What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Haffner]

I truly adore this disc; isn't this one of two recorded versions of the Lieder with Ludwig and Karajan?
Ludwig is a favorite of mine, period. Also loved her in The Ring... (Met/Levine).

[rubio]

Edwin Fischer.



Q

That one seems mighty interesting . I like Edwin Fischer very much in general.

[rubio]

Probably Maria Joao Pires, hers are more in the Romantic tradition. Slower, more dramatic and austere.

Which other recordings have you heard?

[George]

That one seems mighty interesting . I like Edwin Fischer very much in general.

You can download his complete Musicaux (in a poorer transfer) here for 1 euro:

http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=420

[George]

Which other recordings have you heard?

Brendel, E. Fischer, Lupu, Schnabel, Schiff, Kempff.

Went through a phase earlier in the year. 

[Que]

That one seems mighty interesting . I like Edwin Fischer very much in general.

I think it's a classic in the true meaning of the word. Unfussy and "straight forward", yet very subtle and sophisticated. Not overbearing in projected "late-Romanticism", which does not appeal to me in Schubert.

I believe George can fill you in on all the details and merits of the various available transfers (Testament, Pearl and APR)!  An advantage of the Testament is the coupling with the equally desirable Moments Musicaux. The transfer is moderately filtered but quite OK.

Q

[rubio]

Probably Maria Joao Pires, hers are more in the Romantic tradition. Slower, more dramatic and austere.

I think I will check out her, as well. I haven't this pianist so far.

Now Brahms Symphony No. 1, Variations on a Theme of Haydn and Alto Rhapsody performed by Edward van Beinum/Concertgebouw Orchestra. I also have his recording of the same symphony from 1951, so it will be interesting to compare. His complete set of Brahms symphonies I do consider. I wonder which 1st is included in that one.

[George]

Schubert, The Complete Impromptus, German Dances and Moments Musicaux, played by Alfred Brendel. I simply loved these CD's, both the music itself and Brendel's playing. It's a straightforward and pure reading that I think first and foremost put the spotlight on the music itself. What are your favourite Impromptus interpretations?

Now playing: the Moments Musicaux from the above set.

Delightfully light and a nice classical interpretation of these works. 

[johnQpublic]

Lortzing - "Undine" Overture (Neumann/Marco Polo)
Wagenaar - Saul & David (Chailly/London)
Schumann - Piano Trio #2 (Borodin/Chandos)
Meyerbeer - Torch Dance #4 (Jurowski/cpo)

[Harry]

Anton Reicha.

Sinfonia Concertante, for Flute, Violin, and Orchestra in G major.

Overture in D major.

Symphony in E flat major, opus 41.

SO Wuppertal/Peter Gulke.
Ida Bieler Violin.
Jean Claude Gerard, Flute.

Reicha is a fine composer, and these works prove that in abundance. The first work on this disc is a example with this combination of Flute and Violin. the interaction is of grandeur, and careful balance, with equal responsabilities, and possibilities. The Wuppertal SO, is a fine band, with a sensitive conductor, that keeps tempi swift. Fine recording too.

[rubio]

Brahms Symphony No. 2 and No. 3 performed by Karajan/BPO (from the 60's).

[Haffner]

Brahms Symphony No. 2 and No. 3 performed by Karajan/BPO (from the 60's).

JA!

[Harry]

Thomas Stoltzer. (1485-1526)

Psalm Motets.

Josquin Capella.

Wonderful music in wonderful performances, and captured in a fine recording ambiance.
Not much recorded of this composer, which is a pity.
A valuable addition to my Stoltzer collection.

[Lilas Pastia]

I only found this image of that superb record (Chant du monde - Saison russe):





Russian orthodox sacred arias for mezzo-soprano and men's choir. Some are for choir only. Amazing when listened to late at night. Hearing the noble voice of the alto rise above the deep basses, or joining the full-throated tenors is just enchanting...

