What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Wasn´t this a bonus disc, sent to you from JPC, at least I got it in that way?

Nope, I bought this one.

[Karl Henning]

A first listen:

Reger
Phantaisie und Fuge für Orgel über B-A-C-H, Op.46
Peter Sykes
1931 Steinmeyer organ, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona PA

[asin]B000004AMI[/asin]

[SonicMan46]

Disc 2 - String Quartets now playing; well crafted, excellent performances, & outstanding sound - pleased w/ this purchase!

Disc 3 - Piano Trios - up next -

After which, I'll likely move on to some other items in that JPC package - Dave

Day after Christmas, my package from JPC arrived w/ a LOT of items - the largest one up first:

Rheinberger, Josef (1839-1901) - Chamber Music w/ Sonare Quartett et al - 6 CD box on sale there (my cost about $36!).  Just starting out w/ the first disc, i.e. String & Piano Quintets - this is going to be a wonderful set, especially for those who enjoy late Romantic chamber music - attached are some Fanfare reviews dating just after the release of these performances -

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B00000IYN3[/asin]

Listening to Symphony No. 1. Such an amazing work. I can't believe I gave Walton the cold shoulder for so long.

[Karl Henning]

A Spanish Christmas
Boston Camerata
Joel Cohen

[asin]B001FQ72FO[/asin]

[listener]

ALWYN:  Concerto Grosso 1, Pastoral Fantasia, Five Preludes, Autumn Legend
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orch.    David Lloyd-Jones, cond.
Joseph RYLANDT (1870 - 1965)  Piano works
Sonata 2 op. 24, Sonata 4 op. 51, Sonata 7 op. 67, 6 Nocturnes opp. 81, 90, 91, 93, 97, 126
En Ardenne - suite op. 43  Prelude and Fugue, 5 Phantasiestücke
Jozef de Beenhouwer, piano
Late romantic music from Belgium

[TheGSMoeller]

Piano Trio in D minor
The Nash Ensemble

[TheGSMoeller]

A fantastic set.

Agreed. I just purchased the Virgin Faure Chamber set to accompany this one. Haven't gone all the way through the new one, but I do enjoy this Brilliant set quite a bit.

[Karl Henning]

An Arnie Christmas!

Arnie
Friede auf Erden, Op.13
BBC Singers
Boulez, presiding

[Lisztianwagner]

Leos Janacek
In the mist

[asin]B0001Y4JH0[/asin]

[North Star]

Leos Janacek
In the mist
(Paul Crossley, pf)

Bela Bartok
Elegies
Kocsis

Hi Ilaria, any comments on these two yet?

Thread duty:

Bach, Scarlatti, Telemann
Staier
[asin]B005L12SI0[/asin]

Rachmaninoff
PC no. 4
Collard & Plasson
[asin]B0040UEIAO[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B0000630UV[/asin]

Listening to Viola Concerto with Yuri Bashmet and Andre Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra.

[Keemun]

[Christo]

Again.

                                             

[Lisztianwagner]

Hi Ilaria, any comments on these two yet?

I'll post some comments after finishing the first disc. Anyway, I extremely like what I've listened to so far, especially some of Bartok's Bagatelles, Molto sostenuto, Rubato and Valse.

[The new erato]

Again.

Hope you find Koppell as great as I do.

[Mirror Image]

Entering into a Prokofiev phase...

Now:

[asin]B0009F66PE[/asin]

Listening to Sinfonia Concertante. Such a fine work.

[Christo]

Hope you find Koppell as great as I do.

Am very much impressed by the Third by now, a real war symphony. Find its sobriety more convincing then Shostakovich perhaps, though it is a bit reminiscent of Shosta's Tenth, that I BTW heard in a great performance in the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam earlier this year.

What would you advise me after the Third?

[SonicMan46]

Some new arrivals from 'across the pond' (JPC):

Bach, Johann Christian - Keyboard Works, Op. 16 & 17 - performers on the covers; Op. 16 are alternating keyboard sonatas w/ violin or flute (period instruments) -

 

[TheGSMoeller]

https://www.youtube.com/v/_2xa46ytiSs


Wim Mertens Ensemble: Struggle For Pleasure

[Lisztianwagner]

Bela Bartok
Elegies

[asin]B003Y3MYWW[/asin]

Now: Romanian Folk Dances.

[Brahmsian]

Eine Kleine Henningmusik! 

Henning, K.

Heedless Watermelon, Op. 97 for flute & clarinet
Irreplaceable Doodles, Op. 89 for clarinet
The Angel Who Bears a Flaming Sword, Op.94a for alto flute
*Lost Waters, Op. 27 for harp
Studies in Impermanence, Op. 86
Tropes on Parasha's Aria from 'White Nights', Op. 75 for flute, clarinet & harp

Karl Henning - clarinet
Peter H. Bloom - futes
Mary Jane Rupert - harp

Recorded live, in West End Branch, Boston Public Library
September 17, 2009

I've always had a fondness for 'Irreplaceable Doodles & Heedless Watermelon', however my favourite piece is *'Lost Waters'.  Such a gorgeous, beautiful piece.  Anyone who loves solo harp (like I do) will adore this piece, I guarantee it!! 

A beautiful gift, and creation from Karl.  Merci, mon ami! 

[Mirror Image]

Now:



A superb performance so far. Much, much better than the Trojahn on CPO.

[Octave]

+1 for the Fauré chamber box on Brilliant, and +1 for that Janacek orchestral/chamber set on Decca, the first of which I enjoyed in the past month.  Though there are some later orchestral recordings also by Mackerras that I've really, really enjoyed, which I remember having better sound; cannot vouch for this, as I have not done an A/B....



Also, I think I liked the Firkusny (DG Originals, with a second disc of chamber/concerto music) and Schiff piano recordings more than the Crossley; though I haven't compared them closely enough to be sure.

2012 was my introduction to Janacek's operas as well, all (so far) through that Decca collection of Mackerras' recordings; it was love from the get-go.

[Mirror Image]

Also, I think I liked the Firkusny (DG Originals, with a second disc of chamber/concerto music) and Schiff piano recordings more than the Crossley; though I haven't compared them closely enough to be sure.

A fantastic recording, Octave. It can also be found in this great set:

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Organ Concerto. What a great work! Received the 20 CD EMI Poulenc set today and can't wait to dive into it.

[Gold Knight]

On Spotify:

Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov--Symphony No.3 in C Major, Op.32 and Sinfonietta On Russian Themes, Op.31. Both works are performed by the Saint Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra under the wand of Andre Anichanov.
Carl Nielsen--Symphony No.4, Op.29 {"The Inextinguishable"}, featuring the berliner Philharmoniker led by Herbert von Karajan.
Bohuslav Martinu--Symphony No.1, H.289 and Symphony No.2, H.295, both works performed by the Neeme Jarvi led Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.

[not edward]

Some Boxing Day Liszt: two of his most visionary works; the Via crucis from the DG big box, and Die nachtliche Zug from Ilan Volkov's outstanding recording on Hyperion. Remarkable stuff, and like much of his best work, practically unknown to the general concertgoing public (which certainly knows Die nachtliche Zug's rather less extraordinary counterpart).

[Lisztianwagner]

Carl Nielsen--Symphony No.4, Op.29 {"The Inextinguishable"}, featuring the berliner Philharmoniker led by Herbert von Karajan.

I'm not a very big fan of this Karajan's recording, especially of the first movement; the beginning is pretty good, with a powerfully thrilling tutti; and so are the softest sections of the movement overall, intense and expressive. But the tempo of the second tutti is too, too slow in my opinion, and even in the climax of the finale, after the first blow of timpani, the rythm seems to get slightly too slow.

[Brahmsian]

I'm not a very big fan of this Karajan's recording,

*faints*

[Mirror Image]

I'm not a very big fan of this Karajan's recording

What? I don't believe it. You dislike a Karajan recording?

[listener]

RHEINBERGER: The Star of Bethlehem  op.164
Rita Streich, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau     Bavarian Radio Chorus
Graunke Symphony Orch.    Robert Heger, cond.
HUMMEL:  The Passage through the Red Sea  (c.1805)
Rheinische Kantorei,  Das Kleine Konzert   Herrmann Max, cond.

[Bogey]

[Brahmsian]

Cool!    I have Alwyn's string quartets, and they are terrific! 

[Bogey]

Cool!    I have Alwyn's string quartets, and they are terrific! 

He seems to cross over beautifully to film music Ray....this is my only disc so far.  However, the other two volumes are going on my wish-list.  Chandos has me locked in with this run of film music discs even though I am not familiar with the majority of films these scores are from.

[Mirror Image]

My favorite Alwyn film score is still Odd Man Out. It may very well be the greatest piece of film music I've ever heard. It's so symphonic in scope.

[TheGSMoeller]

Haydn: Symphony 80 in D minor

There are more beautiful Adagios by Haydn, more passionate finales and stronger opening impressions than what he composed for his No.80 in D minor. But I dont think there is a complete package quite like this. It's perfectly structured and flows from minor to major and back again like butter, especially in the dramatic second movement. The very brief trio of the third movement is one of Haydn's best, to me it sounds ahead of its time. And the finale's syncopated-heavy melodies will have you toe-tapping for sure. This is one of the best No.80s on record. Now if only the Hobbit Fey would quit his unexpected journeys and get to recording this one!

[asin]B002AHJTE4[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B000000AAI[/asin]

Listening to Falstaff. Listened to the Cello Concerto, but felt that Kirschbaum could have dug into the music a little bit deeper, then again everything I compare this work to is du Pre's performance, so that's quite the yardstick.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Froissart Overture. A fine work in a sumptuous performance.

[The new erato]

Am very much impressed by the Third by now, a real war symphony. Find its sobriety more convincing then Shostakovich perhaps, though it is a bit reminiscent of Shosta's Tenth, that I BTW heard in a great performance in the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam earlier this year.

What would you advise me after the Third?

There's lots of great stuff; I've bought more or less everything I could lay my hands on, but this was the disc that turned me on to him - and as it will give you a perspective of him in non-orchestral mode it may be the smart move:

[asin]B000IY0620[/asin]

IMO, Hermann Koppel and Einar Englund are two great Scandinavians (OK; I cheat since Englund is Finnish; but his name sure is Scandinavian) waiting to be discovered more widely, both writing in a post-Nielsen/Sibelius mode. I think everybody liking Nielsen, Sibelius, Shostakovich, Vaughan-Williams will respond to them strongly.

[Christo]

There's lots of great stuff; I've bought more or less everything I could lay my hands on, but this was the disc that turned me on to him - and as it will give you a perspective of him in non-orchestral mode it may be the smart move:

[asin]B000IY0620[/asin]

Great to learn! My own main focus laying on orchestral music, particularly modern symphonies, I will first continue with them. (Ibought all four DACAPO cd's in the past few years without really playing them - time, you know.  )

[Que]

And which turns out to be a completely different recording than
[asin]B0046IGOAC[/asin]
which is the one I listened to yesterday, and which is Romanesque, several centuries before the music in Que's CD.

Indeed, I didn't know of this other one!

I guess these are easily mixed up: Arkiv prints a review of "mine" (the Baroque version with music by Campra and Delalande to accompany neo-Gallician plain chant) in connection to "yours", the Romanesque!

How is the one above, BTW?  The review at allmusic is only lukewarm...



Starting the morning with the 3rd disc of this glorious set, sheer perfection IMO:

[asin]B0072A4HIW[/asin]

With a nod to Harry for leading the way to this set...

Q

[The new erato]

I need to get on with this big Sweelinck set myself. I was an early purchaser of the 3 CD set of secular works and was slightly disappointed by their quality, finding them somewhat anonymous. Therefore, getting on with the complete collection was delayed. With the 2 disc set of Canciones Sacrae things picked themself considerably up, and now I need to get on with this really big box (I bought all the 3 boxes as they were issued).

Now an early morning listen to disc 1 of the glorious doble set, before I (slightly late) go on to work!

[asin]B0072BYDQC[/asin]

[val]

HAYDN:      Piano Concertos in F, G & D               / Oliver Schnyder, Academy of St Martin in the Fields  (2012)

A very nice interpretation of this Concertos. The third, in D major is the most known but, in my opinion, Haydn was much more original and inspired in his Quartets, Symphonies and Piano Trios.

[Que]

I need to get on with this big Sweelinck set myself. I was an early purchaser of the 3 CD set of secular works and was slightly disappointed by their quality, finding them somewhat anonymous. Therefore, getting on with the complete collection was delayed. With the 2 disc set of Canciones Sacrae things picked themself considerably up, and now I need to get on with this really big box (I bought all the 3 boxes as they were issued).

I guess I started at the lucky end - gorgeous.

Now an early morning listen to disc 1 of the glorious doble set, before I (slightly late) go on to work!

[asin]B0072BYDQC[/asin]

That is on the shopping list. I'm lucky to have the rest of the week off from work, so lots of extra listening time!


