What are you listening 2 now?

[vandermolen]

RICHARD FLURY.
Orchestral Music, Volume Four.
Symphony No. 2, Ticino Symphony (1936).
Poème nocturne (1939).
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Paul Mann.
Recorded on 25–28 September 2023 in Studio MV1, BBC Maida Vale Studios, London.

A worthwhile addition to the already existing recordings of Flury's music on the same label. with beautiful cymbal clashes and in-between those a plethora of fine notes, forming melodies of great cunning and a musical message saying hey, its me and I write music with substance, which I certainly cannot deny. I simple love the second Symphony, and the Poeme. I would plenty more of the same dish. Michael Ponder overseeing the recording makes the performance  a valuable addition to the repertoire.

Looks most interesting.

[vandermolen]

Malcolm Arnold: Symphony 1 and 5 RPO Handley
Two of my favourite Arnold symphonies. The performance of No.1 sounds rushed and perfunctory in places. Arnold's own recording (for EMI) is abnormally slow but has much more gravitas and I much prefer it. No.5 is much better here:

[Harry]

Looks most interesting.

Well a GMG member stated it were all cymbal clashes and in between nothing worthwhile, you might consider sampling the music first    

[Traverso]

Bach

Vol.5 CD 5

[Cato]

And for me, it's after dinner, with another run at this CD

Here is a sample from YouTube: The ASKO Concerto

The composer writes:

"My Asko Concerto for sixteen players features each one of them participating in one of the following groups—two trios, two duos, a quintet or a solo. These six sections are framed by the entire group playing together. Although the music is in lighthearted mood, each soloistic section approaches ensemble playing in a different spirit."

Composed in January 2000, when the composer was 91 years old!

[Traverso]

Schubert

CD 2

[Harry]

A Room of Her Own.
See back cover for details.
Neave Trio.
Recording venue Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk; 15– 17 March 2023.

A disc filled with compositions by female composers, and good ones at that. The performances are sublime, as is the recording.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Delius Sea Drift

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Malcolm Arnold: Symphony 1 and 5 RPO Handley
Two of my favourite Arnold symphonies. The performance of No.1 sounds rushed and perfunctory in places. Arnold's own recording (for EMI) is abnormally slow but has much more gravitas and I much prefer it. No.5 is much better here:

What do you think about Andrew Penny's Arnold cycle on Naxos, Jeffrey? I think when I revisit these symphonies, I'll go with Penny next time around. I also own the Hickox/Gamba recordings as well.

[Que]

Schubert

You got that quick! 

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Schmitt Antoine et Cléopâtre

[Spotted Horses]

Weinberg, String Quartet No 2, Arcadia Quartet



A major key work that starts with a remarkably bright primary theme, leading to some very intense music. Brilliant performance.

[Karl Henning]

[Traverso]

Chopin

CD 3

[Roasted Swan]

What do you think about Andrew Penny's Arnold cycle on Naxos, Jeffrey? I think when I revisit these symphonies, I'll go with Penny next time around. I also own the Hickox/Gamba recordings as well.

I think the Penny as a cycle is as strong as any with the Handley the weakest (suprisingly).  The symphonies Hickox did were very good but not sure the completion by Gamba is as good

(the video documentary about Arnold featured Penny and the NSO or Ireland as the chosen orchestra playing excerpts - and they were very good.  I still think Penny's No.9 is the best bar none and all of the rest are at least very good).

[Traverso]

You got that quick! 

I listened to a few samples and was immediately  hooked.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

I think the Penny as a cycle is as strong as any with the Handley the weakest (suprisingly).  The symphonies Hickox did were very good but not sure the completion by Gamba is as good

(the video documentary about Arnold featured Penny and the NSO or Ireland as the chosen orchestra playing excerpts - and they were very good.  I still think Penny's No.9 is the best bar none and all of the rest are at least very good).

Ah yes, I was aware of that Arnold was at the recording sessions for the Penny. In fact, it mentioned this on the back covers of the recordings (if memory serves me correctly). I do like Handley, but I think your point about Penny is spot-on and I agree with you about his performance of the 9th. It is...devastating. As for the Hickox, I like his recordings, but think less of Gamba as a conductor. So it's 50/50 in regards to that cycle. Who Chandos should've got to complete the cycle was someone like Martin Yates. I think he's a better conductor and seems to be a specialist in English music.

[vandermolen]

What do you think about Andrew Penny's Arnold cycle on Naxos, Jeffrey? I think when I revisit these symphonies, I'll go with Penny next time around. I also own the Hickox/Gamba recordings as well.

I like that cycle (Andrew Penny) especially Symphony No.9
My favourite versions are:

No 1 (Arnold)
No 2 (Groves)
No 3 (Arnold's Everest recording)
No 4 (Lyrita - Arnold)
No 5 Hickox
No 6 (Hickox)
No 7 (Handley)
No 8 (Handley)
No 9 (Penny)

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

I like that cycle (Andrew Penny) especially Symphony No.9
My favourite versions are:

No 1 (Arnold)
No 2 (Groves)
No 3 (Arnold's Everest recording)
No 4 (Lyrita - Arnold)
No 5 (Hickox)
No 6 (Hickox)
No 7 (Handley)
No 8 (Handley)
No 9 (Penny)

Very nice, Jeffrey. I've got revisit those Hickox performances. I also have Arnold's Lyrita recording of his 4th, which some like and some don't. It's kind of a controversial reading due to the slower tempi. IIRC, there was an Amazon reviewer who referred to this performance, and I'm paraphrasing here, as grotesque.

[Linz]

Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 8 in C Minor, 1890 Version. Ed. Leopold Nowak
Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Paavo Järvi