What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Conor71]

Mahler: Symphony No. 10 In F# Minor

At work today I kept thinking about the last movement of the Mahler 10th completion so I will give it a play - after this I will listen to Soltis Mahler 9th which is another great performance from his cycle
Edit: Cant seem to get the image for the M10 working     - it is Barshai's version with the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie

[The new erato]

I need to actually start playing that set, instead of just staring at the box (the Brilliant 100 CD Symphonies box).....

My version of it is actually even bigger, the 150 CD Haydn Edition. I'm staring, too.

[The new erato]

And how many times have you changed your profile this evening? 

No matter how you try to hide, I will hunt you down if you buy more CD's. 

[listener]

not listening now, but setting up for the morning since I've found these discs and covers:
Percy GRAINGER:  misc collection
Peter Pears, John Shirley-Quirk, English Chamber Orch., Ambrosian Singers, Wandsworth Boys Choir,
Benjamin Britten  piano, conductor (except for 3 pieces)
a "desert island" disc
GROFE: (I feel the shudders as I type)  Hollywood Suite, Hudson River Suite, Death Valley Suite
Bournemouth Symphony Orch.    William Stromberg, cond.

[Karl Henning]

As for me, I'm finally observing Shostakovich Symphony Month!

Welcome to the party, Comrade!

[Karl Henning]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 6. Fantastic performance. I've forgotten how much I enjoy this Ozawa cycle.

(* pounds the table, nearly upsetting the samovar *)

[Karl Henning]

Continuing with the Ozawa Prokofiev symphony set:



Listening to Symphony No. 2. Very good so far.

A magnificent account of a tremendous symphony! Where's the enthusiasm?!!!

[Karl Henning]

Because Edward remarked on this 'un over in the Paddy Wagon . . . .

Сергей Сергеевич [ Sergei Sergeyevich (Prokofiev) ]
Четвëртая симфония C-dur, соч. 112 [ Symphony № 4 in C (revised version), Opus 112]
Moscow State Radio Orchestra
Геннадий Николаевич [ Gennady Nikolayevich (Rozhdestvensky) ]

[North Star]

Martinu
Double Concerto for 2 String Orchestras, Piano and Timpani
James Conlon, Jean-Francois Heisser & Orchestre National de France
[asin]B0007TF11W[/asin]

Mussorgksy
Pictures at an Exhibition
Sokhiev & Toulouse
[asin]B000H7I4XG[/asin]

[not edward]

This:

[asin]B0069TWD42[/asin]

A mixed bag, I think. The 4th symphony is quite interestingly done; often with relaxed tempi (for example in much of the introductory movement) but speeding up considerably at appropriate times. Of the recordings I've heard, this one is probably closest to Kofman's, though with better orchestral playing*. In contrast, on first listening I was disappointed by the performance of the piano concerto. I find this work a bit problematical, and though sometimes this performance is very beautifully played, it seems to me choppy and unable to resolve the structural issues in the work. For me, Zimerman/Lutoslawski and Crossley/Salonen hold things together better, and generate more fire in the post-Rachmaninovian passages in the outer movements. The orchestral version of the Paganini variations is excellent, though.

*I still rate the Kofman as an essential purchase for those interested in the composer, due to a superlative account of the 2nd symphony.

[Karl Henning]

Because Greg reminded me how tasty this 'un is . . . .

Сергей Сергеевич [ Sergei Sergeyevich (Prokofiev) ]
Вторая симфония d-moll, соч. 40 [ Symphony № 2 in d minor, Opus 40 ]
BSO
Leinsdorf

[asin]B004H6P2LA[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

A magnificent account of a tremendous symphony! Where's the enthusiasm?!!!

Prokofiev's 2nd is one of my favorites and Ozawa's performance, while certainly well-performed, didn't quite hit the same way Jarvi or Rozhdestvensky did in their performances. I know you're enthusiastic about this set, Karl (I read your well-thought out review), but I'm not completely satisfied with it.

[DavidRoss]

Bach Flute Sonatas

[PaulR]

Before going to the gym....

[asin]B0069TWD74[/asin]
Cello Concerto #1 in E-Flat

Excellent sound quality, the contra-bassoon was extremely audible.  The phrasing of the first movement was interesting, especially in the "2nd theme" of the movement.  Dindo places an accent after the 2 eights followed by quarter note (guessing it is that, I don't have a score) of the 2nd theme.  The other recordings I have might feature this, but I have not really noticed it in them.

[Karl Henning]

Prokofiev's 2nd is one of my favorites and Ozawa's performance, while certainly well-performed, didn't quite hit the same way Jarvi or Rozhdestvensky did in their performances. I know you're enthusiastic about this set, Karl (I read your well-thought out review), but I'm not completely satisfied with it.

Understood, but we're certainly in disagreement viz. Järvi's account of the Op.40 (ptui!) ; )

[Mirror Image]

Understood, but we're certainly in disagreement viz. Järvi's account of the Op.40 (ptui!) ; )

I know you don't like the Jarvi Prokofiev set just like you don't like Barshai's set of the Shostakovich symphonies. At least we agree on the Rozhdestvensky.

[Opus106]

This, thanks to David's (J) thread. I've only listened to it once before and don't remember anything that went by... oh, wait, I've heard the opening in some classical radio station ad.

Rachmaninoff
Symphonic Dances
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Mariss Jansons

23 Dec 2004
The 'Gebouw

[Karl Henning]

'Tis still the month!

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 14 in F#, Op.142
The Mandelring Quartet

[asin]B004OWN868[/asin]

[Sadko]

Wagner

Arrangements for 2 pianos:

Tannhäuser - Ouvertüre (arr. Max Reger)
Tannhäuser - Venusberg-Bacchanal (arr. Paul Dukas)
Walküre - Wotans Abschied und Feuerzauber (arr. Max Reger)
Meistersinger - Vorspiel (arr. Max Reger)
Tristan und Isolde - Vorspiel und Isoldes Liebestod  (arr. Max Reger)

Dag Achatz, Yukie Nagai (pianos)



Other than the Achatz/Nagai CD with Tchaikovsky transcriptions I'm enjoying this CD.

I really like the Reger transscriptions, transparent, almost a bit austere, but capturing the original so well. Achieving much with few notes.

The playing is quite lyrical, introspective, but this works very well with the "lean" style of the transscriptions.

[Karl Henning]

I thought I would listen to the Berg on this first, but then Greg had this to say . . . so:

"Wolferl"
Gran Partita, K.370a - 361
Ensemble InterContemporain
Pierre Boulez, presiding

[asin]B001DHUJK0[/asin]