What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Morning all!

                                                           

Listening to Symphony No. 1. The music is very accomplished, though I'll have to listen to it two times at least, to get the Sibelius reminiscences out of the way and to see what Lilburn himself is doing. This is a very strange experience, when you hear the music through the filter of another composer. But still -the music isn't in essence derivative. But how exactly Lilburn is different I don't know yet.

[Harry]

Morning all!

                                                           

Listening to Symphony No. 1. The music is very accomplished, though I'll have to listen to it two times at least, to get the Sibelius reminiscences out of the way and to see what Lilburn himself is doing. This is a very strange experience, when you hear the music through the filter of another composer. But still -the music isn't in essence derivative. But how exactly Lilburn is different I don't know yet.

Well I found him quite a experience Johan.

[Harry]

In repeat.

[Lethevich]

Christos Hatziz, Awakening;  The St. Lawrence Quartet: EMI 5 58038 2

Is it good?

[Harry]

 

[Christo]

                                               

Listening to Symphony No. 1. The music is very accomplished, though I'll have to listen to it two times at least, to get the Sibelius reminiscences out of the way and to see what Lilburn himself is doing. This is a very strange experience, when you hear the music through the filter of another composer. But still -the music isn't in essence derivative. But how exactly Lilburn is different I don't know yet.

I actually used to playh Lilburn's symphonies (but only the Second and First) before ever having heard any Sibelius - so for me it always worked the other way around, finding Sibelius somewhat derivative .... 

[ChamberNut]

Dvorak

Czech Suite, Op. 39

Symphony No. 5 in F major, Op. 76

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pesek
EMI Records/Virgin Classics

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I actually used to playh Lilburn's symphonies (but only the Second and First) before ever having heard any Sibelius - so for me it always worked the other way around, finding Sibelius somewhat derivative ....

You know, I did wonder how it would have been if I hadn't heard any Sibelius beforehand. You were lucky. And Lilburn was lucky, too - you don't much care for Sibelius in the first place, do you... 

(On the Braga Santos thread I have an 'extended edition' of my listening experience...)

[Christo]

- you don't much care for Sibelius in the first place, do you... 

Depends. I admire and often love symphonies 4 and 5, Tapiola, Luonatar. But I hardly care for nos 1-3 and should try nos 6-7 again for a final verdict. But genereally speaking, I spent more time with some other Finnish symphonists, like Englund and Madetoja, even Kokkonen, Sallinen. You MUST learn me one day what I obviously overhear in uncle Jean, please teacher!

[Harry]

Komei Abe. (1911-2006)

Symphony No. 1. (1957) World Premiere Recording.
Russian PO, Dmitry Yablonsky.

A composer I never heard of before, and by the experience with his first Symphony, I regret that very much, for this work impresses me profoundly with its structural clarity, and sound scape Abe paints in broad strokes, with well defined brass and perfectly written out strings, in such harmony that it does not cease to amaze me. Economical scored, with emotive power that is very aligned to my own, sparse at moments, lush at others. Tonal, with a broad canvas into every direction.
Well recorded, and it must be said well performed, with very disciplined musicians.

[Harry]

Depends. I admire and often love symphonies 4 and 5, Tapiola, Luonatar. But I hardly care for nos 1-3 and should try nos 6-7 again for a final verdict. But genereally speaking, I spent more time with some other Finnish symphonists, like Englund and Madetoja, even Kokkonen, Sallinen. You MUST learn me one day what I obviously overhear in uncle Jean, please teacher!

You never cease to amaze me, honestly, gosh even the second is not much on your radar......

[ChamberNut]

Goin' through the cycle.

Beethoven

String Quartet No. 1 in F, Op. 18
String Quartet No. 2 in G, Op. 18

Quartetto Italiano
Philips

[Christo]

You never ease to amaze me, honestly, gosh even the second is not much on your radar......

It's even worse - and I know there's hardly any grace in this universe capable of forgiving my following remark:

I have to confess that I heard the Second when I was 17 - in a phase in which I knew my Vaughan Williams, Moeran, Lilburn, Walton, Hanson, and even Alwyn and Berkely already - and was shocked by its vulgarity. I've never been able to overcome that first impression. I love Kullervo, the Fourth and Fifth, and some more, but have never been able to take nos 1-3 seriously ..... (And now let the deserved meteor hit my head)  0:)

[DavidRoss]

I actually used to playh Lilburn's symphonies (but only the Second and First) before ever having heard any Sibelius - so for me it always worked the other way around, finding Sibelius somewhat derivative .... 

I listened to Lilburn's 1st and 2nd last night, again finding them "pleasant" but not remotely like Sibelius, although some of his chords, orchestration, use of tremolo, and sense of spaciousness seem derivative of old Baldy.  RVW seems a stronger influence--naturally.  Sibelius's voice is utterly distinct--I can't recall ever mistaking anything by him for someone else, or vice versa.  Lilburn's music strikes me as pastiche. 

As I recall, I liked the 3rd best of all--will try to get to it tonight.

[Harry]

It's even worse - and I know there's hardly any grace in this universe capable of forgiving my following remark:

I have to confess that I heard the Second when I was 17 - in a phase in which I knew my Vaughan Williams, Moeran, Lilburn, Walton, Hanson, and even Alwyn and Berkely already - and was shocked by its vulgarity. I've never been able to overcome that first impression. I love Kullervo, the Fourth and Fifth, and some more, but have never been able to take nos 1-3 seriously ..... (And not let the deserved meteor hit my head)  0:)

Ouchh, that hurts!
You are severely traumatized in your youth....that is clear.
I will play the second this evening and think of you in the process.

[Harry]

Komei Abe.

Divertimento for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra. (1951) World Premiere.

Aleksey Volkov, Alt Saxophone.
Russian PO, Dmitry Yablonsky

Again a fine work, masterly scored for orchestra and saxophone alike. Beautiful moods emerges through the excellent gyropractics by Volkov, aptly aided by the RPO. I am so going to enjoy this fine disc, that is stunningly recorded.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Depends. I admire and often love symphonies 4 and 5, Tapiola, Luonatar. But I hardly care for nos 1-3 and should try nos 6-7 again for a final verdict. But genereally speaking, I spent more time with some other Finnish symphonists, like Englund and Madetoja, even Kokkonen, Sallinen. You MUST learn me one day what I obviously overhear in uncle Jean, please teacher!

I don't particularly like No. 1. But I do like Nos. 2 (provided the performance is good) and 3. The 7th is one of his best, but the 6th I can't get into... So this teacher needs a teacher, too!

I listened to Lilburn's 1st and 2nd last night, again finding them "pleasant" but not remotely like Sibelius, although some of his chords, orchestration, use of tremolo, and sense of spaciousness seem derivative of old Baldy. RVW seems a stronger influence--naturally. 

Which work(s) of RVW are we talking about? I can't hear him, only the great Finn...

[MN Dave]

I like Sibelius's violin concerto. I don't listen much to the rest.

[Harry]

I don't particularly like No. 1. But I do like Nos. 2 (provided the performance is good) and 3. The 7th is one of his best, but the 6th I can't get into... So this teacher needs a teacher, too!

Teach yourself by listening, that works best, although you would not take that advise from a guy that listens to such a lot of music huh?
But a good, nay the best entry into those symphonies of Sibelius are the old BIS performances Neeme Jarvi produced, and in my ears never bettered.
The possibility to let a thought enter my mind, that I would only like say the 2,4 and the rest didn't do anything for me, in the case of Sibelius is beyond my comprehension. 

[Lethevich]

Sibelius 3 - my favourite of his symphonies (Davis/BSO)