What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD1 from this set that came in a few days ago ...

[CD]

How is that A and D Minor, Corey?  I really enjoy little bit of SQ action that Sibelius produced and have them on a 2 cd set and would not mind exploring other performances.

The D Minor is a major work that I'm just discovering. It's (maybe not surprisingly) as Sibelian as his mature orchestral works. The A Minor is a "minor" (heh) work, written when he was still a student. I don't think I need to hear it again, to be honest.

[Lilas Pastia]

Offenbach, Jacques (1819-1880) - Piano Works Vol. 1 w/ Marco Sollini - well, a bargain disc from BRO & my first disc of Offenbach, of course more known for such works as the Tales of Hoffman - this is light salon type piano music - enjoyable but need to do another listening - question is does this composer have an instrumental output of interest?  

His Concerto militaire for cello is a hoot. It's been recorded a few times. Try the Archiv Minkowski disc.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Prokofiev's seventh piano sonata.

[Conor71]

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 - Jansons/BPO

[Que]

Q

[The new erato]

Martinu was probably one of the first 20th century composers I explored in any depth, due to the availability of lots of his catalogue on cheap Supraphon LPs.

When the CD era entered, I reaquired lots of his stuff on CD, but for the last 10 years I haven't listened to him much. However, thanks to Hyperions violin concerto series (what a magnificant piece the 2nd violin concerto is!), this site, and praise on the overgrownpath blog, he's back on the radar. Yesterday I listened to the magical Julietta, and now to this new aquisition:



What a beautiful piece the piano quartet H 287 is!

[Lethevich]

[Sergeant Rock]

I've been thinking of lending those Schmidt symphonies an ear. To whom would you compare his style? What's a good "vantage point" that will tell me what to expect?

I am curious about Schmidt symphonies as well.  This composer is an unknown to me ...

Stylistically Schmidt is a Late Romantic. His musical langauge is conservative, never harmonically daring like Schönberg; easy to listen to. He fits his time period well (1874-1939). He spent his entire creative life in Vienna and was influenced by the musical trends there.  One hears echoes of his contemporaries: R. Strauss, Mahler and the Hollywood composers (Korngold, Steiner) in the first movement of the Second Symphony. In fact, the first two minutes of that movement would make a great score for the opening titles of a thirties film (and I mean that in the best sense). Brahms' and perhaps Dvorak's influence is heard in the second movement variations.

I have three Schmidt Seconds already (Luisi/MDR SO, Järvi/Chicago, and Mitropoulos/WP) but I've ordered Sinaisky too (I love this music). I'm really happy to see these inexpensive Naxos performances appearing; they should convince more forumites to sample this marvelous composer (the Järvi and Luisi cycles have never been cheap).

Listening to:



Sarge

[The new erato]

Did I mention that Geirr Tveitts home, which infamously burned in the early 70ies, taking lots of unpublished scores away with the flames, is only 40 miles away? 

[The new erato]

I have three Schmidt Seconds already (Luisi/MDR SO, Järvi/Chicago, and Mitropoulos/WP) but I've ordered Sinaisky too (I love this music). I'm really happy to see these inexpensive Naxos performances appearing; they should convince more forumites to sample this marvelous composer (the Järvi and Luisi cycles have never been cheap).

Listening to:



Sarge

It's been some time since I've listened to Schmidt's symphonies, but I've always preferred the 2nd to his better known 4th. I plan to check whether that still applies.

[Lethevich]

Did I mention that Geirr Tveitts home, which infamously burned in the early 70ies, taking lots of unpublished scores away with the flames, is only 40 miles away? 

Seems like that south-western area is a crowded place

[Sergeant Rock]

It's been some time since I've listened to Schmidt's symphonies, but I've always preferred the 2nd to his better known 4th. I plan to check whether that still applies.

Despite the fact that his Fourth is a masterpiece, probably his greatest work, I too prefer listening to the Second, and the First. Partially it's the mood of the piece: the Fourth is a real downer, a requiem for his daughter. I don't want to experience that very often. When I do, I've been turning most often to Luisi's performance. It's rather cool emotionally, less intense; easier to listen to.

Sarge

[Brian]

Brian & Stuart - these are my initial discs of this composer's works and my first hearing his symphonies.  His name has been on my 'wish list' for a while though since others (Sarge for one, I believe) had raved about his symphonic output; until these Naxos releases, I had been 'eyeing' the Jarvi box on Chandos, but did not like the price; plus, the recordings were only of the symphonies vs. the fillers being included on the Naxos offerings.

