What are you listening 2 now?

[Linz]

Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 9 in D Major, 1894 Original Version. Ed. Leopold Nowak
Bruckner Orchester Linz, Dennis Russell Davies

[Lisztianwagner]

Jean Sibelius
Luonnotar
Pelléas and Mélisande Suite
Rakastava

Lise Davidsen (soprano)
Edward Gardner & Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

[Mister Sharpe]

I liked this film a lot and have noticed lately that it's making many of the Best Films of the 21st Century lists. The score, by Canadian Lesley Barber, is worthy of note for lots of reasons. She is one of many film composers to come under the influence of Philip Glass and about that I've no complaint (1. It's effective in the film - echoing seawaves; 2. I really enjoy Glass, and 3. The latter has more work than he can possibly manage).  Still, some may find the score derivative. If Glass is present by proxy, he's in excellent company: Bach, Handel, Albinoni, and Massenet are there as well and to such an extent, that Oscar judges declined to consider the score for an award.  Some critics were incensed that Albinoni's Adagio - which admittedly sees as much or more cinemaction than Samuel Barber's - could be used in a film, yet again!   Doesn't bother me, because its despair with dignity theme fits so well into the scene it's paired with. And the performance by the London Phil - conducted by David Parry (oddly not credited on this disc) - is among the best I've heard. Last but not least, I hadn't heard Massenet's Chérubin before and now want to hear the opera. This disc, regrettably, not issued with accompanying words or thoughts.   

[Linz]

Carl Nielsen Symphonies Nos.1, Op.7 Symphony No.2, Op.16
Royal Danish Orcchestra, Paavo Bergllund

[prémont]

Another possibility for my next science experiment: Liszt's Gnomenreigen

Elizabeth Levine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prpOd60ZuAQ
Kemruji Songthumjitti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04J6r2pS1Cc

Two very young girls with impressive nimble fingers. Kemruji is solid and good, but Elizabeth's performance has the light dancing quality, which I think this piece should have considering its title.

[prémont]

Johanna De Cloitre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIVUyu7v48U

Interesting experiment, solo piano music by Mozart in meantone and in Kirnberger III tuning.

The music of early baroque composers (Frescobaldi, Louis Couperin e.g.) is composed for meantone tuning and IMO looses its color when played in equal tuning. But Mozart's piano sonatas seem to acquire disturbing colors when played in meantone tuning. It may possibly only be a matter of habituation though, even if I don't think Mozart tuned his instruments in meantone. Kirnberger III or similar seems better for Mozart.

[hopefullytrusting]

Two very young girls with impressive nimble fingers. Kemruji is solid and good, but Elizabeth's performance has the light dancing quality, which I think this piece should have considering its title.

And they aren't even the the most impressive - I came across 2 - that appeared to be 6-8 (they were very tiny - had to really stretch, in a hilarious way, to reach the pedals). I'm thinking this one will be the more fun of the two because a lot of pianists can play.

Interesting experiment, solo piano music by Mozart in meantone and in Kirnberger III tuning.

The music of early baroque composers (Frescobaldi, Louis Couperin e.g.) is composed for meantone tuning and IMO looses its color when played in equal tuning. But Mozart's piano sonatas seem to acquire disturbing colors when played in meantone tuning. It may possibly only be a matter of habituation though, even if I don't think Mozart tuned his instruments in meantone. Kirnberger III or similar seems better for Mozart.

I will admit that I've not done any research, but it is that scraggly quality that I find interesting, and I know a lot of the folks involved in performing this way have done a considerable amount of research, but, even if they are right, that doesn't mean anything - you don't have to listen to them (or even agree with them), but it is definitely interesting (and the skill level of the pianists is some of the best all around - they also tend to have good recording setups, as well).

[Linz]

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov  Sheherazade, Kees Hulsmann solo violin, Capriccio Espagnol, Rudof Gaehler, solo violin
London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras

[Todd]

[Symphonic Addict]

Schubert: Piano Sonatas D. 575, 625 (Endres) and 613 (Dalberto)

I'm loving these sonatas a lot once again, and I haven't even reached the masterful late ones yet. Their combination of sincere melancholy, melodic invention and handling of the form is unmatched.

