What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[jlaurson]

Before hitting the sack...

Rued Langgaard
Carl Nielsen, vor store Komponist!

This piece is unbelievable!

http://www.youtube.com/v/xhR-iLqzgo8

I love it, too... the bitterness of a lifetime packed into such a short work. 

[Mirror Image]

This recording with Neumann is giving the Belohlavek a run for it's money right now.

[Antoine Marchand]

I have never listened to Mr. Martinů, but I already hate his ubiquitous surname.   

[Mirror Image]

I have never listened to Mr. Martinů, but I already hate his ubiquitous surname. 

You never listened to any Martinu? That's pretty interesting. What has kept you from hearing his music? Anything in particular?

[Daverz]

Hard to believe, but there are folks who actively dislike Martinu.

He did tend to repeat himself a lot.  Like some pop groups who basically rewrote the same song over and over again.  I'm pretty patient with him because it is a really good song.

[Mirror Image]

Hard to believe, but there are folks who actively dislike Martinu.

He did tend to repeat himself a lot.  Like some pop groups who basically rewrote the same song over and over again.  I'm pretty patient with him because it is a really good song.

A lot of composers repeated themselves. Look at Vivaldi for example. Many of his detractors said all he did was rewrite the same concerto over and over again. Does this really matter to me? Not really. Vivaldi wrote enjoyable music and it never fails but to put a smile on my face. Got to love L'Estro Armonico!

Anyway, Antoine, if wouldn't mind answering my questions when you get the time.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Kubelik owned Ma Vlast as far as I'm concerned. This is a remarkable performance. I'm also quite partial to Kubelik's own BSO recording as well.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



My favorite recording of Church Windows. I consider Simon's performance vastly superior to Lopez-Cobos. There is much more depth here from Simon and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

[greg]

Yet again:
Mahler- Das Klagende Lied (Boulez)

Same story as all of my top favorites (and it is becoming a top favorite, as well). Initially, I either dismiss or don't know what to think of it. As time goes by with repeated listenings, though, I start to like it more and more until I just can't get enough of it.

[Sid]

Boulez
- Sur Incises (1996-98) for 3 each of pianos, harps, percussionists
- Messagesquisse (1976-77) for cello soloist & 6 cellos
- Anthèmes 2 (1997) for violin & electronics
Soloists of the Ensemble Intercontemporain / Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello / Ensemble de violoncelles de Paris / Hae-Sun Kang, violin / Pierre Boulez
(Deutsche Grammophon)

I had been eyeing this disc for a while, and bought it this week. I really wanted to get into Boulez, but buying the piano sonatas 3-6 months ago was not the best start. Those pieces are known (and feared by pianists) for their complexity and uncompromising qualities. Not so for these chamber & electroacoustic works. There is quite a bit of dissonance there, but there is also much poetry and even lushness.

Sur Incises is the longest and most complex music of the set. It is fascinating how all of the nine players interact in this complex web of counterpoint. Parts of it remind me of Bartok or Stravinsky, parts of Messiaen or even Dutilleux. Messagesquisse is a very short suite for cellos, and is quite listenable. I like how Boulez uses not only the low registers of the cellos, but is unafraid to use the higher registers as well. & I really like Anthemes 2. The violin sometimes plays on it's own, sometimes as a part of a virtual quartet of violins, sometimes as part of an "orchestra." There are parts that could only be realised by the use of electronics, there is a pizzicato part towards the middle which could obviously not be done by human hands, it's too fast.

I'm really happy with this purchase, and intend to use it as a springboard into more of Boulez's music sometime down the track...

[listener]

after a long and tiring, but satisfying day
BRAHMS and SCHUMANN   The3 String Quartets (each)
The Kohon Quartet        (Vox Box - LP's)

[kishnevi]

I have never listened to Mr. Martinů, but I already hate his ubiquitous surname.   

I confess to having one CD of Martinu, some violin concertos on Arte Nova;  while it wasn't bad, it didn't impress me enough to try to seek out more of Martinu's music. 

However, it is a good excuse to have a martini.

Thread duty: Schumann String Quartet 3  Cherubini Quartet 

Sounds better on rehearing, but my preference remains with the Ysaye Quartet (out of the recordings I have)

[CD]

Vagn Holmboe - Chamber Concertos 10-14

On a first listen, rather note-spinny. Odd, considering how remarkable I found his 8th and 9th symphonies.

[not edward]

I confess to having one CD of Martinu, some violin concertos on Arte Nova;  while it wasn't bad, it didn't impress me enough to try to seek out more of Martinu's music.

The performances on that disc are kinda meh, to be very technical about it. I'm not surprised if the music didn't really grab you as a result.

I've been at the Tippetts again: the last three quartets with the Tippett Quartet--almost always intriguing; Colin Davis' reading of the utterly gorgeous Rose Lake and the composer conducting the somewhat deranged Vision of St Augustine, followed by the Solti recording of the rather uneven (to my ears) Byzantium.

Tonight's last listening--I want something completely below the green lemon, so it's Martinu's concerto for violin and piano (Matousek/Kosarek/CzPO/Hogwood).

[Mirror Image]

I confess to having one CD of Martinu, some violin concertos on Arte Nova;  while it wasn't bad, it didn't impress me enough to try to seek out more of Martinu's music.

The Arte Nova recordings of Martinu aren't that great (as Edward points out). You should definitely try to give Martinu another chance. Please go over to the Martinu thread and read some of the recommendations that have been made and judge for yourself what you would like to pursue. His music, if played with rhythmic vitality and spirit, can be a rewarding listening experience.

[kishnevi]

The performances on that disc are kinda meh, to be very technical about it. I'm not surprised if the music didn't really grab you as a result.

I've been at the Tippetts again: the last three quartets with the Tippett Quartet--almost always intriguing; Colin Davis' reading of the utterly gorgeous Rose Lake and the composer conducting the somewhat deranged Vision of St Augustine, followed by the Solti recording of the rather uneven (to my ears) Byzantium.

Tonight's last listening--I want something completely below the green lemon, so it's Martinu's concerto for violin and piano (Matousek/Kosarek/CzPO/Hogwood).

I shall revisit Martinu. 

Regarding Tippett--how many string quartets did he write?  I have the Naxos recording of the Tippett Quartet playing Numbers 3 and 5, but haven't gotten around to getting the complete set---but I like what I have very much.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



A completely gorgeous recording. I haven't heard the other recordings of this work, but any of them will top this one.

[Harry]

Now:



My favorite recording of Church Windows. I consider Simon's performance vastly superior to Lopez-Cobos. There is much more depth here from Simon and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Agreed! And its one of Chandos superior recordings of the olden days.

[CD]

A completely gorgeous recording. I haven't heard the other recordings of this work, but any of them will top this one.

I am confused by these two sentences.

[Que]

Q