What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Florestan]

I would not blame a composer for working in forms that are by their nature light, superficial.  They have to eat, afterall and I can't name a composer who hasn't done it (maybe J.S. Bach).  I blame a composer who puts superficial, vulgar music into a form that should be more noble, and I don't think Liszt is often guilty of that.

Neither would / do I. I just mean that Liszt was perhaps the most self-contradictory composer ever. From the basest vulgarity to the noblest feelings, from the shallowest entertainment to the most metaphysical quest --- you name it, he delivers it.

[Brahmsian]

Neither would / do I. I just mean that Liszt was perhaps the most self-contradictory composer ever. From the basest vulgarity to the noblest feelings, from the shallowest entertainment to the most metaphysical quest --- you name it, he delivers it.

Well, even Beethoven delivers some shallow entertainment, aka Wellington's Victory. 

[Bogey]

Well, even Beethoven delivers some shallow entertainment, aka Wellington's Victory. 

Yup.

[Brahmsian]

First-listen, from the library:

Bach

Partitas for solo keyboard, BWV 825-830

Hewitt
Hyperion

*Upon first listen, I've got to say that these Partitas have just floored me.  Sometimes, I find certain coolness in Bach's keyboard works.  They are 'nice' to listen to, pleasant, but lack a certain warmth or emotional drive or feeling.  I do not feel like this whatsoever, for some reason, with the Partitas.  They have a certain feeling and warmth to them.  I've been mesmerized from the first few bars and onward.   

[Coopmv]

First-listen, from the library:

Bach

Partitas for solo keyboard, BWV 825-830

Hewitt
Hyperion

*Upon first listen, I've got to say that these Partitas have just floored me.  Sometimes, I find certain coolness in Bach's keyboard works.  They are 'nice' to listen to, pleasant, but lack a certain warmth or emotional drive or feeling.  I do not feel like this whatsoever, for some reason, with the Partitas.  They have a certain feeling and warmth to them.  I've been mesmerized from the first few bars and onward.   

I have the Bach Partitas by Angela Hewitt, though I am not sure if they are necessarily better than the Glenn Gould's set, which I have owned since the 90's but is now OOP ...

[Sergeant Rock]

I blame a composer who puts superficial, vulgar music into a form that should be more noble

You talkin' to ME???

[Florestan]

Well, even Beethoven delivers some shallow entertainment, aka Wellington's Victory. 

It might be shallow for us, but I'm sure that for its Viennese audience back then it was something that appealed directly to their feelings. 

[Scarpia]

You talkin' to ME???

You said it, not me.   

[karlhenning]

Neither would / do I. I just mean that Liszt was perhaps the most self-contradictory composer ever. From the basest vulgarity to the noblest feelings, from the shallowest entertainment to the most metaphysical quest --- you name it, he delivers it.

He pioneered the Mahlerian embrace of all, way before Mahler ; )

[SonicMan46]

I hope to find time for a second listen of this set, which I purchased a few months ago.  On balance, I still think the set by the English Concert/Trevor Pinnock on DG Archive. originally issued as 3 individual CD's, was more polished with higher level of virtuosity.  That has been the set I keep going back to again and again over the past 20 years ...

Stuart - concerning the Handel Op. 6 - I've had plenty of sets over the years (may have even 'dumped' the one mentioned above - just cannot remember) - but this current one is an excellent production; I don't have a SACD setup for evaluation but would be curious for those who have this recording and can compare the standard CD layer w/ the SACD one, what their opinions might be?  Dave 

[Coopmv]

Just completed my first listen to SACD2 from the following set.  While it is pretty good for a British ensemble, I still give the edge to the Veldhoven set, which is in my collection as well ...

[Coopmv]

Stuart - concerning the Handel Op. 6 - I've had plenty of sets over the years (may have even 'dumped' the one mentioned above - just cannot remember) - but this current one is an excellent production; I don't have a SACD setup for evaluation but would be curious for those who have this recording and can compare the standard CD layer w/ the SACD one, what their opinions might be?  Dave 

Dave,  I have about 15 versions of Handel Concerto Grossi Op. 6 (mostly on CD but a few on LP as well) and I continue to feel the version by the English Concert/Trevor Pinnock is the best.  The recent version by AAM/Egarr is quite good but still does not quite measure up ...