20th Century violin concertos: by the East German Gerhard Rosenfeld, vc # 1 (1963), the English Thomas Wilson (vc in one movement, 1993), and the American Stanley Wolfe (1989). All three are excellent examples of modern but accessible works. Each is well-crafted, sturdily built, and coincidentally, the violin is treated as the star (instead of having to fight its way against the orchestra). Soaring, lyrical, but with anguish and bitterness also part of the emotional armoury. I found the Rosenfeld the most demanding emotionally and intellectually - and  the Wolfe perhaps the most overtly emotional work. Wilson's 26-minute one-movement piece is lyrical but goes through much temperament variations.

[Lilas Pastia]

In the week ending Saturday, 25 AUG 2007, I listened to the following:

1,2. 10/10 Haydn: Syms 103 "Drumroll" (29:01), + Alternative ending (5:39), 104 "London" (23:37), Symphony "B" in B Flat Major (13:11), Sym 22 in E Flat Major "Der Philosoph" (2nd version) (9:50), Sym 53 in D Major "L'Imperiale"—Alternative ending A (5:18 ), Alternative ending C (5:43), Alternative ending D (3:31), Sym 63 "La Roxelane" (1st vers) (19:09)—Dorati, cond. Philharmonia Hungarica. CDs 32 & 33 of 33 CD London set of complete syms.

Thanks for the extremely rewarding post about the Haydn symphonies and their alternate movements. Fascinating. Do these particular records exist outside the Big Box?

[Que]

Q

[Bogey]

As with every Sunday, taking in the 3 hour classical radio show called Sacred Classics.  Here are four pieces that stood out for me today:

Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata 137 Lobe den Herren BWV 137
Bach-Ensemble Helmuth Rilling / Helmuth Rilling
Gachinger Kantorei Stuttgart
Arleen Auger, soprano
Gabriele Schreckenbach, alto
Adalbert Kraus, tenor
Walter Hedwein, bass
Hanssler 98861

Niels Gade: Three Sacred Choruses
Danish National Radio Choir / Jesper Grove Jorgensen
Chandos 9767

Camille Saint-Saens: Calme des nuits Op 68/1
Tafelmusik Chamber Choir / Ivars Taurins
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Records 1155

and

Hildegard von Bingen: O ignee spiritus
Anonymous 4  0:)
Harmonia Mundi 907327

[Robert]

Schnittke

Symphony 8

Lu

Bis 1217

One of my favorite Schnittke symphonies.....

[Haffner]

Schnittke

Symphony 8

Lu

Bis 1217

One of my favorite Schnittke symphonies.....

Is this a good recording, Robert?

[bhodges]

Elgar: Quintet for Piano and Strings in A minor (Lars Vogt, Joshua Bell, Alexandra Soumm, Lawrence Power and Saul Gabetta, from the Verbier Festival, Aug. 4) - New to me, and lovely.  They do the middle "Adagio" particularly well.

Bach: Fantasy and Fugue in C minor for organ, BWV 537, arranged for orchestra by Edward Elgar (Andrew Davis / Verbier Festival Orchestra) - Never heard this arrangement, and it sounds quite nice, at least as played here.  A little overblown, perhaps, but good in a "grand" way and like many things, worth hearing at least once.

Elgar: Enigma Variations (same personnel) - Very satisfying...I think I've heard Andrew Davis conduct this before, and it's something he does very well.  The festival orchestra is excellent - a very young group, but quite accomplished.

And now, from another concert:

Salonen: L.A. Variations (Salonen / Verbier Festival Orchestra) - Again, the prowess of this group is inspiring, and to hear them play this with such passion...  And what a powerful, compelling score!  I was not familiar with this piece, and it might be one of Salonen's best. 

And yet another one:

Haydn: Concerto for cello and strings in C major (Heinrich Schiff / Verbier Festival Orchestra)
Tchaikovsky: Serenade for strings (Schiff / VFO)

--Bruce