What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Sadko]

Rachmaninov

10 Préludes op. 23

Dmitri Alexeev

[asin]B00002DGOT[/asin]

EDIT: ... so good, going on with the rest of the 1st CD.

EDIT 2: Strange, when I had bought it newly I wasn't SO keen on it. I guess I was looking for more extrovert romanticism (sounds a bit paradox).

[Opus106]

Your take on the performances when you get the chance, James.

Don't you think James "listening to" Beethoven now is a bit late for April 1st?

[Conor71]

Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 49

Chamber Music by Mendelssohn - first up the Piano Trios performed by the Sony All-Stars, next Disc 03 of the Complete Chamber Music box featuring the Viola Sonata, Clarinet Sonata and String Quartet No. 3.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Vincent d'Indy's, Symphonie sur un chant Montagnard 'Cevenole" opus 25, is a fine work, and gets a good enough treatment on this disc. I would have loved a tighter ensemble in this work, but the lashes in lush sound is not bad either. It clouds the detail somewhat. Wood winds sound gorgeous as always with this orchestra, and the drive especially in the Allegro part of the first movement hits target for me. Catherine Collard does well too. Her fingers are fleet, and she blends well with the orchestra. dynamics are sure footed, and go nowhere wrong. Overall sound is excellent, but the violins are prominently at times in the crescendo's.

[Sergeant Rock]

Handel Dixit Dominus, Emmanuelle Haim conducting Le Concert d'Astrée




Sarge

[Wanderer]

.[asin]B000W9EM4O[/asin]

Quoting the amazon review from the above link:

"This is more operatic than oratorio-like and of course is the model for Samson et Dalila. This is Liszt at the summit of his orchestral powers. The structure is an outstanding example of the use of thematic transformation and binds it all together with miraculous orchestration. Truly, Liszt's best orchestration. It may not have some of the more unusual combinations one finds in the tone-poems, but the overall texture suits the subject perfectly. While Nietsche found more incense than roses in this oratorio, that is not a fault in 2008 (i.e. the year the review was submitted). The mystical part of Liszt's musical personality is here manifested along with his operatic side, creating a compelling and moving work of art. One of Liszt's best works, and, I might add, one of the most appreciated during his lifetime. Its neglect today is without reason."

[mc ukrneal]

Now listening to disc 2 of the Alfven set on BIS (also available on Brilliant). A fantastic set and well worth exploring. Starting with Swedish Rhapsody No.1, followed by Symphony No. 2. Royal Stockholm Philharmonic under Jarvi.

[Sergeant Rock]

First time hearing this symphony: Haydn #81 G major, Adam Fischer conducting the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra




Sarge

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

The second run through of this music, and after hearing the first notes, proved the necessity of that, for I virtually did not remember one note of the whole work. I need to listen to every one of the 16 CD'S at least 4 times, which I intent to do forthwith! Ridiculous that I did not take more time with this composer, while he clearly deserves it, even when the box hold 16 CD'S, filled to the brim with music. One thing which stayed clearly in my memory was the fact that the recordings "an sich" were very good, more so as I expected contemplating the source. The performances strikes me as idiosyncratic and well conceived. Tempi are well judged, and there are occasional intonation problems with the brass of the orchestra, in almost every symphony. It might be that the brass is not so well disciplined, and Svetlanov not interested in correcting it, but its never obtrusive in a irritating way. The booklet is a virtual disgrace, there is absolutely nothing about the origins of the works presented, so this is sorry excuse for a booklet, that does not lead to a better understanding of Miaskovsky's output. A missed chance I would say.
I have listen today to the First Symphony in C minor opus 3, which starts with a very dark mood, quickly regaining drive and propels into a happier mood. The second movement is majestic, and graceful at the same time, and allows for a lot of light in the work, and in the third movement the footing is fleet and joyous, a emotion which will disappear when further into his oeuvre. Svetlanov never leads the orchestra in extremes, and keeps all over the top emotions out of the door. The performance is to the point without much ado.   

