What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Opus106]

[The 7th] is my favourite A[nton]B[ruckner] symphony, C[hamber]N[ut], and I already have, if I remember the number correctly, four versions of this work. One of my favourite moments though, is from a recording by Sinoploi: it's at the beginning of the third movement -- I'll see if I can upload a clip -- and after listening to other performances and clips online, I haven't found another one that does the same thing.

Okay, here it is. Listen to the orchestra as it "hushes"  at 0:49 seconds -- it makes the ensuing outburst more effective to my ears. Others I have heard taken it head on.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mnejfydokmk/B7SinopoliSD.mp3

[Drasko]

prologue & act I

[owlice]

Which sets do you currently own?

Just got the Kempff, as previously mentioned. Have heard all of Ashkenazy's, but those CDs are no longer in the house. I have sets by Goode, Schnabel, and Brendel, and a number of individual performances (no surprise there) by a number of others, especially of the last sonatas, including Pletnev and Arrau and others (more than I need, I'm sure!).

Arrau's Op. 111 had been my favorite for years, but I'm not sure it still is. (I'm not sure of much these days, actually, but Arrau's descent from the throne started appearing possible a couple or three years ago.)

Arrau's interpretation is more classical than romantic with the sonatas, but I like that approach.  He is not without poetry, however - and I find this set to be one of the most balanced and consistent of the ones I have. 

Franco! You're not helping!! Iiieeeee!!!!

Dana and Dave, start dissin' the set! Please!!!

[Henk]

Op. 64, no. 1

[Dr. Dread]

Just got the Kempff, as previously mentioned. Have heard all of Ashkenazy's, but those CDs are no longer in the house. I have sets by Goode, Schnabel, and Brendel, and a number of individual performances (no surprise there) by a number of others, especially of the last sonatas, including Pletnev and Arrau and others (more than I need, I'm sure!).

Arrau's Op. 111 had been my favorite for years, but I'm not sure it still is. (I'm not sure of much these days, actually, but Arrau's descent from the throne started appearing possible a couple or three years ago.)

Franco! You're not helping!! Iiieeeee!!!!

Dana and Dave, start dissin' the set! Please!!!

I was only dissing in jest.  0:)

[owlice]

:: checks Amazon ::

:: checks credit card ::

:: watches credit card burst into flame ::

[Drasko]

Arrau's Op. 111 had been my favorite for years, but I'm not sure it still is. (I'm not sure of much these days, actually, but Arrau's descent from the throne started appearing possible a couple or three years ago.)

Try the one on EMI DVD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBgSSK0m5kA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9GYArGlM7g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kRUlp11M5M

[imperfection]

Symphony No.5 in B-flat major

Simply great. BPO under Karajan is a master Bruckner orchestra...

[Lilas Pastia]

Rafal Blechacz in his 2005 prize-winning Chopin performances at the Chopin International Piano Competition. A polonaise here, an étude there, sprinkle a few mazurkas and waltzes, and end with the piano concerto in e minor (No 1). An excellent program, with unimpeachable pianism and artistry. More than once I mentally chided him for not being as subtle, elegant and virile as Rubinstein, but then I realized I was comparing the 20-year old Pole with RU-BIN-STEIN, the greatest Chopin interpreter at the height of his powers. IOW, all told this is a lovely recital and quite superb interpretations, second only to King Artur, Horszowski (in the concerto), Iturbi (in the mazurkas and waltzes) and probably on a par with everybody else, including the overrated Pollini, Horowitz and Argerich.

[Brian]

BRUCKNER | Symphony No 7
Staatskapelle Dresden
Herbert Blomstedt

There are no words to describe this music - and few to describe the performance. Simply miraculous.

[owlice]

Drasko, thanks very much for those links!!

[Bogey]

Beethoven
Cello Sonata Op. 102, No. 2
Casals/Horszowski
Philips
Recorded 1958

Wow!  I have never heard Casals more clearly than this.  Almost as if one is sitting at the recital.  Simply incredible!  Thank you much George.

[greg]

Just stated listening today.... very nice sound and performances, so far.

[Dana]

:: checks Amazon ::

:: checks credit card ::

:: watches credit card burst into flame ::

Oh well. It's healthy, even if it doesn't seem like it

[owlice]

Dana, you're not helping.....!!

[Harry]

Symphony No.5 in B-flat major

Simply great. BPO under Karajan is a master Bruckner orchestra...

Absolutely!

[Valentino]

Hei.
Listening to women arguing over a man and that damned ring. And it gets worse, of course.

[Catison]

Oh I love Martinu!!

The Largo of the first symphony is one of the most devastating pieces I know.  And it is stuck within all that energy from the other movements.

[jlaurson]

G.Rochberg, String Quartets 3 - 6
Concord Quartet
2 CDs, New World Music

(No.3, right now)
What magnificent music. Article on the composer coming up on WETA shortly.

[val]

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV:    Scheherazade            / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Beecham  (EMI)

Energy, elegance and above all, Beecham's unique narrative style. Literally legendary.