What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

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From the big box of Boulez's Bartók
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One of my favorite Bartok recordings and one of the first Bartok CDs I heard. Absolutely first-rate music making.

[madaboutmahler]

Thanks, Daniel. Maybe I will try to make more time for Beethoven.  I've been looking at that Haitink LSO cycle for quite some time. Vanska's cycle looks quite good too, but trusting my gut, I'll probably go with Haitink next. The Chailly is getting some excellent reviews.

By the way, I'm glad you're enjoying Debussy's orchestral music. One of my favorite discs of that set contains the orchestrated version of Children's Corner (orch. Andre Caplet). I love this disc. Debussy at his most playful, but extremely tuneful and always harmonically interesting.

Sorry for taking a while to get back to you, John.

I am glad to hear that you are going to try and make more time for Beethoven. The Haitink LSO set is really excellent, I would highly recommend it. If you get that Haitink set, I'll get the Boulez Bartok set! (or at least put it right at the top of my birthday list, along with the Karajan Ring.)

I am really looking forward to hearing the 'Children's Corner' - really charming, beautiful pieces! Off to go and finish the first disc soon. Might also listen to Prokofiev 2 today.

[North Star]

One of my favorite Bartok recordings and one of the first Bartok CDs I heard. Absolutely first-rate music making.

I knew you would comment    Excellent stuff indeed.

Now continuing in the 20th C with Boulez with Petrushka.
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[SonicMan46]

Small order of bargains from BRO late last week; already posted a couple of discs of excellent guitar duos - hodgepodge of 4 others below:

Bach, JS - Goldberg Variations w/ Trio Echnaton; string trio arrangement of these works - probably the one classical composition that I own most in different transcriptions (wind ensemble, guitar, harp, and now a 'string trio'); this was arranged by Dmitry Sitkovesky in 1985 - there are a number of other versions and in looking at reviews the one on Hyperion w/ the Leopold String Trio seems to have gotten the best comments (have not heard that recording to compare the two?).

Rasetti, Amedee (1759-1799) - Piano Trios on fortepiano w/ flute & bassoon; a new composer to me and an unusual trio combination - music is delightful and the MDG recording superb; certainly would interest those who like late 18th century chamber music on period instruments.

Rolla, Alessandro (1757-1841) - Flute & Violin Duets - first discovered this composer last year through a 4-disc set of chamber works on the label 'Symphonia'; then purchased a couple of Tactus discs (flute quartets & viola concertos) - another little known and underestimated composer who needs some more fans!

Schubert, Franz (1797-1828) - Sonatas for Piano & Violin w/ Golub & Kaplan; now I already own a couple recordings of these works, but really enjoy the 'Golub-Kaplan-Carr Trio' (probably have 3-4 of their CDs), so put this one in the cart, too!


 

   

[Karl Henning]

First listen!

“Papa”

Disc 4

[harpsichord]
Sonata in G, Hob.XVI:G1
Sonata in e minor, Hob.XVI:47
Sonata in E^b, Hob.XVI:45

[clavichord]
Sonata in C, Hob.XVI:10
Sonata in D, Hob.XVI:19
Tom Beghin

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Continuing to enjoy this wonderful box . . . though I have got to say, the first movement of the E^b Sonata reminded me rather forcefully that I seem to have a ceiling of tolerance for Alberti bass . . . .

[Lethevich]

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[Karl Henning]

First listen (this recording):

Debussy
Études
Pollini

[Conor71]

Villa-Lobos: String Quartet No. 3, W 112

[Mirror Image]

Now:

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Listening to Suite from "Hamlet" and it's quite good so far.

[Mirror Image]

Sorry for taking a while to get back to you, John.

I am glad to hear that you are going to try and make more time for Beethoven. The Haitink LSO set is really excellent, I would highly recommend it. If you get that Haitink set, I'll get the Boulez Bartok set! (or at least put it right at the top of my birthday list, along with the Karajan Ring.)

I am really looking forward to hearing the 'Children's Corner' - really charming, beautiful pieces! Off to go and finish the first disc soon. Might also listen to Prokofiev 2 today.

I think you getting the Bartok Boulez set is much more essential to you than me getting the Haitink Beethoven set. Don't you think? Plus, there's still music by Bartok that you haven't even heard yet, so this will be an essential acquisition for you. This said, I don't really need another Beethoven cycle really because I don't even listen to the ones I have.

I hope you're enjoying the Martinon Debussy performances. He's still, in my opinion, the top Debussy conductor. Boulez and Haitink are fine, but Martinon has that little extra bit of magic that keeps me coming back to his set. His Ravel is especially fine too. I own the EMI set where it collects both composers' orchestral works.

[Karl Henning]

Now:

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Listening to Suite from "Hamlet" and it's quite good so far.

John, the Kozintsev film is obligatory viewing for you!

[madaboutmahler]

I hope you're enjoying the Martinon Debussy performances. He's still, in my opinion, the top Debussy conductor. Boulez and Haitink are fine, but Martinon has that little extra bit of magic that keeps me coming back to his set. His Ravel is especially fine too. I own the EMI set where it collects both composers' orchestral works.

Give Beethoven more of a chance, John!

I really am. I agree, so much magic in these performances. Absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to continuing my way through them.

[Karl Henning]

First listen (this recording):

Berg
Sonata for piano, Op.1
Pollini

[Mirror Image]

John, the Kozintsev film is obligatory viewing for you!

I don't watch too much film, Karl, but I'll check it out. Thanks. By the way, what do you think of Schnittke's film music? I had some on order last night but I cancelled the order, but I'm still considering those Strobel recordings (CPO, Capriccio) though. Film seems like a perfect medium for Schnittke considering his polystylistic approach to music.

[Karl Henning]

I don't watch too much film, Karl, but I'll check it out. Thanks. By the way, what do you think of Schnittke's film music?

I don't believe I've heard any!

Both of the Kozintsev Shakespeare films with scores by Shostakovich (Hamlet and King Lear) are fabulous.  Film scarcely gets better than these.

[KeithW]

Britten - first listen to this.  Tremendous sound quality so far.

[Karl Henning]

I need to revisit the Double Concerto. Certainly the Vn Cto and the Lachrymae are top-drawer Britten, Keith.

[Mirror Image]

I don't believe I've heard any!

Both of the Kozintsev Shakespeare films with scores by Shostakovich (Hamlet and King Lear) are fabulous.  Film scarcely gets better than these.

Looks like I may beat you to Schnittke film music punch!

[Karl Henning]

: )

[Lethevich]

Scheherazade

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Good stuff - not exactly plush, nor the most assured, and the sound is only adequate, but it's energetic and passionate, while not being a "wild ride" kind of performance.