Speaking of which:

[asin]B000HD1OAK[/asin]

Act II

Q

[The new erato]

.[asin]B000HD1OAK[/asin]

Act II

Q

I have it in this 10 CD set (unfortunately no libretti IIRC):

[asin]B002KS2HD8[/asin]

but found this set a slight overdose of Lully (however much I love him) so I haven't rellay managed to dig into it deeply yet.

[Octave]

Booyakasha!



Wilhelm Furtwängler Conducts Excerpts from the 1937 Covent Garden Performances of DIE WALKÜRE and GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG (Music & Arts, 2cd)

This edition regrettably seems to be out of print, though Arkiv still produces a "new" CDR-to-order of it.  Virtually nothing in the way of liner notes.  I think the sound is fine, considering; if anyone knows a better, newer transfer, please let me know.  (The A. Rok discog didn't yield any promising leads, though I also wouldn't know what to look for, in the way of labels.)

[Octave]

Starting the morning with the 3rd disc of this glorious set, sheer perfection IMO:

[asin]B0072A4HIW[/asin]

With a nod to Harry for leading the way to this set...

Q

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1

Found a relative excellent deal on that at Importcds (for delivery to N. America), esp. during their little 10% off sale.  Also loved the 3cd secular music collection.   

[Florestan]

[Que]

I have it in this 10 CD set (unfortunately no libretti IIRC):

[asin]B002KS2HD8[/asin]

but found this set a slight overdose of Lully (however much I love him) so I haven't rellay managed to dig into it deeply yet.

I did seriously consider getting that set, until I stumbled upon Amadis and Isis at bargain price - I hate opera recording without librettos....

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1

Found a relative excellent deal on that at Importcds (for delivery to N. America), esp. during their little 10% off sale.  Also loved the 3cd secular music collection.   

Happy to see so many Sweelinck admirors on the forum!

Q

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

I guess I started at the lucky end - gorgeous.

Q

Then I must have a non critical attitude towards the Sweelinck box, for I cannot hear one flaw in it, let alone monotony.
From beginning to end this set is top notch. 

[Lisztianwagner]

*faints*

What? I don't believe it. You dislike a Karajan recording?

Same speech for Strauss' Ägyptischer Marsch.

Maybe now will I be accused not of fawning on Karajan?

[Karl Henning]

Some Boxing Day Liszt: two of his most visionary works; the Via crucis from the DG big box, and Die nachtliche Zug from Ilan Volkov's outstanding recording on Hyperion. Remarkable stuff, and like much of his best work, practically unknown to the general concertgoing public (which certainly knows Die nachtliche Zug's rather less extraordinary counterpart).

Don't know the latter, but in entire agreement as to the merits of Via crucis!

[Florestan]

[Opus106]

'First Listens' of the Glazunov pieces

Glazunov: Elegie in Memoriam Franz Liszt, Op. 17

Rachmaninoff: Vocalise

Glazunov: String Quintet, Op. 39

Rachmaninoff: Trio élégiaque in D minor, Op.9


Alessio Baz - piano | Erin Keefe, Elmar Oliveira - violin | Paul Neubauer - viola | Nicholas Canellakis, Paul Watkins - cello

Alice Tully Hall, New York City
01 Apr 2012

[Wakefield]

.[asin]B000L43MXC[/asin]

Top-notch, as all the remaining books of this series. 

[Florestan]

It's a funny thing, the way reputations rise and fall and fade. Nowadays, Antonio Vivaldi is about as well-known as a Baroque composer can be, while his contemporary Benedetto Marcello is familiar to only a few (so far). Yet in early 18th-century Venice, both composers were equally respected--in fact, Marcello's music was performed regularly as late as 1790, while Vivaldi's music was considered passé 50 years earlier. Benedetto Marcello, as the scion of a prominent and wealthy Venetian family, didn't have to please the music-buying public (as Vivaldi did) to make a living--and he took advantage of the freedom to follow his own muse. Where Vivaldi stuck closely to established, recognizable forms (such as the ABA da capo aria and the slow-fast-slow-fast church sonata), Marcello subordinated his musical setting to the text in much the way Monteverdi, Cavalli, and Schütz did a century earlier.

In Estro poetico-armonico, a collection of Italian-language Psalm-settings for one to four solo voices, this means that the scoring, meter and/or key may change--sometimes quite abruptly--whenever there's a new idea in the text. The result sometimes seems disjointed or even downright weird, but the music is often quite lovely--and arguably very appropriate for the Psalms, whose sudden changes of mood and imagery have confounded more than one reader. Members of Cantus Cölln--here, just four singers and continuo--give a sensitive and skillful performance of five selections from the Estro. On first hearing, one might wish for more Italian-style extroversion, but the more you listen, the more subtlety, intelligence, and feeling you'll find. It's always that way with Cantus Cölln--the better you know them, the more admirable they seem.

[Florestan]

Excellent.

[SonicMan46]

Fitzwilliam Virginal Book Vol. 1 w/ Pieter-Jan Belder on a variety of harpsichords; also purchased Vol. 2; both are 2-CD offerings packaged in single sized jewel boxes - these were highly recommended by Harry earlier this month.  This is a fascinating collection of Elizabethan & Jacobean keyboard music - see that attachment from a post in this thread back in 2009 for a more thorough description.

Back then, I had acquired the 2-CD set of some of these works (there are nearly 300 works in the book!) w/ Martin Souter on different instruments also (harpsichord, clavichord, virginals, & organ) and thoroughly enjoyed; SO, if interested in this genre, the Souter set is a good introduction, while the Belder delves more deeply into the book - both offer excellent performances & sound -

 

[Que]

Interesting repertoire! But Cantus Cöln would indeed not be the fisrt ensemble to come to mind.

Excellent.

Intriguing as well, any elaboration in due time would be most welcome.


Listening now:

[asin]B0085U0GY2[/asin]

Johan Bapist Cramer & Franz Schubert - I quite like the Cramer!

Q

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Interesting repertoire! But Cantus Cöln would indeed not be the fisrt ensemble to come to mind.

Intriguing as well, any elaboration in due time would be most welcome.


Listening now:

[asin]B0085U0GY2[/asin]

Johan Bapist Cramer & Franz Schubert - I quite like the Cramer!

Q

Asking you some time ago about the Vivaldi box Que on Brilliant, maybe you did not see it?

[Mirror Image]

Now:

Listening to Symphony No. 2 from this set. Awesome!

[Que]

Asking you some time ago about the Vivaldi box Que on Brilliant, maybe you did not see it?

That would be the one with the Concerti da Camera with Guglielmo et al. I remember playing only the 1st disc of that set so far, will report back tomorrow morning!

Q

[Brahmsian]

Listening to Symphony No. 2 from this set. Awesome!

John, you've inspired me to listen to some Elgar.  Same band and conductor for the Serenade for Strings, and Violin Concerto.

With our home province boy, James Ehnes on the fiddle! 

[Mirror Image]

John, you've inspired me to listen to some Elgar.  Same band and conductor for the Serenade for Strings, and Violin Concerto.

With our home province boy, James Ehnes on the fiddle! 

Very good, Ray! I haven't heard Ehnes performance of Elgar's VC, please let me know what you think about it. I'm not a big Ehnes fan, but will admit that he's great player. No doubt about that.

[Brahmsian]

Very good, Ray! I haven't heard Ehnes performance of Elgar's VC, please let me know what you think about it. I'm not a big Ehnes fan, but will admit that he's great player. No doubt about that.

That's OK, not everyone's cup of tea.  And perhaps I am biased because he's a fellow Manitoban.  However, I love his sweet, smooth and mellow tone.  I've heard him perform live on two occasions, and both were incredible experiences!

[Lisztianwagner]

Sergei Bortkiewicz
Symphony No.1

[Sadko]

Shostakovich

Symphonies

Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi
Oleg Caetani



CD 3: Symphonies 3 + 14

[Karl Henning]

. . . I thought it odd that Spotify had it listed under Sweelinck as the artist.  This is one of the problems with Spotify.

Well, but the composer is an artist ; ) does the problem perhaps stem from pop-speak, where artist became somehow restricted to performer? . . .

[Karl Henning]

Shostakovich

Symphonies

Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi
Oleg Caetani

CD 3: Symphonies 3 + 14

Who sings in the Fourteenth? (Can't see the image.)

[Sadko]

Who sings in the Fourteenth? (Can't see the image.)

Marina Poplavskaya (soprano)
Mikhail Davidov (baritone)

(I didn't scan the individual booklet covers yet, so that information wasn't visible anyway.)

[Karl Henning]

Oh, yes I understand that, although,  I don't enjoy it when Spotify will list 20 recordings of the Mass in B Minor with J.S. Bach showing as the artist.  It is only once you've opened the album view do you see the actual recording artist.

Somewhat of a pain.

(I feel ya.)

[Karl Henning]

Marina Poplavskaya (soprano)
Mikhail Davidov (baritone)

(I didn't scan the individual booklet covers yet, so that information wasn't visible anyway.)

Thanks! Do they sing in Russian throughout?

[TheGSMoeller]

Continuing my rounds through my Faure Requiem discs. This particular one with Short/LSO sounds great, been enjoying more every time I spin it. Interesting coupling with Bach, but overall very well done.

[Sadko]

Thanks! Do they sing in Russian throughout?

Yes, the Italian choir too. They sing well, but it is a notable difference in the voices from Russian choirs. I'm glad they chose Russian soloists. Although I don't understand it I can still tell how laboured Russian pronunciation sounds from most non-Russian singers.

[marvinbrown]

  I am STILL 0:) 0:) 0:) 0:) in that holy Christmas mood:

  [asin]B000001G8G[/asin]

  You might wonder, Karajan UND JS Bach?? What an unorthodox combination but Karajan brings out the beauty in the score sublimely.  A very strong cast, tempi are on the slow side but the overall effect is very pleasing.

  marvin

[pi2000]

Chopin
Ingolf WUNDER
[asin]B004X28OBI[/asin]

[Conor71]

Strauss (R): Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme Suite, Op. 60


Good morning all - Ive been listening to R. Strauss from the Kempe box-set since Christmas. I also listened to some of my Karajan recordings of Strauss. I will probably continue to listen to selections from these recordings for the next day or two. Will report in again when I switch to something different

[Sadko]

Rachmaninov

24 Préludes

Eldar Nebolsin

[marvinbrown]

Rachmaninov

24 Préludes

Eldar Nebolsin

  This is an EXCELLENT set!!!!!!

[TheGSMoeller]

Have you decided which version you prefer?  I like the organ+chorus version best, after that the chamber orchestra, with the full orchestra arrangement my least favorite incarnation.  Although, my esteem is so high for the work, none of them do I find less than enjoyable.

Agree with your last statement, SA. I'm pleased with any version that's played well.

But my favorite recordings are of the chamber ensemble. I find a lighter ensemble and even choir offer a more intimate atmosphere. Plus, I love the solo violin in the Sanctus over the full section.

[Opus106]

First Listen Friday

Henri Dutilleux
Symphony No. 1
Bordeaux Aquitaine National Orchestra | Hans Graf

http://www.youtube.com/v/1A1hTlYCFwo

[Mirror Image]

First Listen Friday

Henri Dutilleux
Symphony No. 1
Bordeaux Aquitaine National Orchestra | Hans Graf

http://www.youtube.com/v/1A1hTlYCFwo

Such a delectable work, Opus.

[Opus106]

Such a delicious work, Opus.

Indeed. Loved the rapid changes of instruments in the scherzo; very 'colourful' (I wonder if there is a wilder performance... I know you're a fan of the Tortelier ). Into the third movement now.

[Mirror Image]

Indeed. Loved the rapid changes of instruments in the scherzo; very 'colourful' (I wonder if there is a wilder performance... I know you're a fan of the Tortelier ). Into the third movement now.

Baudo's on Harmonia Mundi is really good. You may try seeking that one out, but, yes, Tortelier's is my favorite. Much better than the Graf whose orchestra isn't quite up to the BBC Philharmonic's standards.

Here's a link to the Baudo:

[asin]B0009JOMRY[/asin]

Pay no attention to the 3-star review. It was clearly written by an incompetent person.

[Lisztianwagner]

Franz Liszt
Tasso, Lamento e trionfo

[asin]B000009CMQ[/asin]

[Opus106]

Baudo's on Harmonia Mundi is really good. You may try seeking that one out, but, yes, Tortelier's is my favorite. Much better than the Graf whose orchestra isn't quite up to the BBC Philharmonic's standards.

It might have been due to inattentiveness, but I missed the YouTube video with Toretelier's recording, which was second in the search result, right after Graf's. Maybe another day.

Here's a link to the Baudo:

[asin]B0009JOMRY[/asin]

Thanks, John. I'm also considering the relatively new box from EMI with its mix of genres and famous works.

[Mirror Image]

It might have been due to inattentiveness, but I missed the YouTube video with Toretelier's recording, which was second in the search result, right after Graf's. Maybe another day.

Thanks, John. I'm also considering the relatively new box from EMI with its mix of genres and famous works.

