What are you listening 2 now?

[vandermolen]

Richard Arnell: Symphony No.3

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing two versions of Bartók's Dance Suite, SZ 77 --- orchestral and solo piano:

[Lisztianwagner]

Arnold Schönberg
Erwartung
Die glückliche Hand

Janis Martin (soprano), Siegmund Nimsgern (bass)
Pierre Boulez & BBC Symphony Orchestra

[Symphonic Addict]

The Dante Symphony No. 1 was recorded with too much people's noise, whereas the No. 2 wasn't and it is quite interesting and dramatic.

[Linz]

Gabriel Fauré Piano Quintet No.1, Piano Quartet No. 1
Pascal Rogé, Quatuor Ysaÿe

[Mandryka]

Thank you, guys. See the Purchases thread.

Did you ever listen to Webern songs, Andrei? I'm listening now to Dorow/Jansen, I'd forgotten how lovely the early music is - weighty yet somehow intensely radiant.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Bach Cello Suites. Mari Fujiwara.

[foxandpeng]

Dmitry Shostakovich
Symphony 3, The First of May
Dmitri Kitayenko
Prague Philharmonic Chorus
Gurzenich Orchester Koln

Very good. But then it is DSCH. And Kitayenko.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Before dinner --- Sibelius 1st



This Vänskä/Lahti SO cycle of Sibelius symphonies remains a favorite. Superb performances.

[foxandpeng]

Dmitry Shostakovich
Symphony 2, To October
Dmitri Kitayenko
Prague Philharmonic Chorus
Gurzenich Orchester Koln

[Symphonic Addict]

Holmboe: String Quartets 9-11 (Kontra Quartet)

Not very enthusiastic about these. Only the 11th managed to stand out a little. The sound quality of these recordings is not helping.

[VonStupp]

Ah, so you have a long history with Britten's music. That is lovely to read and as a chorister nonetheless. Very cool! One of my favorite Britten choral works is Christ's Nativity, but it's also a work that seldom gets mentioned in the same breath as works like A Boy Was Born, Rejoice in the Lamb or Hymn to St Cecilia. One of the most moving moments in all Britten, for me, is the New prince, new pomp movement from Christ's Nativity:

Anyway, I hope you find a way into the chamber music. There really are some incredible works to be found in this part of his oeuvre. As a suggestion, I recommend listening to the last movement of the 2nd SQ several times. It is incredibly moving to me.

P. S. That is a wonderful Alfvén piece. I haven't listened to in ages. I might have to plan a revisit at some point. So much music, so little time.

I have Christ's Nativity on Hyperion, although it has been a while. I also have the string quartets ready to go, but down the line yet. Jim Croce's Time in a Bottle would help hearing music whenever I wish, but I will have to settle on reality for now.

VS

[VonStupp]

Digging your blog, buddy!

Thanks Karl! It is nice to have a visitor!
VS

[Karl Henning]

I have Christ's Nativity on Hyperion, although it has been a while. I also have the string quartets ready to go, but down the line yet. Jim Croce's Time in a Bottle would help hearing music whenever I wish, but I will have to settle on reality for now.

VS

We endure reality periodically. 

[VonStupp]

Benjamin Britten
Praise We Great Men
Ballad of Heroes, op. 14
Diversions, op. 21
An American Overture, op. 27
Building of the House Overture, op. 79
Suite on English Folk Tunes 'A Time There Was...', op. 90

Robert Tear, tenor
Peter Donohoe, piano
CBSO & Chorus - Simon Rattle

Back when I bought this EMI collection, I remember being unsure regarding a lot of these works. I enjoyed it much more this go around, with only a few receiving a tepid response from these ears.
VS

CD1 from:

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

I have Christ's Nativity on Hyperion, although it has been a while. I also have the string quartets ready to go, but down the line yet. Jim Croce's Time in a Bottle would help hearing music whenever I wish, but I will have to settle on reality for now.

VS

While I do like the Layton performance of Christ's Nativity, do try and give a listen the Bedford recording (originally on Collins Classics I believe). It's my favorite of the two performances that I know. And, yes, there's simply not enough time. Like Rachmaninov said "Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music." I hope you enjoy Britten's SQs as much as I have!

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Zemlinsky Sinfonietta, Op. 23

[Cato]

Now playing Zemlinsky Sinfonietta, Op. 23

James Conlon and his Zemlinsky recordings are A+ !

One of my favorites: 6 Maeterlinck Gesaenge

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Nielsen Aladdin, Op. 34, FS 89



I haven't listened to this work in ages. One of Nielsen's more neglected works, which is a shame, because I think it's a brilliant piece. Most listeners only know the excerpts from this work much like Grieg's Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1 & 2. There's much, much more to Nielsen's Aladdin than mere excerpts.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

James Conlon and his Zemlinsky recordings are A+ !

One of my favorites: 6 Maeterlinck Gesaenge

Absolutely, Cato. Zemlinsky is such an amazing composer. Speaking of his orchesterlieder, my personal favorite would be the Symphonische Gesänge, Op 20. Incredible piece. I like the Sechs Gesänge a lot as well.