What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Bulldog]

Which is that, Brian? This one?



It's a lovely picture, isn't it?

I like that cover, mostly for the color scheme.

[Mirror Image]

Oh, that was a mere GMG amusement; we don't go to the same school, even. 

On the other hand, your doubts of my Bella have been noted. And you are being watched.

I'm sorry evil chocolate monster, I take back everything I said!

[Brian]

I'm sorry evil chocolate monster, I take back everything I said!

That's me!

[Brian]

Oh yeah... thread duty and all that.
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[Conor71]

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Brahms: Clarinet Trio, Clarinet Quintet

[Mirror Image]

Now:

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Simply an outstanding performance of Bluebeard's Castle! Anybody who loves this opera, which I know many of you do, should definitely acquire this recording. It is equal to Kertesz's legendary recording. Both of the soloists Cornelia Kallisch (mezzo-soprano) and Peter Fried (baritone) perform admirably well. The whole thing is held together by conductor Peter Eotvos who is a name I'm going to be looking out for from now on. The SWR Orchestra are also in fine form. I wholeheartedly recommend this recording for lovers of this opera.

P. S. The strings aren't as thick as the Kertesz recording, but overall sound quality is excellent, especially for a live recording.

[Daverz]

What are you talking about?

I assume it's not Scarpia, but whatever he's smoking, that's doing the talking.

And...



Now you know what a man looks like.

There are some very strange dudes on this forum.

[Mirror Image]

I assume it's not Scarpia, but whatever he's smoking, that's doing the talking.

And...



Now you know what a man looks like.

There are some very strange dudes on this forum.

You see this is a good picture of her, but I looked her up and I guess I ran across some pictures where her facial features were kind of hard looking. Anyway, I'm not saying anything else about her, this is Brian's woman, not mine! I've got Sarah Chang.

[Sid]

Boccherini
String Quintets with double bass, Op. 39
La Magnifica Communita
Brilliant Classics

Stockhausen

Chamber works:
Tierkreis, version for trumpet & organ
Zyklus, for percussionist
In Freundschaft, for solo trumpet

Electronic works:
Spiral I, Spiral II
Pole
Japan
Wach

Tristan Fry, percussion
Markus Stockhausen, trumpet/Margareta Hurholz, organ
Harold Boje & Peter Eotvos, flutes, short wave radios, synthesisers, etc./Christoph Caskel, percussion accompaniment
EMI 2 discs

The Boccherini disc is the first of his music that I have ever acquired (even though I've been listening to classical for more than 20 years - somehow he had slipped under the radar & not interested me much until now). Obviously, his music isn't preoccupied as much as the Germans were with counterpoint and strict thematic development. Boccherini likes to introduce one theme, then continue with a related theme, and maybe come back to the original theme (but not always). He also liked to use interesting structures - for example, the first quintet here has a middle movement Allegro - Minuet - Allegro and a final movement Rondo - Minuet - Rondo. He also liked to use subtle effects, for example the pizzicato in the slow movement of the second quintet which reminds me of the guitar a bit (I'm looking forward to hearing his guitar quintets). & the middle movement of the final quintet here is marked Amoroso, & it's delicious. My first impression is that Boccherini had more in common with guys like Monteverdi or Corelli than say Mozart or Haydn. Having said that, some of the textures in the finale of the last quintet remind me of early Beethoven.

I listened to almost all of the Stockhausen set late last night. The electronic works are quite ambient, there are elements that remind me of church bells, the sound of the wind amongst trees, or waves crashing at the ocean. Sometimes a snatch of melody will come from the music from the short wave radios, and this forms the basis for a short improvisation from the player on synthesiser or whatever. This music is based on chance and is very ephemeral, it comes and goes. By contrast, the chamber works on the discs are traditionally notated. I particularly like Tierkreis, based on the signs of the zodiac. I heard this work live in an arrangements for all manner of instruments played by Ensemble Offspring at the Conservatorium in Sydney last year. Naturally, it sounded completely different from the trumpet and organ version here, but I wasn't really that familiar with it then to judge properly. Lovers of this repertoire should immediately snap up this set, as I don't think it will remain in print for too long. That's unfortunate, because it is quite good...

