What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[CD]

FWIW I thought that disc was fairly dull, Christo.

--

First listen!

[Christo]

FWIW I thought that disc was fairly dull, Christo.

Yea. But "the Hurwitzer" praises it highly:

"These two short, perfectly proportioned symphonies provide an appropriate ending to the orchestral achievement of a grossly underrated, even misunderstood composer .... a sort of Swedish Janácek. His symphonies are, one and all, magnificent mosaics; and while these last two employ more tonally ambiguous thematic material than their siblings, and end slowly and quietly (the kiss of death when it comes to their chances of being played live), they are so beautifully sculpted and so easy to follow that they truly deserve the widest dissemination among music lovers."

This sort of praise alwasys forces me to try again ... 

[Bulldog]

Yea. But "the Hurwitzer" praises it highly:

"These two short, perfectly proportioned symphonies provide an appropriate ending to the orchestral achievement of a grossly underrated, even misunderstood composer .... a sort of Swedish Janácek. His symphonies are, one and all, magnificent mosaics; and while these last two employ more tonally ambiguous thematic material than their siblings, and end slowly and quietly (the kiss of death when it comes to their chances of being played live), they are so beautifully sculpted and so easy to follow that they truly deserve the widest dissemination among music lovers."

This sort of praise alwasys forces me to try again ... 

That's the attitude - keep trying.  I think both symphonies are very rewarding; I got my copy after reading a highly complimentary review in Fanfare.

[Christo]

That's the attitude - keep trying.  I think both symphonies are very rewarding; I got my copy after reading a highly complimentary review in Fanfare.

Promise!

[Coopmv]

FWIW I thought that disc was fairly dull, Christo.

--

First listen!

I bought this excellent set about 2 months ago ...

[Antoine Marchand]

Mozart - Violin Sonatas
Jaap Schröder (violin, Joffredus Cappa, Saluzzo, 1684)
Lambert Orkis (fortepiano, CD1: Christopher Clark, after Anton Walter; CD2: Adlam/Burnett 1974, after Heilman 1785)
rec. Chậteaubriant, France, 25-28 August 1990 (CD1) and All Saints Church, Petersham, Surrey, September 1989 (CD2)
Virgin Veritas 693 2182 [73:59 + 72:06]

CD 1
No. 18 in G, K301/K293a (1778) [16:03]
No. 19 in E flat, K302/K293b (1778) [13:50]
No. 20 in C, K303/K293c (1778) [12:45]
No. 21 in E minor, K304/K300c (1778) [14:48]
No. 22 in A, K305/K293d (1778) [16:24]

CD 2
No. 32 in B flat, K454 (1784) [21:37]
No. 33 in E flat, K481 (1785) [24:22]
No. 35 in A, K526 (1787) [24:37]

[Antoine Marchand]

George Stubbs (1724–1806)

A Couple of Foxhounds, 1792
Oil on canvas
Tate, London
Purchased with assistance from the Friends of the Tate Gallery 1973

Late in his career, Stubbs simplified his compositions, combining monumental forms with his habitual, meticulous detail. Here a breeding pair of foxhounds dominates the canvas. Because they are depicted life-size, their vivid effect is startling. The Rev. Thomas Vyner, an avid sportsman, commissioned this picture. An anonymous family history records that Vyner was "a first rate judge of breeding hounds and everything connected with their management in the kennel and in the field." Stubbs's portrait must have commemorated a pair of hounds cherished by Vyner, and, like so many of his paintings, it is a work of memorable presence and quality.

[Lethevich]

Nice dogs

Np: a mix of things by Ginestera. This music is so well-written and crafted, but I cannot help but feel that without Igor Stravinsky (and sometimes Bartók) to crib from, this guy would have a totally different style. He also rather trivialises Stravinsky's language by creating a generalised sound from it - there is something almost distasteful to the man about town manner of orchestral writing with the endless tinkling percussion, kettle drums and hooting brass creating a toy-like sound. I wish I could describe better way, but there is a certain "ugh" feeling I get from the music at times. But I shouldn't complain, though, as when I dismiss the problems with the similarity of sound between works I am grateful for it, as it offers pleasant music in forms I wish Stravinsky wrote more of (concerto, orchestral variations).

[Que]

 

Good morning. 

Q

[The new erato]

FWIW I thought that disc was fairly dull, Christo.

I've always been curious about that disc, but now I'll let it go.

But let me (once again) plug the marvellous disc of Wiren's string quartets on the Daphne label.

[The new erato]

I've always been curious about that disc, but now I'll let it go.

That's the attitude - keep trying.  I think both symphonies are very rewarding; I got my copy after reading a highly complimentary review in Fanfare.

Or then again, maybe not. 

[Que]

Next from this box set:



Q

[jlaurson]

And good morning to you.


J. S. Bach
Cantatas For The 3rd Sunday Of Epiphany
Gardiner
Archiv

[val]

BANCHIERI / STRIGGIO:    Madrigal Comedies           / Concerto Italiano, Alessandrini

The best of this CD are the Madrigals of Striggio, in special "La Caccia". Striggio seems to have received the influence of Janequin or even Lassus, in his polyphonic Madrigals, in the imitative style.

Banchieri doesn't offer the same interest. In his music the comedy becomes grotesque and the musical invention is poor.

[Harry]

Next from this box set:



Q

Bought both releases some time ago, and I think them to be on a very high musical level.

[Que]

Q

[Sergeant Rock]

Miaskovsky Sixth




Sarge

[Lethevich]

I've been going through this box - the performances seem uniformly stronger than the Sony/CBS big box, so it makes a good suppliment to it, with the modern sound quality as a final deal-sealer. The Chailly disc is a joy, shame that it doesn't seem to have been reissued like his ballet recordings have.

Edit: actually, I can't understate how good the Chailly disc is - the Soldier's Tale suite is almost done and I'm going to have to repeat play it right away - it's the best performance I've heard of this piece (admittedly there isn't a huge amount of competition).

[Antoine Marchand]

Q

Any comment on that Müthel? 

[Coopmv]

Now playing SACD1 from this set.  I lost count on versions, as this is probably close to version 30 ...