What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[mahler10th]

First Listen!
Langgaard
Drapa (On the Death of Edvard Grieg), BVN 20 (1907, rev. 1909-13)
Sphinx (Tone painting for orchestra), BVN 37 (1909-10, rev. 1913)
Hvidberg-Drapa (for choir, organ & orchestra), BVN 343 (1948) — world première recording
Danmarks Radio (fanfares for orchestra), BVN 351 (1948) — world première recording
Res absùrda!? (for choir & orchestra), BVN 354 (1948) — world première recording
Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Danish National Choir
Danish National Symphony
Thos Dausgaard
(uncredited organist)

Langgaard – The Symphonies Danish National Symphony Orchestra Thos Dausgaard Da Capo 7 CDs

I do not have the set Karl, but I've got them willy nilly to complete the set.  Last year either 'Cato' or 'Vandermolen' sent me a dacapo release of Symphonies 9 - 11, single disc, and by co-incedence I am listening to that right now.  I hope you enjoy Langgaard as much as I do.  The 11th is only 06:20 long, but a fine wee piece. 
Interestingly, these three symphonies were written when Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany, but there isn't much giveaway of that in the music.

[karlhenning]

I do not have the set Karl, but I've got them willy nilly to complete the set.  Last year either 'Cato' or 'Vandermolen' sent me a dacapo release of Symphonies 9 - 11, single disc, and by co-incedence I am listening to that right now.  I hope you enjoy Langgaard as much as I do. . . .

I do enjoy this box a great deal, John.

[Moldyoldie]

A reassessment...


Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 "Inextinguishable"
Sibelius: Tapiola
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, cond.
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
Frankly, I find Karajan's Nielsen No. 4 with the BPO from the early '80s to be a bit underwhelming, but hardly worthy of out-and-out dismissal. After a comparatively tepid burst out of the starting gate, the first movement grinds to near stasis before lumbering along for a protracted thirteen minutes, albeit with some sparkling soft magic, to its quiet segue into equally drawn-out second and third movements.  The poco allegretto second features some fine, stately chamber-like interplay among the winds while the nearly twelve minute poco adagio third movement puts the famous Berlin strings on full display.  The ensemble playing certainly sounds nice here, but it's an ameliorating consideration when this great symphony's dramatic cogency is so undermined by such polite and tidy pacing. While listening, I found myself admiring the orchestra more than being swept along by the drama.  The all-important tympani battles in the finale are also noticeably "civilized" and more recessed in the scheme; they're thus heard as semi-distant fusillades instead of rapid stereo punches to the solar plexus -- I suppose this may actually appeal to some listeners.

Despite misgivings as to Karajan's seemingly tame approach to what should be nothing less than a depiction of the triumph of Man's capacity for creative good over those forces which would usurp it, I do find the overall performance to lend an affecting reverence to the music not heard in many others -- once again, an ameliorating consideration.  In comparison, I find Simon Rattle's similarly deliberate approach to the Nielsen Fourth to be much more successful and satisfying. (Review to follow)

What's somewhat disconcerting is the early '80s digital recording which is noticeably steely and bass shy, but the recording scheme is consistent with Deutsche Grammophon's general approach with these forces; i.e., strings and winds are in the forefront.  More often than not, I've been able to adjust and appreciate it.  In matters of interpretation, however, and as a requisite imploration to novice listeners, introduce yourself to this great symphony through any of the many other fine recordings before hearing Karajan's.

Appended to the Nielsen is Karajan's very expansive last recording of Sibelius' late tone poem Tapiola from '84.  Though I'm a big fan of the composer, this is not my favorite Sibelius.  Still, Karajan and the BPO manage to wring every last ounce of brooding emotion from the score in a performance seemingly driven more by mythic ambience than epic drama.  It's funny in that some days I really take to it, while other days....

[karlhenning]

Herbie tends to bring out the meh in me.

[Moldyoldie]

Herbie tends to bring out the meh in me.

He brought out mucho meh in me this morning, the symphony was on the verge of "extinguishable".    It's not always the case, however.

