What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Mark]

Some orchestral tidbits by Delius - the 'Meandering Man' of early 20th century British music. Always much to admire in his compositions, but just as much to irritate: so much rising and falling; and at times, sections that simply feel aimless. Like Elgar, but without the stronger melodies.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Some orchestral tidbits by Delius - the 'Meandering Man' of early 20th century British music. Always much to admire in his compositions, but just as much to irritate: so much rising and falling; and at times, sections that simply feel aimless. Like Elgar, but without the stronger melodies.

Delius won't be to everyone's taste, I know that - but I love the poetic quality of his music. Don't look for 'goals' in Delius, you will be disappointed. Atmosphere and distilled emotion are everything. It's a question of being attuned to what he is expressing. But - a piece like his Requiem shows you the Yorkshire (or Prussian!) grit in this butterfly.

An essential study of Delius is the one by Christopher Palmer. It makes clear Delius is far less 'meandering' than you think. His music has bones and sinew. He is not airy-fairy, but a passionate celebrator of life and mourner of transience.

[Mark]

Delius won't be to everyone's taste, I know that - but I love the poetic quality of his music. Don't look for 'goals' in Delius, you will be disappointed. Atmosphere and distilled emotion are everything. It's a question of being attuned to what he is expressing. But - a piece like his Requiem shows you the Yorkshire (or Prussian!) grit in this butterfly.

An essential study of Delius is the one by Christopher Palmer. It makes clear Delius is far less 'meandering' than you think. His music has bones and sinew. He is not airy-fairy, but a passionate celebrator of life and mourner of transience.

When I begin my closer examination of early British 20th century music - something I'm reserving for my 40th birthday onwards - I'll be sure to look more carefully at Delius and his work. Thanks.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

When I begin my closer examination of early British 20th century music - something I'm reserving for my 40th birthday onwards - I'll be sure to look more carefully at Delius and his work. Thanks.

That's the spirit! 

[Bogey]

This weeks Bach Cantata from Sacred Classics:

Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata #182 Himmelskonig, sei willkommen BWV 182
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir / Ton Koopman
Kai Wessel, alto
Christoph Pregardien, tenor
Klaus Mertens, bass
Ton Koopman, organ
Erato 12598 

This one I found very enjoyable.

[Drasko]

Schubert: 9th symphony, Staatskapelle Dresden, Herbert Blomstedt. .. An excellent, if ultimately unexciting version.

Ah, the story of Blomstedt's life.

I've been listening to this one for the last few days...



...and have to say that I'm massively impressed. Haven't heard so much attention to phrasing in ages, especially in strings (e.g. inflections in violas(?) under flute solos in scherzo, magnificent).
Straight to the top of the bunch.
Many thanks to M for posting it.

[Bogey]

Mozart Litaniae KV 109/243
Annemarie Kremer: Soprano
Chamber Choir of Europe
Teatro Armonico Stuttgart (KV 109)
Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim (KV 243)
Brilliant Label

[bhodges]

Britten: Peter Grimes (yesterday's Met Opera broadcast at the movies) - Just fantastic, and in some ways it worked better filmed, although I thought the lighting was a bit murky at times.  But to hear the orchestra, singers and chorus, through a great theater sound system...definitely an overwhelming experience.

--Bruce

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I've been listening to this one for the last few days...



...and have to say that I'm massively impressed. Haven't heard so much attention to phrasing in ages, especially in strings (e.g. inflections in violas(?) under flute solos in scherzo, magnificent).
Straight to the top of the bunch.
Many thanks to M for posting it.

It is excellent, indeed. I couldn't believe my ears.

Listening to

Dyson, Symphony in G Major (Lloyd-Jones/Naxos)

A beautiful work from 1937. It  has a character all of its own, especially in its rhythmic vitality.

[The new erato]

I am also working my way through the Miaskovsky symphonies box, 11 down, 5 to go!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I am also working my way through the Miaskovsky symphonies box, 11 down, 5 to go!

I have that too, and have dipped into it rather unsystematically. Any favourites so far?

[The new erato]

22, 23, 27.

But some of the early stuff is amazingly powerful and bears further examination.

[rubio]

A precise and taut reindition of the 4th symphony by Kondrashin. I think it is close to a perfect performance of this exciting work!

[Kullervo]

[rubio]

Since it's Easter I hear my first St. Matthew Passion - Karl Richter + singers like Edith Mathis, Janet Baker, Peter Schreier and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau! I like it, but I also look forward to listen to some HIP versions.

[bhodges]

James MacMillan: The Birds of Rhiannon (MacMillan/BBC Philharmonic) - The composer calls it "a dramatic concerto for orchestra with a mystical coda for choir."  It's a big piece, stylistically eclectic (one section is a Celtic dance using bass drum, timpani and three thunder-sheets).  The chorus doesn't come in until the fourth and final section.



Virgil Moorefield: Things You Must Do to Get to Heaven - Hard to describe: an ensemble of six, conducted by Moorefield, performs along with electronics, and the result is sort of trance-like jazz, with a lot of percussion.  The final section, "Arrival of the Crows," sounds like an airplane lifting off.

--Bruce

[BorisG]

What I still feel is the most magnetic collection of Chopin Waltzes.

[Que]

erato, how is that recording, and music? 

Q

[Bonehelm]

What I still feel is the most magnetic collection of Chopin Waltzes.

Boris, would you mind checking the recording dates on that one for me? 

[Wanderer]

Grieg: Ballade (Andsnes) & Piano Concerto (Andsnes/Bergen PO/Ruud).

Good morning, everyone!