What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Coco]

Listened to SQs 2-5 and the string trio.

[Coopmv]

Now playing the following CD from my Bach collection ...

[Mirror Image]

This set is all Ivan Fischer conducting, right? I can certainly imagine him being absolutely amazing in this repetoire. Has been in my wishlist for quite a while now. Debating whether to get this, or the Boulez DG set....

This Fischer set collects all of the recordings he made of just the orchestral works outside of the concerti. It doesn't include the set he made with pianist Zoltan Kocsis for the same label (Philips). This set is fine, Daniel, but the Boulez is a better deal all-around I think, especially since the Boulez set contains all of the concerti and Bluebeard's Castle. Boulez is a master interpreter of Bartok's music and his DG series is one of my most prized possessions. All in all, it's simply a must own.

[Mirror Image]

Now:

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Listening to On the Dnieper. Such a fantastic ballet. A minor work? Perhaps, but I love it anyway.

[TheGSMoeller]

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One of my favorite recordings I own 

[Mirror Image]

Now:

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Listening to Concierto de Estio for violin and orchestra.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

From this 5 CD box, the last one with 3 violin concertos from Mozart, played by Andrew Manze, and the English Concert. Thus far this set did not convince me. Manze exhibits to many mannerisms, annoyingly sometimes, tinkering constantly with the tempi, and showing off, instead of letting the music speak for itself. The cadenzas made by him for the violin concertos is a case in point. I am certainly not a admirer of his playing, far from it. I played in once, and after that not again. Sound is fine throughout.

[mc ukrneal]

Hummel, in the wrong hands, can appear to be the most boring composer ever to have walked the earth. Unfortunately, there are many who seem to miss what he has to offer. I'm not sure why - perhaps it is because of how he bridges the classical and the romantic, being in both worlds, but a champion of neither? 

I cannot say the same about Howard Shelley. He makes the music sing and undulate. This disc of piano works was one I picked up a year or two ago in one of those French sales (for cheap). If you are new to Hummel, I would start with the disc of Piano Concertos played by Hough (probably the best Hummel disc out there today). But Shelley also has his measure, and there are several discs to explore on Chandos. Beautiful playing and beautiful sound.
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[Opus106]

From this 5 CD box, the last one with 3 violin concertos from Mozart, played by Andrew Manze, and the English Concert. Thus far this set did not convince me. Manze exhibits to many mannerisms, annoyingly sometimes, tinkering constantly with the tempi, and showing off, instead of letting the music speak for itself. The cadenzas made by him for the violin concertos is a case in point. I am certainly not a admirer of his playing, far from it.

But given that most, if not all, of the works were written for virtuosi and by virtuosi, it shouldn't be unexpected to find the soloist taking liberties here, there and -- why not? -- everywhere . And I, for one, am glad that he wrote his own cadenzas, regardless of whether it's to one's tastes or not, than play some hundred-year-old standard in the name of improvisation.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

But given that most, if not all, of the works were written for virtuosi and by virtuosi, it shouldn't be unexpected to find the soloist taking liberties here, there and -- why not? -- everywhere . And I, for one, am glad that he wrote his own cadenzas, regardless of whether it's to one's tastes or not, than play some hundred-year-old standard in the name of improvisation.

Certainly not unexpected my dear friend. But it doesn't mean I have to like the liberties he takes. His cadenzas for me are not up to the standard as those written some hundred years ago. Its really a very personal thing, and I respect your stance on the matter, of course, but I agree to disagree.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

A box which I like very much must be the Complete works for solo piano, from Sergey Rachmaninoff. Especially if it comes in such fine performances as with Howard Shelley, certainly one of the best interpreters concerning this composer. The sound is always very good. Enough said.

Variations on a theme of Chopin & Corelli.
Melodie in e major, opus 3, No. 3, revised version.
Recorded in 1978. CD VII.

[listener]

HANDEL` 12 Concerti Grossi  op. 6
English Chamber Orch.  /  Raymond Leppard
Later and more accomplished than the op. 3 set, and invigorating performances.  Good listening for the morning.

[Conor71]

Rachmaninov: Trio Elegiaque No. 1 In G Minor
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio In A Minor, Op. 50, "In Memory Of A Great Artist"


I've been listening to a bit of Tchaikovsky the last couple of days and thought I'd put this one on - I've played this Disc quite a few times but for some reason the Music never sticks in my memory! Not sure why as on the surface its quite good Music!.
The Trio playing here is an all-star line up - I feel a bit sorry for Lang Lang with all the criticism he cops on the internet forums I read!. In any ways he is fine here and the performances of these pieces are good

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

When listening to the suites in this box, the very thing that came to me in a instance, was the term super refined Tchaikovsky, and now listening to the third CD in this set, it comes back to me. In a way it reminded me of Karajan and his unique refined sound of the orchestra, well Marriner shapes his orchestras in the same way. Not often do I hear so much detail in Tchaikovsky's work, or hear such apt dynamics, or encounter such lucid imagery. Yet its all there, every note is distinguishable, never overdoing the drama, but perfectly in control. The dance like and capricious elements stay intact, and do not become to sweet, or change into a lollipop masquerade. All the elements that charm us in the music of Tchaikovsky are there, including the ones you may never hear, due to the bombast some conductors add, mistakenly believing that this composer is all about bombast and little substance.
The recording has a depth, that makes me gasp, the front to back is huge, and the wide is not overdone at all. Perfect Tchaikovsky. A collectors item for me. Booklet is adequate, and the artwork is beautiful.

Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture.
Francesca da Rimini, Symphonic Fantasy.
Capriccio Italien.

