What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Keemun]

I'm listening to this again - and still trying to figure out why so many people love the Goldberg Variations. 

[Harry]

I'm listening to this again - and still trying to figure out why so many people love the Goldberg Variations. 

Try listen to them on the instrument intended for it, the Harpsichord, maybe you hear it then?

[SonicMan46]

I keep returning to this disc and its music. Every time I give it a spin, it reveals more and more of its beauty, and what a fine composer Josef Bohuslav Foerster really was.
The following releases, for MDG will record the complete orchestral works, are awaited with eager anticipation.

Harry - yes, I've listened to my disc a number of times now, and look forward to future releases of this yet again neglected composer! 

Bach, JS - Well Tempered Clavier, Book I as performed before a live audience by Craig Sheppard - great review in Fanfare recently; sound is a little too closely miked, but the audience was quiet to the end, and Sheppard plays these works w/ a fine touch and just enough legato & ornamentation - excellent liner notes by the pianist; I've just listened to the first disc & am now playing Angela Hewitt's interpretations - not as interesting as Sheppard, more straight-up playing - if interested, check out Sheppard's Website for reviews of these recordings - looks like Book II will be out soon - 


 

[Keemun]

Try listen to them on the instrument intended for it, the Harpsichord, maybe you hear it then?

Good idea! 

[Hector]

'Tannhauser.'

Started yesterday evening and finished listening this pm.

This is the forty six years young recording that Schech, Hopf, Grummer and Konwitschny made for EMI.

[marvinbrown]

 
  I have just started listening to this:

 

  A recording that I have neglected for so long now.  Tchaikovsky was an avid reader of literature and his symphonic interpretations of great literary works highlight the dramatic aspects of these works (Romeo and Juliet, Manfred symphony, Francesca da Rimini to name a few)  I much prefer these to his early symphonies 1-3.

  marvin

   

[Harry]

South German composers around 1500.
Freiburger Spielleyt.

Simply a lovely performed and recorded trip through 1500 music scene.

[Brian]

Stanford's Irish Symphony. My previous Stanford listening had given me the impression of a rather characterless, blah composer - but the second movement of the Irish Symphony serves as a wonderful calling-card, a very cool dance movement, and the rest of the work is quite lovely indeed!

A major Brahms quote at the climax of the third movement serves to remind the listener of just how different the composers are, for better or worse 
EDIT: Emphasis on MAJOR Brahms quote! 

[prémont]

Try listen to them on the instrument intended for it, the Harpsichord, maybe you hear it then?

What Harry said.

[Harry]

Stanford's Irish Symphony. My previous Stanford listening had given me the impression of a rather characterless, blah composer - but the second movement of the Irish Symphony serves as a wonderful calling-card, a very cool dance movement, and the rest of the work is quite lovely indeed!

A major Brahms quote at the climax of the third movement serves to remind the listener of just how different the composers are, for better or worse 
EDIT: Emphasis on MAJOR Brahms quote! 

It is nice to know Brian, that you actually like Stanford. He is much admired by me!
Maybe it is not beyond your finances to look at the Chandos recordings of all his symphonies and other orchestral works.
They are budget releases here in Europe. 

[Keemun]

Listening to Symphony No. 5 from this (inspired by the Stanford discussion above).

[Harry]

Purcell in the Court and Tavern.
Pro Cantione Antiqua.
Members of the Collegium Aureum, Mark Brown.
Recorded 1973-76 & 1995.

A long time ago recorded and since then many things changed in the ways we sing and play on period instruments. In that light this is quite a achievement by all means. The singing is a touch on the romantic and affected side, and 19th century drama is never far away, but it does not diminish the effect it has on me. Profound music making with a explorers view on the proceedings, trusting forwards and see what the outcome is. A jolly go round then, with songs that have texts that make me laugh out loud, like "When the cock begins to crow" racy words fight for prominence, well yes the Tavern songs are the most successful on this cd.

[rickardg]

Ligeti:  Piano Concerto Aimard/Boulez/Ensemble InterContemporian

Bah, when I borrowed that at the library yesterday I thought I'd be all modern and, you know, special. Now I'm going to listen to Vivaldi instead, so there!   

Antonio Vivaldi
Griselda
Ensemble Matheus/Spinosi

[The new erato]

Petterson 6, cpo

[Que]

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No 17 in Dm "Tempest"
Ronald Brautigam, fortepiano

Just to be contrary

I haven't actually listened very much to Komen but since they are available for a good price on iTunes Plus (256 kbps AAC, no DRM) that might change (so are Brautigams, and also on eclassical in 320kpbs mp3, no DRM).

From what I've heard, Brautigam is pretty excellent as well.
So we're spoilt for choice IMO.

Q

[ChamberNut]

Franck

String Quartet in D major

Fitzwilliam SQ

Decca/Eloquence

[Wanderer]

(on SACD)

[Brian]

STRAUSS | Metamorphosen
Staatskapelle Weimar, Antoni Wit

One of the best-engineered Naxos releases I've ever heard. Wit gets an absolutely beautiful sound out of the string players of the Weimar orchestra.

[Brian]

Continuing my Straussathon:



Up next: some tone poems from the Staatskapelle Dresden and Rudolf Kempe!

[Harry]

Petterson 6, cpo

Awesome!
Keep strenght!