What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Brian]

Lethe - Hey, the Tannhäuser overture was also one of my introductions to classical music, at least partially through Bugs Bunny. The first thirty seconds or so of Finlandia are still mighty impressive, of course ... the rest, eh

Lots of Bruckner...

That's a mighty long day! 

And now:
I am going to test to see if I have successfully configured Windows Media Player to support FLAC files, so I can enjoy Wieniawski's Second Violin Concerto as played by Wanda Wilkomirska (thanks Maciek!  ).

[Subotnick]

Evening all! After a hard days work, I'm unwiding with Arthur Benjamin. I started the day with his 1st Symphony and am now listening to his Ballade For String Orchestra. Jolly nice it is too! 



And after all this talk of Lilburn, I feel like following Arthur with this:



TTFN.
Me.

[Kullervo]

Good timing, huh? I'm listening to disc 2 (Symphony No. 2, Tapiola and Valse Triste).

This performance of the 2nd hasn't convinced me into liking the 2nd either. I wish I could even begin to say exactly what it is about it that causes it to leave me cold. Everything seems to be there, but something is missing. At least there are five other symphonies with which I have a soul-bond, and the 1st might be added one of these days.

Also, although I probably shouldn't say anything about performances, as the only other version I have is Jarvi/Gothenburg (which is adequate I guess), the Tapiola on this disc leaves me cold for some reason. 

[Brian]

This strikes me as an old-fashioned "grand" reading using new HIP tempi. I'm only five minutes in, so I don't yet know if the mixture works or if it's just a weird hybrid creature.

[George]

This performance of the 2nd hasn't convinced me into liking the 2nd either. I wish I could even begin to say exactly what it is about it that causes it to leave me cold. Everything seems to be there, but something is missing. At least there are five other symphonies with which I have a soul-bond, and the 1st might be added one of these days.

Also, although I probably shouldn't say anything about performances, as the only other version I have is Jarvi/Gothenburg (which is adequate I guess), the Tapiola on this disc leaves me cold for some reason. 

I can say that that whole set left me rather cold (ducks oncoming eggs from fans of this set.) Give Ashkenazy a try, a very different, more romantic interpretation. On a Decca Double.

[PaulR]

Tchaikovsky: Piano concerto #1 Van Cliburn/Kondrashin/RCA Symphony

[SonicMan46]

How is it?  Worth getting?

Hello 12Tone - first, the Dvorak String Quartets are just the TOPS of 19th century SQ writing, so any collection is worth considering - second, the Panocha Quartet are considered one of the best 'full' collections, so if you can find the set @ a bargain price, then the choice is a 'no-brainer'; now, several other complete sets have been recommended in this & other threads (and I may obtain another - own the Panocha SQ, myself) - but the bottom line is that these works are certainly worth your consideration and all (even the early ones) are wonderful experiences - good luck in your selection(s) - 

[Kullervo]

I can say that that whole set left me rather cold (ducks oncoming eggs from fans of this set.) Give Ashkenazy a try, a very different, more romantic interpretation. On a Decca Double.

Thanks! I'm debating whether to get the Segerstam/Helsinki set from overseas as well, but that'll be a couple months from now. Don't want to have a Sibelius burnout.

[M forever]

I love the third. I've always imagined the last movement as a train speeding across a landscape towards the rising sun — even before I heard Night Ride and Sunrise!

That's an interesting and original association.

[Kullervo]

That's an interesting and original association.

Ha! You jest.

[SonicMan46]

Bach, CPE - Cello Concertos from the outstanding BARGAIN Brilliant Box Set - I've posted this great value in this thread & the 'Brilliant Values' thread - if interested in the cello & works for this instrument from this era, please investigate - a great deal! 

Fesca, Alexander (1820-1849) - Septets w/ piano + oboe/horn & strings - wonderful compositions & performances on the wonderful CPO label - has been recommended in this thread before (probably by Harry, hence my purchase) - interestingly, his father died at the age of 37 y/o from a 'pulmonary ailment', while his son died @ 28 y/o from presumably the same lung problem - this stimulates me as a physician, i.e. was this acquired (like TB which was well known @ the times?) or was the pulmonary disease hereditary - BOY, I'm curious! 

 

[M forever]

Ha! You jest.

Not at all. I don't really have an association with this movement in the form of an image although it does have a very distinct athmosphere. But I can't put my finger to what I "see" there.

[DavidRoss]

I can say that that whole set left me rather cold (ducks oncoming eggs from fans of this set.) Give Ashkenazy a try, a very different, more romantic interpretation. On a Decca Double.

Meanwhile, the Blomstedt set is one of my faves, and the Ashkenazy the least liked among the several cycles I own.  If you want a "warmer" set, try Bernstein/NYPO, Maazel/WP, or Segerstam/HPO

[Kullervo]

Not at all. I don't really have an association with this movement in the form of an image although it does have a very distinct athmosphere. But I can't put my finger to what I "see" there.

Okay. I thought you were being sarcastic because the music lends itself so easily to that kind of imagery that it could be a cliché. I think I'll listen to it now.

[Keemun]

This strikes me as an old-fashioned "grand" reading using new HIP tempi. I'm only five minutes in, so I don't yet know if the mixture works or if it's just a weird hybrid creature.

What's the final verdict?  I really like this recording, the playing is excellent.  It's been a while since I listened to it though. 

[Brian]

What's the final verdict?  I really like this recording, the playing is excellent.  It's been a while since I listened to it though. 

I had to go eat dinner halfway through the slow movement 
That's the trouble with living at home! 

[M forever]

Meanwhile, the Blomstedt set is one of my faves, and the Ashkenazy the least liked among the several cycles I own.  If you want a "warmer" set, try Bernstein/NYPO, Maazel/WP, or Segerstam/HPO

I keep wondering why so many people like that Segerstam set. It is kind of "nice" and the recorded sound is kind of "nice", too, but Sibelius is all about the fine detail and there isn't much of that in Segerstam's readings. He just pours a thick, sticky sauce over to the music.

[PaulR]

Berlioz: Harold in Italy Munch/BSO

Beautiful so far....

[Keemun]

I had to go eat dinner halfway through the slow movement 
That's the trouble with living at home! 

That could also be seen as a benefit of living at home. 

[Brian]

Indeed, dinner was yummy. 



Atterberg's Third - one of my new favorites for sure!