What are you listening 2 now?

[Que]

Ensemble 415; Salomon.

Thanks for the addition to the list!

Currently:

[Mandryka]

Thanks for the addition to the list!

Currently:

I forgot Ensemble Fratres.

[Traverso]

Bach

Yesterday I listened to only the "Canonical Changes over a Christmas Song ( Einige Canonischen Veränderungen über ein Weihnachtslied (auch Canonische Veränderungen über Vom Himmel hoch" ). A piece that is one of my favorite organ works. The performance with Bram Beekman is leading for me, but this recording with Ute Gremmel-Geuchen is certainly a success. The recording is excellent.
   








 

[Que]

I forgot Ensemble Fratres.

Thnx!

[Harry]

British Oboe Quintets.
See back cover for details.


The legendary British oboist Leon Goossens inspired the composers to create the oboe works in quintet scoring collected here. Another special feature of the recording is that Nicholas Daniel was given permission by Goossens' daughter to play his instrument, now over a hundred years old, in Delius' "Two Interludes", and it sounds as it must be, a bit like definitive interpretations. The works on this CD have a feel of reference, and authenticity so you will, that makes it essential, just listen to the magic of the Bax Quintet. SOTA sound. An indispensable acquisition, for anyone who loves these works.

[cilgwyn]

The cello choir opening the 1812 Overture is an arrangement of a Russian Orthodox anthem for, I believe, the Feast of the Epiphany. Here and there you find a recording "restoring" the men's choir. Personally, I like it.

Thanks for your reply Karl! I think I will like it!

[Todd]

Smokin'.

[Madiel]

Mozart arias.

K.577-580 and 582-583 are all soprano arias, all intended as insertions in operas (either The Marriage of Figaro or operas by other composers). Apparently these were written for several different singers (though I didn't find agreement on the identity in a couple of cases).

I know this was a common enough thing, but it does seem a little curious that for a few months this was such a large chunk of Mozart's work (he was also writing the clarinet quintet and maybe working on Cosi fan tutte).

[Traverso]

Bach

 

[Madiel]

Mozart (completed by Druce):
Movement of a quintet for clarinet, basset horn, violin, viola and cello, K.580b



According to the liner notes, when Constanze Mozart was compiling a list of incomplete works, this was one of the ones she particularly highlighted.

[Harry]

HENRIËTTE BOSMANS.
Early Chamber Music.
Solarek Piano Trio.


This recording is not doing the composer any favors
A highly interesting program with early works by the Dutch composer Bosmans - unfortunately played uncleanly and not very confidently, and recorded with a strangely musty sound. Repertoire enrichments are no fun and do not help the posthumous fame of this almost forgotten composer, who deserves better interpretations. Toccata should seriously question the engineer's they are hiring, and the musicians they employ, who are clearly not on par with Bosmans. Even though this is a SACD recording it sounds like one from the 1950. The music though is sublime, and only for this reason I will hear it out, all 55 minutes, that is certainly no punishment.

[SonicMan46]

Mozart & Beethoven - Piano/Wind Quintets - I've been culling this combo for decades but currently listening to the ones below in my collection - first on modern instruments and two period instrument performances - Dave

   

[Spotted Horses]

After Annie Fischer and Claudio Arrau, I'll go to Badura-Skoda to close out my exploration of Beethoven's Op 27, No 2 ("Moonlight").



I think this recording of the first movement may be the most compelling, the forte-piano allowing Badura-Skoda to play senza sordino without turning it into a soup. The middle movement is brisk. The finale sounds a bit ragged (perhaps a conscious decision, perhaps the technique is not entirely assured, perhaps a characteristic of the action of the instrument) but it creates a strong impression.

[Harry]

Duelles.
Henriette Bosmans: Sonata for Violin & Piano.
Grazyna Bacewicz: Kyprys No. 3 for Violin & Piano; Oberek No. 1.
Dora Pejacevic: Sonata Slave for Violin & Piano, Op. 43.
Marguerite Canal: Sonata for Violin & Piano.

Raphaelle Moreau (Violin), Celia Oneto Bensaid (Piano.)

A journey through Europe with four female composers who were celebrated during their lifetimes but have since sadly been forgotten. Four different languages, three sonatas from the turn of the 1920s, two miniatures from the immediate postwar period: a rich soundscape that gives voice to the genius of four unique destinies: that of the Frenchwoman Marguerite Canal, the Croatian Dora Pejačević, the Dutchwoman Henriëtte Bosmans, and the Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz.
The music is a delight as is the performance and recording. Both musicians are accomplishes soloists and since 2012 a permanent unity. This symbiosis pays dividends, which you find back in their interpretations. Warm and committed views on how to portray the composers. Beautiful.

[Brian]

Kenneth Hesketh came to my attention for his Ravel orchestration, but his solo piano music also bears a French stamp. He studied with Dutilleux, and his 40-minute cycle of "the Hours" (Horae), written for Clare Hammond, is also what you might call Messiaenic.

[Irons]

British Oboe Quintets.
See back cover for details.


The legendary British oboist Leon Goossens inspired the composers to create the oboe works in quintet scoring collected here. Another special feature of the recording is that Nicholas Daniel was given permission by Goossens' daughter to play his instrument, now over a hundred years old, in Delius' "Two Interludes", and it sounds as it must be, a bit like definitive interpretations. The works on this CD have a feel of reference, and authenticity so you will, that makes it essential, just listen to the magic of the Bax Quintet. SOTA sound. An indispensable acquisition, for anyone who loves these works.

Embarrassment of riches. Even without the provenance you mention a definitive set.

[Harry]

Embarrassment of riches. Even without the provenance you mention a definitive set.

I do not really understand this remark, afterall it is not my native language, but I have the feeling that your comment might not be positive about my remark of this being a definitive set. So pray enlighten me in this.

[Harry]

Sounds from King's Chamber.
Lutz Kirchhof (Lute),Martina Kirchhof (Viola da gamba).


This might not be a recording that stands out from the crowd, but as a close to a listening day it will serve its purpose. Decent performances of both performers, but to say they are more as average in this particular recording I don't think so. I remember recordings by Kirchhof on the label SEON that did not impress me as a personal expression of musical understanding. Sound is okay but close to mediocre. The Lute used is devoid of personality.

[Madiel]

I do not really understand this remark, afterall it is not my native language, but I have the feeling that your comment might not be positive about my remark of this being a definitive set. So pray enlighten me in this.

Actually he is agreeing with you.

[Todd]

The Serenade.  Sometimes one needs a jolt of lyrical beauty just because.