[KeithW]

Back from several weeks of travel.  I have been keeping up with you all, but little time to post.

Getting into the season with

[asin]B000001ST1[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

.[asin]B000W9EM4O[/asin]

Quoting the amazon review from the above link:

"This is more operatic than oratorio-like and of course is the model for Samson et Dalila. This is Liszt at the summit of his orchestral powers. The structure is an outstanding example of the use of thematic transformation and binds it all together with miraculous orchestration. Truly, Liszt's best orchestration. It may not have some of the more unusual combinations one finds in the tone-poems, but the overall texture suits the subject perfectly. While Nietsche found more incense than roses in this oratorio, that is not a fault in 2008 (i.e. the year the review was submitted). The mystical part of Liszt's musical personality is here manifested along with his operatic side, creating a compelling and moving work of art. One of Liszt's best works, and, I might add, one of the most appreciated during his lifetime. Its neglect today is without reason."

Most interesting, thank you, Tasos!

[Lisztianwagner]

Bohuslav Martinu
Piano Concerto No.1

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

With what a mighty melody Symphony No, 25, opus 69 in D major starts, it will lodge itself into your heart very easily, a sublime experience, and instantly favourite with me. It has a nobility almost outside of our understanding, it carries so much emotion but well dozed. It has some fantastic scoring in it, especially for woodwinds and first and second strings. I  detected traces of Rimsky Korsakov's "A Easter Festival", at about 7:00-8:30. Very impressive and beautiful! A well paced short second movement, which quickly tumbles into a march like third movement, quite boisterous, and very expressive in tone. Its mixed with some tiny morsels of again beautiful writing for woodwinds and first violins, and alto's and celli. It urges itself forward of massive blocks of brass, very captivating! And beware of the timpani, many a bang will come of them at unexpected moments.

[Sergeant Rock]

Haydn #70 D major, Adam Fischer conducting the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra




Sarge

[Lisztianwagner]

Richard Wagner
Die Walküre, act 1^

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

From this box with the complete Symphonies from Dvorak, the Eight in G major, opus 88. This recording was licensed from EMI and made in 1988-1992. From this set these are the best sound recordings I heard so far. Open, lucid, great detail, and a front to back stage that made a huge impression. The Brass sounds glorious without sinking into ordinary blaring, and Violins sound sweet, but with the right amount of attack. The performance is a good one, with tempi well judged and a very fine third movement, beautifully realized. In the last bars of the Fourth movement, the brass excels, and it ends in a blaze of jubilant glory. A little on the cool side concerning interpretation, but nevertheless a good choice if it comes to this Symphony.

Oslo PO, Mariss Jansons.

[Sadko]

Brahms

CD 1:
Klavierstücke op. 76
Rhapsodien op. 79
Walzer op. 39

Mikhail Rudy

[SonicMan46]

Liszt, Franz - Années de Pélerinage w/ Louis Lortie - stimulated to buy from reviews here (Karl, I believe?) and also some excellent comments by Scott Morrison on Amazon along w/ several other excellent reviews, reprinted HERE -

[Karl Henning]

Liszt, Franz - Années de Pélerinage w/ Louis Lortie - stimulated to buy from reviews here (Karl, I believe?) and also some excellent comments by Scott Morrison on Amazon along w/ several other excellent reviews, reprinted HERE -

(* pounds the table *)

[madaboutmahler]

Finished a little while ago:

[asin]B000009CMV[/asin]
Das Rheingold

Was happy to have the time to listen to the whole opera. (with a little break half way through...)
Absolutely amazing music, so many thrilling and beautiful moments! I am happy to report that I am also getting on very well with the performance, so I think it was the right choice to go for the Karajan, so thank you to all who suggested that particular choice!

Very excited to continue! I'll probably listen to Das Rheingold again tommorow before moving onto Die Walkure. Looking forward to it!