[Antoine Marchand]

It's a lovely picture, isn't it?

... at least this time doesn't look like softcore material: 

[Antoine Marchand]

J.S. Bach - Goldberg Variations
Bernard Lagace, organ [Beckerath Organ, Eglise Immaculee-Conception]
Analekta/Fleur de Lys, FL 2 3068
Year Released/Recorded:   1995
Total Playing Time: 77:43

I have listened to this disc with pleasure. It makes a beautiful contrast with my other organ version of the Goldbergs, performed by Elena Barshai (Brilliant Classics).

It's a slow paced version, plenty of beautiful registrations. 

[Daverz]

... at least this time doesn't look like softcore material: 

Pretty good record, though.

[mahler10th]

I am having a fine old dirge with this...solemn...dignified...spirited with tragedy...pass the razors ...

[Mirror Image]

Now:

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This is a really great performance as well. I'm enjoying what both Jessye Norman and Laszlo Polgar bring to the roles of Judith and Bluebeard. Both vocalists are assured and confident in their roles. I've heard criticism against Boulez that he seemed to be "less involved" in this performance, but quite frankly, as usual, I disagree. He couldn't be more alert and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (no strangers to Bartok's music) perform this music amazingly well. This one is definitely a keeper.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



As Brian stated many pages back, this is a great account of L'Enfant et les sortileges. The only problem is I don't really have much to compare it to sadly. The only other version I own of this opera is Dutoit/MSO's reading on Decca, which I haven't heard in a few years. The conductor, orchestra, vocalists, and chorus seem to be all on the same page. This recording's audio quality is also excellent. I would like to get Maazel's much praised reading sometime down the road if I can find one for a good price in the used market.

P. S. This version of Sheherazade is simply outstanding. I would say this recording is a must-buy no doubt about it.

[Mirror Image]

Now:

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A highly praised recording and rightfully so. I'm feeling all warm and tingly inside. 

[Harry]

I am having a fine old dirge with this...solemn...dignified...spirited with tragedy...pass the razors ...

You are supposed to leave that CD in the barracks at all times  Private John, unless the inevitable happens, and then only with a written consent.
What were you thinking?

[Harry]

CD VI of this fine box.

Antonio de Cabezon.
Instrumental Works.
Hesperion XX, Jordi Savall.


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[Harry]

Complete Chamber Music, from Josef Suk
CD 1.

Melody for 2 Violins.
Minuet for violin and Piano.
Ballad for Violin and Piano in D minor.
Four pieces for Violin and Piano opus 17.
Ballad for Cello and Piano in D minor.
Serenade for Cello and Piano in A major.
Bagatelle for Flute, Violin and Piano, " With nosegay in hand".
Barcarolle, "Andante con moto" from the SQ in D minor.
Ballad for SQ  in d minor.
Elegy for Violin Cello and SQ, Harmonium and Harp, opus 23.
Sousedska for 5 Violins, Double Bass, Cymbals, Triangle, Side and Bass drum.

Recordings are vintage analogue quality, 1966/78/83/90/91.

Josef Suk, and many others are participating in this complete recordings, with state of the art recordings, excellently performed, I know of no other performances so atmospheric, melodious, so into the idiom of Suk.
The music is beyond doubt of the finest what Suk produced, and exotic too, if you look at the instruments used in this recording. I am absolutely hooked on this music. Beautiful booklets with Jugendstill pictures, and useful practical info about the music. For the money this is the set to get, you will not get better performances.


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[mc ukrneal]

A little Myslivecek this morning. Every time I listen to this disc, I think  to myself that I need to get more of his discs. And guess what - I recently did!!  Of course, when I get to it will be a different matter entirely (once I get it)! But the Concerto Koln are outstanding here - pure joy!
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