What are you listening 2 now?

[Linz]

William Walton Symphony No.1 in B flat minor, Philharmonia Orchestra; Louis Frémaux
Violin Concerto in B minor, Salvatore Accardo violin, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hickox

[VonStupp]

Benjamin Britten
Simple Symphony, op. 4
String Quartet in F
String Quartet in D
Three Divertimenti
Phantasy in F minor
Miniature Suite
Quartettino
Rhapsody
Emperor Quartet

I wasn't really interested in hearing Britten's main quartets from the Emperor Quartet. Instead, a host of early works piqued my interest, spread across two volumes.
VS

[Symphonic Addict]

Three stark, threatening symphonies, evoking sinister and gelid atmospheres. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Powerful stuff.

[Symphonic Addict]

Respighi: Piano Sonata in F minor, P. 16 and Piano Sonata in A minor, P. 4b

Despite being written in an overtly romantic fashion that is not distinctive of his style, these are very charming and eloquent pieces.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Revisiting the Carter Cello Sonata

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Revisiting Feldman's Neither:



This performance is most definitely more to my taste than the earlier recording on the Hat Hut label. The soprano here (Petra Hoffmann) has a more pleasing timbre. The orchestral accompaniment is also excellent.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Benjamin Britten
Simple Symphony, op. 4
String Quartet in F
String Quartet in D
Three Divertimenti
Phantasy in F minor
Miniature Suite
Quartettino
Rhapsody
Emperor Quartet

I wasn't really interested in hearing Britten's main quartets from the Emperor Quartet. Instead, a host of early works piqued my interest, spread across two volumes.
VS

This entire Britten series with the Emperor Quartet is excellent.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Lubomír Brabec, guitar.

[Symphonic Addict]

Martinu: Half-Time and La bagarre

I don't remember having listened to these two works before, and wow, is this music exciting and fun as hell! The more I plunge myself into his vast music catalogue, the more impressed I get.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

NP: Schubert Four Impromptus, D. 899

From this set -



If the only music I had was this Schubert Uchida box set in my collection, I'd die a happy man.

[AnotherSpin]

Messiaen: Oiseaux exotiques, La Bouscarle, Réveil des oiseaux
Yvonne Loriod, Václav Neumann, Czech Philharmonic

Most likely, that was the first Messiaen LP I ever bought, early '80s, I'd say. What I still remember is the sheer freshness of it, the strangeness, the sense of wonder. It sounded like absolutely nothing else, and I loved it from the very first listen.

All the more striking, really, when you consider the kind of music we were being force-fed back then - Soviet officialdom at full blast. Listing the composers would be a bit of a waste of time, especially here, where their names still get dutifully dusted off and paraded around by the stalwarts of Party-approved art. Loyal to the last note, bless them.

I came across some images of the original LP on Discogs. I probably haven't held it in my hands for a good few decades.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

NP: Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67

[AnotherSpin]

[Roasted Swan]

Martinu: Half-Time and La bagarre

I don't remember having listened to these two works before, and wow, is this music exciting and fun as hell! The more I plunge myself into his vast music catalogue, the more impressed I get.

I have to say I am not as great a Martinu fan as many on this forum. However this is a great disc - I love all the comically po-faced "jazz" works.  Real wit I think.