What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Gubaidulina: Hour of the Soul and Detto II

[Mister Sharpe]

Almost always, curious thing, whenever I listen to Vladimir Ashkenazy, pianist or conductor, I come away thinking he really ought to be better appreciated. I've felt this way for a very long time (despite his 7 Grammy Awards - isn't that enough for me?). Certainly, I'm aware that for many, maybe most, his pianism is valued more than his conducting. Personally, I've liked so much of Ashkenazy's conducting that I don't feel any need to distinguish those lines of work.  In any case, inspired by a glance at the current issue of International Piano devoted to Chopin (great issue, btw), I felt a need to re-listen to the Nocturnes. Wondering what my old Penguin Guide (RIP) said about Ashkenazy's set, I turned to it and found - as I suspected - continuing love for Rubinsteins's performance on RCA - I like it too! - which it accords a Key, its topmost rating. But I've always felt Ashkenazy's on Decca/London to be topshelf and a worthy competitor. Incomprehensibly, it gets not a mention in the Guide, sadly playing into my personal quibble/mania with the classical world.  Edit:   Ha-ha - joke's on me, Penguin's comments are under the Ballades, about the Nocturnes it says, "the playing is splendidly imaginative and atmospheric. As always, Ashkenazy is completely attuned to Chopin's unique sound-world, and CD transfers are impeccable."

[Linz]

Joseph Haydn Symphonies Vol. 4 CD1
Symphony No. 21 in A major
Symphony No. 22 in E-flat major
Symphony No. 23 in G major
The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Scriabin: Poem of Ecstasy - Liszt: Les préludes, S. 97.  Pierre Monteux · Roger Voisin · Boston Symphony Orchestra.

[Linz]

Giovanni Sgambati Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2
Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen, Ola Rudner

[Symphonic Addict]

It's amazing how many worthwhile composers remain relatively unknown nowadays. This seems to be the case with Friedrich Kuhlau (1786-1832), a Danish composer who wrote music in a late classical and early romantic style. These two piano quartets are solid, well-crafted, delectable works, whose merit is more than palpable.

[brewski]

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra (Bloch / Orchestre National de Lille). Inspired by earlier comments, giving this a listen. Liking it a lot, particularly the winds.

[JBS]

Nice cover art! Is she half-Japanese?

One parent Japanese, the other Bavarian; born in Osaka and raised in Salzburg.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midori_Seiler

[(poco) Sforzando]

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra (Bloch / Orchestre National de Lille). Inspired by earlier comments, giving this a listen. Liking it a lot, particularly the winds.

Ah. Much cheaper than paying $50-60 for the CD, though who knows if the sound is of CD quality.

[Madiel]

Almost always, curious thing, whenever I listen to Vladimir Ashkenazy, pianist or conductor, I come away thinking he really ought to be better appreciated. I've felt this way for a very long time (despite his 7 Grammy Awards - isn't that enough for me?). Certainly, I'm aware that for many, maybe most, his pianism is valued more than his conducting. Personally, I've liked so much of Ashkenazy's conducting that I don't feel any need to distinguish those lines of work.  In any case, inspired by a glance at the current issue of International Piano devoted to Chopin (great issue, btw), I felt a need to re-listen to the Nocturnes. Wondering what my old Penguin Guide (RIP) said about Ashkenazy's set, I turned to it and found - as I suspected - continuing love for Rubinsteins's performance on RCA - I like it too! - which it accords a Key, its topmost rating. But I've always felt Ashkenazy's on Decca/London to be topshelf and a worthy competitor. Incomprehensibly, it gets not a mention in the Guide, sadly playing into my personal quibble/mania with the classical world.  Edit:   Ha-ha - joke's on me, Penguin's comments are under the Ballades, about the Nocturnes it says, "the playing is splendidly imaginative and atmospheric. As always, Ashkenazy is completely attuned to Chopin's unique sound-world, and CD transfers are impeccable."

I have the box set of Ashkenazy's Chopin, and I'm pretty sure that was on the basis of the Penguin Guide years ago.

He rarely puts a foot wrong across 13 discs worth. And the original albums were programmed very well, too, mostly with mixed recitals of pieces from the same period of Chopin's career. 

[AnotherSpin]

J.S. Bach:
Ach, Was Ist Doch Unser Leben? Organ Works

Pietro Paganini

[Wanderer]

[AnotherSpin]

Buxtehude: Membra Jesu Nostri
Ricercar Consort - Philippe Pierlot

[Daverz]

I have the box set of Ashkenazy's Chopin, and I'm pretty sure that was on the basis of the Penguin Guide years ago.

He rarely puts a foot wrong across 13 discs worth. And the original albums were programmed very well, too, mostly with mixed recitals of pieces from the same period of Chopin's career. 

The only negative things I've read about Ashkenazy's piano discography is about the Decca sound ("flinty" is one of the complaints).

[Madiel]

The only negative things I've read about Ashkenazy's piano discography is about the Decca sound ("flinty" is one of the complaints).

The Schumann series is considered to have poor sound. I don't think people complain in that way about the Chopin or Rachmaninov.

[hopefullytrusting]

Yesterday, I listened to Bach's Inventions and Symphonies, as well as the more complex fugal work of Busoni and Reger.

Also, relistened to Mozart 41, again - because I will get it, eventually - not yesterday, but I do have a newer sense of appreciation for it.

[Que]

And what are the results?

I'll do a little write up on the Haydn thread. 
But there are a lot of good options.

[71 dB]

This twofer arrived today:

Dvořák - Complete Piano Trios - Suk Trio - Supraphon Archiv SU 3545-2 112

Considering how much I enjoy Piano Trios in general, it is surprising how I managed to overlook these works this long...

[vandermolen]

William Alwyn
Elizabethan Dances
Festival March

Richard Hickox & London Symphony Orchestra

That's a fabulous Alwyn CD - I especially like the 4th Symphony (the opening movement is like a symphony in itself) and the enjoyable Elizabethan Dances.

[vandermolen]

Bliss: Meditations on a Theme by John Blow:
Sir Andrew Davis (Chandos CD)
BBC SO