What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Mirror Image]

Shame about the less impressive painting by Prince Charles. What a terrible idea that was.

Yeah, it's not very flattering, but it's the content that's important in the end. Have you heard this recording?

[Mirror Image]

Now listening:

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I'm really addicted to Harmonielehre right now. I can't predict the future (obviously), but I think this will be a work that stands the test of time. It's such a unique synthesis of styles from Minimalism, a style, which I think has become unfashionable over the past decade or so, Romanticism, especially in the slow movement and the yearning melody that occurs in beginning of the last movement, and popular culture (a common thread in many of Adams works).

[Mirror Image]

Now:

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Such a gorgeous work.

[kishnevi]

Historic Organs of Austria.

Did you have the same problem I had with the organ howls on some of the earlier tracks on CD 2 of that set (the second Alpenlander disc).  Don't know what to actually call it, but "howl" is the best description I can give of some of the notes emitted.   But I assume one has to take historic organs as one finds them for this sort of project.

I did find all the other recordings in this set stunning.

Thread duty:  Tallis: Music for a Reformed Church/Chapelle du Roi-A. Dixon, cond.
CD 6 of the Complete Works of Tallis box,  this one centered on Tallis' English liturgical works, some English motets, and the Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter.

[Gold Knight]

On Spotify:

Gustav Mahler--Symphony No.5 in C-Sharp Minor, performed by the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Bernstein.
Antonin Dvorak--Symphony No.1 in C Minor, Op.3 {"Bells of Zlonice"}, featuring the Philharmonia Orchestra of London led by Sir Andrew Davis.

[Mirror Image]

Now:

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Listening to The Chairman Dances right now. What I admire about Adams is how he expanded the melodic and harmonic language of Minimalism. Of course, these works on this Waart recording are from his "Minimalist" period, but his development as a composer has been well-documented thanks to such enterprising labels like Nonesuch.

[listener]

NYSTROEM  Sinfonia Breve
HOLMBOE  Symphony no.10, op.105 (based on the Dies Irae)
Göteborgs Symphony Orch.,  Sixten Ehrling, cond.
HAYDN  Cantata "Miseri noi, misera patria" + 2 arias, also PERGOLESI and STORACE
Bethany Beardslee, sop.,   Musica Viva Ensemble        James Bolle, cond.

[classicalgeek]

Some rare evening listening:

Sergei Rachmaninov
Piano concerto no. 3 in D minor, op. 30
Abbey Simon, piano; Leonard Slatkin; St. Louis SO


From a very fine but often overlooked set of Rachmaninov concerti.  This is a solid Third, maybe not a top choice, but quite good nonetheless.

[classicalgeek]

Eduardo Mata has done a great service to Latin American music I think. Have you heard his Latin American Ballets recording? Outside of his Revueltas, these are probably my favorite performances with Mata.

Indeed I have, and it's very fine!  The Ginastera stands out for me, but it's all good stuff.  Agreed about Mata and Latin-American music - a pity he died before his time (at least 15 years ago now, but he was only in his early fifties if I recall correctly...)

[Mirror Image]

Indeed I have, and it's very fine!  The Ginastera stands out for me, but it's all good stuff.  Agreed about Mata and Latin-American music - a pity he died before his time (at least 15 years ago now, but he was only in his early fifties if I recall correctly...)

Yes, Mata died in a plane crash I think around '93 or '94. I can't remember. He left behind some excellent performances. I would have liked to have heard him conduct more Villa-Lobos and wish he had recorded a Chavez symphony cycle with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (his LSO cycle of Chavez wasn't particularly noteworthy).

[classicalgeek]

Yes, Mata died in a plane crash I think around '93 or '94. I can't remember. He left behind some excellent performances. I would have liked to have heard him conduct more Villa-Lobos and wish he had recorded a Chavez symphony cycle with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (his LSO cycle of Chavez wasn't particularly noteworthy).

OK, now I remember the details - per Wikipedia, he was only 52 .  I agree about the Chavez cycle on Vox - it's OK, but not great - but it's the only complete set available, I think.  And it would have been cool to hear his take on the V-L Symphonies and Bachianas Brasilieras, though there are fine recordings available of those works

[Mirror Image]

OK, now I remember the details - per Wikipedia, he was only 52 .  I agree about the Chavez cycle on Vox - it's OK, but not great - but it's the only complete set available, I think.  And it would have been cool to hear his take on the V-L Symphonies and Bachianas Brasilieras, though there are fine recordings available of those works

Yes, all of us VL fans are forever indebted to Duarte, Neschling, and Schermerhorn for their championing of this great composer's music. Their recordings have been ear-openers for me. Have you heard Neschling's Forest of the Amazon yet? What a stunning performance.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Did you have the same problem I had with the organ howls on some of the earlier tracks on CD 2 of that set (the second Alpenlander disc).  Don't know what to actually call it, but "howl" is the best description I can give of some of the notes emitted.   But I assume one has to take historic organs as one finds them for this sort of project.

I did find all the other recordings in this set stunning.

I did not notice that, but soon I will play them again, and will listen in.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

CD II of this set, which has full marks from me ( 23-4-2012 & 27-4-2012). Still a stunning set, well recorded and performed.

[Sergeant Rock]

Brahms Piano Quintet F minor op.34 played by the Hagen Quartet with Oleg Maisenberg, piano




Sarge

[North Star]

Elgar
Violin Concerto
Nikolaj Znaider, Colin Davis & Staatskapelle Dresden
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[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

CD II from this set! Siebe Henstra on Harpsichord and Clavicorde. See review and details 21 and 28-4-2012.

[Sergeant Rock]

Big fan of #4 here, may have to invest in this disc. Didn't even know Lenny recorded it.

He recorded it in 1965 around the same time his Young People's Concert entitled "Musical Atoms: A Study of Intervals" was broadcast. That lecture included the Vaughan Williams Fourth; it was the first time I heard the music. I was hooked instantly, and forever. Lenny's performance has been my desert island choice for more than four decades.

Shame about the less impressive painting by Prince Charles. What a terrible idea that was.

The original LP cover art was better but still odd. Left click to enlarge the picture.



I have no idea why someone thought it would be a good idea to include cows    VW has been accused of being of the Cowpat School musically, but the violent, angry Fourth doesn't quite fit the mold 

Sarge

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

CD I of this twofar. See detailed review 21-4-2012.
I am glad to have these under recorded works in such splendid performances.

[Karl Henning]

Inspired by the chatta on the Veranda:

RVW
Symphony № 4
London Phil
Benny

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