What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Harry]

Zoinks! I have been thinking about getting this disc for years. And am I ever glad I finally did: it's marvelous! Imagine Borodin writing his own free interpretation of Tchaikovsky's Fourth for a good approximation of the First Symphony; the Second is much more concise, and its second movement is an absolute firecracker!

That one will go on my list as well Brian, due to your enthusiasm, and explanation of the nature of Bortkiewicz music...

[Harry]

Beethoven.
SQ No 5, opus 18 No. 5 in A major.
Alexander SQ.

Well this one is much more balanced as the first SQ I heard from this ensemble. Less aggressively played, and much more attention to detail. The phrasing and the crecendi are also improved, while the speed is kept up without sacrifice to the overall impact of the melodic content. The first movement is briskly played with a fine line and interplay between first fiddle and cello. The menuetto has all the gaiety it needs, to make it a preparation for the third movement that is very well done. again a unity that was almost absent in the first SQ. The musicians make it a feast to hear the Variations, and they project a marvelous sense of different moods.
The last movement is almost played  Allegro-allegretto, dancelike and with the vigour of a firecracker.
The sound has improved too, so in short, this is a fine performance as you can wish.

[Harry]

Beethoven.
Cello Sonata, opus 102, No. 1 in C major.
Anner Bijlsma, Cello.
Jos van Immerseel, Piano.

Well considered interpretations, and highly revealing of the many fine details Beethoven wrote into the music. Phrasing on the cello is marvelous, and Immerseel's accompaniment is delightful throughout.
The first movement start with fine pace, to run head over heels in the Allegro vivace where the melodic content tumbles over you in quick succession. The third movement has some fine cello piano interplay at around 1:00 to 1:25, darkish but not to long, and that happens again in the fourth movement at around 3:16 to 3:45, really a very nice and effective detail.
Well recorded.

[Symphonien]

That 3rd symphony is just awesome! I don't really understand how all those processes he uses work (ie. infinity series, harmonic series, golden section, etc) but the result is truly amazing. 40 minutes or so went by in no time at all. Grand orchestration and fascinating harmonies. When the voices come in midway through the second movement, I don't generally like singing, but it was absolutely one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.

As for the piano concerto, it didn't really instantly appeal to me as much as the symphony did, but it did have its moments and a good rhythmic drive throughout. I especially liked the part where he puts in 4 metronomes ticking at different speeds, and has them started and stopped again a few times. A nice little touch. I did feel the recording of the piano here came up a bit dry though.

But anyway, I will have to get to know Nørgård better - a very interesting composer so far. The rest of his symphonies on Chandos look enticing.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I'll  have to look into Norgard... In the meantime:

Albéric Magnard, Third symphony (Ansermet)

[val]

DOMENICO SCARLATTI:     14 Sonatas         / Gustav Leonhardt

An extraordinary perfection and a powerful energy. Just an example: the fabulous Sonata in F minor K 239.

[Que]

After another disc from Vogel's Buxtehude organs works, more organ music:



Q

[Harry]

Beethoven.
Cello Sonata opus 102, no. 2 in D major.
Variations on "die Zauberflote".

Anner Bijlsma, Cello.
Jos van Immerseel, Piano.

The first movement is played in a very poetical way, with every line clear as a bell, and a nice pre romantic lilt to it. It has a jumpy quality that is quite invigorating, with a fine dignity to it, and a wonderful interplay between both instruments. It is projected in a powerful way that makes you sit up. The second movement is the weakest of this sonata, as if they did not know what to make of it, and thus play it in a very quiet way at leisure so to say. And that is missing the point I think. Little or no disruptive moments, while they are written, in the context of this movement. Passion is missing too I think. There is more to the music as is heard here. The last movement Allegro fugato, is just that, fine fugato writing and perfectly accentuated. The close is perfectly conceived and well executed.
I am satisfied! Good sound too.
The Variations are good enough, but it doesn't strike me as masterworks. Nicely written though.

[Wanderer]

Piano Concertos by Schumann & Grieg (Perahia/Bavarian RSO/Davis).


