What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Bogey]

Dvorak American Quartet....

Pure gold!

[George]

Absolutely gorgeous and magnificent!

[Dana]

      Berio, Sinfonia for 8 Amplified Voices and Orchestra. This is way outside of my comfort zone, and I confess myself lost; I can sort of rationalize my way to making sense of it, but the only part that I really get so far is the Mahler in the 3rd movement...

EDIT: Is that Rite of Spring I'm hearing now too?!

[jlaurson]

      Berio, Sinfonia for 8 Amplified Voices and Orchestra. This is way outside of my comfort zone, and I confess myself lost; I can sort of rationalize my way to making sense of it, but the only part that I really get so far is the Mahler in the 3rd movement...

EDIT: Is that Rite of Spring I'm hearing now too?!

I think that's how everyone (a few freaks excepted) starts out with this--and in fact most challenging--music. The complexities of music since the 19th ct. have become so immense (not necessarily, but often) that being baffled is the normal first reaction. If more people admitted to it more readily, perhaps the hurdle of appreciating 'difficult' music would be lower. Going outside of our comfort zone, constantly, is almost a prerequisite to appreciation of art. Even if it's not always rewarded... Because sometimes you go outside of your comfort zone only to realize that what you sniffed at really *was* crap. But no worries about that Berio (or any Berio I know). That's ultimately very rewarding, even if you never lose the feeling of feeling lost. (I know I never did!)

Congrats on doing everything right. 

[Harry]

Nikolai Roslavets.
Piano Trio No. 2. (1920), No. 3. (1921). No. 4, (1927)
Trio Fontenay.
Recorded in 2000, January/August.

Intriguing music, with a lot of dept, and soul searching. Fine recording and interpretation. No. 2 is really a dark horse, so if you are in a depressive mood, stay clear of this one.
And it has to be said, a fine and well documented booklet, revealing much about the nature of these works, and helpful technical details.

[Harry]

Gabriel Faure.

Piano Quintet No. 1 in D minor, No. 2 in C minor.

Well played and recorded, and to my ears can stand well amongst its better known competitors.

[bhodges]

      Berio, Sinfonia for 8 Amplified Voices and Orchestra. This is way outside of my comfort zone, and I confess myself lost; I can sort of rationalize my way to making sense of it, but the only part that I really get so far is the Mahler in the 3rd movement...

EDIT: Is that Rite of Spring I'm hearing now too?!

Great piece, and cool that you are exploring it.  Like you, when I first heard it, the third movement was the first one I responded to--and I heard Berio's piece years before finally hearing the Mahler 2.  And as Jens said, good for you for going outside where you normally listen.

And you may have heard a glimpse of The Rite, among the many excerpts from other composers swirling around in the mix.

--Bruce

[ChamberNut]

Gabriel Faure.

Piano Quintet No. 1 in D minor, No. 2 in C minor.

Well played and recorded, and to my ears can stand well amongst its better known pears.

I'll be interested in this one Harry, thanks for the comment! 

Now, would some of those pears be Bosc and Bartlett? 

[Harry]

I'll be interested in this one Harry, thanks for the comment! 

Now, would some of those pears be Bosc and Bartlett? 

O, dear, now I see it, yes Hmmmmm.

[Dr. Dread]

[karlhenning]

Very nice, Dave!

[Dr. Dread]

Very nice, Dave!

Thanks, Karl. 

[Harry]

Symphony No. 6, "Degli Archi"

Recorded in 1994.

I have the impression that this symphony is somewhat better recorded and performed, as if it is rehearsed more. The Moscow SO certainly has more expression, and portray some inner melodic lines much better as in the previous recordings. Especially the strings play much more motivated, as they of course should, for it is composed especially for them.

[Harry]

Malipiero.
Symphony No.5 "Concertante in Eco".
Symphony No. 8 "Symphonia brevis".
Symphony No 11, "Delle Cornamuse".

Beautiful.

[DavidW]

After spending quite a bit of time listening to Hagen Quartet perform Mozart, I've decided to listen to The Amadeus Quartet on Brahms 3rd and it was lose track of time engaging unlike the watch the clock type of performance of the ABQ.

[Harry]

Bohuslav Martinu.
Complete Piano Music, Volume VI.
Giorgio Koukl, Piano.

Flawless playing, well portrayed by this very apt musician. Integrity and a pureness of tone and intention makes this a very worthwhile addition to any ones collection.
Well recorded. Much unknown works by Martinu, but deliciously interesting. Silly cover art though, Naxos could do much better.

[karlhenning]

Two excellent composers there, Harry, in Malipiero and Martinů!

[mahler10th]

I am listening to this lot (CPO) under Neumann doing Dvorak.

Unleashed brilliance.

[Harry]

I am listening to this lot (CPO) under Neumann doing Dvorak.

Unleashed brilliance.

O, yes, Neumann and Dvorak, a match made in heaven John, as there ever was. The same goes for his Mahler though, and Martinu....

[Harry]

Two excellent composers there, Harry, in Malipiero and Martinů!

Yes Karl, both are great melodic composers, that can create worlds of colour with a few notes strewn along the path.