[SonicMan46]

Biber, Heinrich (1644-1704) - Fidicinium Sacro-Profanum, 1683 w/ Plantier & Les Plaisirs du Parnasse on Zig-Zag - I'm loving this label and this disc of 12 Violin Sonatas - 

Ganassi, Sylvestro (1492-1557) - Io amai sempre - Venise 1540 - just added this disc on a BRO order because of the label (i.e. Zig-Zag) - this is a wonderful disc of the kind of music (multiple composers actually) that would have been heard around Venice in the mid-16th century - instruments used include flutes, strings, lute, and organ/harpsichord - quite enjoyable & relaxing! 

 

[Coopmv]

Biber, Heinrich (1644-1704) - Fidicinium Sacro-Profanum, 1683 w/ Plantier & Les Plaisirs du Parnasse on Zig-Zag - I'm loving this label and this disc of 12 Violin Sonatas - 

Ganassi, Sylvestro (1492-1557) - Io amai sempre - Venise 1540 - just added this disc on a BRO order because of the label (i.e. Zig-Zag) - this is a wonderful disc of the kind of music (multiple composers actually) that would have been heard around Venice in the mid-16th century - instruments used include flutes, strings, lute, and organ/harpsichord - quite enjoyable & relaxing! 

 

Zig Zag appears to specialize in early music.  I am glad I grabbed this from MDT a few months ago, as this is not even available in the US now ...

[Sid]

Janacek
String Quartets 1 & 2
Dvorak
Piano Quintet - 2nd movement
Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano
Alban Berg Quartet
EMI

Janacek
Glagolitic Mass
Diary of one who has disappeared
Soloists/Bavarian Radio SO & Choir/Kubelik
DGG

Liszt
A Faust Symphony
Winbergh/Westminster Ch./Philadelphia Orch./Muti
EMI

Janacek is one of my favourite composers & I love these works. The string quartets are some of the most passionate in the repertoire, as is the song cycle Diary of one who has disappeared. The latter is sung in German, not the original Czech, but I soon forget that by being totally absorbed by Ernest Haefliger's very emotional performance. The emotions speak for themselves, really. I also like the Glagolitic Mass, such a grand work. The crazy organ solo sounds like it is for four, not only two, hands. Then I listened to Liszt's A Faust Symphony, & one can easily hear how it influenced the Russians like Tchaikovsky, and maybe even Bruckner (definitely Wagner). I wouldn't be surprised if guys like Bartok & Schoenberg would have studied the score as well. The theme at the beginning is taken on a journey of epic proportions (though there are also many intimate moments, like the string quartet in the middle slow movement). It ends with a male chorus and tenor solo which can be very uplifting and quite a release after all of the tension that went before it. Interesting how Liszt's symphony ends with a chorus, like Beethoven's 9th, but the effect is completely different...

[SonicMan46]

Zig Zag appears to specialize in early music.  I am glad I grabbed this from MDT a few months ago, as this is not even available in the US now ...

Stuart - I just received 4-5 CDs from BRO on this label - love their choices & their excellent recording standards - have yet to listen to some of my recent acquisitions, but would suggest those interested exploring this label - Dave 

[Coopmv]

Stuart - I just received 4-5 CDs from BRO on this label - love their choices & their excellent recording standards - have yet to listen to some of my recent acquisitions, but would suggest those interested exploring this label - Dave 

I have only placed 2 orders at BRO to date but that will change if the delivery time from MDT and Presto Classical continue to be so absurdly long.  Unfortunately, many of the recordings I want also are not available at BRO ...

[SonicMan46]

I have only placed 2 orders at BRO to date but that will change if the delivery time from MDT and Presto Classical continue to be so absurdly long.  Unfortunately, many of the recordings I want also are not available at BRO ...

Hi Stuart - for those (esp. in the USA) not knowing much about BRO (Berkshire Record Outlet), their offerings at are much reduced prices because their items are closeouts, OOP recordings, or other markedly reduced prices; so don't expect to find a large extensive number of CDs as seen on Amazon - this is a bargain place w/ offerings obtained at those prices - HOWEVER, search carefully, there are plenty of gems to be purchased at ridiculously low prices! 

[Coopmv]

Hi Stuart - for those (esp. in the USA) not knowing much about BRO (Berkshire Record Outlet), their offerings at are much reduced prices because their items are closeouts, OOP recordings, or other markedly reduced prices; so don't expect to find a large extensive number of CDs as seen on Amazon - this is a bargain place w/ offerings obtained at those prices - HOWEVER, search carefully, there are plenty of gems to be purchased at ridiculously low prices! 

Dave,   You are absolutely correct.  I bought the following set from BRO at a huge discount from the best price available on Amazon ...

[Coopmv]

Now playing this SACD on my universal player and the big rig for a second listen.  The first listen was done on my computer DVD drive ...