What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Lethevich]

(Nos. 1-4)

What are they like? I only know the solo piano music.

[jlaurson]

Mahler, Symphony No. 1

In this order [with preliminary rating based on memory/earlier impressions]:

Zinman, Tonhalle, RCA *

Jansons, BRSO, BR pressing

Gergiev, LSO, LSO live

Rattle, Birmingham, EMI *

Haitink, RCO (Christmas M.), Philips **

Jansons, RCO, RCO live

Hermus, PhilO Hagen, Acousence ("Titan" version) *

Suitner, Stakap.Dresden, Eterna (Berlin Classics) ***

---- I may not be able to finish this tonight. :-) ------

Close to torture (but not quite, otherwise I would have included Solti -- ha!), but I should really update what I think about some newly (re-)released versions.

[Brian]

BEETHOVEN | Symphony No 9
Cleveland Orchestra
Christoph von Dohnanyi

Aside from a single muffed brass note near the end of the finale, a pretty much perfect performance! Dohnanyi takes the old-school Karajanesque approach and the whole rendition just feels perfect - fantastic opening, fantastic ending, and everything in between is not necessarily unique or original or totally revolutionary, but it feels exactly, elegantly right. Maybe my favorite non-HIP performance, but of course, I have many, many, many more to discover ... 

On second thought, the slow movement did not come across as well as the other three. Will have to listen again: the euphoria of the finale tends to cloud one's judgment with this work. 

[Kullervo]

What are they like? I only know the solo piano music.

On first listen: highly melodic, rhapsodic (all the quartets are single-movement pieces), with a folkish vigor (lots of open-string sounds) and a classical clarity that seems to owe nothing to either the jaunty French or the Hindemith style of neo-classicism. The liner notes list Busoni as an influence, but not knowing Busoni's music I couldn't vouch for it.

[SonicMan46]

Haydn, Joseph (1732-1809) - Complete Symphonies w/ Fischer; yes, still going through this LARGE box set and at the half-way point - this is wonderfully composed and performed music; well, does one need ALL of these works - probably not but I must say that even the earlier compositions were a delight - Joe was put on this planet to please, and indeed he does! 

BUT, guess what just arrived in the mail today from 'across the pond'?  The 21 CD box of the Haydn Baryton Works - Harry will be pleased, I hope! Well, I'm just in awe of the output of Papa Haydn - will start the baryton box soon, along w/ the rest of the symphonies!


 

[not edward]

Hey edward, what do you think about SQ #3?? 

I'll be honest: I've not really connected with #3 or #4 thus far. (I love the other three quartets, though.)

I think I was getting closer to the heart on #4 on this listening--my first to the Pacifica. I need more time with this recording for sure.

[Lethevich]

On first listen: highly melodic, rhapsodic (all the quartets are single-movement pieces), with a folkish vigor (lots of open-string sounds) and a classical clarity that seems to owe nothing to either the jaunty French or the Hindemith style of neo-classicism. The liner notes list Busoni as an influence, but not knowing Busoni's music I couldn't vouch for it.

Damnit, they sound essential to my tastes Yet another wishlist addition, thanks

[Kullervo]

(No. 5)

[George]

Wilhelm Kempff plays shorter Beethoven works
Bagatellen Op. 126
WoO 83 No. 1
Rondo A Capriccio Op. 129
Fur Elise
Andante Favori
Rondos Op. 51
WoO 70
Op. 49 No. 1


Recorded in stereo in 1964, 1965

These smaller scaled works fit Kempff's style like a glove. Splendid! Much thanks to the member who sent this one to me! 

[Solitary Wanderer]

Mozart ~ Piano Concertos #23 & 26  Friedrich Gulda Piano Harnoncourt/Royal Concertbouw Orchestra Teldec

[Moldyoldie]

[Jay F]

Mahler, Symphony No. 1

In this order [with preliminary rating based on memory/earlier impressions]:

Zinman, Tonhalle, RCA *

Jansons, BRSO, BR pressing

Gergiev, LSO, LSO live

Rattle, Birmingham, EMI *

Haitink, RCO (Christmas M.), Philips **

Jansons, RCO, RCO live

Hermus, PhilO Hagen, Acousence ("Titan" version) *

Suitner, Stakap.Dresden, Eterna (Berlin Classics) ***

What's your highest number of stars?

[RussellG]

OK, this is more obscure than James Judd and the Florida Phil isn't it ??

[Moldyoldie]

OK, this is more obscure than James Judd and the Florida Phil isn't it ??

Not if you're from the Midwest.

Seriously, Macal's a good conductor of Czech music and the Milwaukee band ain't bad at all.  Edo de Waart is the new incoming music director.

[Brian]

BEETHOVEN | Piano Concerto No 4
Emanuel Ax
Philharmonia
Christoph von Dohnanyi

[jlaurson]

What's your highest number of stars?

Probably Five.

[Brian]

What's your highest number of stars?

There must be billions and billions of them!

[Solitary Wanderer]

Saw Hardenberger live last year with the NZSO doing Haydns Trumpet Concerto.

[greg]

Exotic recordings of Mahler 1st being played by some Florida orchestras 12 pages ago....

uuuuuggghhhhh i don't know what to say.

[imperfection]

Symphony No.2 from here

Godly, unreal playing and interpretation. Clarity, Economy, Grace.