Schmidt's background was Austro-Hungarian; he studied at the Vienna Conservatory; Bruckner & Fuchs were his composition/theory teachers. He played under Mahler, and their relationship was not the best. Wagner was an influence along w/ other Eastern European composers, including some from the early 20th century.  His orchestration is lush w/ a late 19th century post-Romantic flare.  If Bruckner & Mahler are to your liking w/ some Hungarian folksy rhythms included, then Schmidt should please.  Hopefully others may 'chime in' w/ their impressions.

BTW, Jerry Dubins reviewed the first Naxos release of Symphony No. 1 in Fanfare (Sept-Oct issue) which prompted me to start purchasing these releases. He felt that the Jarvi & Sinaisky performances were pretty much a 'draw' - he enjoyed both equally, but felt that Naxos offered better value regarding price and the addition of other Schmidt works on the discs.

Stylistically Schmidt is a Late Romantic. His musical langauge is conservative, never harmonically daring like Schönberg; easy to listen to. He fits his time period well (1874-1939). He spent his entire creative life in Vienna and was influenced by the musical trends there.  One hears echoes of his contemporaries: R. Strauss, Mahler and the Hollywood composers (Korngold, Steiner) in the first movement of the Second Symphony. In fact, the first two minutes of that movement would make a great score for the opening titles of a thirties film (and I mean that in the best sense). Brahms' and perhaps Dvorak's influence is heard in the second movement variations.

I have three Schmidt Seconds already (Luisi/MDR SO, Järvi/Chicago, and Mitropoulos/WP) but I've ordered Sinaisky too (I love this music). I'm really happy to see these inexpensive Naxos performances appearing; they should convince more forumites to sample this marvelous composer (the Järvi and Luisi cycles have never been cheap).

Thank you very much, Dave and Sarge. Looks like I have no excuse for trying this music, and some handy introductory notes to read as I put them in. 

[Keemun]

Despite the fact that his Fourth is a masterpiece, probably his greatest work, I too prefer listening to the Second, and the First. Partially it's the mood of the piece: the Fourth is a real downer, a requiem for his daughter. I don't want to experience that very often. When I do, I've been turning most often to Luisi's performance. It's rather cool emotionally, less intense; easier to listen to.

Sarge

Schmidt's 1st and 4th are my favorites.  I have Jarvi's complete set of the symphonies and I also have the 4th with Mehta and Welser-Möst.  When I listen to the 4th it is usually Mehta's because it is the most emotional of the three versions I have.

Now:

Schmidt
Symphony No. 1
Neeme Jarvi
Detroit Symphony Orchestra

[Bogey]

The D Minor is a major work that I'm just discovering. It's (maybe not surprisingly) as Sibelian as his mature orchestral works. The A Minor is a "minor" (heh) work, written when he was still a student. I don't think I need to hear it again, to be honest.

I will re-listen to this one.  I believe I enjoyed it, but did not throw it up against the D.  However, as I continue to listen to music I find my self comparing works less and less and taking them on their own, one at a time.  I save my comparisons for performances for the most part.

[Harry]

This is a cd. that is also given me lots of pleasure. Fine singing, and marvously composed.

[SonicMan46]

Some more Hyperion bargains from BRO:

Godowsky, Leopold (1870-1938) - Piano Sonata & Passacaglia w/ Marc-Andre Hamelin; my first disc of this once famous pianist and composer, and handled by Hamelin w/ aplomb!  Apparently, Godowsky did a LOT of transcriptions - any suggestions about exploring his other works? 

Dohnanyi, Enescu, & d'Albert - Cello Works w/ Alban Gerhardt & Carlos Kalmar-BBC Scottish SO - coming up next!  Already own the second volume in Hyperion's 'Romantic Cello Concerto' series w/ the same cellist - expect to enjoy! 


 

[CD]

I will re-listen to this one.  I believe I enjoyed it, but did not throw it up against the D.  However, as I continue to listen to music I find my self comparing works less and less and taking them on their own, one at a time.  I save my comparisons for performances for the most part.

You have to pick and choose what is worth exploring further. There just isn't enough time to hear everything (even though I'd very much like to ). I just thought that the A minor quartet wasn't very echt-Sibelius.

[Brian]