What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Franco]

Krenek: Piano Sonata No.3, Op.92-4
Glenn Gould

This is a wonderful piece!  I haven't got much from Krenek, but judging from this work I should look for more.

[Sid]

Heard last night on radio 2mbs-fm Sydney
www.2mbs.com

CHAMBER SOIRÉE with Phil Vendy

Thomas, J. Grand duet. 
Giuliani, M. Duo (1810-11). 
Haydn, J. Duo in C, Hob.VI:6 (bef. 1777). 
Bach, J. Christian Quartet in B flat. 
Danzi, F. Quintet in B flat, op 56 no 1 (pub. 1821). 
Dvorák, A. Sextet in A, op 48 (1878). 

This program "expanded" as it went along, starting off with a number of duos (the first for two harps, the second for flute and guitar, the third for violin and viola) then a quartet (oboe, violin, viola, cello), then a quintet & sextet. I enjoyed all of these works.

[kishnevi]

Gorecki Symphony No. 3
Warsaw Philharmonic, K. Kord, conductor, J. Koslawska soprano

I bought this one about four years ago, and found it bored me almost to tears.

Now, on the second listen, like it better--but it still doesn't make it into my regular listen-to pile. 

Meanwhile, outside, the rest of South Florida awaits with bated breath the decision of the King, and whether to know that we will be blessed with peace, harmony, an end to war, the cure to cancer, and a solution to the US budget problem. 

Well, that's how the local TV stations are making it sound....

[PaulR]

Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini

Haven't listened to this, probably since I heard it live my sophomore year in college, so it's been a while

[PaulR]

Music should not be a crutch to obtain feelings of happiness.......Need to escape this path.

[Bogey]

[Mirror Image]

Now:



I don't give a damn what anybody says this is a fine set of Martinu's symphonies. Perhaps not ideal for some, but I very much enjoy Thomson's performances. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra play with fire and passion. Listening to "Symphony No. 5" right now. I do enjoy Jarvi's and Belohlavek's performances as well, but Thomson brings out more unique textures that I haven't heard before. Beautiful recordings.

[Coopmv]

Yes, that was incredible. I was as stunned as the German defense when they realized what had happened. A beautiful goal.

Sarge

Now I sincerely hope the Dutch who have given us Leonhardt, Cruyff and van Basten, will get the job done on Sunday and win the WC final.  The third trip to the WC final should be a charm ...   

[PaulR]

Now:



I don't give a damn what anybody says this is a fine set of Martinu's symphonies. Perhaps not ideal for some, but I very much enjoy Thomson's performances. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra play with fire and passion. Listening to "Symphony No. 5" right now. I do enjoy Jarvi's and Belohlavek's performances as well, but Thomson brings out more unique textures that I haven't heard before. Beautiful recordings.

Another set of music I need another listen.  Martinu's music never grabbed me before, but perhaps a more educated, wiser, older ear will be able to enjoy it more, and be able to understand it.

EDIT:  Now, listening to Symphony #5 from that set.

[Mirror Image]

Another set of music I need another listen. Martinu's music never grabbed me before, but perhaps a more educated, wiser, older ear will be able to enjoy it more, and be able to understand it.

The amazing thing is this is the first set of Martinu anything I bought. My first hearing of these works I was completely numb from my head all the way down to my feet. I just didn't get it, so I took a long break and listened to a lot of music during this long hiatus. I returned completely refreshed and more open to his music, but I bought other recordings of some different works. The recording that really did it for me was Jiri Belohlavek's recording of Symphony No. 1 and Double Concerto for String Orchestra. This completely turned my world upside down. At this point, I was reading a lot about Martinu and his different musical "phases." He has many different sides and liked a lot of different kinds of music. I discovered a very beautiful side to his music with three recordings with Jiri Belohlavek on Supraphon performing The Epic of Gilgamesh, Spalicek, The Spectre's Bride, The Romance of the Dandelions, The Primrose, Nipponari, Magic Nights, and Czech Rhapsody. These works revealed a lyrical side to his music that I didn't pick up on in his concerti, symphonies, and other orchestral works.

Martinu is a composer that you need to give many repeated listenings to. He may not grab you the first, second, or even the tenth time, but he just has to be listened to a lot. I hope you find enjoyment in his music as much as I have.

[PaulR]

The amazing thing is this is the first set of Martinu anything I bought. My first hearing of these works I was completely numb from my head all the way down to my feet. I just didn't get it, so I took a long break and listened to a lot of music during this long hiatus. I returned completely refreshed and more open to his music, but I bought other recordings of some different works. The recording that really did it for me was Jiri Belohlavek's recording of Symphony No. 1 and Double Concerto for String Orchestra. This completely turned my world upside down. At this point, I was reading a lot about Martinu and his different musical "phases." He has many different sides and liked a lot of different kinds of music. I discovered a very beautiful side to his music with three recordings with Jiri Belohlavek on Supraphon performing The Epic of Gilgamesh, Spalicek, The Spectre's Bride, The Romance of the Dandelions, The Primrose, Nipponari, Magic Nights, and Czech Rhapsody. These works revealed a lyrical side to his music that I didn't pick up on in his concerti, symphonies, and other orchestral works.

Martinu is a composer that you need to give many repeated listenings to. He may not grab you the first, second, or even the tenth time, but he just has to be listened to a lot. I hope you find enjoyment in his music as much as I have.

I enjoyed the first mov. of the 5th, so it looks like I am getting to enjoy this better.

My first experience with Martinu was the Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola that we played during my freshmen year (I got cut out of the piece because it was a little too difficult for me at the time.  Also for balance reasons.)  That was an interesting piece.  I need to listen to it again.

My goodness, I am backed up in what I need to listen to.  There just aint enough time in the day.

