What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Kullervo]

I am very interested in this set.  Is it worth it?

I've been singing the praises of this box ever since I bought it several months ago. I will go out on a limb and say that it is just as good as Belohlavek's recordings. While Thomson lacks the raw energy of Belohlavek and Czech PO, he more than makes up for it in clarity and precision. The sound is unbeatable (it is on Chandos) and so is the price. Go for it, I say.

[George]

That is what I meant: for me it's so intense that it grabs me by the throath. But definitely not in a hystrionic way.

I guess it just comes across for you differently.

Q

I will surely give it another chance or three before solidifying my opinion. 

[Gurn Blanston]

Shostakovich: 15th String Quartet in E-Flat Minor/Emerson String Quartet

Shostakovich: 3rd String Quartet in F / Fitzwilliam String Quartet

Great minds...

[Solitary Wanderer]

Mozart ~ Symph #31

Schumann ~ Symphony #2

[dtwilbanks]

[RebLem]

I guess with any FW recording it just comes down to connecting to it or not, there is not much in between because his approach is so individual and subjective.
BTW I see on Amazon that our Scott (Morrison) did a raving review of this one too!

I wouldn't say it's a standard recommendation of the "Pathétique" either - comparison with idiomatic Russian recordings is besides the point, I think. This is a Germanic, "Furtwänglerian" recreation of the piece - and as much about FW as about Tchaikovsky. A bit like Casals' Bach.
Q

Uhmmm, Que, Wilhelm Furtwangler is not FW, but WF.  FW is Felix Weingartner.  Thought someone ought to tell you.

[Que]

Uhmmm, Que, Wilhelm Furtwangler is not FW, but WF.  FW is Felix Weingartner.  Thought someone ought to tell you.

I had FurtWängler in mind, but you're right: let's give Weingartner his due - great conductor.

Q

[Que]

Considering the subject being discussed in the Bach bungalow, some Bach organ music came immediately to mind to start the day with. At least I think it is by Bach...
Good morning/day GMG!

J.S. Bach - Orgelbüchlein
Jean-Charles Ablitzer, Harmonic Records

Q

[Florestan]

Sheherazade from this disc:



Good day/evening/morning/afternoon all.

[val]

Good morning to all.

SCHÖNBERG:  String Quartet no 4 opus 37; Verklärte Nacht / Prazak Quartet  (PRAGA DIGITALS)

This version, recorded last year, has nothing to do with the set of Schönberg's complete Quartets recorded years ago by the the Prazak.
The 4th Quartet is one of the best Quartets of Schönberg, with a very classic structure (including a very clear sonata form in the first movement). It is a serial work, but with some tonal moments.

I would say that this 4th Quartet is to Schönberg as the 5th Quartet is to Bartok. Splendid works, with a perfect coherency, a synthesis of the art of both masters.

The interpretation of the Prazak is the best I know, even superior to the one they gave ten years ago. Regarding Verklärte Nacht it is a very good version but I still prefer the eloquence of the Juilliard.

[Novi]

Hello all.



A late start to the day with the Schubert B flat piano trio. The Andante in particular is heartbreakingly beautiful ... that Schubert sure knew how to write a good tune.

[wintersway]

Good morning/day to all!

[Harry]

Goodmorning to all.

Hindemith.

Trio for Viola, Heckelphone and Piano opus 47.

Quartet for Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano.

Sonata for Four Horns.

Ensemble Villa Musica.

Hindemith in the late morning, well for me that is a novelty. Starting with a Heckelphone is unique. Never had the pleasure or acquaintance before, and I must say its not a punishment at all. The music itself is cold and distanced, a sort of sparsely decorated work of art. Well written though, and fun to listen at. I find the argument, or if you will the content, unappealing, it did not hit a nerve at all.
The Quartet and Sonate is common ground, I recognize the Hindemith I like, especially the Sonata for four Horns is a good and unusual piece, well performed here. Sound throughout is marvelous.

[Valentino]

Hello all!



Arturo B. really lets it rip! Great sound too.

[Florestan]

Hello all!



Arturo B. really lets it rip! Great sound too.

Gold!

[karlhenning]

Igor Fyodorovich
from Disc 20:

Arrangement of the Bach Chorale Variations on Vom Himmel hoch

Why, it's like Christmas in September!  0:)

[Florestan]

[Harry]

Benjamin Frankel.

Complete Orchestral Works.

Symphony No. 7, opus 50.

Symphony No. 8, opus 53.

Overture to a Ceremony, opus 50.

A Shakespeare Overture, opus 29.

Queensland SO/Werner Andreas Albert.

The recording from 1999 is fabulous with a good front to back image, and very detailed.
The Queensland SO under Albert is doing well.

The seventh Symphony is by no means a easy going work. It begins relaxed enough, but builds up in a ever agitating measure. The third movement is a case in point, with a Alla Marcia theme, that are like dead blows, ever increasing the pressure with the fourth movement Andante. A insisting demand for attention, his writing takes some stamina. The scoring for percussion and Strings is awesome.

The 8th Symphony is topping the 7th, by a wide margin, in which Brass and Percussion again demand a role, that has a devastating impact on your mood. The first movement Moderato grave is misleading, for it is not Grave, or moderate, but much more Agitato, with a driving allegro behind it. Deceptive are the silences, for it will be ripped apart by loud percussion and brass, whatever soothing the strings may offer. A onslaught on your senses. With a following second movement Allegro assai, with a sort of Allegretto walz rhythmic behind the carefully situated horns and second strings. Again not easy fare, but for me this is bread and wine, marvelous.

The two shorter orchestral works, make a great impact too, opus 29 is almost as going to war.
Frankel is a ace orchestrator, no doubt about that.

[Harry]

Anton Rubinstein.

The complete Piano Sonatas.

No. 1 in E minor, opus 12.
No. 2 in C minor, opus 20.

Leslie Howard, Piano.

This recording made in 1980 by Tony Faulkner still sounds very good, with enough space around the instrument. I like his Symphonies, and are now collecting some of his Chamber/Piano music. These Hyperion recordings were in my possesion for quite a while, and finally they landed in my listening pile.
I am impressed by the music, Howard's art, and Faulkner's recording.
Straightforward music and interpretation, music in which Rubinstein has quite a lot to say, and does so with passion, and a good hand in scoring for the piano. He is by no means a secondhand composer, but that's only my two cents of course.

[dtwilbanks]

Cortot playing Schumann