You're welcome, Navneeth. The EMI box is decent. I think Plasson is the weak link in the box. Tortelier, again, clearly has the better understanding of the music and the orchestra to back it up. I listened to the Chung recording of the concerti the other night. Not bad at all. Still in heavy competition with the Tortelier though. I think one thing about the Tortelier set that helps it standout, besides the outstanding conducting and orchestral playing, is the audio quality. Chandos has really done a great job engineering these recordings. But I can see that the price of the Tortelier set could put some people off. I was lucky to buy for $38, but that's the cheapest I've seen it since then.

[Opus106]

Yes, the price has always been the deal-breaker with the Tortelier set.

Thread Duty:

Moved on to 'Timbres etc.' (Graf, again). One thing I noticed when I listened to HD for the first time (Métaboles), is how much one can simply immerse oneself in the sounds. I'm finding that quality here, again, in the first movement. It's a pity that I'm not listening to it under optimal circumstances for the 'effects' to manifest themselves properly.

[Mirror Image]

Thread Duty:

Moved on to 'Timbres etc.' (Graf, again). One thing I noticed when I listened to HD for the first time (Métaboles), is how much one can simply immerse oneself in the sounds. I'm finding that quality here, again, in the first movement. It's a pity that I'm not listening to it under optimal circumstances for the 'effects' to manifest themselves properly.

For me, YouTube is only a listening tool. It's not the final result. The quality, in most cases, can't even begin to compare with a good home stereo. How can it, especially when the CD is ran through a Marantz amplifier and a pair of Polk Audio speakers? There's simply no comparison, but YouTube helps give you an idea of how it will sound. There's no substitute for the real thing.

Of course, there's always the argument seeing in the orchestra live is the actual real thing, which I won't refute.

[madaboutmahler]

Good evening, everyone!

[asin]B0009VYP92[/asin]
Serenade for Strings

So very beautiful, and wonderfully performed.

[Opus106]

For me, YouTube is only a listening tool. It's not the final result. The quality, in most cases, can't even begin to compare with a good home stereo. How can it, especially when the CD is ran through a Marantz amplifier and a pair of Polk Audio speakers? There's simply no comparison, but YouTube helps give you an idea of how it will sound. There's no substitute for the real thing.

Actually, I was referring to the arrangement of the orchestra that Dutilleux wanted for this particular piece and the "sound space" that it would create. Even a CD played by a hi-fi system would likely be only an approximation.

[Mirror Image]

Actually, I was referring to the arrangement of the orchestra that Dutilleux wanted for this particular piece. Even a CD played by a hi-fi system would likely be only an approximation.

I see. [inserts foot in mouth]

[Mirror Image]

Good evening, everyone!

[asin]B0009VYP92[/asin]
Serenade for Strings

So very beautiful, and wonderfully performed.

Great work, Daniel, but Introduction & Allergro is my favorite for strings by Elgar.

[North Star]

Good evening, everyone!

[asin]B0009VYP92[/asin]
Serenade for Strings

So very beautiful, and wonderfully performed.

Evening, Daniel!
I'll probably soon expand my Elgar collection, and this set looks like a very economical way - I'm also considering the Barbirolli box on EMI, or perhaps the Collector's Edition (would be nice for the chamber works, for example). I've already got the CC & Sea Pictures from Barbirolli, though (with du Pré & Baker.)

[Opus106]

I wouldn't even dick around .. the Tortelier set is the one to own for this great orchestral music .. the quality of the set is reinforced by the Master's own stamp of approval.
For the 40$ range-tag it's totally worth it, and you won't be disappointed.

Don't egg me on too much or I might end up buying it.

[Mirror Image]

I wouldn't even dick around .. the Tortelier set is the one to own for this great orchestral music .. the quality of the set is reinforced by the Master's own stamp of approval.
For the 40$ range-tag it's totally worth it, and you won't be disappointed.

[asin]B00004YU78[/asin]

Agreed, but not with the way you said it. It doesn't get much better than Tortelier's performances in Dutilleux's orchestral music. And, yes, that's true Dutilleux said Tortelier was his favorite conductor of his music.

[listener]

There's also the Virgin set of 5 discs for EUR 8.60 at
http://www.amazon.es/Dutilleux-Orchestral-Piano-Chamber-Master/dp/B008BT1060/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1356645479&sr=1-1

[Mirror Image]

Now listening:

[asin]B000000AUB[/asin]

Listening to Violin Concerto (Concerto Accademico). A beautiful work.

[madaboutmahler]

Great work, Daniel, but Introduction & Allergro is my favorite for strings by Elgar.

I do love the Introduction and Allegro, but the tranquillity and magic of the Serenade makes an even more special work for me. It's one of my all time favourites!

Evening, Daniel!
I'll probably soon expand my Elgar collection, and this set looks like a very economical way - I'm also considering the Barbirolli box on EMI, or perhaps the Collector's Edition (would be nice for the chamber works, for example). I've already got the CC & Sea Pictures from Barbirolli, though (with du Pré & Baker.)

Good evening, Karlo! Great - well, I have not listening to Davis' set through yet, but the performance I have heard are extremely good. It's a set that I would highly recommend based on what I have heard so far. I'm sure John would prompt you to get Barbirolli regardless too though!

[Mirror Image]

I do love the Introduction and Allegro, but the tranquillity and magic of the Serenade makes an even more special work for me. It's one of my all time favourites!

It's a lovely work, no doubt. I do love Sospiri and Elegy too. Such beautiful little trinkets.

[Gold Knight]

On Spotify:

Bohuslav Martinu--Symphony No.3, H.299 and Symphony No.4, H.305, both performed by the Neeme Jarvi led Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.
Carl Nielsen--Symphony No.4, Op.29 {"The Inextinguishable"} and Symphony No.5, Op.50, both works featuring Michael Schonwandt conducting the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.
Gavin Bryars--The Sinking Of The Titanic, performed by the Gavin Bryars Ensemble, helmed by the composer himself.

[North Star]

Good evening, Karlo! Great - well, I have not listening to Davis' set through yet, but the performance I have heard are extremely good. It's a set that I would highly recommend based on what I have heard so far. I'm sure John would prompt you to get Barbirolli regardless too though!

Thanks, I think I'll put it waiting in the cart.
Indeed 

[Mirror Image]

Good evening, Karlo! Great - well, I have not listening to Davis' set through yet, but the performance I have heard are extremely good. It's a set that I would highly recommend based on what I have heard so far. I'm sure John would prompt you to get Barbirolli regardless too though!

Yes! Buy the Barbirolli. You will not be sorry, Karlo. Passionate performances.

[SonicMan46]

Listening now:



Johan Bapist Cramer & Franz Schubert - I quite like the Cramer!

BOY - great price for this 4-CD box on the Amazon MP!  I already own 3 of the discs, so will just pick up the Schubert & Cramer one - have the latter's 'Piano Sonatas' and can use a PI Trout recording -

[Sadko]

  This is an EXCELLENT set!!!!!!

[Rachmaninov/Nebolsin]

Yes!

[SonicMan46]

Bertali, Antonio (1605-1669) - Sonate Festive w/ Musica Fiata; a mixture of large chamber works w/ horns & small more intimate ones - excellent performances from this outstanding PI group.

Caldara, Antonio (c. 1670-1736) - Trio & Cello Sonatas w/ Parnassi Musici, yet another great PI group - largely 5 of the Op. 1 Trio Sonatas & two late Cello Sonatas.

If you're into Baroque chamber works, then these are worth consideration - check the attachment for a review of each offering!

 

[Lisztianwagner]

Richard Wagner
Der fliegende Holländer

[asin]B000002S4R[/asin]

[Sammy]

Bowen String Quartets.  I prefer his solo piano works, but these quartet works aren't bad at all.


[asin]B002SKAGJA[/asin]

[Lake Swan]

DSCH string twinket #6 - Eder

[North Star]

Vaughan Williams
Sinfonia antarctica
Boult
[asin]B005DZIM0M[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Vaughan Williams
Sinfonia antarctica
Boult
[asin]B005DZIM0M[/asin]

Nice! I'm listening to some RVW too, but from this set:

[asin]B000000AQ2[/asin]

Listening to Symphony No. 8. Such a great work. Just finished the Scherzo movement and I particularly loved the usage of brass in this movement.

[Lake Swan]

Listening now:

[asin]B0085U0GY2[/asin]

Thanks for the cue, Que. Listening now on Spotify.

[Wakefield]

.[asin]B005JZ36B6[/asin]

Schumann - String Quartets 1-3, Piano Quintet
Gringolts Quartet
Peter Laul

[Lake Swan]

.[asin]B0074XY8VS[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Listening to this one again:



Listening to Enigma Variations. This is a fine performance, folks. Doesn't get much better than this IMHO.

[Lake Swan]

.[asin]B0074XY8VS[/asin]

Halfway through, this is really good.  0:)

[kishnevi]

Indeed, I didn't know of this other one!

I guess these are easily mixed up: Arkiv prints a review of "mine" (the Baroque version with music by Campra and Delalande to accompany neo-Gallician plain chant) in connection to "yours", the Romanesque!

How is the one above, BTW?  The review at allmusic is only lukewarm...


Q

Truth to tell, I'm not the one to ask, since I'm pretty "lukewarm" myself with most music from that era, and bought it on impulse at Barnes and Noble's brick and mortar store, to have something new to play for Christmas Day--for me anything from that period is simply an interesting change of pace.   I'll probably trot it out again next Christmas Day, but I doubt it will get a hearing before then.

BTW, that Handel Caldara disc Erato posted needs to off your shopping list and into your shopping cart.  It's quite excellent all around.

Thread duty:
sort of picking up from where I left off yesterday morning (two shifts of work and five hours of sleep intervening)
Beethoven String Quartets Op 18 Nos. 4-6  Takacs Quartet

[TheGSMoeller]

Jacobs' race-to-the-finish-line finale of Oxford is so much fun. Gonna be a Haydn evening.

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B004SVNIGK[/asin]

Listening to Symphony No. 3. Beautiful work, but with just enough grit in it to make it interesting.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to A Colour Symphony. I love this work.

[Gold Knight]

Ludwig Van Beethoven--Symphony No.2 in D Major, Op.36 and Symphony No.4 in B-Flat Major, Op.60, both works performed by the Herbert von Karajan led Berliner Philharmoniker.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Piano Concerto for the left-hand. Stunning performance.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 3. I love this symphony.

[The new erato]

Now:

[asin]B004SVNIGK[/asin]

Listening to Symphony No. 3. Beautiful work, but with just enough grit in it to make it interesting.

One of many Chandos discs I really ought to pick up - and probably would if they only would appear on -20% sale occasionally. Not that I'm adverse to paying full price, but they tend to get swamped in all the stuff that is on offer.

[The new erato]

Now disc 2 from this still wonderful set:

[asin]B0072BYDQC[/asin]

Working from home today; writing a quarterly report that usualy a couple of days work. Did the first half from my office yesterday.

[rigormortis]

Reply to the Aimard record:

Last year I saw Aimard play in Eindhoven, Holland
and he played this:

Liszt - La lugubre gondola
Wagner - Album Sonate
Liszt - Nuages gris
Berg - Sonate
Liszt - Unstern! Sinistre, disastro
Skrjabin - Sonate nr 9
Liszt - Sonate in b

Absolutely beautiful, he played very decisive and virtuoso, but sensitive as well, I was amazed to hear him play that well!

[Florestan]

Intriguing as well, any elaboration in due time would be most welcome.

Sorry for the belated answer.

The man.

The music.

Hope it helps.

[Florestan]

Perfect music for starting the day.

[Lisztianwagner]

Maurice Ravel
Daphnis et Chloé

[asin]B000065TUZ[/asin]

[Florestan]

It's going to be a flute day. 

[Conor71]

Ligeti: String Quartet No. 1


The Clear or Cloudy set just arrived this afternoon and I am anxious to hear it so to the top of the listening pile it goes!. I want to relisten to the Ligeti Project set as well so I will play these 2 sets over the next couple of days

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

And NO, Christmas is not over  for me until I played all of my Christmas CD'S, and I have yet a few to go!

So CD II of this fine set.  Good morning.

[Florestan]

And NO, Christmas is not over  for me until I played all of my Christmas CD'S, and I have yet a few to go!

A few more Christmases you mean, right? 

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

CD III with a particularly fine rendition of "Stille Nacht" transposed down to fit a Tenor, ( Charles Daniels, and Baritone Stephen Charlesworth). I enjoyed it immensely and plan to sing this next Christmas with some friends as choir. All in all this 4 CD box is a treasure trove, with just a few very modern duds, not fit for Christmas, whatever those composers thought when putting it together.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

A few more Christmases you mean, right? 

Sure absolutely, if God grants me this time I will, and merrily too!

