What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[karlhenning]

Good afternoon you lot.

Likewise to your esteemed self!

[Catison]

Today I'm in the mood for a spiritual journey:

Charles Wuorinen - Genesis
Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 8

[mn dave]

[Drasko]

Thanks, Milos ! One question: what caught me with the Athos disc is the strange, twisted modulations. Is it a feature of byzantine chant ? If so, I assume I'd find that in this disc you suggest as an alternative?

Yes and surely yes.

As he said. And I'd suggest snapping that CD from cduniverse as soon as possible, if you're interested, because it's usualy more expensive (that's sale price) and not that easy to find either.

[bhodges]

That Charlie Parker disc gets my vote for "Cover of the Day."  Gorgeous.

--Bruce

[bhodges]

The music inside is even more gorgeous. 

Yes, I'm adding it to my groaning "to listen to" pile. 

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

Yes, I'm adding it to my groaning "to listen to" pile. 

The cry rings out through Faneuil Hall: Henning before Bird! 

[bhodges]

The cry rings out through Faneuil Hall: Henning before Bird! 

Not to worry: you are much further up in the queue. 

--Bruce

[Moldyoldie]

Keemun and I are in tune this morning.

Mahler: Symphony No. 3
Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano
Women's Chorus of the Vienna Singverein;  Vienna Boys' Choir
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, cond.
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON
Several weeks ago in describing listening to Mahler's Third (Bernstein/NYPO/DG), I wrote the following: I must say, comparatively speaking and despite the plethora of written rhetoric concerning Mahlerian interpretation, the Symphony No. 3 sounds incredibly simplistic! It's not that I don't like the Third; it's really quite enjoyable (and long!), but it's like listening to a b-movie -- emotionally transparent, texturally plain, and singularly melodramatic.

Well, that description can be thrown out the window with this performance.  Not only do Boulez and company strip this musical gargantua of all melodrama, but seemingly of all such emotional pretense.  They present the work not so much as a linear drama, but as a minutely detailed score full of hidden wonders to be unearthed, revealed, and reveled in as it progresses.   I realize this depiction has become cliché as to the conducting of Boulez, but here the approach is both illuminating and most satisfying; the difference from my few previous experiences with the work is palpable.  Frankly, I don't know if Boulez makes more of the Third than it really is, or if I just haven't really heard it before!

BTW, there's a very noticeable hiccup in one spot which sounds like a sloppy edit; I've read where it's only present on the straight CD version of this release and was subsequently fixed on the hybrid SACD version.  Otherwise, the sound is fabulous -- spacious, balanced, detailed, and most vivid.  Pianissimos, however, are whisper quiet -- that bass drum(?) in the first movement must have been merely brushed against!

[SonicMan46]

Charlie Parker with Strings

Yes, I've owned that one for a while - and quite a contrast from Charlie's other recordings, but beautiful; however, one that I like even better in this 'crossover' type genre is Clifford Brown w/ Strings - trumpet rather than a sax, but also a gorgeous album - one must have both! 

[SonicMan46]

Tonight for our dinner music, a new arrival highly recommended in a recent Fanfare review:

Beethoven - Bagatelles (w/ Fur Elise) performed by Linda Nicholson on a fortepiano:

 

Quoting myself above, but giving this disc a closer listening - the Fanfare review, which is stupendous, can be read HERE, if interested; the fortepiano is an original by Johann Fritz, circa 1815 (restored by Christopher Clarke) -

[Opus106]

On the radio
Alexander Scriabin
24 Preludes, Op. (11?)
Pianist: ?

They sound lovely. I haven't heard much (apart from a little fugue for piano) by this composer.

[mahler10th]

BEETHOVEN
SYMPHONY # 4
BLOMSTEDT
STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN

Some thing authentic about this.  I think Beethoven would have liked the performance.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Several weeks ago in describing listening to Mahler's Third (Bernstein/NYPO/DG), I wrote the following: I must say, comparatively speaking and despite the plethora of written rhetoric concerning Mahlerian interpretation, the Symphony No. 3 sounds incredibly simplistic! It's not that I don't like the Third; it's really quite enjoyable (and long!), but it's like listening to a b-movie -- emotionally transparent, texturally plain, and singularly melodramatic.

Well, that description can be thrown out the window with this performance.

Commendable openness, moldyoldie. And another fine writeup.

[Keemun]

On the radio
Alexander Scriabin
24 Preludes, Op. (11?)
Pianist: ?

They sound lovely. I haven't heard much (apart from a little fugue for piano) by this composer.

I recommend hearing his Piano Concerto and his symphonies - my personal favorite is Symphony No. 2. 

[Gustav]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2joiIL5VLJM
Eine Alpensinfonie Rudolf Kempe, Staatskapelle Dresden

[Catison]

Now I'm just throwing random stuff together

Witold Lutoslawski - Novelette
Elliott Carter - Cello Concerto
Robert Simpson - Symphony No. 9

I am anxious to finally "get" Simpson.  So far it has been painful.  I just don't like his music, which is odd, considering how much I love Nielsen.

[mahler10th]

Catison:  Witold Lutoslawski - Novelette

Throwing random stuff together. Catison, Lutoslawski throws my brain in random directions every time.  Novelette - superb.

[Henk]

Not impressed by it. The string trio makes me sick.



Really great! The sound world is so rich.

Up next: some Fedele and italian baroque composers.

Italian classical music is really the music I like. It inspires me together with the music of Rainbow, Miles Davis.

Henk

[Kullervo]

Set aside the Prokofiev concertos for another time. Rarely do I have such an outright revulsion to music, especially music that I go in expecting to like. Eh, can't win 'em all. 

This morning:




Right now: RVW 5 (Haitink/London Phil)