What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Scarpia]

Prokofiev, Classical Symphony, Andre Previn, London Symphony.  No better than Jarvi's recording for me.  I just don't like this work.

Prokofiev, Symphony No 2, First movement.  Jarvi.  Now we're getting somewhere.  Quite a dense and cacophonous work, a lot of raw sonorities, but interesting.  Didn't have time to listen to the second (and final movement) but am looking forward to it.

[Sid]

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

NEW HORIZONS with Phil Vendy Prepared by Chris Blower

Thomson, V. A joyful fugue (1962). (orch.)
Leighton, K. Fantasy on an American hymn tune, op 70 (1974). (clarinet, cello, piano)
Martinez-Parada, V. Fantasy on a song by Stevie Wonder. (guitar)
Hovhaness, A. Fantasy on Japanese woodprints, op 211 (1965). (marimba & orch.)
Brubeck, D. Chromatic fantasy sonata (1996). (piano)
Arnold, M. Fantasy in B flat, op 87 (1966). (clarinet)
Glass, P. Concerto fantasy. (2 timpanists & orch.)

I really enjoyed the Leighton, which was a modern clarinet trio. Parts of the Hovhaness sounded more like what you'd expect from someone like Lutoslawski. The Brubeck didn't seem to get off the ground until the last minute, most of it seemed a bit stodgy and dry. The Thomson took a fugue on a journey from the Baroque till the (then) present. The Glass was surprisingly melodic, especially for a timpani concerto.

& from my own collection (a recent purchase):

Howard Hanson - Symphony No. 2 "Romantic" (St. Louis SO/Slatkin) EMI American Classics

Like Bloch, Hanson's music veers between sublime moments and those that seem to come from the soundtrack of some old Hollywood movie. There seems to be an underlying influence of Sibelius here, coupled with Copland's big American sound. I quite like this symphony, the main theme is very memorable. A portion was apparently used in Ridley Scott's Alien, at which the composer was quite understandably surprised...

[Lethevich]

Never liked this symphony as much as the other mature ones, but I am enjoying this rather no-nonsense performance.

The cover is quite weird. It looks like a repainting of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, but with god sinking into clouds of candyfloss. Not the most tasteful thing I've seen...

[The new erato]

A very strong disc. Final disc in a series I have collected as they were released. Schumann seems the strongest symphonic voice I think of this generation of US composers, though I have heard little Mennin and Persichetti. 

[karlhenning]

Prokofiev, Classical Symphony, Andre Previn, London Symphony.  No better than Jarvi's recording for me.  I just don't like this work.

No, no, no, stop this hand-wringing. Previn doesn't have a good touch with this work, either.

You just don't like the performances you've heard so far.

Wait at least until the Ozawa comes in.  I cannot guarantee that you will like it, of course;  but that it is entirely different in effect to the Järvi, HvK & Previn recordings, I can guarantee.

Prokofiev, Symphony No 2, First movement.  Jarvi.  Now we're getting somewhere.  Quite a dense and cacophonous work, a lot of raw sonorities, but interesting.  Didn't have time to listen to the second (and final movement) but am looking forward to it.

This is such a great piece, and the mysteriously best-kept secret in the Prokofiev oeuvre. Delighted that you are enjoying it!  (You'll like Ozawa's even better, I should think.)  And the tema con variazioni second movement is such an exquisite contrast to the gloriously unrelenting noise of the first!

[karlhenning]

A very strong disc. Final disc in a series I have collected as they were released. Schumann seems the strongest symphonic voice I think of this generation of US composers, though I have heard little Mennin and Persichetti. 

This is a really fine disc, and Schuman's is an impressive and intense cycle.  I wish that Naxos would undertake a fresh Mennin cycle, as well.  I've heard just the odd few pieces by Persichetti . . . none of them, any of his symphonies

[Sergeant Rock]

Prokofiev, Classical Symphony, Andre Previn, London Symphony.  No better than Jarvi's recording for me.  I just don't like this work.

I am fundamentally incapable of imagining how anyone could not like the "Classical" no matter who performs it. I am dumbfounded, Scarpia.

I listened to the Orpheus and Ancerl's recordings. Ancerl is of course driven at extreme speed. Parts of the first and last movements actually make me laugh: sounds like a 33rpm record played at 78     It seems so wrong-headed to me. And is his second movement really a Larghetto at that speed? Since Harry likes his classical-era music fast, maybe this Classical would be the ideal performance for him.