[Sergeant Rock]

First listen to these performances: Shostakovich String Quartets 1, 2 and 3 played by the Emerson Quartet




Sarge

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Next in my Christmas que is this very much underrated masterwork of Saint Saens. This performance is within its parameters okay, but I am still waiting for a version where the Soprano, in this case Ute Selbig, and the Mezzo Annette Markert, would sing without the melodramatic passion that takes away the magic. Apart from this the choir is doing fine as is the orchestra. Who could withstand tears hearing "Benedictus qui venit in Nomine Domine" hauntingly beautiful!

[Que]

Truth to tell, I'm not the one to ask, since I'm pretty "lukewarm" myself with most music from that era, and bought it on impulse at Barnes and Noble's brick and mortar store, to have something new to play for Christmas Day--for me anything from that period is simply an interesting change of pace.   I'll probably trot it out again next Christmas Day, but I doubt it will get a hearing before then.

It didn't sound that hot when sampling either. So, despite Ensemble Organum's strong track record, I'll pass on this one.

BTW, that Handel Caldara disc Erato posted needs to off your shopping list and into your shopping cart.  It's quite excellent all around.

I suspected as much - thanks for the endorsement!


Listening now:



As requested by Harry, some pointers about the performances!

First of all, at the 7,99 euros I paid (it is 10 at jpc), this is an wonderful bargain.  (Harry, check your local Kruidvat! )

Compared to the recordings by the ensemble L'Astrée in Naïve's Vivaldi edition that are spread out 4 discs, Collegium pro Musica sounds, perhaps also due to the closer recording, "smaller", more rustic, less polished. Overall L'Astrée's performances come across as a bit more sophisticated - leaving aside whether that is what you're looking for. This set also covers (a few) less works than L'Astrée, not sure about the details on that - the classification of Vivaldi's works is quite an enigma to me and seems to lead to different approaches. Another important feature is that L'Astrée frequently uses different types of flutes as a solo, in this set that role is consistently taken up by a recorder.

Given the choice, for anyone already owning the L'Astrée recordings I don't see an urgent need to acquire this set, but on the other hand it offers a different approach in various aspects. These are nicely rustic yet accomplished, hands-on-performances. For Vivaldi (or recorder) buffs definitely in the "nice to have" category.

Of course Il Giardino Armonico recorded these pieces as well (Teldec/Warner), but those I'm not familiar with.

Q

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

It didn't sound that hot when sampling either. So, despite Ensemble Organum's strong track record, I'll pass on this one.

I suspected as much - thanks for the endorsement!


Listening now:



As requested by Harry, some pointers about the performances!

First of all, at the 7,99 euros I paid (it is 10 at jpc), this is an wonderful bargain.  (Harry, check your local Kruidvat! )

Compared to the recordings by the ensemble L'Astrée in Naïve's Vivaldi edition that are spread out 4 discs, Collegium pro Musica sounds, perhaps also due to the closer recording, "smaller", more rustic, less polished. Overall L'Astrée's performances come across as a bit more sophisticated - leaving aside whether that is what you're looking for. This set also covers (a few) less works than L'Astrée, not sure about the details on that - the classification of Vivaldi's works is quite an enigma to me and seems to lead to different approaches. Another important feature is that L'Astrée frequently uses different types of flutes as a solo, in this set that role is consistently taken up by a recorder.

Given the choice, for anyone already owning the L'Astrée recordings I don't see an urgent need to acquire this set, but on the other hand it offers a different approach in various aspects. These are nicely rustic yet accomplished, hands-on-performances. For Vivaldi (or recorder) buffs definitely in the "nice to have" category.

Of course Il Giardino Armonico recorded these pieces as well (Teldec/Warner), but those I'm not familiar with.

Q

Right I will check out Kruidvat and if there will buy them. Thank you for this detailed review.

[Florestan]

Is Kruidvat still alive?

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Is Kruidvat still alive?

Alive and kicking Andrei, this shop will not go under!

[Que]

Sorry for the belated answer.

The man.

The music.

Hope it helps.

Oh, gosh.... Another Baroque find!  You know well that I cannot resist this kind of thing...

Sounds wonderful - the violin pieces you linked sound very much in the Italian caprices tradition indeed.

I wil be forward to explore more. Many thanks for helping to further my CDCDCD.

Q

[Florestan]

Joyous and glorious!

[Florestan]

Alive and kicking Andrei, this shop will not go under!

I'm glad to hear that, that's the place where I bought many wonderful Brilliant Classics.

[Florestan]

Oh, gosh.... Another Baroque find!  You know well that I cannot resist this kind of thing...

You cannot and you would not... 

Sounds wonderful - the violin pieces you linked sound very much in the Italian caprices tradition indeed.

Aren't they just superb? 

I wil be forward to explore more. Many thanks for helping to further my CDCDCD.

Anytime, Que, anytime...   

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Christmas fever raging

Vom Himmel hoch, Choral Cantata over Luther's Weinachtslied, by Mendelssohn.

Its nice enough, but it does not impress me very much. But then vocal music from this period is a difficult task for me to listen to. Very few pass my muster. The same forces as Saint Saens, and me having the same problems with it.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

From this Christmas box (4 CD'S) CD 4.

The Carol Album II, Seven Centuries of Christmas Music.

[Florestan]

Christmas fever raging

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Nice, I am happy you keep playing the music too Andrei. I still have 16 CD'S to go.

[Florestan]

Nice, I am happy you keep playing the music too Andrei. I still have 16 CD'S to go.

May I suggest that next Christmas you listen to them in exact reverse order? 

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

May I suggest that next Christmas you listen to them in exact reverse order? 

Will do!

[Florestan]

This music brought tears in my eyes. So simple, so delicate, so pure yet so powerful. Its spirit is ages and worlds apart from what today passes as "Christmas"...

[Karl Henning]

Reply to the Aimard record:

Last year I saw Aimard play in Eindhoven, Holland
and he played this:

Liszt - La lugubre gondola
Wagner - Album Sonate
Liszt - Nuages gris
Berg - Sonate
Liszt - Unstern! Sinistre, disastro
Skrjabin - Sonate nr 9
Liszt - Sonate in b

Absolutely beautiful, he played very decisive and virtuoso, but sensitive as well, I was amazed to hear him play that well!

What a cool program!

[Karl Henning]

First-Listen Fridays!

Schnittke
Peer Gynt
Prologue; Acts I & II

[asin]B0000016LC[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

First listen to these performances: Shostakovich String Quartets 1, 2 and 3 played by the Emerson Quartet

What do you think, Sarge?

[Sergeant Rock]

What do you think, Sarge?

The extraordinary delicacy of the Emerson's playing in the first two movements of the First was surprising, and surprisingly effective. Loved it. So far I'm quite taken by the performances. I think I'll do one disc per day until the end of the month.

Sarge

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

How lovely to extent Christmas a little longer.

Christmas Carols from Wells & Salisbury.

The Choir of Wells Cathedral, anthony Crossland.
The Choir of Salisbury Cathedral, Richard Seal.

[The new erato]

What a cool program!

My reaction exactly, I was going to post that this was one of the most interesting and intelligently programmed recital programs I've ever seen.

[Karl Henning]

The extraordinary delicacy of the Emerson's playing in the first two movements of the First was surprising, and surprisingly effective. Loved it. So far I'm quite taken by the performances.

Splendid!

I think I'll do one disc per day until the end of the month.

I'll do somewhat the same with the Manderlings, to end the Gala with a flourish.

[The new erato]

Still Manderlings, Karl?   

[Sergeant Rock]

Torelli Sonata a cinque No.1 for Trumpet, Strings and Basso continuo, Ludwig Güttler, trumpet, Max Pommer conducting the Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum Leipzig. After the Torelli, Vivaldi's RV 537, Concerto for Two Trumpets.



Sarge

[Bogey]

Torelli Sonata a cinque No.1 for Trumpet, Strings and Basso continuo, Ludwig Güttler, trumpet, Max Pommer conducting the Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum Leipzig. After the Torelli, Vivaldi's RV 537, Concerto for Two Trumpets.



Sarge

Did not know that René Murat Auberjonois recorded this :

[listener]

PIERNÉ:  Les Enfants à Bethléem
Maîtrise de  Radio France    Orchestre de Radio France
Michel Lasserre de Rozel  cond.

[Florestan]

After so much early music, on to something more modern. 

[Sergeant Rock]

Did not know that René Murat Auberjonois recorded this :

I can't see the image, but I know who René is.

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

I'll do somewhat the same with the Manderlings, to end the Gala with a flourish.

Still Manderlings, Karl?   

Mandelring. The Quartet is based "on the wine road" in Neustadt, an area renowned for its almond (Mandel) trees which border many of the vineyards (including one called the Mandelgarten) as can be seen in these photos. Left click to enlarge.







Sarge

[The new erato]

I've had Muller-Catoir's Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten Riesling. Lovely wine (and beautiful pictures, I've followed that road a couple of times, first time in 94).

[Sergeant Rock]

I've had Muller-Catoir's Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten Riesling. Lovely wine (and beautiful pictures, I've followed that road a couple of times, first time in 94).

That area produces some of my favorite wines. Yeah, Müller-Catoir is first rate. And A. Christmann, Kurt Mugler (shockingly inexpensive considering the quality), Ohler (great red wine!).

Sarge

[Bogey]

I can't see the image, but I know who René is.

Sarge

Fixed.

[The new erato]

Thanks for the tips, Sarge. Will return from next summers vacation somewhere in that general vicinity, and I'm always game for filling the car with wine for the return trip (came home with 70 bottles of Alsatian wine from last summers vacation).

[Sergeant Rock]

Thanks for the tips, Sarge. Will return from next summers vacation somewhere in that general vicinity, and I'm always game for filling the car with wine for the return trip (came home with 70 bottles of Alsatian wine from last summers vacation).

The three I mentioned are in Gimmeldingen. Directly across the street from Mugler is his restaurant. If you're there at supper time, give it a try. Good Pfälzer "cuisine" 



Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Still Manderlings, Karl?   

I may be doomed to make that slip any morning when I've only had one cup of coffee.

[The new erato]

I may be doomed to make that slip any morning when I've only had one cup of coffee.

Maybe you should sell the set.

[Karl Henning]

Maybe you should sell the set.

No. I understand that I cannot run away . . . .

[Opus106]

What a cool program!

My reaction exactly, I was going to post that this was one of the most interesting and intelligently programmed recital programs I've ever seen.

I have the same programme on disk, but from Duisburg recital. The first CD of 'The Liszt Project' two-fer (DG) is also the same.

Thread Duty:

Yet another FLF:

http://www.youtube.com/v/Dzyr8gCxgx0

Henri Dutilleux
Symphony No. 2, 'Le Double'
BBC Phil. | Yan Pascal Torterlier

[Karl Henning]

An interlude:

First-Listen Fridays!

Dukas
Ouverture « Polyeucte » (1891)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Yan Pascal Tortelier

[asin]B0002CPELQ[/asin]

[Opus106]

I can't help but feel that Thomas Adès is a victim of his own success...

What does that refer to? (Did he lose his 'voice'?) Apart from knowing his name, I'm pretty much ignorant of this composer.

[Opus106]

What I mean by that is that some people have a negative opinion of his music because of all the hype surrounding his career.   His music is really worth listening to without preconceptions; but of course I feel that way about all new composers.  Ades, however, has generated a good bit of notoriety associated with how he rocked the classical music scene, figuratively speaking.

Thanks for the clarification. Having read that, I'm going try and include his music tonight in the list.

[SonicMan46]

Rheinberger, Josef - Disc 4 - Piano Trio (Op. 112), SQ Transcription (Op. 93), & Nonet (Op. 139) from the box quoted previously.

Ries, Ferdinand (1784-1838) - Cello Sonatas w/ Larisch & Hill (pic added below) - coming up next, and I suspect will be quite Beethovian - 

Rheinberger, Josef (1839-1901) - Chamber Music w/ Sonare Quartett et al - 6 CD box on sale there (my cost about $36!).  Just starting out w/ the first disc, i.e. String & Piano Quintets - this is going to be a wonderful set, especially for those who enjoy late Romantic chamber music - attached are some Fanfare reviews dating just after the release of these performances -

 

[Karl Henning]

First-Listen Fridays!

Schnittke
Peer Gynt
Act III; Epilogue

[asin]B0000016LC[/asin]

[Brahmsian]

Tis still the month! 

Shostakovich

String Quartet No. 12 in D flat major, Op. 133 (always been in my top favourites of his quartets)

[asin]B0000042HV[/asin]

[asin]B00000141J[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

Party on, Ray!

[Brahmsian]

Party on, Ray!

Thumbs up!  It's taking me a bit longer (so will run into January).  My wish is to listen to each performance of each quartet twice (including the Borodin set I'm still awaiting).  The 12th is the half way mark # 8 on the list.

The 7th is on deck. 

[Rinaldo]

Unwrapping another Christmas present:

[asin]B0000DEQDA[/asin]
Now that's how you record a harpsichord! Gorgeous sound.

[Karl Henning]

'Tis the month!

