What are you listening 2 now?

[steve ridgway]

Varèse - Octandre

[steve ridgway]

Penderecki - Viola Concerto

[Spotted Horses]

Penderecki - Viola Concerto

The viola concerto is magnificent!

[Spotted Horses]

Only had a moment to listen, and picked "Mecanic Song for Piano and Wind Quintet" by Thierry Escaich from the Moderniste collection from Le Vents Francais



A mesmerizing 12 minutes of music. Superb!

[Que]

Morning listening. Delving further into my lute music collection:



On this recording music from a publication from 1546, after Francesco da Milano's death three years earlier. The publication was prepared by his former pupil Perino Fiorentino, who added pieces of his own to complete this collection of Fantasias.

Absolutely great recording. Also recommended is Paul Beier's other da Milano recording of Intabolatura da Leuto 1530 ca (also on Stradivarius).

[steve ridgway]

Stockhausen - Opus 1970

A few mangled scraps of Beethoven echoing from what seems a million years ago.

[Harry]

JOSEPH BODIN DE BOISMORTIER 1689-1755.
SONATAS & TRIOS.
LE PETIT TRIANON.

Joseph Bodin de Boismortier was an important figure in 18th century Parisian cultural life. He was regarded as a gallant gentleman, a great orator, a clever thinker and, above all, an outstanding composer. In this performance many outstanding sonorous works for flute, violin, bassoon, violoncello and harpsichord all coming from his immense oeuvre. Every articulatory nuance is just right here, the charming gestures are very engaging, the conversation is witty and at the same time discreet. It is a pleasure that this rather special repertoire is available to all interested.

[Que]

Only available in digital format. IMO one of the better performances by the now defunct ensemble The Sound And The Fury.

Two masses by Marbrianus de Orto (Marbriano Dujardin) in this recording: Missa "Mi Mi" and the Missa "L'Homme Armé", that has also been recorded by Cut Circle under Jesse Rodin. An excellent composer and close colleague of Josquin Desprez. I hope more of his music will be recorded.

[Irons]

Copland: Short Symphony.

[Harry]

Mandolin concertos.


The concert repertoire of the past was much richer than the concert programs of today, which are largely limited to piano (violin) and cello, so this recording dedicated to mostly unknown and neglected repertoire for the mandolin, are very welcome. It is a distinctive instrument I must say.  They are in no way inferior to the better known concertos in this genre, so much is clear. The tiny orchestration of the orchestra fits like a glove here in this way, the mandolin can be heard almost at all times, even in the tutti passages which is quite an engineering feat. Graceful, balanced, played with high precision, and a wonderful  string sound. Mandolinist Anna Torge is probably one of the leading soloists for her instrument, and she sounds the works to be honest. An album that you should hear for yourself. No fireworks here, but a quiet evocation of sorts. It resets your mind in a relax mode, and is worthwhile in every respect.

[Florestan]

Mandolin concertos.


The concert repertoire of the past was much richer than the concert programs of today, which are largely limited to piano (violin) and cello, so this recording dedicated to mostly unknown and neglected repertoire for the mandolin, are very welcome. It is a distinctive instrument I must say.  They are in no way inferior to the better known concertos in this genre, so much is clear. The tiny orchestration of the orchestra fits like a glove here in this way, the mandolin can be heard almost at all times, even in the tutti passages which is quite an engineering feat. Graceful, balanced, played with high precision, and a wonderful  string sound. Mandolinist Anna Torge is probably one of the leading soloists for her instrument, and she sounds the works to be honest. An album that you should hear for yourself. No fireworks here, but a quiet evocation of sorts. It resets your mind in a relax mode, and is worthwhile in every respect.

That whole Forgotten Treasures series is itself a treasure.

[Harry]

That whole Forgotten Treasures series is itself a treasure.

True, I am in the process to find them all.

[ritter]

On YouTube, Florin Diaconescu (tenor) and the Bucharest National Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, conducted by Horia Andreescu, perform Enesco's Symphony No. 5 in D minor (orch. Pascal Bentoiu).

[Mandryka]

Stockhausen - Opus 1970

A few mangled scraps of Beethoven echoing from what seems a million years ago.

This is part of the famous Stockhoven Beethausen.

[Harry]

Matthias Weckmann (1619-1674)
Chamber Music. (2 CD'S)
Siebe Henstra, La Fenice, Ricercar Consort.


Sonatas a4 Nos. 1-7, 9; Sonatas a3 Nos. 8 & 10.
+Harpsichord works: Suites in C, D, E, A, B, Toccatas in C, D, E, E, A, Toccata vel praeludium in D; Canzone in C, C, D, D, G; Lucidor eins hütt der schaf; The Lovely Glances (Partita)
+Songs: The Pure-White Duchess's High-Clear Skin Color; Honor Song to Mr. Martenitz; The Pure-White Duchess's High-Clear Color of Love; The Lovely of the Beautiful Hamburg Lady; Praise Song to Mr. Schuppen; The Beautiful Hamburg Lady's Farewell; Joke Song to Sweet Annabelle; Joyful Song for the Golden Wedding.

Two separate releases added together, with a broad mirror into the works of this composer, beautifully recorded and performed. Just the kind of pace and relaxation I need.
The Chamber music works are divided into nine songs and ten three- and four-part sonatas. While the songs have a "typical northern Baroque" feel, the sonatas are striking not only for their very unusual but extraordinarily charming instrumentation, which at times lends them a quite archaic sound. Harmonically, Weckmann also repeatedly offers surprising results. His interpretation of these works is clear, vivid, and at the same time dynamic, not static.
No less charming are the harpsichord works, which stylistically refers to the young J. S. Bach. Henstra presents the music, which is at times quite harmonically bold, in a varied and dynamic manner. He uses two harpsichords of Dutch and Italian design, respectively, and a clavichord of northern German design, both of which well reflect the tonal range of Baroque keyboard music.
The sound quality of the recordings from 1995 and 1998 is very good.

[Florestan]

On YouTube, Florin Diaconescu (tenor) and the Bucharest National Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, conducted by Horia Andreescu, perform Enesco's Symphony No. 5 in D minor (orch. Pascal Bentiou).

You see, Rafael, it's incongruous that after Diaconescu and Andreescu you write Enesco. 

And it's Bentoiu. 

[Florestan]

[Iota]

Debussy: Children's Corner
Behzod Abduraimov (piano)

These are things of shimmering beauty in Abduraimov's hands, and with the one deliberate exception of the knowing snigger in Wagner's direction, imbued with an intoxicating sense of the magic and wonder of childhood. Don't think I've heard it played better.

[ritter]

You see, Rafael, it's incongruous that after Diaconescu and Andreescu you write Enesco. 

And it's Bentoiu. 

Thanks, Andrei! Bentoiu now corrected in my post, but I got to know Enescu as Enesco in my youth, and so he will remain (for me) as long as I live. 

[Florestan]

Thanks, Andrei! Bentoiu now corrected in my post, but I got to know Enescu as Enesco in my youth, and so he will remain (for me) as long as I live. 

I guess you don't object to Don Quichotte de la Manche, then. Oh, and those marvelous Spanish cities, Tolède and Valence.