[karlhenning]

This is always good, any time of day:

Feldman
Five Pianos
Bugallo-Williams Piano Duo & friends

Edgard Varèse – Amériques Morton Feldman – Piece for Four Pianos; Five Pianos Bugallo-Williams Piano Duo & friends Wergo

[Franco]

Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60
George Szell, Cleveland Orchestra

[karlhenning]

Wish I hadn't left my Cheap Imitation at the office, though:

Satie
Socrate
Susan Bickley, Eileen Hulse, Patricia Rosario, sopranos
Music Projects/London
Richard Bernas

Satie – Socrate + Melodies Richard Bernas & Music Projects/London

[Renfield]

I owed myself a round of Mahler 3rd since yesterday. And this is always spectacular, in the not-shallow sense.

Edit - Ha! Serendipity: 3000th post.

[karlhenning]

Сергей Сергеевич [Sergei Sergeyevich]
Symphony № 4 in C, Opus 112
Berliner Philharmoniker
Ozawa

Prokofiev: 7 Symphonies – Lieutenant Kijé Deutsche Grammophon

[The new erato]

First listen. Zelenka's series of late (and seemingly great) masses are slowly getting recorded, and I want to hear more of them!

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD3 from this set ...

[listener]

bought yesterday so they need to be cleared from the top of the stack and shelved
Gülsin Onay:  CHOPIN  Sonata 3, DEBUSSY Ballade, Masques, Danse   SAYGUN 4 Etudes in Aksak-Rhythms
  Hard to describe.    The Chopin was attack given much - not rubato, but a rhythmic distortion, and there was not much phrase shaping.  It didn't help that every note was played clearly, as if on a xylophone.  3rd movement so slow that one might have applauded in mid-phrase to get it over with.  The Aksak rhythms are Bulgarian/Hungarian 5- and 7-beat units crossed with 3 and 2 beat Spanish ones.  The pieces were not interesting.
STACHOWSKI  Sapphic Odes for mezzo-sop. and orchestra, sung in Polish.  No texts or translations, might have been about drowning in maple syrup;  Divertimento for string orchestra gave us buzzing sounds that resolved into...something; String Quartet 2 might have been Penderecki or Ligeti played backwards; Madrigali dell'estate for voice and string trio, dreary,
Discs can be avoided without regrets

[SonicMan46]

Tchaikovsky, Peter - Symphonies et al w/ Riccardo Muti & several orchestras - bargain on the Brilliant label and recommended here & elsewhere - my second 'complete' set (other is Rostropovich) - listening to the 3rd of 7 CDs at the moment - recordings from the 1970s, but well done - enjoying - 


 

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD4 - Symphony No. 5 from this set ...

[mahler10th]

Arvo Part
De Profunids
Hilliard Ensemble


Pass me a razor...

[jlaurson]

Vale Tango Musicas de Noche Winter & Winter                                                        .

J.S.Bach The Art of the Fugue Lorenzo Ghielmi, Il Suonar Parlante Winter & Winter

These two, which are aaaaaaaaawwwwesome!

(There is so much crap-tango out there... especially crossover tango from classical artists*. But this is (admittedly not being crossover) first rate stuff.

*Explicitly exempted from this are Danny Barenboim, whose Tango CD ("Mi Buenos Aires querido") is excellent, and Yo Yo Ma, whose Tango CD ("Soul of the Tango") is in any case very good.

[Franco]

I've heard parts of the Bach and it is impressive (although I wish they had not completed the last fugue).

[haydnguy]

If you like the oboe, this is a good one.

[Brian]

My playlist so far tonight:

Sibelius: Symphony No 3. Halle Orchestra; Mark Elder
Sibelius: Symphony No 1. Halle Orchestra; Mark Elder
Sibelius: Symphony No 2. Adelaide Symphony Orchestra; Alvo Volmer
Sibelius: Symphony No 6. Berlin Symphony Orchestra; Kurt Sanderling
Sibelius: Symphony No 4. Lahti Symphony; Osmo Vanska
Sibelius: Symphony No 7. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra; Leif Segerstam

As you can see, there is only one thing left to listen to. Which Sibelius Symphony No 5, available on Naxos Music Library, is the best?