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 15 in e^b minor, Op.144
The Mandelring Quartet

[asin]B004OWN868[/asin]

[listener]

SAEVERUD:  Concerto for Cello   op. 7   SYMPHONY no. 8 'Minnesota'  op. 40
Truls Mork, cello    Stavanger Symphony Orchestra     Ole Kristian Ruud, cond.

[Karl Henning]

'Tis the month!

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 7 in f# minor, Op.108
The Mandelring Quartet

[asin]B004OWN868[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

'Tis the month!

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 14 in F#, Op.142
The Mandelring Quartet

I like these guys!

[asin]B004OWN868[/asin]

[Sergeant Rock]

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 14 in F#, Op.142
The Mandelring Quartet

I like these guys!

And gal 

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Haydn Symphony #41 C major, the original version (no trumpets, no timps...first time I've heard it this way), Gary Cooper conducting the Arion




Sarge

[Wakefield]

JP Sweelinck: Fortune My Foe - Works for Harpsichord
Alina Rotaru, harpsichord

[Karl Henning]

I wouldn't even dick around.

Wouldn't you, though.

[Lisztianwagner]

Gustav Holst
The Morning of the Year

http://www.youtube.com/v/Cmcn8erImxE

[bhodges]

Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (Daniele Gatti / Concertgebouw) - Slower than many, and with an operatic grandeur. (I haven't heard much of Gatti's work, either live or recorded.)

Liked it so much had to dip into a little bit of another one, the final movement of No. 3 - quite resplendent - with Mariss Jansons.

[asin]B001PARXHW[/asin]

--Bruce

[Karl Henning]

Gatti did a great job here in Boston with, if I do not misremember, the Shostakovich Opus 43, Bruce.

[Lisztianwagner]

Maurice Ravel
Ma Mère l'Oye

[asin]B001PKVFG2[/asin]

[Lake Swan]

.[asin]B000001GXE[/asin]

[TheGSMoeller]

.[asin]B000001GXE[/asin]

What are your thoughts, Mr. MNDave? I may need to get this. I just purchased the Anima Eterna/Immerseel set of Schubert's complete, which is solid from beginning to end, but I have really enjoyed the few Kleiber recordings.

[North Star]

Tchaikovsky
Serenade for strings, Op. 48
Gatti & RPO
[asin]B00699QOWO[/asin]

[Brahmsian]

Mozart

*Sonata in D major, K.284 'Durnitz'

Eschenbach, piano

DG

[asin]B00002DEH1[/asin]

*The Andante - Theme & Variations final movement is so beautiful.

Sometimes I need a palate cleanser after listening to all that Shostakovich.  While sometimes, Shostakovich IS my palate cleanser! 

[Coopmv]

Now playing this twofer, which arrived months ago for the rest of the evening for a first listen ...

[Lake Swan]

What are your thoughts, Mr. MNDave? I may need to get this. I just purchased the Anima Eterna/Immerseel set of Schubert's complete, which is solid from beginning to end, but I have really enjoyed the few Kleiber recordings.

I'd say go for it. Actually I was listening to it as part of the DG Kleiber box set.

[Gold Knight]

Robert Schumann--Symphony No.3 in E-Flat Major, Op.97 {"Rhenish"} and Symphony No.4 in D Minor, Op.120, both works featuring the Berliner Philharmoniker led by Herbert von Karajan.
Ludwig Van Beethoven--Symphony No.1 in C Major, Op.21 and Symphony No.6 in F Major, Op.68 {"Pastoral"}, both performed by the George Szell led Cleveland Orchestra.

[Brahmsian]

Schubert

Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 'Tragic'
Symphony No. 5 in B flat, D485
Overture 'Fierabras', D796

Kertesz
Wiener Philharmoniker

Decca

[asin]B00000E4OJ[/asin]

**Paging Sock Monkey Man! 

[Mirror Image]

First-Listen Fridays!

Schnittke
Peer Gynt
Prologue; Acts I & II

[asin]B0000016LC[/asin]

Yes! What did you think about the work, Karl?

[TheGSMoeller]

Schubert

Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 'Tragic'
Symphony No. 5 in B flat, D485
Overture 'Fierabras', D796

Kertesz
Wiener Philharmoniker

Decca

[asin]B00000E4OJ[/asin]

**Paging Sock Monkey Man! 

You rang?

If I remember correctly, Ray, this Kertesz is your cup of tea.

[Brahmsian]

You rang?

If I remember correctly, Ray, this Kertesz is your cup of tea.

Oh yes, I really love this set.  Abbado's is good too, but I much prefer this set and the brisk tempi.  Especially for the earlier symphonies (1-6)

[mc ukrneal]

Oh yes, I really love this set.  Abbado's is good too, but I much prefer this set and the brisk tempi.  Especially for the earlier symphonies (1-6)

Gosh I wish that jpc package would hurry up and get here so I could listen to this set!!!

[Brahmsian]

Gosh I wish that jpc package would hurry up and get here so I could listen to this set!!!

Hi Neal, I did not realize that you had purchased it.  It will be worth the wait, 'tis my hunch!  Look forward to your impressions. 

[TheGSMoeller]

Oh yes, I really love this set.  Abbado's is good too, but I much prefer this set and the brisk tempi.  Especially for the earlier symphonies (1-6)

Cool. I have some of the single discs from Abbado, good stuff, should be getting Immerseel's set here tomorrow. Perhaps I'll get to the Kertesz soon.

Thread duty...

Orff: Der Mond


[asin]B002ZBTWM4[/asin]

[mc ukrneal]

Hi Neal, I did not realize that you had purchased it.  It will be worth the wait, 'tis my hunch!  Look forward to your impressions. 

Yeah - I threw it in since it was so cheap (with the discount voucher they sent me). Of course, I had to buy like 20+ items to make the shipping worth it, but somehow I managed!   I am really looking forward to it - I love Schubert's symphonies, but I almost never listen to them, because I dislike my current set.

[Brahmsian]

Yeah - I threw it in since it was so cheap (with the discount voucher they sent me). Of course, I had to buy like 20+ items to make the shipping worth it, but somehow I managed!   I am really looking forward to it - I love Schubert's symphonies, but I almost never listen to them, because I dislike my current set.

Sorry to hear that.  Which set is that, may I ask?

BTW, Christmas is gone, but we should have found a Santa hat for your panther! 

[Octave]

I love that Kertesz Schubert set; I'll be damned if Schubert didn't look like the 19c pre-incarnation of Jim O'Rourke. 

Speaking of Kertesz, I'm cheating because I just received this, but my next listening session will be devoted to:


Brahms: SYMPHONIES/SERENADES (István Kertész w/LSO and VPO - Eloquence, 4cd, 2012)

Just reissued; I need to open the thing to see what the remastering situation is....

Also recently got Eloquence's 4cd bx of Ansermet's Brahms (symphonies and REQUIEM); I've been very happy with that.

[listener]

Josquin DESPREZ:  Motets and Chansons¸
including Veni Santi Spiritus, Ave Maria gratia plena, De profundis clamavi, and La Déploration sur la mort de J. Ockeghem
The Hilliard Consort     Paul Hillier, cond.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Debussy, Images and various individual pieces.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 2. Such an outstanding performance.

[Sadko]

No more music for me for one week at least I guess: I guess the graphics card of my desktop computer died, which is also my music player, and my work tool ... 

[Mirror Image]

No more music for me for one week at least I guess: I guess the graphics card of my desktop computer died, which is also my music player, and my work tool ... 

A good reason why I continue to buy CDs and make copies of them. There's no malfunctioning parts that I have to deal with unless the laser quits working on my Sony CD player, which I've had for 15 years, so I don't think it's going anywhere any time soon.

[Sadko]

A good reason why I continue to buy CDs and make copies of them. There's no malfunctioning parts that I have to deal with unless the laser quits working on my Sony CD player, which I've had for 15 years, so I don't think it's going anywhere any time soon.

My CDs are only for archiving, I find listening from my (silent) computer so much more convenient. And my CD players were less reliable than the computers, after about 5 years they often started to get reading problems, including the last one, a Sony too.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Christmas Cheer from a wonderful CD'

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Christmas Cheer for a equally fine disc.

[val]

BEETHOVEN:       Piano Trio opus 97 "Archduke"           / Istomin, Stern, Rose

An extraordinary version, full of energy and with a perfect articulation. Their sense of the global architecture of the work is amazing. And Eugene Istomin appears more inspired than ever ...

[Que]

Christmas Cheer for a equally fine disc.

definitely one I should put on my shopping list!

Started the morning with this:



Q

[mc ukrneal]

Sorry to hear that.  Which set is that, may I ask?

BTW, Christmas is gone, but we should have found a Santa hat for your panther! 

It was Harnoncourt.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

A beautiful Christmas CD, it was totally misplaced, but found it because my wife was rearranging my CD'S in our new home. That finished now, I thought this one should be played too. With Maria Zadori, a Soprano, that is number 2 on my list if it comes to the most favorite one. A fine assembly of fine musicians.
Recorded in 1991. Fine sound and performance. Hohohohohohohohohoho

[Brahmsian]

It was Harnoncourt.

Interesting, since I hear his is one of the highly acclaimed Schubert symphonies set.  Love his Beethoven.

[Brahmsian]

Schubert

Symphony No. 3 in D major, D200
Symphony No. 6 in Little C major, D589


Kertesz
Wiener Philharmoniker

Decca

The 3rd and 6th, along with the 4th, have become my favourite Schubert symphonies.  They have such energy and vitality! 

[asin]B00000E4OJ[/asin]

[Sergeant Rock]

Haydn Symphony #49 F minor "La Passione" played by the Arion




Sarge

[Que]

It was Harnoncourt.

I actually agree: Harnoncourt's Schubert is a miss...IMO

Q

[Brahmsian]

I love that Kertesz Schubert set.

Speaking of Kertesz, I'm cheating because I just received this, but my next listening session will be devoted to:


Brahms: SYMPHONIES/SERENADES (István Kertész w/LSO and VPO - Eloquence, 4cd, 2012)

+1.  I'd love to hear that Brahms Kertesz set.  Let us know your thoughts, please. 

[mc ukrneal]

Interesting, since I hear his is one of the highly acclaimed Schubert symphonies set.  Love his Beethoven.

We had this dicussion back in August/September I think. Harnoncourt isn't bad, and maybe I will enjoy it more as a #2, where it will be more interesting to contrast and compare. But I feel it lacks sparkle, which is something important with Schubert's music. This is the tradeoff for me (darkness vs light/sparkle). I never listen to the set - maybe 3-4 times over 20 or so years, which is why I've gotten a new one in hopes it will rekindle my love of that music.

[mc ukrneal]

+1.  I'd love to hear that Brahms Kertesz set.  Let us know your thoughts, please. 

Serenades are great (and can be found separately - highly recommended), though I too am interested in what he thinks of Kertesz in the symphonies.

[Keemun]

Schubert

Symphony No. 3 in D major, D200
Symphony No. 6 in Little C major, D589


Kertesz
Wiener Philharmoniker

Decca

The 3rd and 6th, along with the 4th, have become my favourite Schubert symphonies.  They have such energy and vitality! 

[asin]B00000E4OJ[/asin]

Ray, how do you like this set? 

Now:

Mendelssohn: Symphony 5 "Reformation" (Abbado/LSO)

[asin]B00005ONMP[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

My CDs are only for archiving, I find listening from my (silent) computer so much more convenient. And my CD players were less reliable than the computers, after about 5 years they often started to get reading problems, including the last one, a Sony too.

My experience, my Dad's experience, and many people I've spoken with have experienced zero problems with Sony CD players. Not saying it couldn't happen, it's just that I find it least likely with a Sony CD player based on my previous experience with their products.

[Coopmv]

Now replaying SACD1 from this twofer, which arrived months ago.  Perhaps the performance was too soothing that I fell asleep before it even completed last evening ...     

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Piano Concerto No. 1. Fantastic performance.

[Brahmsian]

Ray, how do you like this set? 

Todd, I do not like this set at all.  I LOVE it! 

BTW, Mendelssohn's 5th is my favourite Mendelssohn symphony!

And Todd, the 'Cup of Tea anyone?' thread obviously awaits your input! 

[Brahmsian]

'Tis the month!

Shostakovich

String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108

[asin]B00000141G[/asin]

[asin]B0000042HV[/asin]

[Coopmv]

Now playing SACD2 from this twofer, which arrived months ago.  SACD1 is excellent ...

[Keemun]

Todd, I do not like this set at all.  I LOVE it! 

BTW, Mendelssohn's 5th is my favourite Mendelssohn symphony!

Thanks for the input on the Mendelssohn set.  I'm not sure I have a favorite symphony, but the 5th definitely ranks in the top two or three. 

And Todd, the 'Cup of Tea anyone?' thread obviously awaits your input! 

Sadly, I have become overly sensitive to caffeine and as a result, have stopped drinking high quality tea.     I may pick it up again some day, but the anxiety that is induced by caffeine outweighs the pleasure of drinking tea.  I pretty much only drink decaffeinated tea now, which pales in comparison.  I have even considered changing my username here, but then nobody would know who I am. 


