What are you listening 2 now?

[Karl Henning]

I don't think that was an accidental choice by Shostakovich to make that his final cycle. His life seems like one that was largely outside of his control, and I know that would make me embittered (and sardonic).

Absolutely. 

[Linz]

Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, 1894 Original Version. Ed. Leopold Nowak
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jascha Horenstein

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Frédéric Chopin • Mazurkas. György Ferenczy.

[hopefullytrusting]

Hans Gals's Symphonies 1 and 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT2cNZTBjdQ

Don't even know how I came across this composer, an amazing find - worked closely with Brahms's insider, Eusebius Mandyczewski. The music is tonal and full of lyricism and lightness (spring-ness), and given his history - it is extraordinary that he kept his optimism between these two works. He was a Jew in Germany during Nazism, and the first symphony was composed before WW II, and the second was composed during the Holocaust!

Going to explore this composer further - high recommend (feels very romantic - not late romantic - and he is modern).

[JBS]

Another used CD purchase from the public library


Track Listing

1    Day Signal
2    Quotation of Dream
3    How Slow the Wind
4    Twill by Twilight
5    Archipelago S.
6    Dream/Window
7    Night Signal

Takemitsu is a composer I've never avoided but also never sought out, so I think this is only my second CD of his music, the other being part of a Sony budget set.

ETA
This is the other one I have.

[hopefullytrusting]

Another used CD purchase from the public library


Track Listing

1    Day Signal
2    Quotation of Dream
3    How Slow the Wind
4    Twill by Twilight
5    Archipelago S.
6    Dream/Window
7    Night Signal

Takemitsu is a composer I've never avoided but also never sought out, so I think this is only my second CD of his music, the other being part of a Sony budget set.

Love this disc - this was my introduction to his work (which I bought only because I thought the cover was so pretty and the title so poetic).

[VonStupp]

Anton Bruckner
Symphony 3 in D minor, WAB 103

Chicago SO - Sir Georg Solti (1877 Nowak)
Berlin PO - Herbert von Karajan (1889 Nowak)


VS

[Symphonic Addict]

Gubaidulina: Night in Memphis and Rubaiyat

Gubaidulina was an absolute master of suspense and dark atmospheres.

[hopefullytrusting]

KRAMER: Well, because the meats are divided into a class system. You got Pastrami and Corned Beef in one class and Salami and Bologna in another. That's not right.

MICKEY: So you can't get Corned Beef?

KRAMER: Well, you know, if you're in the Politburo, maybe.

[JBS]

KRAMER: Well, because the meats are divided into a class system. You got Pastrami and Corned Beef in one class and Salami and Bologna in another. That's not right.

MICKEY: So you can't get Corned Beef?

KRAMER: Well, you know, if you're in the Politburo, maybe.

A joke I have probably told here before

Ivan: But what will we have to eat after the Revolution?
Misha: Strawberries and cream, Ivan, strawberries and cream for everyone!
Ivan: But, Misha, I don't like strawberries and cream!
Misha: No, Ivan, you don't understand! After the Revolution you will like strawberries and cream even if you don't like them!

TD
Also Great Soviet Peoples Music
The second CD of this doublet, another item from the library used CD bin.

Recorded at various times in the 1970s and 1980s, with the Glazunov Ballad recorded in 1990, a year before the world tried to convince itself utopia was at hand in the form of a Communist-less Russia.

The booklet includes a photo of Svetlanov with a post-concert bouquet, and a look on his face suggesting he was saying to himself "Not another @%!$@ bunch of flowers!"

[JBS]

Still with the used CD pile


The cover image no doubt links to the nickname of the Symphony in D.

[hopefullytrusting]

The reason the internet exists: Red Army Choir - Battle Hymn of the Republic - English - Billy Graham Revival - 1992
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Qn8F8ZqKM

The best version I've ever heard of the piece was an Alkan/Prokofiev-inspired improvisation played by Todd Williams (now a pastor) on the piano.

Now, Prokofiev's Symphony No. 7 (Levin with the Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Conservatory)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MqUexNynW0

Recorded in the Great Hall in 2024. (the sound is amazing, especially the bass)

[Symphonic Addict]

Popov: Symphony No. 2 'Homeland'
Aho: Horn Quintet

[hopefullytrusting]

Made a promise to listen to some Ravel, but after reading through the list only two stuck out to me: Miroirs and Valses nobles et sentimentales. To that I added Rapsodie espagnole. Time to give it a go.

Miroirs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj9hASh2wgw
Valses (orchestra): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8kLmFvYso4
Valses (piano): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6lUOVhL8ys
Rapsodie (orchestra): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbIAPqQcWkQ
Rapsodie (pianos): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQNWfvXrzb4 

Gould's transcription of Ravel's transcription of La Valse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR2ECgtxYVw

[steve ridgway]

Birtwistle - Tragœdia

[steve ridgway]

Another used CD purchase from the public library


Takemitsu is a composer I've never avoided but also never sought out, so I think this is only my second CD of his music, the other being part of a Sony budget set.

This is the other one I have.

Quite a contrast between those two. His chamber music is different again e.g.

[steve ridgway]

Berio - Folk Songs

That was an excellent idea to compose new music for a variety of folk songs from around the world  .

[AnotherSpin]

Others far more knowledgeable than I can speak to the artistic merits of this recording. What I can say is that, from a technical standpoint, it sounds superb, utterly natural and organic. Yet again, it proves the undeniable truth that to truly hear the music, one must have a sound system worthy of it.

[pjme]

Henri Rabaud. Mârouf, savetier du Caire.

That is a great disc! Read more on this once popular opera

https://operascribe.com/2023/06/06/249-marouf-savetier-du-caire-rabaud/

[Traverso]

Buxtehude

A fine recording,well played and recorded.