What are you listening 2 now?

[Linz]

Richard Strauss An Alpine Symphony
Los Angeles Philarmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta

[hopefullytrusting]

Oh man, I feel a money sink approaching: Barefoot Records

MEUF Vol. 1



Now, this is contemporary music - music that almost feels like it is from the future.

Yep, it was a money pit, lol. (I wallow like a pig.)

Decided to complete my 22s (these will be the last ones I tier, it is exceeding comprehension, meaning I am approaching the threshold of the law of diminishing returns).

Backhaus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzdJFdy9BAc
Fischer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvDiB2fKsac
Pogorelich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKxQL9PsBE0
Pollini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSM_UrEPb5g

[hopefullytrusting]

The final - scientific - tier list of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 22 Op. 54.

Tier 1 (will relisten and possibly purchase depending on the relisten)
Brautigam, Backhaus, Kobrin,
Tier 1.5
Del Pueyo, Schepkin, Pollini, Fischer, Schoenhals
Tier 2
Ott, Sasko, Edwards, Maia-Maria, Bradley-Fulgoni, Gentet
Tier 2.5
Irfan
Tier 3
Pogorelich, Williams, Kolesova, Xu, He, Solomon, Wehr, Andsnes, Buchbinder, Namoradze, Lebhardt, Cecino, Ishii, Murai, Mogilevsky, Petersen, Walker, Hong, Brown, Sango, Kviatek, Villar, Frolova, Czech
Tier 4
Listisa, Wambolt Maciejowski,
Tier 4.5
Kuhny, Muller
Tier 5
Jank (Bad transfer), Sanna (Insanity), Sang-moon (Disqualified)

Two things I discovered: 1. I really like the fortepiano, and 2. When it comes to the piano, I prefer light fingers and sonic warmth (those are the things that connect Backhaus and Kobrin for me).

[André]

Both composers were exact contemporaries (b. 1904) but evolved in different directions.

This fine, short two-disc set (45+38 mins) released in 2021 is absolutely one of my most interesting and satisfying purchases of the year. Sparing with their output for solo piano, Petrassi and Dallapiccola lavished great invention and care to make each piece a gem. Check Musicweb's review by Hubert Culot for details.

[André]

Darius Milhaud.(1892-1974]
Chamber works.
Ensemble Polytonaal.

Surprising to hear this disc. I always saw it, browsing through my to listen list, but somehow never attempted disclosure. Now I have! And again I am deeply disturbed that I let such a wonderful recording escape my attention. The performances are excellent, one of the best performances I heard so far with music of Milhaud, and a very good recording to boot. All the works are a balm to my ears, and I found so many expressive gestures in these compositions, thus let it readily and willingly  grow root in my heart and head. A winner in all respects, well for me anyway.

+ 1. One of the best Milhaud recordings. Unusual, off-the-beaten-path repertoire.

[Mister Sharpe]

This recording was my very first of Knoxville: Summer of 1915; the work completely bowled me over with the intensity of its dichotomies: personal/familial and local/celestial as well as the struggle - universal - to discover oneself. Could it be this country's most important work? We're not in the habit of viewing it as such and yet, I believe a strong case can and should be made for it. I've since gone on to favor Steber's and Price's performances; have still to hear McNair's. Half of September is history now, but we've yet to wave Summer good-bye: we reached 96 F (35.5 C) today - droughty in large parts of the state - and people move about as lethargically, lazily, as in the song. 

[JBS]

Decided to go with an opera tonight: Bellini's Capulets and Montagues, with a trouser role Romeo

[steve ridgway]

Ussachevsky - Missa Brevis

[steve ridgway]

Stravinsky - Scherzo Fantastique

[steve ridgway]

Boulez - Livre pour Quatuor, Alban Berg Quartett 1983.

[steve ridgway]

Messiaen - Catalogue D'Oiseaux

[ritter]

Boulez - Livre pour Quatuor, Alban Berg Quartett 1983.

Where's that from, Steve? I didn't know there was a recording of the Boulez with the ABQ.



 

[AnotherSpin]

Where's that from, Steve? I didn't know there was a recording of the Boulez with the ABQ.



 

Qobuz has the recording:

[steve ridgway]

Where's that from, Steve? I didn't know there was a recording of the Boulez with the ABQ.

They performed just parts 1a and 1b, 5 minutes or so, at the 1983 Lucerne Festival -

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/magazine/cette-sonorite-nexiste-pas-en-france/374

[ritter]

Thanks, @AnotherSpin  and @steve ridgway ! Pity it's only a short selection.

[Harry]

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)
Violin Sonatas (1681) Sonata ,,Representativa"
Gunar Letzbor, violin. Ars Antiqua Austria.

These recordings from 1994 can still hold their ground. First of all it is a pristine recording, and Letzbor's can still compete in artistic matters. As an interpretation there is much to discover in Biber's music and in Letzbor's technical gyropractics. I for one admire them. There is no one quite like him. And Biber's music is out to stun everyone in submission, so I will give in happily, one hour and 40 minutes of it, yay.

[Roasted Swan]

This recording was my very first of Knoxville: Summer of 1915; the work completely bowled me over with the intensity of its dichotomies: personal/familial and local/celestial as well as the struggle - universal - to discover oneself. Could it be this country's most important work? We're not in the habit of viewing it as such and yet, I believe a strong case can and should be made for it. I've since gone on to favor Steber's and Price's performances; have still to hear McNair's. Half of September is history now, but we've yet to wave Summer good-bye: we reached 96 F (35.5 C) today - droughty in large parts of the state - and people move about as lethargically, lazily, as in the song. 

Great post!

[Que]

Volume V: Lassus the European.

https://www.classicalacarte.net/Production/Production_12_15/MEW1579(1)_39_4_fanfare.htm

[Harry]

Giovanni Valentini (c.1582-1649)
Oddities & Trifles-The Very Peculiar Instrumental Music of  Giovanni Valentini.
ACRONYM.

A delightful album with music that is not that often recorded, and thus getting it in such good performances and pristine sound is something to be cherished. Which I do obviously. The music is indeed Peculiar but ever so interesting. Time to find out for yourself.

[Harry]

Volume V: Lassus the European.

https://www.classicalacarte.net/Production/Production_12_15/MEW1579(1)_39_4_fanfare.htm

Is this series worth my while Que?