What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

In the repeat, this delightful disc. For more detail see 24-4-2012 review.

[Opus106]

I would really like to know your votes, (do not want to wait) Sound, tempi, interpretation!

Yes, everyone will look to you, Sarge, as the only owner of this set in the world GMG! Also, a word on the packaging will be appreciated.

[Karl Henning]

Ooo, good one Mr. Henning, especially the Tres movimientos tanguisticos portenos, exceptional playing. And I have a different, and not as colorful cover.

My CD probably shares the cover of your own!

Man, this is tastier (the music, I mean) even than I remembered.  Crystal clear sound stage, exquisite playing, and Piazzolla's astonishingly powerful music.

[asin]B0000007B3[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

This afternoon the Missa Prolationum  and Marian Motets.  Excellent atmosphere and intonation!

[asin]B003BKF6DC[/asin]

I've got that CD, too; it's a beauty!

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

For more details see review 25-4-2012.

[Lisztianwagner]

Wiener Philharmoniker
Neujahrskonzert 2003

[asin]B00007BKJD[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

Every week is New Year's for Ilaria! : )

[Sergeant Rock]

I would really like to know your votes, (do not want to wait) Sound, tempi, interpretation! Thankee!

Too early for a comprehesive evaluation. I've only heard the 8th (twice) and the overtures In Nature's Realm and Carnival (Othello just began...that will be a major test for me. Rowicki's is the only wholly satisfactory performance I've ever heard). The 8th is great. It feels a bit slower than the norm which suits me. Initially I thought the brass too recessed in the last movement but a volume boost helped and Neumann eventually let them loose to thrilling effect. In fact, this may be my new favorite 8th (I have 16). It's a cliché to say a Czech conductor and orchestra are needed to fully realize this music but based on the little I've heard so far I might have to subscribe to that. Neumann's In Nature's Realm is gorgeous and if Carnival is not as fast and brilliant as it can be, it seemed somehow right too if a little sleepy.

So far then:

Sound: good analog, a soundstage with depth, easy on the ears, but don't expect digital clarity.
Tempi: on the slow side of average but never feels sluggish
Interpretation: Czech perfection

Yes, everyone will look to you, Sarge, as the only owner of this set in the world GMG! Also, a word on the packaging will be appreciated.

Slimline box, one inch (2.5cm) thick, paper sleeves with transparent plastic "windows", 35 page booklet in four languages (English, French, German, Czech).

Sarge

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Too early for a comprehesive evaluation. I've only heard the 8th (twice) and the overtures In Nature's Realm and Carnival (Othello just began...that will be a major test for me. Rowicki's is the only wholly satisfactory performance I've ever heard). The 8th is great. It feels a bit slower than the norm which suits me. Initially I thought the brass too recessed in the last movement but a volume boost helped and Neumann eventually let them loose to thrilling effect. In fact, this may be my new favorite 8th (I have 16). It's a cliché to say a Czech conductor and orchestra are needed to fully realize this music but based on the little I've heard so far I might have to subscribe to that. Neumann's In Nature's Realm is gorgeous and if Carnival is not as fast and brilliant as it can be, it seemed somehow right too if a little sleepy.

So far then:

Sound: good analog, easy on the ears, but don't expect digital clarity.
Tempi: on the slow side of average but never feels sluggish
Interpretation: Czech perfection


Slimline box, one inch (2.5cm) thick, paper sleeves with transparent plastic "windows", 35 page booklet in four languages (English, French, German, Czech).

Sarge

Thanks. A clear description!

[Karl Henning]

Thread duty: Frescobaldi on Friday!

Girolamo Frescobaldi
from Fiori musicali

Toccata avanti la Messa della Domenica
Roberto Loreggian

Toccata avanti la Messa della Domenica
Sergio Vartolo

Toccata cromaticha per la levatione, from Messa della Domenica
Roberto Loreggian

Toccata cromaticha per la levatione, from Messa della Domenica
Sergio Vartolo

[Karl Henning]

Had to listen to this one again, straight off!

Hindemith
Cardillac (original 1926 version)
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Cardillac
Elisabeth Söderström, The Lady
Leonore, Kirchstein, Cardillac's Daughter
Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Jos Keilberth
Radio broadcast, 1968

[asin]B00079W8TU[/asin]

[North Star]

Janácek
String Quartet no. 2
Gabrieli String Quartet
[asin]B0001Y4JH0[/asin]
Absolutely marvelous

[Sergeant Rock]

Nielsen Symphony #3 "Sinfonia espansiva" Bostock conducting the Royal Liverpool Phil




Sarge

[Opus106]

Too early for a comprehesive evaluation. I've only heard the 8th (twice) and the overtures In Nature's Realm and Carnival (Othello just began...that will be a major test for me. Rowicki's is the only wholly satisfactory performance I've ever heard). The 8th is great. It feels a bit slower than the norm which suits me. Initially I thought the brass too recessed in the last movement but a volume boost helped and Neumann eventually let them loose to thrilling effect. In fact, this may be my new favorite 8th (I have 16). It's a cliché to say a Czech conductor and orchestra are needed to fully realize this music but based on the little I've heard so far I might have to subscribe to that. Neumann's In Nature's Realm is gorgeous and if Carnival is not as fast and brilliant as it can be, it seemed somehow right too if a little sleepy.

