What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[BobsterLobster]

To finish the night:

[asin]B000003FGS[/asin]
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Rachmaninoff might not be my favorite composer, but I do like this piece.

One of my favourite CDs of all time!

[PaulR]

One of my favourite CDs of all time!

I find the one star reviews to be humorous, expecting recordings from the 30s and 40s to be like the recordings of the modern era in terms of sound quality.

[Brian]

Sneaking in here......

[asin]B000H4VZFS[/asin]
Symphony #40 in G minor.

My goodness what a gorgeously designed cover that is. Does the playing match it?

[PaulR]

My goodness what a gorgeously designed cover that is. Does the playing match it?

In my opinion, yes it does. Tafelmusik orchestra is one of my favorite HIP orchestras (Though, admittedly, I don't listen to a lot of HIP recoridngs).  I haven't had a CD of theirs that I haven't really enjoyed.

Their reading of Beethoven 5 and 6 is probably my favorite of the works.

Decided to listen to one more thing as I have my evening tea (I love the teapot I have now):

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Beethoven Symphony #7

[TheGSMoeller]

Strauss: Symphonic Suite from Josephslegende
Schwarz/Seattle

I'm only familiar with this here suite, but this is some vintage Strauss, someday need to explore the entire ballet.

[kishnevi]

Well taste differ, I love the Inbal, but Zinman is very high on my list. The price is a little steep, otherwise I would have bought it already.

Inbal to date (meaning not counting the numerous sets I haven't heard, or heard only in part), I would call Inbal the best all around Mahler cycle.  There may not be any outstanding hits, but there are no misses, and I very much like his 8th.

I agree more with MI about Zinman--although I think his 4th is excellent, his 3rd very good and his 9th is one of the best recordings of that symphony I have heard--the last movement is absolute sublimity.  With the exception of the 10th--which I don't like at all--the other symphonies in his cycle don't stand out for me in any way.

Thread duty:  Pierre Rode  24 Caprices for Solo Violin  Axel Strauss violin (Naxos) 
A wonderful series of minatures,  in which Rode, while not exactly ignoring technical display, seems to focus on the expressive side of the instrument.   Overall, I'm finding this music to be superior to the far more famous series by Paganini.

[DavidRoss]

Holy crap... I didn't know such an opinion was possible 

(Calling Mozart pretentious is something I find especially confusing.)

Consider the source and don't expect to get eggs from a hamster.

I don't like to listen to Pettersson, e.g., in whose music I hear piddly bathos rather than profundity, myself.

One of the first posts directed to me after joining GMG issued from that lovable clipster, Paul, extolling the virtues of Pettersson.  I stuck around anyway--long enough to find a few kindred spirits.

Thread duty:

[Mirror Image]

Consider the source and don't expect to get eggs from a hamster.

Not sure what I ever said to you, David, but this comment wasn't necessary and reflects poorly on you. You simply have to insult someone to make your point.

[Que]

Good morning!

I notice that the atmosphere at the forum is turning a bit sour of late.

That does not surprise me, since the level of amiability has been in a steady decline for some time now and the ways of engagement have slowly roughened over time. This kind of subtle deterioration is hard to moderate, but in my experience there are always a few key members that set the mood.

I'd like to call on everybody to be on their best behaviour - I want to see politeness and kindness pushed to the extreme!! If you please.

Q

[mc ukrneal]

Well if cheer is what is needed, then let's start with some Richter, who is well worth exploring for those unfamiliar with him. A great way to start the day....
[asin]B000REGIXM[/asin]

And a groaner for those who need one:
Steven Spielberg was busy discussing his new action adventure about famous Classical composers. Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger were in the room.
'Who do you want to play?' Spielberg asked Bruce Willis.
'I've always been a big fan of Chopin' said Bruce. 'I'll play him.'
'And you, Sylvester?' asked Spielberg.
'Mozart's the one for me!' said Sly.
'And what about you?' Spielberg asked Arnold Schwarzenegger.
.....'I'll be Bach' said Arnie.

[val]

MOZART:          Requiem                        / Choir and Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Karl Böhm

A good version but, years later, Böhm recorded a new version with better soloists (Mathis & Hamari in special) , a better orchestra (the Vienna Philharmonic) and a better sound.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

He was talking about the "never" bit.

