What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Conor71]

[Conor71]

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[Drasko]

b minor Prelude op.11 no.1

[George]

Could you dear friend let me in on your findings on this set. As always interpretation and sound quality.

I have the earlier 2 double decca CDs that comprise most, if not all of that set and I sound and performance to be spectacular.

[Brian]

The description said the First Quartet would be neoclassical. So far, I am failing to hear this at all.

[Brian]

I'll be doing that soon with Bournemouth vs COE. The Helsinki cycle I don't have though.

Sarge

Sarge,
I think the Helsinki cycle would make a fascinating comparison for you because THAT Third is quite zippy! 9:49 for the second movement, in fact.

[Brian]

SIBELIUS | Symphony No 3
Helsinki Festival Orchestra
Olli Mustonen
Ondine

I have NEVER heard a performance of this symphony played like this. It is like a whole new work. I am not sure I like this "new" symphony better than the traditional one, but it is definitely making me think and challenging all of my assumptions. This is stripped-down, aggressive, fiery playing (some have described the performance as "neoclassical"), played by a small chamber orchestra.

Timings: 9:19, 9:18, 7:53. By no means a first choice or something I will play with regularity, but something any connoisseur (hear that, Sarge? Although Mrs Rock will hate it!) ought to enjoy just for the radically different angle. Incidentally, Dave Hurwitz believes that Mustonen's uniqueness derives from strict obedience to the score, especially the tempo markings in the second half of the finale.

Right now I'm at the part of the slow movement dominated by violin pizzicati. It's so much quicker than normal that they sound almost like a band of mandolins. Listen on Naxos Music Library if you can - so it's no-risk.

[Brian]

SIBELIUS | Symphony No 3
Helsinki Festival Orchestra
Olli Mustonen
Ondine

I don't like the way Mustonen did the end. The strings are just chug chug chugging along, the brass are sort of whimpering in the background (not like the resplendent lower brass for Segerstam), and then all of a sudden - blam! Final chords. Maybe it's supposed to be unsettling. Because it definitely is.

[Bulldog]

Recently listened to Eric Le Van playing Scriabin's complete mazurkas on Music & Arts.  Excellent performances that I feel well project Scriabin's musical personality.  For those looking for a modern recording of these works, this is the disc to have.

[George]

[CD]

[George]

[DavidRoss]

#4.  I understand this set is not for everyone...but I don't understand why.

[Philoctetes]

#4.  I understand this set is not for everyone...but I don't understand why.

That is easily my favorite set of Beethoven Concertos (although Harnoncout with Aimard is becoming a fast favorite)

I don't know where my picture went, but I've been listening to Kocsis playing Bach's Art of Fugue, and I'm enjoying myself thoroughly. He's got the technical skill to keep all of the lines together. It's a very clean reading though, it's not self-indulgent like the Gould, meaning that essentially the times are much shorter (the hand staring really slowed down Gould).

[Coopmv]

I never said the CSO recording topped the BPO recording. What I did say is I prefer the CSO performance over the BPO performance, which, as with anything, comes down to personal taste.

I actually was referring to virtuosity.  It is probably more difficult to become a member of the BPO than becoming a member of the CSO.  While CSO may be the perennial number 1 orchestra in the US, BPO has always been ranked number 1 or number 2 in the world for decades ...

[Coopmv]

Reminded to listen to this set by George's mention upthread.   

I bought this excellent recording a few months ago and really enjoyed the performance ...

[Sid]

This excellent recording seems to be out of print now. The late Stuart Challender really had an empathy for Australian music. I like the contrast between the pieces on this disc, for example Kakadu evokes lush tropical rainforests while Mangrove is about those places on the flat coastal areas. There's a part in Kakadu that is really memorable to me, it is as if you are walking through the rainforest and come to this clearing, a lake teeming with hundreds of birds...



I'm beginning to understand the Waldstein Sonata more after a few months. The first movement has a very melodic, hummable tune. The second reminds me of the C20th, it is quite stark and bare. & the third has a tune which reminds me of bells ringing. I also like the Hammerklavier, the last movement reminding me of Baroque counterpoint.



I really like this disc. Had never heard these works before, but I really enjoy Richter's performances of two of Prokofiev's most "difficult" works...

[Mirror Image]

I actually was referring to virtuosity.  It is probably more difficult to become a member of the BPO than becoming a member of the CSO.  While CSO may be the perennial number 1 orchestra in the US, BPO has always been ranked number 1 or number 2 in the world for decades ...

You're only preaching to the choir, Coopmv. I know the Berliners are ranked in the top 5 orchestras worldwide. THAT'S NOT THE POINT!!!! Again since you have trouble reading, I prefer the Abbado/CSO performance because his BPO performance did little for me. It's about preference, not virtuosity. They're both incredible orchestras, so let's just move on shall we or is my opinion still bugging you to no end? I like Abbado's CSO recording better, I will always like Abbado's CSO recording better. The end. Now get over it.

[Philoctetes]

You're only preaching to the choir, Coopmv. I know the Berliners are ranked in the top 5 orchestras worldwide. THAT'S NOT THE POINT!!!! Again since you have trouble reading, I prefer the Abbado/CSO performance because his BPO performance did little for me. It's about preference, not virtuosity. They're both incredible orchestras, so let's just move on shall we or is my opinion still bugging you to no end? I like Abbado's CSO recording better, I will always like Abbado's CSO recording better. The end. Now get over it.

[Mirror Image]

Listening to In A Summer Garden. Perhaps one of the most beautiful compositions I've ever heard from any composer's pen.