What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Opus106]

I'm listening to a new disc: Beethoven's Clarinet Trio and Mendelssohn's Octet. Both such remarkable works - and I think this may be a first listen (they don't sound familiar).

Snobs say Mendelssohn lost his way after showing signs of genius with the Octet, which was composed at age 16.

[jlaurson]

Snobs say Mendelssohn lost his way after showing signs of genius with the Octet, which was composed at age 16.

Not Snobs (S.Nob. = Sine Nobilitas, sans lettres de noblesse) perhaps, but those who know two things about Mendelssohn (the Octet, and that it's good) and try to extrapolate from that a greater knowledge than they have. It might be less dismissive, and less wrong, to say that Mendelssohn, in some ways, would not significantly exceed the extremely high, already fulfilled musical promises of the 17-year-old's Midsummernight's Dream and Octet set... but "lost his way"

Op. 80 is one of the most intense, harrowing, and fist-clenching works Mendelssohn ever wrote; compared to much of his squeaky clean charming music, it's like an unshaven, boozing Mendelssohn announcing: "No More Mister Nice Guy". This quartet contains some of the finest moments in all of Mendelssohn; right up there with the most clenching, gritty moments of his Second, choral Symphony.

[mc ukrneal]

Snobs say Mendelssohn lost his way after showing signs of genius with the Octet, which was composed at age 16.

Reminds me of the Matrix. Maybe we can't handle perfection (another movie reference)? 

[Rinaldo]

Thanks for the inspiration, guys!

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Now playing the Op. 80, haven't heard it in a while.

[val]

MENDELSSOHN:      Piano Works          / Nikita Magaloff    (1988)

To me, the piano is not the best part of Mendelssohn production. Even so, he composed some masterpieces such as the Prelude & Fugue opus 35 n. 5 and the Variations serieuses, which are included in this CD. The Scherzo of the Sonata opus 106 (!) is another great moment.

But above all this CD is a tribute to the art of Magaloff. He plays with a freedom, an enthusiasm not very usual today. The way he plays the Fugue of the opus 35/5 is a very good example of that.

[North Star]

Ravel
Piano Concertos

Collard & Maazel
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[Lisztianwagner]

Maurice Ravel
Miroirs

[asin]B0000C4EXA[/asin]

[Sergeant Rock]

Mendelssohn String Quartet F minor op.80 played by the Leipziger Streichquartett




Sarge

[Lisztianwagner]

Stand by your man, Ilaria! : )

[jlaurson]

Not Snobs (S.Nob. = Sine Nobilitas, sans lettres de noblesse) perhaps, but those who know two things about Mendelssohn (the Octet, and that it's good) and try to extrapolate from that a greater knowledge than they have. It might be less dismissive, and less wrong, to say that Mendelssohn, in some ways, would not significantly exceed the extremely high, already fulfilled musical promises of the 17-year-old's Midsummernight's Dream and Octet set... but "lost his way"

Op. 80 is one of the most intense, harrowing, and fist-clenching works Mendelssohn ever wrote; compared to much of his squeaky clean charming music, it's like an unshaven, boozing Mendelssohn announcing: "No More Mister Nice Guy". This quartet contains some of the finest moments in all of Mendelssohn; right up there with the most clenching, gritty moments of his Second, choral Symphony.

I inspired myself... 

Op.80


F. Mendelssohn-B.
Complete String Quartets, Octet,
Chamber Transcriptions
MDG
[avail. individually in the US]
German link - UK link

Before that, this:


G.F. Handel
Alceste
Early Opera Company / C.Curnyn
A.Foster-Williams, L.Crowe, B.Hulett
Chandos/Chaconne
German link - UK link

[Karl Henning]

Last night (and probably for the first time):

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Симфония № 5 d-moll, соч. 47 [ Symphony № 5 in d minor, Opus 47 ]
Concertgebouworkest
Haitink

A compelling, thoughtful account.  Bennie's cool will not be for everyone; nor need it be.

[Karl Henning]

Because, mirabile dictu, Hurwitz knew what he was doing in lauding this recording:

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Симфония № 10 e-moll, соч. 93 [ Symphony № 10 in e minor, Opus 93 ]
Cz Phil
Ančerl

[TheGSMoeller]

.[asin]B00000I935[/asin]
[asin]B001M5AT80[/asin]

An all Elgar morning, selection from these fine discs.

[Karl Henning]

Yummy music there, and (I suspect) yummiferous performances.

[Karl Henning]

As to mine own ears:

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Симфония № 5 d-moll, соч. 47 [ Symphony № 5 in d minor, Opus 47 ]
Prague Symphony
Максим Дмитриевич [ Maksim Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]

[asin]B000I8OIHK[/asin]

[madaboutmahler]

For some reason, just reading that and not expecting it made my day.  Have a great sleep!

Oh, glad to hear that! Thanks, John!

[asin]B001M5AT80[/asin]

An all Elgar morning, selection from these fine discs.

That certainly looks like a very tempting cd, looks wonderful!
And about the Cello Concerto - I know you ordered some of Elder's Elgar recently, but did you get his recording of the CC with Schiff as soloist, Greg? This is my favourite performance of the concerto.

[TheGSMoeller]

Yummy music there, and (I suspect) yummiferous performances.

Yes, very yummy. Elgar wrote some great miniatures with grand quality.

That certainly looks like a very tempting cd, looks wonderful!
And about the Cello Concerto - I know you ordered some of Elder's Elgar recently, but did you get his recording of the CC with Schiff as soloist, Greg? This is my favourite performance of the concerto.

I don't have the Elder CC, but have been impressed with their output so far so it may be in my future. The Goodwin disc on Hmundi is great.

[madaboutmahler]

Yes, very yummy. Elgar wrote some great miniatures with grand quality.

I don't have the Elder CC, but have been impressed with their output so far so it may be in my future. The Goodwin disc on Hmundi is great.

+1 - 'Dream Children' in particular is very special to me.

I would certainly recommend you getting it when you can, Greg.  A truly outstanding performance. Shall certainly try and get the Goodwin disc of miniatures at some point then.

[mahler10th]

RICHARD STRAUSS
EIN HELDENLEBEN
NELSONS - CBSO

Nelsons in action...er...with the BSO

[Sergeant Rock]

Beethoven Symphony #2 D major, Celibidache conducting the Munich Phil




Sarge