Now:

[asin]B00005OCH3[/asin]

[Brian]

Looks like I am having a classically-trained morning!

Mozart: Don Giovanni overture. Tafelmusik; Bruno Weil
Mozart: Piano Concerto No 15. Viviana Sofronitsky, fortepiano; MACV, Tadeusz Karolak
Mozart: Symphony No 38. Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Charles Mackerras
Haydn: Symphony No 83, "The Hen." New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein

[SonicMan46]

Rheinberber, Josef - Chamber Music - Discs 5 & 6 - finishing up today; superb 6-CD set from start to finish!

Fitzwilliam Virginal Book - now on Vol. 2; Belder instruments are harpsichords, chest organ, & virginal -

 

[Lisztianwagner]

Now:



Listening to Piano Concerto No. 1. Fantastic performance.

+1

[Lisztianwagner]

Bela Bartok
Sonatina/Hungarian Folk Tunes

[asin]B003Y3MYWW[/asin]

[Wakefield]

This has been my first disc/set by Mrs. Mustonen and first impressions are highly favorable. No-nonsense interpretations by a gifted harpsichordist, extremely well recorded and played on a beautiful instrument from the Flemish tradition (a copy after Couchet by Willem Kroesbergen).   

[springrite]

This has been my first disc/set by Mrs. Mustonen and first impressions are highly favorable. No-nonsense interpretations by a gifted harpsichordist, extremely well recorded and played on a beautiful instrument from the Flemish tradition (a copy after Couchet by Willem Kroesbergen).   

Is she related to Olli?

[Opus106]

The "best version ever" of BWV 565, apparently.

http://www.youtube.com/v/ho9rZjlsyYY

Is any organ-maven willing to take a shot at guessing who the organist (and possibly what the ID of the instrument) could be?

[SonicMan46]

Chauvon, Francois (fl. 1710-1740) - Flute & Oboe Suites w/ a group of excellent period instrument musicians; published in 1717 and dedicated to his teacher, Couperin - basically, late Baroque wind chamber works performed well - enjoying; but my puchase was stimulated by one of the more bizarre reviews that I've read, and which appeared in the newest issue of the Am Record Guide (review attached for those interested) - sounds like the reviewer just walked into the Star Wars cantina and was utterly confused by the music - 


 

[Gold Knight]

On WQXR FM this morning, on the car radio:

Gustav Holst--The Planets, performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Choir under the baton of James Levine.

[Coopmv]

Now playing SACD1 from the following twofer, which arrived just before Christmas from across the pond for a first listen ...

[Gold Knight]

Ludwig Van Beethoven--Egmont Overture, Op.84, featuring the George Szell led Cleveland Orchestra.
Gustav Mahler--Symphony No.4 in G Major, performed by soprano Judith Bliegen and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under James Levine's baton.
Gustav Mahler--Symphony No.7 in E Minor, once again featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Levine.

[madaboutmahler]

Good evening, everyone!

Just back from finishing my first listens to this fantastic set:

[asin]B000026D4M[/asin]

The Sleeping Beauty

Great music, and these performances really are outstanding! So magical!! So glad I purchased this set, and I'm sure it will recieve many more listens in the future!

Conor, I remember you purchased this set around the same time as me. What were your impressions?

[KeithW]

Is she related to Olli?

They are siblings, I believe.

[SonicMan46]

They are siblings, I believe.

Correct - I've been searching for their relationship (if any), since her recording was posted; in a sidebar HERE, the statement is made of a piece composed for her by brother Olli -

[prémont]

This has been my first disc/set by Mrs. Mustonen and first impressions are highly favorable. No-nonsense interpretations by a gifted harpsichordist, extremely well recorded and played on a beautiful instrument from the Flemish tradition (a copy after Couchet by Willem Kroesbergen).   

I own her English suites. Good, but not remarcable. However, she may have improved since they were recorded.
She is a pupil of Koopman, and she prefers Kroesbergen like Koopman himself and another loyal Koopman pupil (Suzuki).

[Wakefield]

I own her English suites. Good, but not remarcable. However, she may have improved since they were recorded.
She is a pupil of Koopman, and she prefers Kroesbergen like Koopman himself and another loyal Koopman pupil (Suzuki).

Unfortunately I don't know her English Suites, but her Partitas are quite remarkable, indeed.

BTW, did you know the existence of this?



It would be great if these harpsichord partitas were so good as his French Suites. 

[Conor71]

Quote from: madaboutmahler on Today at 04:11:22 AM

Good evening, everyone!

Just back from finishing my first listens to this fantastic set:

>

The Sleeping Beauty

Great music, and these performances really are outstanding! So magical!! So glad I purchased this set, and I'm sure it will recieve many more listens in the future!

Conor, I remember you purchased this set around the same time as me. What were your impressions?

Glad you enjoyed your set Daniel!    - Yes, I really enjoyed this one too especially the Swan Lake. Good performances and real nice sound as well 

[Coopmv]

Now playing SACD2 from the following twofer, which arrived just before Christmas from across the pond for a first listen.  SACD1 was great meditation music  ...

[Coopmv]

Quote from: madaboutmahler on Today at 04:11:22 AM

Good evening, everyone!

Just back from finishing my first listens to this fantastic set:

>

The Sleeping Beauty

Great music, and these performances really are outstanding! So magical!! So glad I purchased this set, and I'm sure it will recieve many more listens in the future!

Conor, I remember you purchased this set around the same time as me. What were your impressions?

Glad you enjoyed your set Daniel!    - Yes, I really enjoyed this one too especially the Swan Lake. Good performances and real nice sound as well 

I have only gone through Swan Lake in this set so far ...

[Lisztianwagner]

Leos Janacek
Tema con variazioni

[asin]B0001Y4JH0[/asin]

[madaboutmahler]

Glad you enjoyed your set Daniel!    - Yes, I really enjoyed this one too especially the Swan Lake. Good performances and real nice sound as well 

Thanks, Conor! Glad you enjoyed these too! I would say Swan Lake would have to be my favourite too. Incredible music. And the performances were so fantastic, what a beautiful, exciting, magical sound the LSO and Previn gave!

Going to create a Tchaikovsky ballet poll now!

[prémont]

Unfortunately I don't know her English Suites, but her Partitas are quite remarkable, indeed.

BTW, did you know the existence of this?



It would be great if these harpsichord partitas were so good as his French Suites. 

No, where did you find them, - and did you find a CD link for Mustonens partitas?

[Conor71]

I have only gone through Swan Lake in this set so far ...

The Sleeping beauty and Nutcracker are both good too I think - The Sleeping Beauty in this set is meant to have a section removed from it so that it fits on 2 Discs but I didnt notice. Hope you enjoy your set when you have a chance to hear it (I know your too be listened to pile is huge!)

[prémont]

I have listened to some of Koopman´s Partitas here. Bach without tension I would say.

http://www.7digital.com/artist/ton-koopman/release/j-s-bach-six-partitas-for-harpsichord-clavier-ubung-i-bwv-825-830

[Coopmv]

Back to early music now, now playing the following CD, which arrived just before Christmas from across the pond for a first listen ...

[Conor71]

Stockhausen: In Freundschaft


I want to listen to some of my modern Classical music today after spending an enjoyable day listening to Ligeti yesterday. First up I am playing Disc 2 of the Stockhausen set - I have come to really like this set. I am going to give another chance to Stocky's Gruppen which I had previously written off as not being my cup of tea. Before Gruppen I will listen to Disc 2 of the Ligeti set which has various works for full orchestra and Organ on it. I had to listen to this Disc a few times yesterday as its so good, especially the Live perormances of the big Orchestral pieces - very exciting!

[KeithW]

Back to early now, now playing the following CD, which arrived just before Christmas from across the pond for a first listen ...

I'll join you - I bought this on release, started to listen at the time, and was interrupted.  I've been meaning to go back to it, so thanks for the reminder. 

[Coopmv]

I'll join you - I bought this on release, started to listen at the time, and was interrupted.  I've been meaning to go back to it, so thanks for the reminder. 

This might be one of the most recent releases by the Tallis Scholars ...

[North Star]

Puccini
Butterfly
Tebaldi, Campora & al.,  Erede & Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
The 1951 sound doesn't do this recording any favors, but Tebaldi is superb in the title role.

[asin]B00000421R[/asin]

[Coopmv]

Now playing the following SACD, another recent arrival from across the pond just before Christmas for a first listen.  I read that Matthew Halls will replace Helmut Rilling as the next music director for the annual Oregon Bach Festival ...

[KeithW]

This might be one of the most recent releases by the Tallis Scholars ...

It is - I bought it around the start of October when it was released.  The Tallis Scholars are one of those groups whose works I buy pretty much automatically on release.

And this one is stunning - great recording, as you would expect, but the Scholars exceed even their high performance standards this time.

[Wakefield]

No, where did you find them, - and did you find a CD link for Mustonens partitas?

I saw them on the website of Challenge.

You can purchase Mustonen's partitas on her webpage. Nicely, it's offered to add an autograph or even a dedication on the booklet:

http://www.elinamustonen.com/en/recordings.html

[Wakefield]

A quite unknown harpsichordist named Jovanka Marville:

http://www.youtube.com/v/FvNEESP2a10

A former student of Christiane Jaccottet, her disc with excerpts from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book was a great discover this year.     

[Coopmv]

I own her English suites. Good, but not remarcable. However, she may have improved since they were recorded.
She is a pupil of Koopman, and she prefers Kroesbergen like Koopman himself and another loyal Koopman pupil (Suzuki).

Don't seem to be able to find this recording on Amazon ...

[Coopmv]

Now playing the following SACD, another recent arrival from across the pond just before Christmas for a first listen.  I read that Matthew Halls will replace Helmut Rilling as the next music director for the annual Oregon Bach Festival ...

Pretty virtuosic performance with modern sound, the only surround hybrid SACD format I have on these works, which I have many versions.  However, the version by Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert is still the gold standard ...

[SonicMan46]

Don't seem to be able to find this recording on Amazon ...

RE: Bach - English Suites w/ Elina Mustonen.

Stuart - I just ordered that 2-CD recording on BRO for $14 - the reviews were excellent so hoping for a better listening experience than reported in a previous post - I already own 3 sets of these works on the harpsichord, so will be interested in some comparison - Dave

[Gold Knight]

Felix Mendelssohn--Symphony No.3 in A Minor, Op.56 {"Scottish"} and Symphony No.4 in A Major, Op.90 {"Italian"}, both featuring the Berliner Philharmoniker under the baton of Herbert von Karajan.
Ludwig Van Beethoven--Symphony No.1 in C Major, Op.21 and Symphony No.2 in D Major, Op.36, both works performed by the John Eliot Gardiner led Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique.

[Coopmv]

RE: Bach - English Suites w/ Elina Mustonen.

Stuart - I just ordered that 2-CD recording on BRO for $14 - the reviews were excellent so hoping for a better listening experience than reported in a previous post - I already own 3 sets of these works on the harpsichord, so will be interested in some comparison - Dave

Dave,  I saw the twofer on English Suites by Elina Mustonen on BRO and will get to them one of these days.  I still do not place many orders with BRO, probably 2 or 3 times a year but they are usually pretty large orders.  I am just intrigued by not being able to find that twofer by her on the Partitas on Amazon ...

[Coopmv]

Now playing the following SACD - led by Monica Huggett, another recent arrival from across the pond just before Christmas for a first listen ...

[Brahmsian]

Felix Mendelssohn--Symphony No.3 in A Minor, Op.56 {"Scottish"} and Symphony No.4 in A Major, Op.90 {"Italian"}, both featuring the Berliner Philharmoniker under the baton of Herbert von Karajan.
Ludwig Van Beethoven--Symphony No.1 in C Major, Op.21 and Symphony No.2 in D Major, Op.36, both works performed by the John Eliot Gardiner led Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique.

Reading Gold Knight's posts gives me great joy!    I love the descriptions you post.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Job. This is a very good performance. It stands direct comparison with Hickox's. Both are lively, expressive performances.

[Brian]

Isabelle Faust's concerto, backed up by Claudio Abbado, is the 296th time I've listened to Beethoven in 2012.

Only 50 hours to hit 300. I can do it!

[Coopmv]

Now playing the following SACD - led by Monica Huggett, another recent arrival from across the pond just before Christmas for a first listen ...

Baroque works by central/eastern European composers certainly sound a bit different to my ears.  I am still trying to get familiarized with the style, which is so different from the German and Italian Baroque I am so used to ...

[Gold Knight]

On Spotify:

Carl Nielsen--Symphony No.1 in G Minor, Op.7 and Symphony No.6, FS 116 {"Sinfonia semplice"}, both performed by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra under the stick of Michael Schonwandt. These are very flowing, eddying renditions, which is the way I believe Nielsen should be interpreted/performed.

[Gold Knight]

@ ChamberNut, Thanks and back at you! 

[Conor71]

Ligeti: Ramifications


Back onto Ligeti now and I will stick with these 2 sets and the Penderecki for the rest of the day. I have a small collection of contemporary classical which Im guessing is about 30-35 Discs in all so I may try and make a week of it!