I can't stand Boulez, but does that mean I will "never" listen to it?

I could safely say, "Opera" bores the shit out of me, but factually it is, it frightens the shit out of me.  I really tried listening to it, but to no avail.
Would not say I dislike the composers though, but this kind of music does nothing for me.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Inbal to date (meaning not counting the numerous sets I haven't heard, or heard only in part), I would call Inbal the best all around Mahler cycle.  There may not be any outstanding hits, but there are no misses, and I very much like his 8th.

I agree more with MI about Zinman--although I think his 4th is excellent, his 3rd very good and his 9th is one of the best recordings of that symphony I have heard--the last movement is absolute sublimity.  With the exception of the 10th--which I don't like at all--the other symphonies in his cycle don't stand out for me in any way.

Right, so anyone on possession of this set by Zinman who really wants to get rid of it, let me be the receiver of it. Jeffrey my friend, for me Inbal is also a highlight in the repertoire, no doubt about it, but I happen to like Zinman's take on the Mahler symphonies, in fact I am a Zinman admirer. Love his Beethoven and Schumann enormously.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

And now for some thread cheer.....Good morning my peaceful friends, let there be happiness, the day is dark enough around here.

A Baroque composer that fills me with pleasure, because of it amiable music, is today Christoph Schaffrath, a master in his art. The instrument combinations in his music are exemplary, and the writing takes some beating before he is defeated by another composer. In rank with the best. Epoca Barocca is also one of the very best period groups around, of which I have many recordings, non of them disappointing. Its budget priced, so why not treat yourself to some Baroque splendor?  Recorded in 2003-05-07. State of the art recording too.

[mc ukrneal]

I could safely say, "Opera" bores.....me, but factually it is, it frightens....me.  I really tried listening to it, but to no avail.
Would not say I dislike the composers though....

Translation = I love opera except for all that frightful singing!

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Translation = I love opera except for all that frightful singing!

Excellent compromise, for indeed I love the orchestral parts, and the male singing, its....well the females, which I love to be with, or be around with, as long as they talk to me, instead of singing.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Not to every ones taste, I realize that, but for me his music is close to perfection. This is a excellent box, fine performances and ditto sound, ranging from the 1960-1980. If you've got the stomach for it, its a 6 CD'S budget box at jpc de.

Nonet No. 2 (1941)
Kammermusikvereiningung der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin, Friedrich Carl Erben.
Recorded 1967.

A work full of tonal surprises, and some pretty subtle writing for winds, and strings. Yummy music!

[TheGSMoeller]

.
[asin]B001D27GJM[/asin]


A very good disc, my favorite Four Last Songs is still Norman, but I wouldn't want to be without this one.

Also, is there a thread dedicated to GMG members to share some of their creative creations (art, music, videos...),? There seems to be many creative and possibly talented individuals here and I think it would potentially be a great and fun thread.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

I had all these Symphonies on LP, bought them when they were released. Back then I had the Rogers LS3 5A speakers with Quad 33-303, and a Denon turntable with moving coil element. Expensive enough, but they could not cope with the dynamics very well, and too much obscured detail, which did not put me in favor of the recordings. Now playing the CD'S on my small Dynaudio's C 15, with Arcam amplification, this image has totally vanished from my mind, for these speakers are revealing, open and dynamic. No obscured detail at all, and a depth that gives me goosebumps. Decca knew back then how to record music. Today I have listened to the Second Symphony, a warm and committed performance which I like very much, fine Brass, singing Violins, rousing timpani rolls, its all there, inclusive the intricate writing Sibelius put in. A small quibble maybe but in need to be mentioned, once or twice Askenazy pulls back the tempo in the finale quite drastically, but the percussionist slows down even more, and thereby loosing connection with the other desks. I nearly fell from my chair hearing this, a startling moment! They probably did not feel the need to correct this, and not many will hear this, but I did. Well no matter, this is one of the best versions I heard from the Second.

[Karl Henning]

Good morning, all!

Mozart
Symphony № 29 in A, K.201
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Marriner