What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Keemun]

Thus far unable to see what the fuss is about this performance. In fact, I haven't been impressed with any of Karajan's Bruckner for DG. (I also have the full set) 

Even his 7th?  I find that one to be quite impressive.     (I've only heard his 7th and 8th.)

~~~~~

Now:

Mahler
Symphony No. 5
Riccardo Chailly
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

[George]

Even his 7th?  I find that one to be quite impressive.     (I've only heard his 7th and 8th.)

There was a few moments along the way, but nothing that made me want to hear it again. 

[Coopmv]

There was a few moments along the way, but nothing that made me want to hear it again. 

George,  Are you talking about the Bruckner CD's in the Karajan Symphony Edition box?

[George]

George,  Are you talking about the Bruckner CD's in the Karajan Symphony Edition box?

Yes.

[Frellie]

And how sweet this music indeed is.

Including the choral versions of Delius' Two Aquarelles. Didn't know about their existence.

[Coopmv]

Yes.

You are way ahead of me.  I haven't even started yet ...   

[Coopmv]

CD10 from this set ...

[Keemun]

Bruckner
Symphony No. 8
Maazel
BPO

[Brian]

I'm working on a musical playlist to indoctrinate my mom into enjoying 20th century music. She currently associates the 20th century with dissonant, discordant things that she hates, like Stravinsky, Schonberg, Hindemith, Sibelius (!)*, etc. so it's been fun assembling 80 minutes of stuff I know will win her over to the dark side. Giving it a listen now to see if it coheres. If there's something you think I should add to the playlist, let me know!

SHOSTAKOVICH | Festive Overture [Philharmonia, Ashkenazy]
SIBELIUS | Valse Triste [Philadelphia, Ormandy]
LAURIDSEN | O Nata Lux [Elora, Edison]
BERNSTEIN | On the Waterfront, Suite [New York, Bernstein]**
SIBELIUS | Violin Concerto, slow movement [Shaham, Philharmonia, Sinopoli]
MARQUEZ | Danzon No 2 [Simon Bolivar Youth Orch, Dudamel]
BARBER | Adagio for Strings [Royal Scottish, Alsop]
ATTERBERG | Symphony No 3, finale [NDR, Rasilainen]

*The first and only Sibelius she ever heard was Tapiola. Not for beginners!
**she already loves Bernstein (and Shostakovich's 10th)

[Coopmv]

CD14 from this set - Schumann, Franck, Brahms and Stravinsky ...

[bhodges]

Good list, Brian, and wishing you success in your project.  You might add Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium, which is supposedly the most popular choral work ever (based on performance statistics).  There are some fine readings on YouTube, including this one from the UST Alumni Singers (never heard of them!) that I just found, taped at a choral festival in Los Angeles.  (PS, the audience goes nuts at the end!)

--Bruce

[Coopmv]

I'm working on a musical playlist to indoctrinate my mom into enjoying 20th century music. She currently associates the 20th century with dissonant, discordant things that she hates, like Stravinsky, Schonberg, Hindemith, Sibelius (!)*, etc. so it's been fun assembling 80 minutes of stuff I know will win her over to the dark side. Giving it a listen now to see if it coheres. If there's something you think I should add to the playlist, let me know!

SHOSTAKOVICH | Festive Overture [Philharmonia, Ashkenazy]
SIBELIUS | Valse Triste [Philadelphia, Ormandy]
LAURIDSEN | O Nata Lux [Elora, Edison]
BERNSTEIN | On the Waterfront, Suite [New York, Bernstein]**
SIBELIUS | Violin Concerto, slow movement [Shaham, Philharmonia, Sinopoli]
MARQUEZ | Danzon No 2 [Simon Bolivar Youth Orch, Dudamel]
BARBER | Adagio for Strings [Royal Scottish, Alsop]
ATTERBERG | Symphony No 3, finale [NDR, Rasilainen]

*The first and only Sibelius she ever heard was Tapiola. Not for beginners!
**she already loves Bernstein (and Shostakovich's 10th)

I actually listen to works by some of the composers on your list.  I do not listen to works by composers born after 1900 and definitely no composer born after 1950, period.  Their music tend to be too modern for my taste. 

[bhodges]

Stuart, you might like the Lauridsen--a lot, actually.  Here is another of the many YouTube performances, this one by the University of Utah Singers.  The performance is more controlled than the UST version, and FWIW, recorded in a drier acoustic.

Just found what may be the best of these three, by the Nordic Chamber Choir, here.  Tempo is a bit slower, which is fine, and the singers offer even greater precision in navigating Lauridsen's chord changes.

--Bruce

[Brian]

I agree with Bruce - you will LOVE Lauridsen. Born in 1946, but his music is really incredibly beautiful; if O magnum mysterium really is the most popular choral piece ever right now, I wouldn't be surprised. I heard it live at a Christmas concert earlier this month, and it was a magical experience. 

[bhodges]

Who performed the Lauridsen when you heard it, Brian? 

Found another good performance by a Spanish choir called Arte Vocal, here. 

And one more which is superb (and then I'll stop  ) by the Brussels Chamber Choir, here.  There's no indication of the venue, but the sound quality is particularly good.

--Bruce

[George]

Thus far unable to see what the fuss is about this performance. In fact, I haven't been impressed with any of Karajan's Bruckner for DG. (I also have the full set) 

Now spinning the second half. It is a lot better IMO, though overall I am still dissapointed with this one.

[Coopmv]

Stuart, you might like the Lauridsen--a lot, actually.  Here is another of the many YouTube performances, this one by the University of Utah Singers.  The performance is more controlled than the UST version, and FWIW, recorded in a drier acoustic.

Just found what may be the best of these three, by the Nordic Chamber Choir, here.  Tempo is a bit slower, which is fine, and the singers offer even greater precision in navigating Lauridsen's chord changes.

--Bruce

Bruce,   I will check this out.  Some of the 20th century classical music I have experienced at some concerts were mainly heavy percussion with little melody and I was not impressed.

[Coopmv]

Now spinning the second half. It is a lot better IMO, though overall I am still dissapointed with this one.

My Karajan's Bruckner 8th is on this DVD.  Perhaps the visual impact of the performance was what made the difference.

[The new erato]

Some very fine songs on this disc; very worthwhile. Virgil Thomson's The Feats of Love must be among the best things of his I've heard.



This disc is fast becoming a firm favorite. The unforced, songful lyricism of symphony no 1 (in particular) is simply wonderful.

[Henk]

PC 3, 4