[Octave]

Serenades are great (and can be found separately - highly recommended), though I too am interested in what he thinks of Kertesz in the symphonies.

+1.  I'd love to hear that Brahms Kertesz set.  Let us know your thoughts, please. 

You guys are kind to ask, though I feel a bit insecure weighing in---featherweight!---on faces carved in stone, like these symphonies.  I'll leave some impressions next week.  FWIW, several music friends whose tastes I often find instructive---including sometimes Amazon customer/reviewer and listmaker M.R. Simpson and erstwhile GMG member Clever Hans---seem to have shortlisted Kertsz's accounts of both the symphonies and the serenades.  I cannot wait to hear them.

Earlier tonight, I felt like night music, so it's been a splurge:


Chopin: NOCTURNES, by Claudio Arrau ('Philips 50' remaster [?]) and by Ivan Moravec [new Supraphon remaster, 2012]

It has been years since I listened to the Moravec NOCTURNES last, so I cannot vouch for how different this Supraphon remaster is from the old purple Nonesuch.  It's a big favorite, though!  I cannot believe I went so long without owning and playing it.

Also, wonderfully ironic-melancholic-quizzical night music, in need of a reissue....



Mozart: MUSIC FOR BASSET HORNS [etc] (members of CSO winds, RCA, 2cd)
http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Members-Chicago-Symphony-Winds/dp/B00000DS70/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

If anybody has strong preferences for other readings of these pieces, I would love to hear them; perhaps I should ask in a relevant Mozart thread instead...

[Que]

.[asin]B0037SQ2L8[/asin]

Returning this excellent series of music by Jacobus Vaet, member of the 5th generation of the Franco-Flemish School, close friend of Lassus and Clemens non Papa.

All I now need is volume 4...

Q

[Octave]

I am interested in that Vaet series, Que.  My only points of reference for him are a couple recordings by Cinquencento, on Hyperion:

only part of the first of which is Vaet's music.

I was hypnotized by MISSA EGO FLOS CAMPI in particular, but I haven't moved any further.

[prémont]

Dave,  I saw the twofer on English Suites by Elina Mustonen on BRO and will get to them one of these days.  I still do not place many orders with BRO, probably 2 or 3 times a year but they are usually pretty large orders.  I am just intrigued by not being able to find that twofer by her on the Partitas on Amazon ...

I got the English suites from JPC, but you can also get them (together with the French suites and the partitas) from the website of the artist, which Gordon refers to above.

[Lisztianwagner]

Ddmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No.4

[asin]B0002XDOGC[/asin]

[Que]

.[asin]B000HD1OAK[/asin]

Concluding.

Q

[Sergeant Rock]

Shostakovich String Quartets 4, 5 and 6 played by the Emerson Quartet



Sarge

[KeithW]

Don't seem to be able to find this recording on Amazon ...

Try this (apologies if the image doesn't appear - it's a customer loaded one, but it will get you to the right recording.

[asin]B0001LJBSA[/asin]

[Lake Swan]

Previn's Sleeping Beauty.

[Sergeant Rock]

Vaughan Williams Old King Cole-A Ballet for Orchestra, Hickox conducting the Northern Sinfonia of England




Sarge

[Mirror Image]

Vaughan Williams Old King Cole-A Ballet for Orchestra, Hickox conducting the Northern Sinfonia of England




Sarge

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts of the work, Sarge. I heard it's more light-hearted than Job, but contains some beautiful, lyrical moments as well.

[Wakefield]

I got the English suites from JPC, but you can also get them (together with the French suites and the partitas) from the website of the artist, which Gordon refers to above.

Just today I realize that several recordings by Elina Mustonen are available on the NML (not the first part of the Clavier-Übung, though).

Now I'm listening to her English Suites. 

[Karl Henning]

Yes! What did you think about the work, Karl?

Cheers, John! They were not the best of listening conditions, but (by mine own consent, of course) I owed you the listen.  Liked all the bits, haven't yet gotten a good sense of the overall musical sweep. Bottom line: thumbs up!

[Karl Henning]

Isabelle Faust's concerto, backed up by Claudio Abbado, is the 296th time I've listened to Beethoven in 2012.

Only 50 hours to hit 300. I can do it!

Sacrée vache! The Henning Gang have one hell of a benchmark, now . . . .

[Mirror Image]

Cheers, John! They were not the best of listening conditions, but (by mine own consent, of course) I owed you the listen.  Liked all the bits, haven't yet gotten a good sense of the overall musical sweep. Bottom line: thumbs up!

Great, Karl! I figured you would enjoy it. It's one of those works by Schnittke where I don't have to worry about cringing. It does take multiple listens to enjoy IMHO. The grandness of the work and Schnittke's zaniness works well.

[Sergeant Rock]

A Schubert Lieder recital, Gundula Janowitz, soprano, Charles Spencer, piano




Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge. I heard it's more light-hearted than Job, but contains some beautiful, lyrical moments as well.

That about sums it up. If you like VW in his folk mode, you should like it. The opening theme is interesting; you can sing the rhyme to it ("Old King Cole was a merry old soul, a merry old sole was he..."). The wordless chorus (either Ah, ah'ing or La la'ing) is a bit corny; might turn you off or, if like me you love film scores from the 30s, 40s, you'll enjoy it

You asked in your "Cole" thread why it's been so seldom recorded. Probably because it is very minor VW. Nothing new here; nothing that isn't better done elsewhere. It appeals to me though (almost everything by VW does); I listened to it four times today...with pleasure.

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

That about sums it up. If you like VW in his folk mode, you should like it. The opening theme is interesting; you can sing the rhyme to it ("Old King Cole was a merry old soul, a merry old sole was he..."). The wordless chorus (either Ah, ah'ing or La la'ing) is a bit corny; might turn you off or, if like me you love film scores from the 30s, 40s, you'll enjoy it

You asked in your "Cole" thread why it's been so seldom recorded. Probably because it is very minor VW. Nothing new here; nothing that isn't better done elsewhere. It appeals to me though (almost everything by VW does); I listened to it four times today...with pleasure.

Sarge

Thanks for the feedback about the work, Sarge. Yeah, the chorus doesn't bother me nor do I find off-putting in anyway. I have heard the movement Pipe Dance and found it to be infectious. It is a minor work from a major composer.

[Lisztianwagner]

Pyotr Il'ych Tchaikovsky
The Sleeping Beauty, Waltz

http://www.youtube.com/v/r5m_KPCcQiM

[Sergeant Rock]

Thanks for the feedback about the work, Sarge. Yeah, the chorus doesn't bother me nor do I find off-putting in anyway. I have heard the movement Pipe Dance and found it to be infectious. It is a minor work from a major composer.

Is the Hickox disc with "Cole" coupled (like it is in the big box) with the Five Mystical Songs? If so, and you don't already own the Songs, that's an added incentive to hit the buy button because that work is great VW.

Sarge

[Lisztianwagner]

Pyotr Il'ych Tchaikovsky
The Sleeping Beauty, Waltz

http://www.youtube.com/v/r5m_KPCcQiM

Now: Panorama.

http://www.youtube.com/v/0Md6X007yGc

[Mirror Image]

Is the Hickox disc with "Cole" coupled (like it is in the big box) with the Five Mystical Songs? If so, and you don't already own the Songs, that's an added incentive to hit the buy button because that work is great VW.

Sarge

Yeah, Sarge, the Five Mystical Songs are coupled with Old King Cole, but I have heard that work before and agree it's a great work. I like Five Tudor Portraits a lot as well. I have bought this Hickox Conducts Vaughan Williams 2-CD set on EMI a couple of days ago. Look forward to hearing it.

[TheGSMoeller]

[The new erato]

Previn's Sleeping Beauty.

That used to be Anne Sophie Mutter.

[Lake Swan]

Richter's 4 seasons

[SonicMan46]

Well, multiple packages seemed to have been delivered w/i the last week or so from Santa, i.e. BRO, Amazon, & JPC; several on this fine but chilly Sunday morning:

Schutz, Heinrich (1585-1672) - Christmas Oratorio & Symphoniae Sacrae III w/ Wolfgang Kelber & Heinrich-Schutz-Ensemble Munchen.

Debussy, Claude (1862-1918) - Complete Works for Piano, V.5 w/ Jean-Efflam Bavouzet - already own the first 4 volumes, so just to complete the collection; NOTE - this 5-disc set has been released recently as a box which is rather pricey on Amazon USA at the moment - maybe less expensive elsewhere? 

 

[The new erato]

First listen:

[asin]B000000AQR[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

Is the Hickox disc with "Cole" coupled (like it is in the big box) with the Five Mystical Songs? If so, and you don't already own the Songs, that's an added incentive to hit the buy button because that work is great VW.

Not at all surprisingly, I'm with the Sarge here; the Five Mystical Songs are RVW at his most sublime.

[Karl Henning]

That used to be Anne Sophie Mutter.

Very well played, sir.

[Sergeant Rock]

That used to be Anne Sophie Mutter.

Sarge

[Lake Swan]

Turn said so. http://open.spotify.com/album/2Q84HgeTODcmpJNbvfaOxm

[Lake Swan]

Gurn. Damn you, spell check!

[dyn]

Steven Stucky ~ Double Concerto for Violin, Oboe and Chamber Orchestra



Dorothy Freeman, oboe; Igor Szwec, violin; Orchestra 2001; James Freeman, Conductor

The "Music of Our Time" recordings are another good source for new music.

Music of Our Time, Vol. 4
Label: CRI
Catalog Number: CR847
Running Time: 1:05:10
Composition Date: 1978 — 1993
Composers: Gerald Levinson; Steven Stucky; David Finko; David Crumb

wow, i actually have that disc... or had. its contents are still stored in my stereo system anyway

of the composers still working in the western concert tradition without seeking to develop a strong individual voice—which is a turn-off to some people—steven stucky has always struck me as a quite skilled composer. his music is forgettable, i suppose—like watered-down Dutilleux—but at least never dull, the same which can't be said for plenty of his fellow "mainstream"ers (harbison corigliano etc)

[Coopmv]

Vaughan Williams Old King Cole-A Ballet for Orchestra, Hickox conducting the Northern Sinfonia of England




Sarge

I have a very long way to go before I get done with this set ...

[listener]

HANDEL-BEECHAM:  Love in Bath, The Gods Go A'Begging, excerpts from the Amaryllis Suite
Royal Philharmonic Orch.     Beecham, cond.
GRIEG: Sigurd Jorsalfar, op. 22       Funeral March (orch. Halvorsen)  The Mountain Spell /Den Bergtekene
Kåre Bjørkoy, Oslo Philharmonic Chorus, London Symphony Orch.
Per Dreier, cond.

[SonicMan46]

Just re-listening to some recent purchases this Sunday afternoon before trying to FIND storage for them! 


   

 

[Lake Swan]

Symphonie fantastique

http://open.spotify.com/album/0Bq6RRXKsc0dCeZGqr480U

[Brahmsian]

Not at all surprisingly, I'm with the Sarge here; the Five Mystical Songs are RVW at his most sublime.

Even I enjoyed them (heard them preformed live here with the WSO), and that's saying something, since I'm not a huge fan of English vocal works.

[Coopmv]

Now playing the following SACD, another recent arrival from across the pond just before Christmas for a first listen ...

[DavidA]

Beethoven Diabelli Variations / Geza Anda (1961)

[Sergeant Rock]

Beethoven Piano Sonata F minor op.2/1 played by Pollini




Sarge

[The new erato]

First listen:

[asin]B000063BI8[/asin]

Very fine recorded sound. Judgment reserved on the music.

[Karl Henning]

Gurn. Damn you, spell check!

♫ To everything (Gurn, Gurn, Gurn)
There is a season (Gurn, Gurn, Gurn) . . . .

[Karl Henning]

'Tis the month!

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 13 in b^b minor, Op.138
The Mandelring Quartet

This is just magnificent, Sarge, possibly my top Shostakovich string quartet experience to date.

[asin]B004OWN868[/asin]

[Gold Knight]

On Spotify:

Franz Schubert--Symphony No.1 in D Major, D 82 and Symphony No.4 in C Minor, D 417 {"Tragic"}. Both works are performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under Nikolaus Harnoncourt's baton.
Bohuslav Martinu--Symphony No.5, H.310 and Symphony No.6. H.343, bith featuring the Neeme Jarvi led Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.

[Lake Swan]

Renaissance choral music

http://open.spotify.com/album/5k2u4EizdFpOeQKQeD44FD

[Lake Swan]

Barton - Solti

http://open.spotify.com/album/5tIdhhugvKSPQMTejqcBdF

[TheGSMoeller]

 

Renaissance choral music

http://open.spotify.com/album/5k2u4EizdFpOeQKQeD44FD

Thanks for the links, Dave. I loves me some Spotify.

[Lake Swan]

:-
Thanks for the links, Dave. I loves me some Spotify.

Any time, amigo.

