What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[PaulR]

After spending the day yesterday listening to all 6 Concertos by Shostakovich:

Shostakovich: Symphony #10/Karajan/BPO

[Bogey]

Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty (Complete) Dorati/RCO

[BachQ]

Zimerman

IMHO, of course.

I rank them as equal.

Zimerman with Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no. 1? 

[George]

You caught the wink, George?

Zimerman

IMHO, of course.

I rank them as equal.

But it's a matter of taste. Please don't all jump to strangle me, please, please...

Now I need to hear it, perhaps my local library has it...

[Maciek]

Zimerman with Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no. 1? 

No, no. Rachmaninov's no. 2.

Does a Tchaikovsky with Zimerman exist??

[Maciek]

Now I need to hear it, perhaps my local library has it...

I hope it does! You'll see! Shame on those who say Zimerman is unemotional! This is one recording that proves them sooo wrong!

[Bogey]

No, no. Rachmaninov's no. 2.

Does a Tchaikovsky with Zimerman exist??

Is this what you were looking for?

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=4469

[George]

I hope it does! You'll see! Shame on those who say Zimerman is unemotional! This is one recording that proves them sooo wrong!

I almost bought it awhile back for the superb Rach 1. 

[Bogey]

Bach: The Organ Works

Disc 1:

Toccata and Fugue, for organ in D minor, BWV 565 (BC J37)

Toccata and Fugue, for organ in F major, BWV 540 (BC J39, 55, 73)

Toccata and Fugue, for organ in D minor ("Dorian"), BWV 538 (BC J38)

Toccata, Adagio and Fugue, for organ in C major, BWV 564 (BC J36)

Fantasia and Fugue, for organ in G minor ("Great"), BWV 542 (BC J42, 57, 67)

Helmut Walcha (DG: Archiv Produktion)

Absolutely incredible.  I cannot say that I could identify by name more than two pieces (and that would be a stretch) on this entire twelve disc set, as this, for the most part, is my first serious introduction to organ music of any sort.  However, this lack of acquaintance with the pieces by no means is effecting my enjoyment of what I have heard so far....which is simply stunning and marvelous music.  On a side note, the above pieces were played on the organ of St. Laurenskerk in Alkmaar in Holland which was built between 1638-45, and had some construction updates in 1723.  So, would these recordings be considered HIP?

[val]

HAYDN:     2 Quartets opus 77

In my opinion the greatest of all Haydn's Quartets. It is curious but they seem to announce Beethoven's Quartets opus 59 more than the Quartets opus 18 that Beethoven was composing at the time.

Superb version of the Mosaiques Quartet, with a splendid sound and respecting the indications of tempo, even in the Minueto of the opus 77/1 that must be performeed "presto".

[Harry]

Tartini.

Violin concertos

Ariadne Daskalakis,  Violin.
Cologne Chamber Orchestra/Bruhl.


As I said before earlier, these interpretations are superb, well recorded and played.
She has a sweet tone, that is very seductive, well what do you want if your name is Ariadne, and being beautiful.
The tempi are somewhat slowish, but that is to be expected with Bruhl. Lucid though it is, and alert to details.

[Harry]

Malcolm Arnold.

SQ No 1, opus 23.
SQ No 2 opus 118.
Phantasy for String Quartet, "Vita Abundans".

Maggini Quartet.

This is fascinating stuff from Arnold. Not really expecting this kind of sound from him, I was pleasantly surprised by this modernity in the first SQ. The mesmerizing third movement "Andante" with the hushed playing PPP is terrifying, and haunting. Always loved this composer, but now more so because of these Quartets. Look no further for a perfect interpretation, the Maggini's are first class, plus a sublime recording quality, the choice is settled.

[Harry]

Erno Dohnanyi.

Konzertstuck in D major opus 12 for Cello and Orchestra.

Alban Gerhardt, Cello.
BBC Scottish SO/Carlos Kalmar.

Beautiful concerto, lovely music, very romantic, and well written. The playing is exemplary, and the recording is up to Hyperion's best.

[Florestan]

Erno Dohnanyi.

Konzertstuck in D major opus 12 for Cello and Orchestra.

Alban Gerhardt, Cello.
BBC Scottish SO/Carlos Kalmar.

Beautiful concerto, lovely music, very romantic, and well written. The playing is exemplary, and the recording is up to Hyperion's best.

I see on the cover there is also Enescu's Symphonie Concertante. What do you think of that?

[Harry]

I see on the cover there is also Enescu's Symphonie Concertante. What do you think of that?

I just started with it. Tell you after 22:22 minutes.

[Florestan]

I just started with it. Tell you after 22:22 minutes.

Ok, I'll wait. But hey, haven't you heard it yet?

[Harry]

Ok, I'll wait. But hey, haven't you heard it yet?

Never found a performance that I found good enough my friend.
So, no, I did not hear it before.

[Harry]

George Enescu.

Symphonie concertante in B flat major, opus 8.

Alban Gerhardt, Cello.

BBC Scottish SO/Carlos Kalmar.

Ravishing work with a very elegiac introduction "Assez lent-Un peu plus anime" very well done, it has a french impressionistic feel, with some strong pointers to the SQ by Debussy. The last movement "Majesteux-Plus vite" has virtuosic moments that blow your head off, and that is due to the expert playing by Gerhardt, and the BBC Scottish SO.

[Florestan]

George Enescu.

Symphonie concertante in B flat major, opus 8.

Alban Gerhardt, Cello.

BBC Scottish SO/Carlos Kalmar.

Ravishing work with a very elegiac introduction "Assez lent-Un peu plus anime" very well done, it has a french impressionistic feel, with some strong pointers to the SQ by Debussy. The last movement "Majesteux-Plus vite" has virtuosic moments that blow your head off, and that is due to the expert playing by Gerhardt, and the BBC Scottish SO.

I'm glad you like it. It's one of my favourites.

[Harry]

I'm glad you like it. It's one of my favourites.

I well understand that, will play it today a few times, its indeed a fine work, and reminds me of the fine but very different Symphonies, that were so long ago a healthy meal for my player. Have to revisit them.