igreja do Menino Deus, Lisbon, Portugal.

I was not aware of the existence of this composer, neither was I prepared for the exceptional quality of these Concerti Grossi.  Inventive, lively and full of interesting melodious creativity, the music delights on all corners .
So in this sense it makes for a valuable recording and fine performance.

[Que]

António Pereira da Costa (c.1697–1770)
Concerti Grossi-No.5-10.
Ensemble Bonne Corde.
Recorded 25–28 October 2021 at Igreja do Menino Deus, Lisbon, Portugal.

I was not aware of the existence of this composer, neither was I prepared for the exceptional quality of these Concerti Grossi.  Inventive, lively and full of interesting melodious creativity, the music delights on all corners .
So in this sense it makes for a valuable recording and fine performance.

I thought those concerti grossi were fun, enjoyed it.

Thead duty:



Never looked into this ensemble much. Perhaps due to their thematic approach.
This recording is a clear example, with a mix of English and Italian Renaissance composers. Though I have my hesitations of the English Melancholy by Byrd, Weelkes, Gibbons and Tomkins goes so well together with the intensity and passion of Gesualdo, Marenzio, Tudino and Luzzaschi. The emotional and musical shifts throughout the recording feel odd and even uncomfortable....The performances however, are absolutely impeccable: great singing at a very high tecnhnical standard.

[Que]

Another numb recording from Peter Watchorn.

Agreed. But I greatly enjoyed his recordings of English repertoire, and would like to have more like that. But he insists on recording Bach....

I'd rather have a 2nd volume in the John Bull series!

   

[ChamberNut]

Roussel: Le Festin de l'araignée

Much as I love Roussel's music, I have to say that this is one of my least favorite works by him. Probably this performance has to do with my impression.

Oh, I love this work!