What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Mozart]

Papagena Papagena Papagena...

Poor guy is going to kill himself because he can't find a woman to love. I say its their loss.

[mahlertitan]

Mahler, symphony 5, Gewandhaus Orchester, Vaclav Neumann. This is from an old Supraphon release, ca. 1967. Although 40 years old, it's excellent in sound and magnificent in both conception and execution. Strings are excellent, with that typical east german separation of choirs (also heard in Amsterdam and Boston, so maybe it's just a matter of orchestral culture?) - Trumpets and horns are very vocal: vibrato and tone expansion give the playing personality without attracting too much attention (as might be the case in Prague or Leningrad).

Neumann's is one of the fastest 5ths I've heard (65 minutes) and yet it's never rushed. Superb articulation from the orchestra and fastidious care with balances ensure that everything comes through with great clarity. This interpretation has spendid forward thrust yet it expands with great force without ever sounding fierce or battered into submission. It sings, it breathes, it roars and soars. I should make a couple of comparisons to make sure the "long-absent factor" is not fooling me, but I wouldn't be surprised if this became a favourite.

Next in line will be the Rozhdestvensky-Moscow version. Its timings are the closest I could find and IIRC it's a grand and theatrical affair.  As the french saying goes, 'comparaison n'est pas raison' , but it's always instructive if one knows better than to expect revelations form the exercise.

now, that's a good one

[Drasko]

Ending very long day with this beauty (Prologue & Act I)

[Solitary Wanderer]

Three Places in New England

[orbital]

[Solitary Wanderer]

Prokofiev ~ Romeo and Juliet

[Harry]

Joseph Haydn.

Complete Piano Trio's.

CD 9.

In D major, Hob. XV/24.
In G major, Hob. XV/25.
In F sharp minor, Hob. XV/26.
In G major, Hob. XV/32.

Van Swieten Trio.

All is said about this set. Praise may be heaped on this issue. Rarely all things work together like in the BAT recording. This one is on the other side of the spectrum, but not less fascinating. I could not do without both complete sets.

[hautbois]

The Septet in Bb for Wind & Strings - Franz Berwald - The Nash Ensemble. This is a fine example of Berwald's mastery of chamber music. Circa 1820, IIRC. An era when large chamber ensembles were at their peak of popularity (septets, octets and nonets are far more numerous from this era than any other). Great work for the clarinet and horn! 

This one is BEAU-TI-FUL! One of my all time favourites.

Howard

[sound67]

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Charles Groves, conductor
BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra
Bryden Thomson, conductor

The first of several Lyrita CDs I ordered arrived today. Something tells me they won't be around for a long time ..

Thomas

[Harry]

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Charles Groves, conductor
BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra
Bryden Thomson, conductor

The first of several Lyrita CDs I ordered arrived today. Something tells me they won't be around for a long time ..

Thomas

I saw the list with all the goodies, but found them to be quite expensive, considering their age.
So, although I would like to have many of them, 20 euro's a piece, is in the light of many excellent bargains to much.
But that is a matter of priorities I guess.

[Harry]

Mendelsohn.

Complete Chamber Works.

CD 9.

Piano Trio's.

No. 1 in D minor, opus 49.
No. 2 in C minor, opus 66.

Klaviertrio Amsterdam.

Klara Wurtz, Piano.
Joan Berkhemer, Violin.
Nadia David, Cello.

Apart from the fact that these piano trios from Mendelsohn are fantastic music, these recordings come as a welcome visitor, that will not disturb your balance, but give you a relaxing 55:00 minutes of extremely nice open and friendly music making. Well recorded and played. Its a summer breeze, not a deep digging affair, but valid nevertheless.

[wintersway]

Good gracious, Pettersson, Monday morning, the 14 Symphony.
Don't do that, to yourself.
You cannot start Monday with Pettersson. that will throw you in depression.

Thank you for the concern Harry but as I was already depressed Pettersson had no affect on me whatsoever! That 14th is something though!

NP:

Good morning/day to all!

[Harry]

Ferdinand Ries.

Symphony No. 4 in f major, opus 110.

Zurcher Kammerorchester/Howard Griffiths

Its absolute bliss for me listening to this music. every note I cherish most fervently.
The third movement, "Scherzo" has a beautiful solo for Violin.
Melodic, inventive, entertaining, vigorously played, lucid and open for much marvelous detail.

[Harry]

Ferdinand Ries.

Symphony No. 5 in D minor, opus 112.

Zurcher Kammerorchester/Howard Griffiths

The fifth is one of the finest I heard so far, with a ravishing gorgeous second movenent, "Larghetto con moto-Quasi Andante".

[Scriptavolant]

My favorite Haydn Symphony: No. 95 in C minor - Harnoncourt, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

[Harry]

Ferdinand Ries.

Symphony No. 6 in D major, opus 146.

Zurcher Kammerorchester/Howard Griffiths.

It gets better and better all the time with this music.

[Harry]

Ferdinand Ries.

Symphony No. 7 in A minor, opus 181.

Zurcher Kammerorchester/Howard Griffiths.

Recorded in SACD.

Ongoing success story, at least for me. These compositions will stand alongside Beethoven.
It takes surprisingly little time, to hear what is so unique about Ries. He actually fits in the boots of his friend Beethoven.
Although Beethoven his compositional skills are better, Ries has the same basis.
IMO! But that's a very personal opinion of course, and I am not willing to fight over it.

[karlhenning]

Man, this is really great, enormously stylish!

Paray rocks!

[karlhenning]

My favorite Haydn Symphony: No. 95 in C minor - Harnoncourt, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Dang, I don't know that one at all! I've got to give that a listen.

[Harry]

Dang, I don't know that one at all! I've got to give that a listen.

And than to remember my friend that I know them all!
Goodmorning to you!