What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[karlhenning]

Hindemith
The Four Temperaments
Carol Rosenberger, pf
Royal Philharmonic
James DePreist

[Antoine Marchand]

5th Symphony

I loved the transparency and power of this recording. I heard things (entire phrases in spots) in this symphony that I had never heard before. One thing I also noticed, perhaps because of the faster tempos the overall structure was more apparent, was that the last 1/3 or so of the fourth movement really goes on and on and on. When you think you are at the final chords, it just keeps going. I also recalled that I have always loved the first movement a great deal more than the rest of the work. I think it was written better, with a tight sense of form missing in the other movements. I realize I sound like a newbie who only listens to the "hits," but I have tried numerous times to enjoy this entire symphony and each time I notice that my enjoyment drops after the first movement. I should mention that I don't have this experience with many of his other works that contain famous movements, such as the Pastoral symphony or the Moonlight Sonata.   

6th Symphony

This one sounds too fast to me in the first movement, as I like it a bit more leisurely taken...

You reached the heaven too soon, George  . The Fifth is the pearl of the Immerseel's cycle; perfect, IMO. The spirit of Europe right before your eyes.

[George]

You reached the heaven too soon, George  .

If that be the case, I shall return there soon, for my current surroundings resemble nothing of the sort. 

[George]

some chopin preludes & impromptus (alfred cortot)

Nice! 

[bhodges]

Jonathan Dove: In beauty may I walk (Donald Nally/The Crossing)
James MacMillan: Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (same)

--Bruce

[ChamberNut]

5th Symphony

I also recalled that I have always loved the first movement a great deal more than the rest of the work. I think it was written better, with a tight sense of form missing in the other movements. I realize I sound like a newbie who only listens to the "hits," but I have tried numerous times to enjoy this entire symphony and each time I notice that my enjoyment drops after the first movement.

Completely the opposite here George.  I find the Beethoven 5th 1st movement perhaps the most overhyped, overrated and overplayed movement in the entire classical repertoire.  It is good, but I was turned off from enjoying the 5th symphony for a long time because of the 1st movement.  My enjoyment of the symphony is ten fold when listened to as a whole.  I actually think this symphony gets better in each progressive movement.  The final movement is astounding, especially when heard live in concert.  WOW!

[ChamberNut]

Brahms

Piano Trio in B, op. 8

Beaux Arts Trio

Horn Trio in E flat, op. 40

Grumiaux, violin
Sebok, piano
Orval, horn

Philips

[George]

Completely the opposite here George. 

Yeah, I didn't expect to be among the majority on that one, but I gotta keep it real. 

[ChamberNut]

Yeah, I didn't expect to be among the majority on that one, but I gotta keep it real. 

No doubt!  0:) 

[karlhenning]

Hindemith
Nobilissima visione Suite
Royal Philharmonic
James DePreist

[Opus106]

Completely the opposite here George.  I find the Beethoven 5th 1st movement perhaps the most overhyped, overrated and overplayed movement in the entire classical repertoire.  It is good, but I was turned off from enjoying the 5th symphony for a long time because of the 1st movement. 

Was it only because the first movement was overplayed -- over-hyped and over-rated! Why? -- or did you find something inherently wrong with it. And did it work in a similar way for Beethoven's 9th and the "Ode to Joy"?

[Tapkaara]

St. Paul's Suite by Holst.  Stupid cover but a great recording.

I'm glad I am not the only one who thinks this is a stupid cover...

[karlhenning]

Sibelius
Symphony № 4 in A Minor, Opus 63
NY Phil
Lenny

[Brian]

BEETHOVEN | Symphony No 5
The HIP French Orchestra with the Long Name
John Eliot Gardiner

Wanted to listen to this after reading David Ross' comments in the HIP Beethoven thread and George's here. Time to check my HIP cycles and see which ones are the most colorful and "radical." I might have to buy Bruggen/Immerseel if none satisfy...

[karlhenning]

Barber
Medea Suite, Opus 23
RSNO
Alsop

[Haffner]

5th Symphony

I also recalled that I have always loved the first movement a great deal more than the rest of the work. I think it was written better, with a tight sense of form missing in the other movements. I realize I sound like a newbie who only listens to the "hits," but I have tried numerous times to enjoy this entire symphony and each time I notice that my enjoyment drops after the first movement. I should mention that I don't have this experience with many of his other works that contain famous movements, such as the Pastoral symphony or the Moonlight Sonata.  

I feel this way about the (top heavy) 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Beethoven Symphonies, and I don't care about about being referred to as a "hit-lover only". After listening endlessly to Wagner's great expanses of "uuuuh", I started being completely honest with myself when it comes to "Our Music". Otherwise, I'd be snoring through the slow movement of Ludwig's 9th forever (blasphemy! fire up the kindlin', Ma!).

I admit that I've tried to get through the entirety of the above symphonies again and again, with many different recordings. I finally realized that there was no reason to keep playing something that I wasn't getting anything out of. I'm quite familiar with the many other movements, can hum most of the themes from all of them. I just don't spin 'em much. The movements that I love have SO much for me to learn and gain from, again and again, that I have no time or interest anymore in the rest. I now am free to study and enjoy soem of the greatest music ever...that I WANT to listen to.

I even skip the Agnus Dei from my favorite religious piece ever, the Missa Solemnis (break out the lighter fluid, Norbert!).

[DavidW]

I realize I sound like a newbie who only listens to the "hits," but I have tried numerous times to enjoy this entire symphony and each time I notice that my enjoyment drops after the first movement.  

Oh you don't like that build up at the end of the 3rd movement to the explosive 4th movement?  That climb all the way up to the major key must have been unprecedented, and the final movement is so exuberantly joyful!

[bhodges]

Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (Alan Gilbert/NYPO, live recording from May 7-9, 2009) - I haven't heard the horns in the orchestra sound this good in awhile, and the rest of the group sounds superb.  The orchestra posted this following their performance last week in Central Park, which was cut short by rain.  Gilbert seems to find more innocence in the first movement than some, with softer edges (so far).  I am enjoying it immensely.

The sound quality online seems slightly recessed (or perhaps Gilbert is saving his trump cards for later), but otherwise, how great to be able to hear this.  Another "yay for the Internet" moment, and it is only increasing my anticipation for Gilbert's "official" arrival this fall.

www.nyphil.org

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

Barber
Adagio, Opus 11
RSNO
Alsop

[DavidRoss]

Okay, it's time:  Sibelius 2, Segerstam/HPO