Schumann
Papillons, op. 2
5 postume Etüden
Symphonische Etüden, op. 13
Fantasie, op. 17
(Perahia)

Good morning, everyone!

[Harry]

Goodmorning Tasos!

[Harry]

Beethoven.
Piano Trio, opus 70, No. 1, in D major.
Seraphin Trio.

Well I can be short about this my friends. I think this is one of the best performance I heard of this trio.
First movement goes at a brittle but steady pace, fast and light on its feet, without loosing momentum or grip on the deeper layers of the music. They have a determination to get all out of it, what's in it, and that has to be applauded. They are passionate and deep probing, and the interplay is excellent. The second movement, Largo assai ed espressione is just that, to the letter really, intense, and frankly I never heard it played better. It overwhelms you instantly, and the details these guys get out of it are awesome. The Presto is a glorious celebration of the D major trio well paced, and lovingly shaped.
Good sound too. Recommended.

[Wanderer]

Good morning, Harry!     A beautiful Alcyonide day here (an ancient name for nice and sunny winter days). All is well, I hope?

Listening to:



Most splendid! 

[Harry]

Good morning, Harry!     A beautiful Alcyonide day here (an ancient name for nice and sunny winter days). All is well, I hope?

Listening to:



Most splendid! 

Yes thank you, some things are going better.
And with Shostakovich in your player, things must be good to you, right?

[Harry]

Beethoven.
Piano Trio, opus 70, No. 2 in E flat major.
Seraphin Trio.

This second trio is also a winner in every respect. The Poco sostenuto beginning is amazingly concentrated, and well paced, with a perfect blend of mild passion, when it tumbles into the allegretto ma non troppo part, and trods off in a perfect balance of colors, and melodic excellence. It is very evenly done without haste, but no dragging either.
The Allegretto puts me almost out of breath, this is almost too much input....The shading and interplay between all instruments is nothing short of perfect projection.It takes some time to recover from that. As a balm to my over exited soul comes the Allegretto ma non troppo movement to ease things up. It is played like the reciting of a beautiful ancient Greek poem. The power of it is awesome. The finale is electrifying and played very alertly. Again so many details emerge, wondrous.....
The second trio is as excitingly performed as the first, and the sound is good too.

[Wanderer]

Glad to hear, Harry. I'm doing good, too. 

Reading your reviews, I wish I had a wider selection of my Beethoven discography with me.

[Harry]

Glad to hear, Harry. I'm doing good, too. 

Reading your reviews, I wish I had a wider selection of my Beethoven discography with me.

Well this box where it is coming out Tasos, is the Sony with 60 cd's in it for 34,95 at JPC now, and that is considering the quality a bargain. so you might consider it!

[Harry]

Glad to hear, Harry. I'm doing good, too. 

Reading your reviews, I wish I had a wider selection of my Beethoven discography with me.

O, with you, yes I understand. Is it a large collection Tasos, what you have from Beethoven?

[Wanderer]

Well this box where it is coming out Tasos, is the Sony with 60 cd's in it for 34,95 at JPC now, and that is considering the quality a bargain. so you might consider it!

Duly noted! I wasn't aware it was priced so low. I do already own all the Zinman Beethoven recordings, by the way.

[Harry]

Beethoven.
Piano Trio, opus 11, in B flat major.
Seraphin Trio.

I honestly ask myself, are those guys never failing. After giving the first two opus 70 trios, this opus 11 comes as no surprise. It is as good as the first two. The variations are a joy to hear so clear and precise, capturing every little nuance there is too harvest. There is a steady line of perfectionism in their playing, and also a acute sense of pacing, and how to shade the music. That is rare these days.
And apart from that, I think this is possibly the best performance I have of this trio.

[Harry]

Duly noted! I wasn't aware it was priced so low. I do already own all the Zinman Beethoven recordings, by the way.

And aren't they fabulous. Those works gave me a thrill when first encountered, and still moves me tremendiously.
And the Violin Concerto with Tetzlaff, is a real miracle, the first performance I bought, after searching for 25 years to find what I wanted from it.
Yes this box is worth its money....