The Orpheus first movement lacks charm compared to Ozawa; seems harsh actually. The other movements go better and I can understand why this used to be my favorite recording of the work.

Listening now to Richter's First and Baloghova's Second Piano Concerto. I have no negative criticism about these performances. Perfection both.



Sarge

[karlhenning]

I am fundamentally incapable of imagining how anyone could not like the "Classical" no matter who performs it. I am dumbfounded, Scarpia.

I canna understand it either, Sarge, but I'm trying to find the way to help! ; )

I listened to the Orpheus and Ancerl's recordings. Ancerl is of course driven at extreme speed. Parts of the first movement actually make me laugh: sounds like a 33rpm record played at 78     It seems so wrong-headed to me. And is his second movement really a Larghetto at that speed?

As a rule, I detest the "circus bee" approach to the Opus 25 — but wondrously, Ančerl makes it work. (It's of a piece with his breathtaking Scherzo to the Shostakovich Tenth.)  There is a joy and lissomeness which are graces to the bristling energy.

[Sergeant Rock]

As a rule, I detest the "circus bee" approach to the Opus 25 — but wondrously, Ančerl makes it work. (It's of a piece with his breathtaking Scherzo to the Shostakovich Tenth.)  There is a joy and lissomeness which are graces to the bristling energy.

Although his approach isn't my favorite way to do the work, I agree he and his Czech band do it very well. And it fits nicely into my "Classical" collection: the Completely Different category.

Sarge

[karlhenning]

Although his approach isn't my favorite way to do the work, I agree he and his Czech band do it very well. And it fits nicely into my "Classical" collection: the Completely Different category.

Yes, indeed, Sarge: along with (for instance) the Bernstein/CSO Leningrad.  Hard to fathom how they carried it off, but carry it off they did.

[Brian]

(It's of a piece with his breathtaking Scherzo to the Shostakovich Tenth.)

Gahhhh how comments like this make me wish the Ancerl Shostakovich Tenth was still in print, somehow, somewhere!

[Brian]

A little obsessed with this recording are we?

Maybe I'll put on Barshai or Fricsay tonight, but aside from having more level-headed tempi in the second movement (Petrenko's at 8:30, everyone else at 5:00), most other recordings just make me think about how they compare to Petrenko's. 

[Sergeant Rock]

Maybe I'll put on Barshai or Fricsay tonight, but aside from having more level-headed tempi in the second movement (Petrenko's at 8:30, everyone else at 5:00)

Kreizberg has a skewed head too: 8:25 

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Gahhhh how comments like this make me wish the Ancerl Shostakovich Tenth was still in print, somehow, somewhere!

It's available in Germany...but the price is outrageous for a new copy.

Sarge

[jhar26]

First time I've listened to a cd with music from Kaija Saariaho. I like the cello concerto "Notes on Light," love the orchestral work "Orion," and don't care for "Mirage" - a vocal work sung here by Karita Mattila. Two out of three ain't bad -  interesting composer.

[Père Malfait]

Current listening:

[Mirror Image]

Current listening:

One of my favorite Part recordings. Te Deum is amazing.

[Philoctetes]

Scherchen
VSOO
Rimsky
Sheherazade

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Not too terribly impressed with Haitink's RVW cycle, but it does have some strong points. Listening to Symphony No. 5 right now and it's a great performance. Probably one of best I've heard right up there with Previn's RPO/Telarc recording, which is my gold standard for this symphony. Andrew Davis and Bryden Thomson (my two favorite RVW conductors) offer great alternatives as well. Adrian Boult/EMI is also a fine reading.

I absolutely hated the performance of The Lark Ascending in Haitink's cycle. Sarah Chang sounds totally unconvincing to my ears and Haitink's accompiment is almost non-existent. He must have been on lunch in this performance.

[karlhenning]

Now:



Not too terribly impressed with Haitink's RVW cycle, but it does have some strong points. Listening to Symphony No. 5 right now and it's a great performance. Probably one of best I've heard right up there with Previn's RPO/Telarc recording, which is my gold standard for this symphony. Andrew Davis and Bryden Thomson (my two favorite RVW conductors) offer great alternatives as well. Adrian Boult/EMI is also a fine reading.

Glad you like this account of the Fifth, too.