ASMF, Neville Marriner.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

I am you could say a great admirer of the composer Johan Svendsen, especially his orchestral works are a joy for me to listen too. This box I bought some time ago, and I am now on for the second run through. I am happy to say the the interpretation of Terje Mikkelsen, is a excellent one, and can stand amongst the very best. The way he shapes the first Symphony, especially the first three movements, is nothing short than amazing. This orchestra shows its true vivid colors in very precise playing. The joy and what drama there is in Svendsen Symphonies comes out well, but also, and I never heard that before in his work, the melancholy tendency, in the second movement of the first Symphony. The allegretto scherzando following the second movement dances with exhilarating splendor and joi de vivre, something that is also coming back in the third movement of the second Symphony.
The sound stage is deep and detailed, although I noticed a tendency, later corrected in the first movement of the second symphony, a clogging together of the basses, celli and timpani, becoming somewhat boomy. Detail is excellent, and dynamics well judged.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

This box I bought a while ago, and in the middle of listening to it I had to go into hospital for a few days, so my exploration stopped midway. For me this is a essential purchase for I am a real fan of Hanns Eisler's music, always was and always will be. His approach to music is one unique and extraordinary original. Fascinating stuff from beginning to end. Hence this box with his Instrumental music, which contains top notch performances and ditto recordings, they sound as fresh as if recorded yesterday, although they date far back. Thus CD III now containing his chamber music, Volume I.

Orchesterwerke: Symphonie op. 29 "Kleine Sinfonie";
Scherzo mit Solovioline;Thema & Variationen "Der lange
Marsch";2 Sätze aus "Deutsche Symphonie" op. 50;5 Orchesterstücke;Suiten für Orchester Nr. 1-3, 5,6;Marsch & Finale aus
Suite für Orchester Nr. 4
+Kammermusik: Scherzo für Streichtrio;Divertimento für
Bläserquintett op. 4;Duo für Violine & Cello op. 7;Präludium
& Fuge über BACH für Streichtrio op. 46;Sonatensatz für
Flöte, Oboe, Harfe op. 49;Violinsonate "Reisesonate";Streichquartett;Nonette Nr. 1 & 2;Sätze für Nonett op. posth;
Suite für Septett Nr. 1 op. 92a "Variationen über amerikanische Kinderlieder";14 Arten den Regen zu beschreiben op. 70;
Septett Nr. 2 "Zirkus"
+Klaviermusik: Klaviersonaten Nr. 1-3;Klavierstücke op. 3, 8,32;
Klavierstücke für Kinder op. 31;Sonatine op. 44 "Gradus ad
parnassum";Ouvertüre für 2 Klaviere "No more peace";
Variationen 1941;Fugen g-moll & B-Dur;Ouvertüre für
2 Klaviere "Die Mutter"
Walter Olbertz, Erben-Quartett, Bläservereinigung Berlin,
Kammermusikvereinigung Leipzig, Berlin SO, RSO Berlin,
Günter Herbig, Heinz Rögner

[mc ukrneal]

I am you could say a great admirer of the composer Johan Svendsen, especially his orchestral works are a joy for me to listen too. This box I bought some time ago, and I am now on for the second run through. I am happy to say the the interpretation of Terje Mikkelsen, is a excellent one, and can stand amongst the very best. The way he shapes the first Symphony, especially the first three movements, is nothing short than amazing. This orchestra shows its true vivid colors in very precise playing. The joy and what drama there is in Svendsen Symphonies comes out well, but also, and I never heard that before in his work, the melancholy tendency, in the second movement of the first Symphony. The allegretto scherzando following the second movement dances with exhilarating splendor and joi de vivre, something that is also coming back in the third movement of the second Symphony.
The sound stage is deep and detailed, although I noticed a tendency, later corrected in the first movement of the second symphony, a clogging together of the basses, celli and timpani, becoming somewhat boomy. Detail is excellent, and dynamics well judged.

Hey I got that one too, but I generally prefer the other two discs. The reason is that I (slightly) prefer the symphonies under Jarvi. Regardless of which you prefer though (both are good), the interesting bit is how different they do them. Jarvi is faster in 3 out of the 4 movements in both symphinies. And he is slower in both for the third movement. With Jarvi one feels the propulsion more strongly at times, for example, in the first movement of #1. The sound is also brighter/clearer, or is it the sound on CPO that is a bit more congested (boomier as you say)? Either way, one easily adjusts. Of course, the CPO has all that other great music, so a must buy regardless. His music should be more well known for sure!!

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Hey I got that one too, but I generally prefer the other two discs. The reason is that I (slightly) prefer the symphonies under Jarvi. Regardless of which you prefer though (both are good), the interesting bit is how different they do them. Jarvi is faster in 3 out of the 4 movements in both symphinies. And he is slower in both for the third movement. With Jarvi one feels the propulsion more strongly at times, for example, in the first movement of #1. The sound is also brighter/clearer, or is it the sound on CPO that is a bit more congested (boomier as you say)? Either way, one easily adjusts. Of course, the CPO has all that other great music, so a must buy regardless. His music should be more well known for sure!!

True on all counts Neal, the BIS recording is better, and yes the propulsion in the hands of Jarvi is taunter and speedier. I would not say the sound of CPO is congested, but it is recorded with a little less air around the instruments especially in the lower region of the orchestra. But detail is well projected at all times. Its a essential buy as you say, because of the extra music recorded.

[DavidRoss]

This:
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[springrite]

This:
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Always liked McDuffie, which reminds me to listen to this:

Rosza Violin Concerto (McDuffie)