What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Papy Oli]

Good evening all,

Beethoven 8th
Karajan 63' cycle

[offbeat]

Edit: I'm not into the symphony. It has new age disease, with endless thick organ-style chords masquerading as meaning - it's elevated by its own pomposity. The simplicity is intentional, of course, but the content does not make up for it. I guess it's easy listening, but you can do that with good music too ;__:

Think you are being a little unfair but i understand what you mean - actually quite like the cello concerto on this disc - think its a comfort listen 

[George]

Bought this today.

[offbeat]

Last night: Ives 4th Symphony on Hyperion. I was always confused by this symphony, but not after this performance. Breathtakingly beautiful in spectacular sound. Hyperion have done a marvelous job of clarifying the various layers of sound in this complex music, and the final chorus based on "Nearer my God, to thee" is goosebumps material. Really amazing disc.

Yes think Ives 4th is a little bit crazy - the short choral opening - the utterly mad second movement which goes all over the place and then just grinds to a halt mid sentence - the ever so hymn like third movement and the final movement which is still dont understand fully- love to hear this live.....

[Papy Oli]

Villa Lobos - Suites Populaires
(solo Guitar Music / Norbert Kraft)

perfect for that time ! 

actually, any time 

[George]

Another new acquisition.

[Conor71]

[DarkAngel]

Delightful 2CD Couperin harpsicord collection featuring female artist Violane Cochard on Ambroise label, Pierre Hantai joins in on 1 track. Very nice digipak design, one can never have too much good Couperin

[George]

Bach
Concerto in d minor
Richter
Talich - Conductor
Czech PO

Like the other recent Supraphon that I bought last year (Schumann), they went heavy on the noise reduction and dulled the sound too much. 

Luckily I have the original issue of the first two concertos in better transfer.

[Scarpia]

The PC was a pleasant surprise for me. I was expecting something academic because Howells is more known for his excellent choral music, but the PC was superfine. I have his third SQ to listen to sometime, which the notes intriguingly compare to RVW's 3rd symphony.

Another listen to the Howells 2nd Piano Concerto.  Again, enjoyed it, and I think I hear something of Stravinsky, particularly in some of the angular use of the orchestra.  But the performance/recording doesn't seem to be all that it can be.  I like Hyperion for chamber music and solo piano music, but for orchestral music and particularly concerti, there is a lack of "air" in recordings of this era.  I've been spying a Chandos recording of the same music which I think I will pick up.

[Lethevich]

Another listen to the Howells 2nd Piano Concerto.  Again, enjoyed it, and I think I hear something of Stravinsky, particularly in some of the angular use of the orchestra.  But the performance/recording doesn't seem to be all that it can be.  I like Hyperion for chamber music and solo piano music, but for orchestral music and particularly concerti, there is a lack of "air" in recordings of this era.  I've been spying a Chandos recording of the same music which I think I will pick up.

Hehe, damnit! From looking up what Chandos has recorded, it seems that they have two whole discs expanding on each half of that Hyperion disc - piano concertos and string orchestra music. Yet more things for me to buy... Shame that these two full-priced discs are rather more full on content than their twofer of orchestral works, which mainly contains pleasant but minor suites and the like.

np: Glass - Music in 12 Parts


This has to be the last word in classical minimalism. I don't really understand how it's supposed to be consumed - I just play single movements as background music. It doesn't even seem to matter whether I pause one half-way through and come back to it later, as the most interesting thing about the music is the texture rather than where it is going*. Well worth owning, but highly unconventional in its utility...

*I find this highly different from my favourite Reich (which I'll play after these), which resolutely does go somewhere, with a grand sweep as well.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

First off: Chopin's third Scherzo by Argerich:





Then three Etudes Op.25 by Richter:






Both decidedly in the  category...

[listener]

John Browning  piano recital   recorded in 1958 & 1959
misc  Liszt, Chopin, Schubert, Debussy, Bach-Busoni, and Bach Partita 2

Terrific technique (as one used to criticize young American players for), and a surprising romantic feel to some of the interpretations.

[Que]

Some of the works intended for harpsichord played on organ.



Q

[mc ukrneal]

Humperdinck is one of those composers who always seems to delight and never disappoint. I picked up this disc ages ago - the music is outstanding. Doesn't appear to be in print now, but well worth a listen if you should find a copy somewhere. Just outstanding music...

[The new erato]

First listen, don't have an opinion yet.

[Harry]

Humperdinck is one of those composers who always seems to delight and never disappoint. I picked up this disc ages ago - the music is outstanding. Doesn't appear to be in print now, but well worth a listen if you should find a copy somewhere. Just outstanding music...

I agree with you, and will look out for this disc. Rickenbacher is a good and solid conductor, and I think the Bambergers one of the best orchestras in the world.

[Harry]

First listen, don't have an opinion yet.

Well I have!
I think they are outstanding. Like them very much!

[Harry]

Niels W. Gade.

Symphony No. 5 in D minor.
Stockholm Sinfonietta, Neeme Jarvi.
Roland Pontinen, Piano.

Strangely enough this Symphony doesn't work for me, mainly because of the lack of musical ideas, apart from the third movement, and the fact of this blundering piano that walks like a elephant through the score, and messing things up. My mind wandered off to other shores while listening, and that is never a good sign. However will try again later this week, maybe its just me. Recording is a bit muffled and boomy. Jarvi keeps the tempi on the fast side, and I think this work would collapse when played slower.

[George]

Then three Etudes Op.25 by Richter:

Both decidedly in the  category...

His etudes from that Praga CD (the one with the Scriabin PS 5) knock me out every time I hear them. Especially that Op. 25 No. 11.