What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Henk]

Yes, I am talking about the S.3 (I checked if it was actually that S. that I listened to).



Henk

[Brian]

My 15th listen to this CD in 6 months. Brian's 2010 Recording of the Year? Look no further!

[Mirror Image]

Now listening:





So far, so good. Listening to Fantasy Overture: Corteges.

[DavidRoss]

You find Sibelius's Third Symphony dull?

I found all Sibelius dull, until I took the cotton out of my ears and really listened.  And I was just trying to think of what I'd like to hear this afternoon, when I checked this thread for ideas (as I often do), and lo and behold, Blomstedt/SFS playing Sibelius's great neo-classical Symphony #3, followed by the equally great #6 (in D minor!), fit the bill perfectly!

[Brian]

I found all Sibelius dull, until I took the cotton out of my ears and really listened.  And I was just trying to think of what I'd like to hear this afternoon, when I checked this thread for ideas (as I often do), and lo and behold, Blomstedt/SFS playing Sibelius's great neo-classical Symphony #3, followed by the equally great #6 (in D minor!), fit the bill perfectly!

I still can't quite believe No 6 is in D minor. Of all the pieces of music in D minor that I've ever heard, No 6 is the least "D minor"-ish, and indeed, until the last two minutes, it's, if this makes any sense, the least minor.

[DavidRoss]

I still can't quite believe No 6 is in D minor. Of all the pieces of music in D minor that I've ever heard, No 6 is the least "D minor"-ish, and indeed, until the last two minutes, it's, if this makes any sense, the least minor.

Sounds modal to me, but what do I know...?

[Brian]

Sounds modal to me, but what do I know...?

Well what I meant was it's so vibrant and fresh and pleased-sounding that it doesn't sound like a minor-key symphony 'til the end. Don't tell Mirror Image, but I don't know what modal actually means so 'scuse me while I Wiki it.

[Scarpia]

Well what I meant was it's so vibrant and fresh and pleased-sounding that it doesn't sound like a minor-key symphony 'til the end. Don't tell Mirror Image, but I don't know what modal actually means so 'scuse me while I Wiki it.

Your point is symphonies in d-minor are invariably morose and depressing, like Beethoven's Ninth?   

[Brian]

Your point is symphonies in d-minor are invariably morose and depressing, like Beethoven's Ninth?   

No, I'd associate that more with E minor, actually (Brahms 4) - D minor I associate with High Drama and huge emotional swings writ large. Beethoven's Ninth, Bach Chaconne, Dvorak's Seventh, even Sibelius' Violin Concerto are examples of the sort of "typical" D minor sound that I think of when I think of D minor: big, monumental, a sort of climactic dramatic showdown between mythological forces. Sibelius No 6 pretty much undermines, even flat-out contradicts all my ideas about D minor... the happiness is innocent, the tragedy is subtle, there really aren't many Big Climaxes, so much of the work is so lyrical or pastoral, and it all fades away into stillness.

Random thought.

[Sid]

Last night listened to:

"The Legendary Casals" - A series of recordings from the 1930's with the famous cellist, both solo and accompanied:
J.S. Bach - Cello Suite No. 1, BWV 1007
Beethoven - Cello Sonata No. 3; Minuet in G major (with Otto Schulhof, piano)
Brahms - Cello Sonata No. 2 (with Mieczyslaw Horszowski, piano)

I bought this disc a few months back & thought I'd give it some more in-depth listening. It's amazing how Casals makes light work of all the intricacies and subtleties of the J.S. Bach. The notes say that he was amongst the first cellists to play these works in a gutsy and intense way, a world away from the dull academicism prevalent in earlier times. Even though I'm not a huge fan of J.S. Bach, I really like this recording. The Beethoven sonata is also a fine work, the third movement a fusion of a slow movement and faster finale. The Minuet in G is an excellent encore, known and loved by many classical (& non- classical) fans around the world. To top it all off, the Brahms sonata, which starts off with an epic melody which would probably not be out of place in his symphonies or concertos, continuing with a lyrical slow movement with a bit of pizzicato to spice things up, then the scherzo marked "allegro appasionato" which has a secondary theme full of longing, yearning and hope. The finale, compared to the more grand first movement, sounds quite homely and intimate - it's the shortest movement at just over four minutes. This disc shows Casals' mastery of his instrument at his peak, and the rapport and coordination with the accompanists is a thrill to hear. The sound for recordings that are 70-80 years old is excellent, not a snap, crackle or pop in sight, and it's very warm and deep...

[PaulR]

#2
Perhaps my favorite of the 5.  I really love relative simplicity of the opening few measures, and the piece growing from there.  The cadenza is something to behold as well.

[Coopmv]

Yep, good eyes, Bill. 

Bill, are you a sharp shooter?   

[Mirror Image]

Now:





Listening to Symphony No. 4 and my opinion still holds true: it is an amazing work. I own both Hickox and Lloyd-Jones recordings now and I find them to be both excellent.

[Daverz]

Bartok: Piano Concerto No. 3 - Annie Fischer/Igor Markevitch/LSO

[DavidRoss]

[Dancing Divertimentian]

#2
Perhaps my favorite of the 5.  I really love relative simplicity of the opening few measures, and the piece growing from there.  The cadenza is something to behold as well.

Yes, the second concerto really is an underrated work. Fortunately its number of recordings seems to be steadily on the rise, with pianists such as Kissin and Yundi Li taking respective stabs at it recently.

[SonicMan46]

Vivaldi, Antonio - Viola d'amore Concertos w/ Catherine Mackintosh & Orch Age Enlightenment - a new inexpensive acquisition from BRO (Berkshire Record Outlet) - my long owned comparison recording also shown below (which I've loved for many years now) - this Helios offering contains all 6 concertos and is wonderfully performed and recorded; for the price (and a desire for these works on this 'old timey' instrument), a definite recommendation - 

 

[Coopmv]

Vivaldi, Antonio - Viola d'amore Concertos w/ Catherine Mackintosh & Orch Age Enlightenment - a new inexpensive acquisition from BRO (Berkshire Record Outlet) - my long owned comparison recording also shown below (which I've loved for many years now) - this Helios offering contains all 6 concertos and is wonderfully performed and recorded; for the price (and a desire for these works on this 'old timey' instrument), a definite recommendation - 

 

Dave,   Great catch.  Catherine Mackintosh was the first violinist with the AAM under Christopher Hogwood.  She and Monica Huggett were what made AAM such a great period instrument ensemble throughout the 1980's.   

[Mirror Image]

Now:





Listening to Violin Concerto right now and what a wonderful work this is.

[George]