Monthly Focus

[DavidW]

I've changed my listening habits to spend so much time scatterbrained dashing around from one recording to another. I choose a recording to spend more time with. It could be something relatively unknown to me, or I already know it like the back of my hand. It is not about breaking into music. It is just about getting to know inside and out works that appeal to me at the time. It's more like how I used to listen. It certainly helps when I don't spend as much time seeing such gigantic lists of the almost infinite variety of music here.

For me, it has been Mendelssohn's string symphonies 8-10 and then Arnold's 9th. I'm moving onto some Schubert string quartets soon.

[Judith]

Normally, have a monthly focus where I spend a month familiarising myself with one work for a month.  There is a delay this month. Therefore, starts now until March with

Liszt
Piano Concerto no 2
Stephen Hough
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Litton
🎶🎶

[hopefullytrusting]

Inspired by @ChamberNut

Next month, I shall be listening to one Mozart Piano Sonata each day, after which I will meditate for 5 minutes, and then freewrite for at least 5 minutes. They will be from this set:



I will be taking March 10th and March 30th off, which leaves 10 open days. Those last ten slots will be filled by Scriabin, but the meditation will be replaced by dancing. I will be using this recording for the Scriabin:

[Kalevala]

Inspired by @ChamberNut

Next month, I shall be listening to one Mozart Piano Sonata each day, after which I will meditate for 5 minutes, and then freewrite for at least 5 minutes. They will be from this set:



I will be taking March 10th and March 30th off, which leaves 10 open days. Those last ten slots will be filled by Scriabin, but the meditation will be replaced by dancing. I will be using this recording for the Scriabin:

Those are neat ideas!  Would love to know how it goes. 

K

[prémont]

Next month, I shall be listening to one Mozart Piano Sonata each day, after which I will meditate for 5 minutes, and then freewrite for at least 5 minutes. They will be from this set:

I own his Beethoven sonata set, which I would describe as very balanced as to expression but also somewhat polished. It is indeed satisfying listening. Wonder how his Mozart is.

[hopefullytrusting]

I own his Beethoven sonata set, which I would describe as very balanced as to expression but also somewhat polished. It is indeed satisfying listening. Wonder how his Mozart is.

I've only listened to samples, but I would say your description is how I would also describe his Mozart.

[Judith]

Well, for my focus this month, it is
Chopin
Piano Sonata in B minor

Stephen Hough.

Already, learning that it is a beautiful sonata with a wonderful final movement.

[Judith]

Well, this months focus is

Sibelius
Symphony no 3.

A symphony that I don't know very well and we are going to see it performed live .

Recording used

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi

[Philo]

Will be focusing on Dvorak this month.

[DavidW]

I'm focusing on Vasks, a new discovery for me.

[Papy Oli]

Still Bylsma 

[Kalevala]

I'm focusing on Vasks, a new discovery for me.

I'll have to revisit him/investigate further; I only have two works by him.

Any favorites at your end?

K

[Mirror Image]

I'm focusing on Vasks, a new discovery for me.

Vasks has written some gorgeous music. I highly recommend the SQs in particular.

[Kalevala]

Well, this months focus is

Sibelius
Symphony no 3.

A symphony that I don't know very well and we are going to see it performed live .

Recording used

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi

Judith,

How did your exploration of Sibelius' third go?  And how was the concert?

K

[Philo]

Will be focusing on Dvorak this month.

Dvorak has moved up considerably in my rankings (might even be in my top ten now - also, brought my attention to Meyerbeer, who also might have moved into my top ten).

Already starting to build up my list for next month - Samuel Barber.

[Kalevala]

Any favorite works by Dvorak?

K

[Florestan]

Dvorak has moved up considerably in my rankings (might even be in my top ten now - also, brought my attention to Meyerbeer, who also might have moved into my top ten).

I'm curious: how did you get from Dvorak to Meyerbeer?

[Philo]

Any favorite works by Dvorak?

K

My favorite works of his are his operas: Vanda, being my favorite so far, but I've also not listened to them all.

I enjoyed both of his cello concertos, immensely, as, for me, I think the cello is the perfect concerto instrument.

I enjoyed his symphonies and string quartets.

In fact, there isn't a single work of his that I've heard that I didn't enjoy. He is very consistent, and he is currently right in my current classical listening wheelhouse (which is grand opera, right now).

I'm curious: how did you get from Dvorak to Meyerbeer?

I got it from Wikipedia, and Wikipedia got it from The Cambridge Companion to Grand Opera.

[Kalevala]

My favorite works of his are his operas: Vanda, being my favorite so far, but I've also not listened to them all.

I enjoyed both of his cello concertos, immensely, as, for me, I think the cello is the perfect concerto instrument.

I enjoyed his symphonies and string quartets.

In fact, there isn't a single work of his that I've heard that I didn't enjoy. He is very consistent, and he is currently right in my current classical listening wheelhouse (which is grand opera, right now).

I got it from Wikipedia, and Wikipedia got it from The Cambridge Companion to Grand Opera.

Nice!  I haven't heard Vanda before.  I do love Rusalka.  "Song to the Moon", if you haven't heard it before now, is gorgeous.   

K