What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[karlhenning]

Disappointing. As thrilling and as "rough" as their Lemminkäinen is, the symphonies have so far felt rather sluggish and disconnected. In Sib's syms there seems to be this dichotomy between "foreground" and "background" that is often apparent, and it seems only a few conductors get it and are able to control the fine gradations between the two (maybe this is why Sib isn't seen as one of the great orchestrators — I really think he is).

I appreciate this review, Corey.

[Lilas Pastia]

Willem Pijper's first String Quartet. Pijper is often thought of as a tough nut to crack, but in truth, this quartet is as dvorakian as Ives' first symphony. I can't think of any one not liking this music. It's superb. As is Ives' first symphony. As I mentioned. I

IOW totally different from later works (Pijper wrote 4 more quartets). I wish I could hear Pijper's 3rd symphony, Apparently it's been practically unplayed since Monteux last programmmed it (many times over).

Beethoven: 8th symphony. Abbado and the Vienna Philharmonic (Decca, mid-sixties). An infectiously joyful reading. Is it me, or do I detect a lower pitch in Vienna?   For once it sounds brilliant and joyful, sprightly and with just the right degree of affection. Not a trace of the overbrightness I always complain about.

[Brian]

I've been away from the board for a few days, because my computer's hard drive is defective and I'm waiting for a replacement. However, I just HAVE to share with you the amazing Russian extravaganza I enjoyed this past Friday afternoon:

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 11 and 9. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic; Vasily Petrenko
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky Cantata. Scottish National Chorus and Orchestra; Neeme Jarvi
*Prokofiev: Scythian Suite. Scottish National Orchestra; Neeme Jarvi
*Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux (orch. Respighi). Minnesota Orchestra; Eiji Oue
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel). Orchestre National de Capitole de Toulouse; Tughan Sokhiev

*first-listen Friday! Hadn't heard these before.

That was a really wonderful day!

Right now, I'm listening to Bax's Symphony No 2 for the first time.

[listener]

a second listen to the Sibelius Piano Music vol.3 - Håvard Gimse..   The pianist appears to have heard other (non-piano) Sibelius works and brings out some figurations and phrases that can be heard in other works,  and the opening of the Sonatina op.67/1 has a remarkable echo of Chopin...    and you can tell the difference between pieces, unlike the MacDowell piano music I listened to earlier.
and two Symphonies by Carl CZERNY in late Classical style.  Nothing surprising, but well-crafted and they kept me interested.

[Harry]

Etienne Ozi.
Six Grandes Sonates from Nouvelle Methode de Basson.

Wonderful

[val]

HUGUES DUFOURT:       Le cyprès blanc / Surgir

/ Gerard Caussé, Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Pierre-André Valade


The "Cyprès blanc" is a very beautiful work, composed in 2004. Mysterious in the first part, more dramatic in the middle and more lyrical in the last part with the viola finally assuming its soloist role. The atmosphere of this last part reminds me Alban Berg's Violin Concerto.

[Harry]

Asger Hamerik.
Complete Symphonies.
CD IV.

Symphony No. 7, opus 40. "Choral Symphony", for Orchestra, choir and mezzo soprano.

This work is well performed, the choir sounds wonderful, but I am not to keen on the Mezzo Randi Stene, who thinks that the more vibrato means maximum dramatic effect.
Not much expression in the voice either, worse she has not the ability to give her singing just the amount of professionalism Hamerik's work needs.
Orchestra is just fine.

[Harry]

Asger Hamerik.

Requiem opus 34., for Orchestra, Choir, and contralto.

First time that I hear this.

[Antoine Marchand]

Monteverdi - Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (Opera in 5 acts)
Sergio Vartolo (conductor from the cembalo and spinet)
Recorded at Auditorium of Pigna, Corsica, France in Nov. 2005
3 CDs
Brilliant Classics

An obvious first choice for this opera: excellent (really excellent) performances and sound quality, not inferior to anyone; complemented for a great 120-pages booklet (only in English, although it also includes the Italian text of the opera).

[Harry]

Monteverdi - Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (Opera in 5 acts)
Sergio Vartolo (conductor from the cembalo and spinet)
Recorded at Auditorium of Pigna, Corsica, France in Nov. 2005
3 CDs
Brilliant Classics

An obvious first choice for this opera: excellent (really excellent) performances and sound quality, not inferior to anyone; complemented for a great 120-pages booklet (only in English, although it also includes the Italian text of the opera).

Agreed! In this case and many others we have the same taste.

[Harry]

Mozart.
Complete Symphonies.
CD 9.
No. 32/34/35/36.

[Sergeant Rock]

Reading the HIP Beethoven thread this afternoon inspired me to listen to one of my fave Eroicas. Faster and, perhaps, even more "impactful" than Järvi's   




Sarge

[mahler10th]

This is as remarkable take on Martinu 4.  It arrived this morning having been posted to me by Jeffrey (vandermolden) on Saturday.  I am listening to it again.  How the conductor manages to convey the lyrical aspects of this brilliantly inventive symphony whilst keeping momentum ongoing and brightness throughout the performance is quite something.  I can see why this recording is sohioghly thought of.  Martin Turnovsky was a pupil of Ancerl and studied wtih Szell.  He is a well travelled Czech conductor, but for some reason he's not nearly as well known as some of his countrymen.
It was recorded circa 1967.  It could have been yestreday, such is the clarity of the remastering.

THANK YOU FOR THAT JEFFREY

[Christo]

Asger Hamerik.

Requiem opus 34., for Orchestra, Choir, and contralto.

First time that I hear this.

But ......... EVERYONE here knew it for ages ! 

[Opus106]

Maiden Listen Monday -- or at least I think so.

Franz Joseph Haydn
Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons), Hob. XXI: 3

Matthew Rose(b), James Ghilchrist(t), Lucy Crowe(s)
Monteverdi Choir|Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
John Eliot Gardiner

Live|15 October 2009
Carnegie Hall, New York City

[Antoine Marchand]

Agreed! In this case and many others we have the same taste.

It's a honor for me, but a dubious compliment for you, dear Harry. 

[Harry]

It's a honor for me, but a dubious compliment for you, dear Harry. 

"Not at all my friend"

[Opus106]

"Not at all my friend"

Hm... are those forum air-quotes, Harry?


Just kidding.

[Harry]

Alexander Borodin.
String Quartet No. 1 in A.
Piano Quintet in C minor.
Moscow String Quartet.
Licensed from NMC, recorded in 1995.

A most excellent recording and performance. In my opinion the best I ever heard from this composer.

[Harry]

Hm... are those forum air-quotes, Harry?


Just kidding.

Nah, solid as a rock!