What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Kullervo]

What do you think?

I've known it for some time and liked it from the first, but I find myself listening to it only occasionally due to both the weight of the piece and for the fact that opera in general is, for me, more of a special "event" than what usually makes up a listening session.

Lulu, however, I've yet to familiarize myself with, though I've seen it once on DVD (the Glyndebourne/Schäfer) and had a favorable impression. I will probably come to it within the next few days, or as soon as I clear everything off my desk that needs to be listened to.

[Moldyoldie]

Apparently you haven't heard Maazel/WP (Decca) yet!

I most certainly have; in fact, it might have been my introduction to the work and is definitely a great performance, better overall and more convincing in toto than Bernstein's in my opinion.  However, Maazel's performance is not nearly as distended, and while making a most powerful entry, he doesn't make the opening growling bass decrescendo as monstrously eerie as Lenny & Co. -- it's chilling stuff!

Here are some comparative listed timings:

Bernstein/NYPO   I. 11:09  II. 5:19  III. 11:14  IV. 11:32
Maazel/VPO        I. 10:17  II. 4:06  III. 9:07   IV. 9:13
Karajan/BPO/EMI I. 10:33  II. 5:22  III.12:47   IV. 9:59
Segerstam/HPO   I. 11:13  II. 4:54  III.11:25  IV. 10:17

hmmmmmm makes me wonder if i was an influence in deciding to listen to this?

I just checked your recent posts; it's quite the coincidence I assure you.   Just know that I know absolutely nothing about "relative Augmented Lydian and Melodic Minor modes"...nor any other kinda modes for that matter.

[M forever]

However, Maazel's performance is not nearly as distended, and while making a powerful entry, he doesn't make the opening growling bass decrescendo as monstrously eerie as Lenny & Co. -- it's chilling stuff!

If you are into that, you should also check out Sanderling's recording. While not as "intense" as Maazel or Bernstein, it is also rather "eerie" because where you often just hear a grumbling, mushy low frequency sound (e.g. Segerstam), here you hear every single note in the basses extremely well defined and sounding very clearly even in p.
BTW, what does "distended" mean in this context?

[Moldyoldie]

BTW, what does "distended" mean in this context?

Overly extended in length, perhaps to an excessive degree.  In this case, I think "distended" could be used to describe both Bernstein's opening bass decrescendo as well as his performance of the symphony as a whole.

And thanks for the suggestion of the Sanderling.

[mn dave]

Inspired by the new Naxos American Composers thread:

[mn dave]

[Kullervo]

Inspired by the new Naxos American Composers thread:

What is he like?

[mn dave]

What is he like?

The music on this CD is beautiful from beginning to end, some of it exceptionally so. Its clarity, wit, and unabashed lyricism put me in mind of Francis Poulenc, although the sound is more 1950s Leonard Bernstein (including the more symphonic theater music), with a splash of the more overt populism of some Copland or, say, Morton Gould. Some of it is so tasty I found myself listening to it two or three times in one sitting.

--Erik J. Bruskin/Fanfare

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Listening to Aho's Second Symphony - dark, concentrated and intense.

[val]

BUSONI:      "Arlecchino"               / Matic, Wörle, Orchestra of The Berlin Radio, Albrecht  (CAPRICCIO)

A bitter humor in a little opera perhaps more intellectual than deeply inspired. Decent interpretation.

[Harry]

Good morning all my friends, if I may call you that, peace and happiness to you, and all.

I begin this morning with a composer I admire very much.

Harry Henry Purcell.
Theatre Music, Volume II
Bonduca or the British Heroine.
Circe.
The Virtuous Wife, or good luck at last!
The Old Bachelor.
The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood.
Singers are: Paul Elliott, Alan Byers, Peter Bamber, Elizabeth Lane, James Bowman, Martyn Hill, Christopher Keyte, Prudence Loyd, Judith Nelson.
The Tavener Choir, Andrew Parrott.

The second disc in this 6 cd set, which I bought for budget price, and what a catch it was. Fine recordings and performance throughout, and not one blemish, non whatsoever!
The virtuous wife is hilarious, one of the best comedies Purcell wrote.

[Harry]

Leopold Kozeluch.
Symphonies.
Concerto Koln.

The C major begins with a resounding bang on the timpani, and its a go ahead for a most delightful disc from this 6 cd box. Kozeluch's music is not often recorded, and he is undervalued by most. That is a pity, for he has that infectious Sturm und Drang energy, that is quite effectively brought out by his wonderful scoring.
It goes without saying that the performance is superb, as is the recording.

[Harry]

Hugo Alfven.

Uppsala-rapsodi, opus 24.

Symphony No. 1 in F minor, opus 7.
Drapa for Large Orchestra, opus 27.
Andante Religioso opus 31.
Rotal Stockholm PO, Neeme Jarvi.

Hardly needs any introduction anymore. Lots of posters have written about this box including myself. Well the opus 24 always cheers me up, and the opus 31 sets me right.

[Drasko]

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

That's funny, Harry - I have been listening to Alfvén's First Symphony, too. I like the two middle movements best.

[karlhenning]

[Bogey]

Your thoughts on this music Karl....and good morning.

[karlhenning]

Good morning, Bill!

This is my first spin with this, so I shall report hereafter 

[Bogey]

Thank you Karl.  Now:

Prokofiev Cinderella Suite
Slatkin/St. Louis SO
RCA

[mozartsneighbor]

I am listening to:

Joseph Jongen (1873-1953) Quartets, played by the Gong Quartet, on Pavane label

I bought this a couple of years ago at Tower records because it had an enthusiastic blurb from their Classical "expert" Bob Mcquiston, and I liked what you could hear through the sampling headphones.
I enjoyed it often after I bought it, and am now coming to it after some time away.
This is eminently enjoyable music -- like a mix of Debussy and D'Indy, with a dash of Brahms thrown in.

I was looking and quite a few cds of Jongen's music have come out lately.
I would like to listen to more of his stuff.
Does anyone else have any other cds of this composer that you can recommend?