[Mirror Image]

I enjoyed the first mov. of the 5th, so it looks like I am getting to enjoy this better.

My first experience with Martinu was the Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola that we played during my freshmen year (I got cut out of the piece because it was a little too difficult for me at the time.  Also for balance reasons.)  That was an interesting piece.  I need to listen to it again.

My goodness, I am backed up in what I need to listen to.  There just aint enough time in the day.

I'm glad you're enjoying Symphony No. 5. That is a great work. I actually have to come to enjoy all of his symphonies for their individuality and little idiosyncrasies.

Looks like this is going to be a Martinu weekend. 

[Scarpia]

Now:



I don't give a damn what anybody says this is a fine set of Martinu's symphonies. Perhaps not ideal for some, but I very much enjoy Thomson's performances. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra play with fire and passion. Listening to "Symphony No. 5" right now. I do enjoy Jarvi's and Belohlavek's performances as well, but Thomson brings out more unique textures that I haven't heard before. Beautiful recordings.

I like these recordings, but after listening to some alternatives, I've come to the conclusion that they are somewhat go against the grain of what Martinu was getting at.  They are too dramatic, with dynamic contrasts that are more exaggerated than they should be.  I find these works appeal to me in a more rhapsodic, lyrical style.  My current favorite cycle is this relatively  obscure one

[Mirror Image]

I like these recordings, but after listening to some alternatives, I've come to the conclusion that they are somewhat go against the grain of what Martinu was getting at.  They are too dramatic, with dynamic contrasts that are more exaggerated than they should be.  I find these works appeal to me in a more rhapsodic, lyrical style.  My current favorite cycle is this relatively  obscure one

I own that cycle and I'm not particularly impressed with it. I might need to go back and relisten of course. I think Belohlavek, with no offense to Jarvi, Thomson, Ancerl, or Neumann, is the greatest Martinu conductor I've heard on record. He has so much power and his knowledge of this music is truly a spectacle to behold.

[Scarpia]

I own that cycle and I'm not particularly impressed with it. I might need to go back and relisten of course. I think Belohlavek, with no offense to Jarvi, Thomson, Ancerl, or Neumann, is the greatest Martinu conductor I've heard on record. He has so much power and his knowledge of this music is truly a spectacle to behold.

I do like Belohlavek in Martinu, but I only have various odds and ends on various labels and when I look for more it seems much of it is out of print and only available used or for unattractive prices.  It would be nice if one of the labels straighened up the mess and issued a tidy set of his recordings.

[Mirror Image]

I do like Belohlavek in Martinu, but I only have various odds and ends on various labels and when I look for more it seems much of it is out of print and only available used or for unattractive prices.  It would be nice if one of the labels straighened up the mess and issued a tidy set of his recordings.

I understand completely how you feel. I was fortunate enough to buy his Martinu recordings at the right time. I think the only one I'm missing of Belohlavek's is the one on Harmonia Mundi, which I believe has a performance of Violin Concerto No. 1 and is completely overpriced.

One of the last Martinu/Belohlavek recordings I bought were 2-CD set of the Piano Concertos. I see that this recording is quite expensive now.

[Scarpia]

Yeah, they didn't come cheap but I like the way MDG records quartets. Lovely recordings from Leipzig and the Mandelring Quartet (my homies) too. It's hard to believe, though, that the Cherubini Quartet and Ysaye screwed up. Maybe the music just didn't appeal to you. I can't imagine you not liking the op.80 though.

Listened to Mendelssohn, Opus 80, the Cherubini Quartet recording.  Not hugely impressed, but the performance seems tame to me.   Maybe it's worth springing for one of the Leipzig quartet recordings to see if it will be the key to unlock this particular door for me.

Finally, one more piece from this collection:



this time Two Portraits.  The first movement features solo violin and starts out as a sort of monumental chamber work, beginning with solo violin alone, with more an more members of the first violin section entering as the music progresses.   Finally it evolves into more of a concertante work for solo violin and orchestra.  Now this is what I am talking about, Bartok magic, this oddly dissonant but sensuous harmonies, the endlessly unfolding melody.  Great stuff.  Followed by a short, demented waltz.  Excellent, I like Bartok again!

[pi2000]

Disc 2 and 3 from Prazak
Brisk and dramatic playing 

[Que]

Utopia Triumphans, The Great Polyphony of the Renaissance, Huelgas Ensemble, Paul van Nevel. Thomas Tallis' famous Spem in Alium and other works by Constanzo Porta, Josquin Desprez, Johannes Ockeghem, Pierre de Manchicourt, Giovanni Gabrieli and Alessandro Striggio.

This set is a must-have for those interested in Early Music.

 

Q

[Sid]

Debussy, Ravel, Schmitt - Piano Trios
Joachim Trio
Naxos

There's plenty of variety on this disc. The Debussy is an early work, in a slightly Romantic vein, with a witty scherzo. The Ravel is quite vigorous and energetic, I like his chamber music better than his comparatively pallid orchestral music. Apparently, his trio incorporates Malayan themes (according to Lebrecht), and I can hear a pentatonic feel in the first and final movements. I'm gearing up to seeing this work done live later on the year in Sydney, with pianist Kathryn Selby and her "Trioz" group. The Schmitt clocks in at just 3 minutes, and it has a pared down, more lean and minimalistic feel to it. The Joachim Trio play quite well and the sound is full and rich.

Later:

Messiaen - Poemes pour Mi / Les offrandes oubliees / Un sourire
(Schwanewilms, Lyon National Orchestra, Markl)
Naxos

Will be seeing Messiaen's Quatour live on the weekend after next, so trying to get my head around some of his other music. I really like Poemes pour Mi, a tour de force for the soprano soloist, probably one of the most intense French song cycles of the century (another one I can think of is Varese's Offrandes).