What are you listening 2 now?

[Spotted Horses]

Ravel: Ma mère l'Oye (piano duet version)



After (finally!) listening to a different recording from the one I've had for years, it turns out my slightly cool assessment of the work isn't a deficiency of that recording, it's just not one of my favourites except for the final movement. And perhaps the 3rd. But really, the finale has always been where I've felt the most engaged with the music, and it turned out to be exactly the same here.

Classical works for children is my least favorite genre. I may have made the mistake of listening to this piece once, but never again.

[Spotted Horses]

A repeated listen to Four Movements by Martinu confirms it as a small gem.



Prelude (H140) and untitled (H141) also sparkle.

I listened to the first two Polkas that open volume 5 of the series. My personal reaction is that Martinu magic on low intensity in these pieces.

[Symphonic Addict]

Scriabin: Piano Concerto

This work is much better than I remembered, the lovechild between Chopin and Rachmaninov of sorts. Sheer heart-on-sleeve romanticism.

[Linz]

Anton Bruckner Te Deum
Janet Perry; Helga Muller-Molinari; Gösta Winbergh; Alexander Malta; Rudolf Scholz; Wiener Philharmoniker; Herbert von Karajan; Wiener Singverein

[Iota]

Maderna: Serenata per un satellite, Widmung
Bruno Maderna Ensemble, Gabriele Bonolis

Serenata per un satellite is an aleatoric work (with apparently meticulous performance indications) for flexible ensemble, which on this disc comprises flute, oboe d'amore, violin and piano. Widmung is a solo violin piece, played here by Aldo Campagnari.
I've never yet come across any Maderna piece that hasn't appealed, and these two are no exceptions. The Serenata is a busy piece, constantly chirruping this way and that, and Widmung an expressive, soul-baring sort of soliloquy (later used as the cadenza in Maderna's Violin Concerto). Both very engaging throughout.

[ritter]

Maderna: Serenata per un satellite, Widmung
Bruno Maderna Ensemble, Gabriele Bonolis

Serenata per un satellite is an aleatoric work (with apparently meticulous performance indications) for flexible ensemble, which on this disc comprises flute, oboe d'amore, violin and piano. Widmung is a solo violin piece, played here by Aldo Campagnari.
I've never yet come across any Maderna piece that hasn't appealed, and these two are no exceptions. The Serenata is a busy piece, constantly chirruping this way and that, and Widmung an expressive, soul-baring sort of soliloquy (later used as the cadenza in Maderna's Violin Concerto). Both very engaging throughout.

Grandissimo Maderna! Nice to see another GMGer who enjoys this fascinating composer's work. 

Good evening to you, Iota!

[Linz]

Sergiu Celibidache CD 5
Robert Schumann Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61
Maurice Ravel Rapsodie espagnole
Claude Debussy Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune
London Symphony Orchestra, Sergiu Celibidache

[Iota]

Grandissimo Maderna! Nice to see another GMGer who enjoys this fascinating composer's work. 

Good evening to you, Iota!

Good evening to you too, ritter! I share your admiration and your joy at seeing his name mentioned here. He's the 'avant garde' composer I think I probably feel most instinctively drawn to, but am still very much in the process of getting to know many of his works.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Mendelssohn string symphonies. Gewandhausorchester Leipzig · Kurt Masur.

[Karl Henning]

Scriabin: Piano Concerto

This work is much better than I remembered, the lovechild between Chopin and Rachmaninov of sorts. Sheer heart-on-sleeve romanticism.

I wonder if I've listened to it....

[Linz]

Felix Mendelssohn The Hebrides, Op. 26 "Fingal's Cave": Overture, Cleveland Orchestra; Georg Szell
Max Bruch Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46, David Oïstrakh; USSR State Symphony Orchestra; Gennady Rozhdestvensky
Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56 "Scottish", New York Philharmonic Orchestra; Leonard Bernstein

[Karl Henning]

Mendelssohn string symphonies. Gewandhausorchester Leipzig · Kurt Masur.

Great stuff!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Great stuff!

The cover art reminds me of an illustration for eye exam.

[Symphonic Addict]

I wonder if I've listened to it....

You're missing a lovely work then.

[Symphonic Addict]

Szymanowski: His three piano sonatas

Likely not the best idea to listen to these works in a row due to the complexity of each (mostly in the last two), but this is fabulous music that includes some strong counterpoint. The 2nd was my favorite.

[hopefullytrusting]

Yet, another wonderful piece I found by accident: Honegger's Trois Contrepoint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I0nU9_aQBM

I love its jaunty open, and I love that it fits into that Les Six/Satie-inspired fugal movements - there is so many of these quite serious pieces in the form of ditties - almost mocking and satirical, but there is no venom only respect, and a clear demonstration that the compositions associated with their names are works of superior intentionality - there is nothing accidental or incidental about the path they have selected for themselves, as one might presume, as they are demonstrably masters of the craft.

As with most intricate counterpoint, it is held together with delicacy and gentleness. This is a work that is not meant to be played in a grand room, but around the fireplace at an inn and not a wretched bed and breakfast. There is more than enough to chew on, but - per Satie - nothing overstays its welcome, but, at least for me, it does leave me wanting more - it leaves my tummy rumblin', as one feels after having eaten fried rice - it is all that damn sodium.

I was not expecting this from Honegger, so that will probably be a path I'll be taking eventually, once I exhaust my current USA obsession.

High recommendation.

[Karl Henning]

You're missing a lovely work then.

I had, but in the pre-stroke era, so it's been waaaay, too long, Cesar!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Vincent Lubeck organ works.

[Karl Henning]

h/t @hopefullytrusting

[Karl Henning]