[Symphonic Addict]

Absolutely, I can't help but be moved to tears by that criminally beautiful slow movement. And the wonderfully infectious and life-affirming finale completes the wonderful emotional trajectory of a concerto which begins with such a stormy and passionate first movement. The affirmative spirit of the finale is all the more remarkable and moving considering the composer was on his deathbed when he wrote it. I had the great (and stressful!) opportunity of performing this very demanding concerto with piano accompaniment a little over a year ago. It is my favorite cello concerto of all time, and I don't see that changing anytime soon!

Regarding the Naxos recording, I agree that the sound quality isn't quite ideal. Hugh is a fine cellist, but I prefer a more articulate and energetic approach in the finale than he gives. My version of choice is the more recent Paul Watkins/BBCSO/Andrew Davis recording on Chandos. The iconic Lyrita recording featuring a young Yo-Yo Ma is admirably passionate if not always ideally technically secure. It has the benefit of some really involved orchestral contributions from the RPO under Vernon Handley. The Wallfisch recording on Chandos can be safely avoided.

That concerto manages to contain a varied array of moods that make it quite interesting, that's one of its appeals, no doubts about it. The finale strikes me like special, it seems upbeat, but at the same time it sounds resigned and like hiding a non-completely-fulfilled sentiment. The feeling it elicits on me is something like a good friend who decides to go on a trip and you'll never see him/her again.

As for the recordings, the Chandos one suffers from having low volume. Otherwise, it looks like the best version available.

[Madiel]

Schubert: Piano Sonatas D. 575, 625 (Endres) and 613 (Dalberto)

I'm loving these sonatas a lot once again, and I haven't even reached the masterful late ones yet. Their combination of sincere melancholy, melodic invention and handling of the form is unmatched.

At one point I was considering the Dalberto set. I'll have to try it out again.

[Madiel]

I've listened to half of the first movement of Beethoven op.132 in several versions...

Okay, that settles it. I'll be buying the 2nd Guarneri cycle as soon as convenient.

[André]

I bought this in 02/2021 but just unwrapped the CD. Some fine tunes ('New York, New York gets a lot of mileage), but this is a theatre work where much depends on the personality of the singers and (I suppose) the flair of the director.

This is a fine cast and under MTT's direction the whole thing is both snazzy and frothy. The 1950 film retained a handful of Bernstein's musical numbers and some ballet music. he film has additional music by one Roger Edens. Someone else worked on the orchestrations. That was the Hollywood way. So, if one wants to hear Bernstein's contribution to the Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway hit, this is it I guess.

This is not much different from most Broadway or London's West End musicals. With a NY twang of course. Vocally it is a very fine combination of healthy operatic voices and clever diseurs and diseuses. I'm happy with the disc, but I don't think I need to hold on to it.

[André]

I've listened to half of the first movement of Beethoven op.132 in several versions...

Okay, that settles it. I'll be buying the 2nd Guarneri cycle as soon as convenient.

That's an unfortunate statement. Because every member and their Mother-in-Law will come with their own recommendation. 🤣

[Madiel]

That's an unfortunate statement. Because every member and their Mother-in-Law will come with their own recommendation. 🤣

See the Beethoven quartets thread. This IS one of the recommendations after I asked for them!

[JBS]

I've listened to half of the first movement of Beethoven op.132 in several versions...

Okay, that settles it. I'll be buying the 2nd Guarneri cycle as soon as convenient.

Sigh. I have that via the Brilliant Classics set and I don't remember a single thing about it. Time to dig it out.

TD
2 CDs from this


Deutsche Kammerakadamie Nuess am Rhein

Symphony 13 in D
Notturno 1 in F
Symphony 20 in C
Lavard Skou Larsen conducting

Incidental Music to Voltaire's Zaire
Notturno solenne in E Flat
Notturno in F
Johannes Goritzki conducting

The Voltaire play is the one which formed the basis of the Bellini opera I listened to a few days ago

[vandermolen]

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov  Sheherazade, Kees Hulsmann solo violin, Capriccio Espagnol, Rudof Gaehler, solo violin
London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras

I don't know that recording but I think highly of Mackerras. I like the Lord of the Rings type cover art.

[vandermolen]

Jean Sibelius
Luonnotar
Pelléas and Mélisande Suite
Rakastava

Lise Davidsen (soprano)
Edward Gardner & Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Great CD which I have myself.

[Harry]

I played this set for a few days continuously. In general good interpretations, but it gave me different vibes then say Harald Vogel's interpretation, which for me is still the iron rule if it comes to Buxtehude. Foccroulle is not my first choice but it is a pleasant listen. Sound is good, choice of Organs too.