So far then:

Sound: good analog, a soundstage with depth, easy on the ears, but don't expect digital clarity.
Tempi: on the slow side of average but never feels sluggish
Interpretation: Czech perfection


Slimline box, one inch (2.5cm) thick, paper sleeves with transparent plastic "windows", 35 page booklet in four languages (English, French, German, Czech).

Sarge

Thank you very much, Sgt.

[North Star]

Gavin Bryars
After The Requiem

Bill Frisell: e-guitar
Alexander Balanescu, Kate Musker: viola
Anthony Hinnigan: cello

From Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icslb0kFlPk

[Karl Henning]

Nielsen Symphony #3 "Sinfonia espansiva" Bostock conducting the Royal Liverpool Phil

Keen to hear your report, whenever ready, Sarge!

[North Star]

Bartók
Two Elegies, Op. 8b
Zoltán Kocsis

[asin]B003Y3MYWW[/asin]

Bluebeard's Castle
Boulez
[asin]B002DZX958[/asin]

[SonicMan46]

Bach, JS - WTC - Bk II this morning; Christine Schornsheim on a restored 1624 Ruckers harpsichord; 4-CD set at an excellent price on the Amazon MP - will be quite curious about comments from our Bach keyboard experts! 

 

[Sergeant Rock]

Keen to hear your report, whenever ready, Sarge!

Good news, Karl. The two symphonies I've heard so far, Espansiva and Inextinguishable, are quite good...well, different anyway, and to me, different often means good 

As sometimes happens, what the Hurwitzer considers a negative, I consider a positive. This for example:

"His hasty accelerando over the powerful repeated chords leads to a main tempo that is apparently too fast for the orchestra to negotiate successfully. Consequently, the remainder of the movement is riddled with blurred articulation, hesitant entrances and insecure rhythms."

I didn't hear it that way. What I heard was a fascinating new way to play those opening chords. Something shockingly different. Yeah, the chords become a bit blurred as the acceleration reaches an insane pace, but man, does that launch the Allegro in a thrilling fashion. Too fast for a desert island pick or a library choice, maybe, but great fun to hear. Bostock has to brake pretty hard for the second subject but I like the extreme contrast. Gramophone noticed a lack of body in the strings and that too is a negative that I can turn into a positive: the strings don't swamp the rest of the orchestra (like in some Espansivas I know); there is great clarity in the other sections of the orchestra, especially the brass, which really pack a punch. The climax of the development, that fantastic waltz, is almost as good as Bernstein's or Kuchar's (even though at Bostock's tempo it would create chaos on the ballroom floor  ). Both Andantes are on the CD: the original with soprano and tenor, and Nielsen's alternative orchestration for clarinet and trombone. That should interest you! I thought the tempo for the Finale utterly perfect.

So, 13 bucks already well spent, and I've only heard the first CD of ten 

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Good news, Karl. The two symphonies I've heard so far, Espansiva and Inextinguishable, are quite good...well, different anyway, and to me, different often means good 

As sometimes happens, what the Hurwitzer considers a negative, I consider a positive. This for example:

"His hasty accelerando over the powerful repeated chords leads to a main tempo that is apparently too fast for the orchestra to negotiate successfully. Consequently, the remainder of the movement is riddled with blurred articulation, hesitant entrances and insecure rhythms."

I didn't hear it that way. What I heard was a fascinating new way to play those opening chords. Something shockingly different. Yeah, the chords become a bit blurred as the acceleration reaches an insane pace, but man, does that launch the Allegro in a thrilling fashion. Too fast for a desert island pick or a library choice, maybe, but great fun to hear. Bostock has to brake pretty hard for the second subject but I like the extreme contrast. Gramophone noticed a lack of body in the strings and that too is a negative that I can turn into a positive: the strings don't swamp the rest of the orchestra (like in some Espansivas I know); there is great clarity in the other sections of the orchestra, especially the brass, which really pack a punch. The climax of the development, that fantastic waltz, is almost as good as Bernstein's or Kuchar's (even though at Bostock's tempo it would create chaos on the ballroom floor  ). Both Andantes are on the CD: the original with soprano and tenor, and Nielsen's alternative orchestration for clarinet and trombone. That should interest you! I thought the tempo for the Finale utterly perfect.

So, 13 bucks already well spent, and I've only heard the first CD of ten 

Splendid, Sarge!