What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Kullervo]

In the olden days they warned you, for protecteing your speakers against the huge dynamics of their cd's.

That's what I thought. I actually prefer their dynamics (even if you pretty much have to shut out every other surrounding noise to hear the pianissimos).

[Tom 1960]

[Kullervo]

Sibelius's 3rd (Maazel, Wiener PO)

[johnQpublic]

Vivaldi - Overture to "L'Incoronazione di Dario" (Scimone/Apex)
Castello - Sonatas #10 & 11 (His Majesty Sagbutts & Cornetts/Hyperion)
Albinoni - Concerto a cinque, Op. 5, #5 (Standage/Chandos)
Handel - "Esser Mia" & "Se potessero" from "Imeneo" (Ostendorf/Fortunato/Vox)
Telemann - Quartet in E minor (Rampal/Stern/Rostropovich/Spaeter/Sony)
Scarlatti - Two Sonatas in F minor (Kipnis/EMI)

[sidoze]

At your service.

Thanks for that. I'm familiar with Poblocka and Olejniczak, both of whom I'd consider unknown in spite of any recordings. They might be held in high esteem within Poland, and they're recognised as teachers and past winners of competitions perhaps, but you can hardly call them known even among hardcore collectors (which I certainly once was with Chopin recordings). A year ago I would have bought all of those Paleczny recordings. It's probably a very good collection. I notice that website offers Stanislav Bunin's Chopin Preludes. I'd be interested to know in which year he recorded them as I have his Japanese EMI recording which is superb, a quite personal take. He's not Polish but he is worth hearing, if you can get over his prima donna routine when seeing him play.

[hautbois]

Symphony No.1 for the very first time!

[Christo]

Richard Arnell Symphonies 4 & 5 Royal Scottish National Orchestra William Chandler (leader) Martin Yates (conductor) Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow  19-20 May 2007 CDLX 7194 Especially the 5th is great music.

Good that you inform us! I was unaware of this new release, though I own the Dutton recordings of the Third and Second symphonies - especially the Third being a masterpiece, imho. I'll now turn to these two!

[Kullervo]

Sibelius 6 (Maazel, Wiener PO)

[The new erato]

Bloch's Concerti Grosso (grossi?) conducted by Howard Hanson.

[Lethevich]

Taverner - Western Wynde Mass (Christophers/The Sixteen)

[Harry]

Joseph Haydn.

Complete Piano Trio's.

CD 7.

In A major, Hob. XV/18.
In G minor, Hob. XV/19.
In B flat major, Hob. XV/20
In G major, Hob. XV/6.

Van Swieten Trio.

Technical finesse is given to these musicians, and they make good use of it. Remarkably fresh and alert, there playing has a sureness and ease that is quite outstanding in every aspect. A warm and cosy approach this is, yet very open in detail. The technical accomplishment is high, and that makes these performances so enjoyable.

[Kullervo]

[The new erato]

Bloch Quartets with the Grillers. Nr 1 is one of the great string quartets of the last century, and nobody who loves late Beethoven quartets should miss this. Fabulous playing!!!!!

[Lilas Pastia]

Perkowski:  Sinfonietta (1927), Nocturne for orchestra (1955), Violin Concerto (1960) and Cello Concerto (1974). As the dates show, Perkowski's carreer was a long one (1901 - 1990). Everything here is smashing good.

The 1927 Sinfonietta will delight lovers of Poulenc and Copland (for all the world it sounds like a cross between these two composers), but chronologically speaking I think it is an impossibility. More power to Perkowski for writing such an outgoing, life affirming, colourful and bustling score as this.

The Nocturne is a 10 minute work encompassing a wide range of emotions and orchestral rythms and colours. A mysterious and somber introduction gives way to a splendidly alive and exhilarating allegro section. Brilliant.

The concertos are totally different. It sounds as though the composer had 'discovered' atonality in his later years. The violin concerto is a big, big work. It's not only long and complex, but each of its movements seems to explore different soundworlds and rythmic patterns. It grew on me with repeated hearings. The Cello work is more compact and sparer in orchestration. This, too is somewhat cryptic at first, but I soon caught the bug. Perkowski really knows how to write for the instruments he featured in his concertos. Real finds both.

All of this material is available as separate downloads somewhere in one of Maciek's generous servings of polish music . I should mention that the sound is excellent.

[Harry]

Mendelsohn.

Complete Chamber Music.

CD 7.

Piano Quartet in C minor, opus 1.*
Piano Quartet in F minor, opus 2.*

Konzertstuck for Clarinet, Bassethorn, and Piano, in F major, opus 114.**

*
The Schubert Ensemble of London.

**
Rainer Schumacher, Clarinet.
Gerhard Albert, Bassethorn.
Roland Keller, Piano.

Again fine performances from both ensembles, in good sound. Vigorous playing.

[George]

Wow! 

This is some incredible Debussy playing here. I am also glad that the noise is filtered, but not excessively so.

Fully recommended! 

[SonicMan46]

Haydn - London Symphonies w/ Jochum and the London PO (for Nos. 93-104) from the early '70s (5-CD set; bonus disc of 3 earlier recorded symphonies) - actually I received the 'alternate' packaging of this set from the BMG Club.

These performances have been highly recommended here and are really stunning w/ great sound & re-mastering; wonderful interpretations & great dynamics - an exemplary set on 'modern instruments' to own; I also have the Colin Davis recordings (both received a rosette from the Penguin Guide) - have done just one comparison, so far, i.e. the 'Surprise Symphony' - favor the Jochum performance.

Now I need to explore some HIP options for these London symphonic gems! 

[Kullervo]

Haydn - London Symphonies w/ Jochum and the London PO (for Nos. 93-104) from the early '70s (5-CD set; bonus disc of 3 earlier recorded symphonies) - actually I received the 'alternate' packaging of this set from the BMG Club.

These performances have been highly recommended here and are really stunning w/ great sound & re-mastering; wonderful interpretations & great dynamics - an exemplary set on 'modern instruments' to own; I also have the Colin Davis recordings (both received a rosette from the Penguin Guide) - have done just one comparison, so far, i.e. the 'Surprise Symphony' - favor the Jochum performance.

Now I need to explore some HIP options for these London symphonic gems! 

Especially great for those who are, like me, on a limited budget.

[The new erato]

Haydn - London Symphonies w/ Jochum and the London PO (for Nos. 93-104) from the early '70s (5-CD set; bonus disc of 3 earlier recorded symphonies) - actually I received the 'alternate' packaging of this set from the BMG Club.

These performances have been highly recommended here and are really stunning w/ great sound & re-mastering; wonderful interpretations & great dynamics - an exemplary set on 'modern instruments' to own; I also have the Colin Davis recordings (both received a rosette from the Penguin Guide) - have done just one comparison, so far, i.e. the 'Surprise Symphony' - favor the Jochum performance.

Now I need to explore some HIP options for these London symphonic gems! 

My favourite big band Haydn, usually I'm too HIP......

[rubio]

Bruckner Symphony No. 8 performed by Matacic/NHK SO. A quite neutral performance and very fine. It's a bit leaner than many of the Central European orchestras I have heard in this work, and the sound is good.