[TheGSMoeller]

Any time, amigo.

Any Ween on Spotify? 

[Lake Swan]

Any Ween on Spotify? 

Tons. I even made a play list.

[TheGSMoeller]

Tons. I even made a play list.

Sweet, never thought to look them up, I'll need to see if there's something on there I don't have.

[SonicMan46]

Well, I big surprise discovery for me - I wanted a few CDs from BRO but filled out the order w/ some 'unknowns' to justify the S/H charges - bought this one:

Hoffman, E.T.A. - Chamber Music w/ Masumi Nagasawa (period harp), Beni Araki (fortepiano), Trio Margaux, & Hoffmeister Quartet; works include the Harp Quintet, Keyboard Sonatas, & Grand Trio - Hoffman was most famous as a German Romantic writer - e.g. his life & works inspired Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffman & Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet along w/ influences on many 19th century writers, such as Poe & Dickens.

BUT, composing was just one of his many talents; he was a lawyer by trade - composed & wrote at night; he was also an artist and an excellent music critic - a later day 'Renaissance Man' - unfortunately, he died in his mid-40s (alcohol abuse & syphilis) - 

This recording was revealing to me reflecting the talents that he had - this CD was picked as a 'Recording of the Month' on MusicWeb (review HERE); also, the rather thorough Wiki Article HERE might be of interest.  As stated, this recording was somewhat of a shocker for me in bringing to reality a name from the 19th century that I knew, but knew little about!  Dave

 

[Mirror Image]

First listen:

[asin]B000000AQR[/asin]

My favorite performance of A Child of Our Time.

[Mirror Image]

Even I enjoyed them (heard them preformed live here with the WSO), and that's saying something, since I'm not a huge fan of English vocal works.

Do you like British oratorios, Ray? If you ever get a chance to hear Tippett's A Child of Our Time, then don't hesitate. Possibly my favorite vocal/choral work from any British composer, although Elgar's Sea Pictures is drop-dead gorgeous.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Brigg Fair.

[mc ukrneal]

Well, I big surprise discovery for me - I wanted a few CDs from BRO but filled out the order w/ some 'unknowns' to justify the S/H charges - bought this one:

Hoffman, E.T.A. - Chamber Music w/ Masumi Nagasawa (period harp), Beni Araki (fortepiano), Trio Margaux, & Hoffmeister Quartet; works include the Harp Quintet, Keyboard Sonatas, & Grand Trio - Hoffman was most famous as a German Romantic writer - e.g. his life & works inspired Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffman & Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet along w/ influences on many 19th century writers, such as Poe & Dickens.

BUT, composing was just one of his many talents; he was a lawyer by trade - composed & wrote at night; he was also an artist and an excellent music critic - a later day 'Renaissance Man' - unfortunately, he died in his mid-40s (alcohol abuse & syphilis) - 

This recording was revealing to me reflecting the talents that he had - this CD was picked as a 'Recording of the Month' on MusicWeb (review HERE); also, the rather thorough Wiki Article HERE might be of interest.  As stated, this recording was somewhat of a shocker for me in bringing to reality a name from the 19th century that I knew, but knew little about!  Dave

 

Very interesting post. I have one disc of his, but have not really given him much attention.

[TheGSMoeller]

Preparing myself for some new RVW purchases by listening to Sea Symphony, a piece that never fails to amaze me. It's mostly The Explorers, if I could only live with just one moment of RVW's musical imagery, it would be these 30 minutes. Hickox and the Gang do justice to this work.

[North Star]

Sibelius
Symphony no. 7 in C major, Op. 105
Maazel & Wiener Philharmoniker
[asin]B0000041Z3[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Preparing myself for some new RVW purchases by listening to Sea Symphony, a piece that never fails to amaze me. It's mostly The Explorers, if I could only live with just one moment of RVW's musical imagery, it would be these 30 minutes. Hickox and the Gang do justice to this work.

That is a fine recording, Greg. Think I'll listen to this one as well. I've been appreciating A Sea Symphony more and more as the years go by. Quite an accomplished work for a first symphony.

[TheGSMoeller]

That is a fine recording, Greg. Think I'll listen to this one as well. I've been appreciating A Sea Symphony more and more as the years go by. Quite an accomplished work for a first symphony.

Agreed, John. This a small centimeter away from being my favorite performance, just about everything clicks in this one from the tempi to the soloists.

[listener]

HADLEY   Symphony no. 4 in d        The Ocean, op. 99   The Culprit Fay, op. 62
Ukraine National Symphony Orch.     John McLaughlan Williams, cond.
Well crafted and held my interest
HINDEMITH:  Clarinet Quintet (first version) 
Repetorium für Militärmusik "Minimax" - for string quartet
Overtüre zum "Fliegende Hollânder" wie sie eine schlechte Kurkapellemorgens um 7 am am Brunnen vom Blatt spielt
Buchberger Quartet     with Peter Klaus Löffler, clarinet
The quintet is apparently a major challenge for the clarinetist as it requires a change of instruments, rather like requiring a violin player to switch to the large viola.    The two pieces for string quartet are rather dada in their unconventionality.   (shades of Jonathan and Darlene Edwards)
I am perverse and incorrigible.  This is a favourite disc.

[The new erato]

HINDEMITH:  Clarinet Quintet (first version) 
Repetorium für Militärmusik "Minimax" - for string quartet
Overtüre zum "Fliegende Hollânder" wie sie eine schlechte Kurkapellemorgens um 7 am am Brunnen vom Blatt spielt
Buchberger Quartet     with Peter Klaus Löffler, clarinet
The quintet is apparently a major challenge for the clarinetist as it requires a change of instruments, rather like requiring a violin player to switch to the large viola.    The two pieces for string quartet are rather dada in their unconventionality.   (shades of Jonathan and Darlene Edwards)
I am perverse and incorrigible.  This is a favourite disc.

Being a certified Hindemith nut with an aspiration towards sooner or later having a reasonably complete collection, this is one disc (and works) that has been sleeping around in various wish lists for too long. Will try to remedy that sometime in the coming months. Thamks.

[Conor71]

Ligeti: Etudes, Book 1


Ive been enjoying this set more than I expected - it has some cool stuff not on the Ligeti Project set like the String Quartets and Lux Aeterna. I like the small selection of piano works on Disc 4 as well. I found myself really enjoying the Piano and Violin Concertos today because I never really paid much attention to these works on previous listenings.


[asin]B000HWZALK[/asin]

[val]

JOHANNES CICONIA:        Complete Works             / Diabolus in Musica, La Morra

Two recent CD with the complete works of one of the best musicians between the generation of Machaut and the one of Dufay. I preferred the religious works, Motets and parts of Mass. The interpretation is splendid.

[Lisztianwagner]

Bela Bartok
Romanian Dances

[asin]B003Y3MYWW[/asin]
The first disc was definitely brilliant and beautifully played, I really enjoyed it!! Let's continue with the second one now....

[Sergeant Rock]

Shostakovich String Quartets 7, 8, 9 and 10 played by the Emerson Quartet




Sarge

[Opus106]

Maiden Listen Monday (except the Bartók... and I may have heard the Poéme in the original version a long time ago)

Bartók: Sonata for Violin and Piano No.1
Chausson: Poéme
Lyutzian Prigozhin: Sonata burlesca
Shostakovich-Ziganov: 5 preludes (from 24 preludes)
Ernst: Etude No.6 (The Last Rose of Summer)

Gidon Kremer | Vladimir Skanavi

Liszt Concerthall, Pécs, Hungary
31 Oct 1970

[Que]

Towards the closing of 2012: LvB's Triple Concerto.

Q

[Karl Henning]

'Tis the month!

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 15 in e^b minor, Op.144
The Mandelring Quartet

[asin]B004OWN868[/asin]

[Sergeant Rock]

Daniel Hogan (MAD) 3 Nocturnes No.3 played by Keiko


Sarge

[Que]

More Van Beethoven:

[asin]B000026EXG[/asin]

Q

[madaboutmahler]

Daniel Hogan (MAD) 3 Nocturnes No.3 played by Keiko


Sarge

Thank you for listening, Sarge! Hope you enjoyed it!

[Karl Henning]

Daniel Hogan (MAD) 3 Nocturnes No.3 played by Keiko


Sarge

Another party I happily join : )

[Lisz]

Mahler's Letter to Alma

Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp Minor
Gustav Mahler
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor
Philadelphia Orchestra

What a beautiful piece of music this is.

Part of WQXR's Annual Countdown
Number 18 in list of listener favorites

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On 19 December 1901, Mahler wrote a 20-page letter to Alma, in which he set out to his wife his plan for a future life and requested that she abandon her composition work: "How do you imagine both wife and husband as composers? Do you have any idea how ridiculous and subsequently how much such an idiosyncratic rivalry must end up dragging us both down? How will it be if you happen to be just "in the mood" but have to look after the house for me, or get me something I happen to need, if you are to look after the trivialities of life for me? - Does this mean for you breaking off your own life, and do you think you will have to do without a high point of being which you cannot live without, if you entirely give up your music in order to possess - and also to be - my own?"

Alma was confused and wrote in her diary, "He thinks nothing at all of my art - and thinks a great deal of his own - and I think nothing of his art and a great deal of my own. That's how it is! Now he constantly talks of preserving his art. I can't do that. It would have worked with Zemlinsky, because I empathize with his art - he is a brilliant chap."

[Que]

.[asin]B000002A8F[/asin]

The first recording of Schumann's piano concerto that I ever heard, is still dear to me.

Q

[madaboutmahler]

Another party I happily join : )

Thank you very much, Karl!!

[Sergeant Rock]

Thank you for listening, Sarge! Hope you enjoyed it!

I did. Very beautiful piece. I hope Keiko records the complete Nocturnes.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

I did. Very beautiful piece. I hope Keiko records the complete Nocturnes.

Sarge

Yes, she had quite the poetical touch with that Third.

[madaboutmahler]

I did. Very beautiful piece. I hope Keiko records the complete Nocturnes.

Sarge

Yes, she had quite the poetical touch with that Third.

Thank you both very much! Very pleased that Keiko has told me that she will be recording the whole set, very excited to hear her performances!

[Karl Henning]

Thread duty:

The String Quartet Gala notwithstanding, it seems appropriate on this final day of 2012 to listen to the composer's final score:

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Sonata for Viola & Piano, Op.147
Юрий Абрамович [ Yuri Abramovich (Bashmet) ], va
Святослав Теофилович [ Sviatoslav Teofilovich (Richter) ], pf
Recorded 26.ix.1982

[asin]B0000AMKAO[/asin]

[Gurn Blanston]

Don Giovanni or The Dissolute is Punished



I don't see mention of these Drottningholm issues very often, but they are splendid little gems, actually. And this DG is right there with them.  Nice way to end out the year.

[SonicMan46]

Very interesting post. I have one disc of his, but have not really given him much attention.

Neal - glad that you enjoyed! 

Another interesting fact about him (again, not known to be until last night) was that his birth name was Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann, i.e. E.T.W. Hoffmann, and he continued to use those initials in official documents; for his 'pen name' he became Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, hence the E.T.A., presumably in homage to Mozart.  Dave 

[Lisz]

On QXR -- easy listening today!   

Classical Countdown No. 17
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61, Ludwig van Beethoven Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor. Philharmonia Orchestra. Itzhak Perlman, violin.

[Karl Henning]

As LvB goes, though, that's chewier-than-average ; )

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to The Rose Lake. I prefer this performance to Colin Davis' for the simple reason that I think Hickox handled the overall arch of the work more effectively.

[Karl Henning]

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Sonata for Viola & Piano, Op.147 (arr. for viola and string orchestra by Vladimir Mendelssohn, 1991-92)
Юрий Абрамович [ Yuri Abramovich (Bashmet) ], va
Kremerata Baltica

[asin]B000HKDCJY[/asin]

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Still Christmas Cheer.

As promised I will play all my Christmas CD'S, even if I am still playing them in the Spring 2013.

An old one this time from Pro Cantione Antiqua & Medieval Wind Ensemble, Mark Brown, recorded by Anthony Howell, on MCA Classics in 1986, and produced by Louis Greenaway. Still a favourite of mine. Singers like Charles Brett, Timothy Penrose, Michael George bring back memories almost forgotten. Of course its well recorded and performed.

[SonicMan46]

From my recent JPC order - yet another 'filler' to justify shipping - never heard of this composer, BUT the clarinet sold me and the CPO label was 'on sale' there:

Volckmar, Adam (1770-1851) - Quartets & Trios (clarinet use on all but a piano trio) w/ Arte Ensemble; a modern clarinet is used - the dates of composition of these works are not stated in the liner notes, although certainly in the early 19th century; the composer studied the development of the clarinet likely when Boehm was improving the instrument.

The recordings are well performed & recorded; the clarinet is beautifully played - recommended for lovers of this instrument; sorry, but I cannot find a review & this is the only CD by this composer listed on Amazon USA!  In fact, these works were in manuscript form until published between 2004-07 - how much more is gathering dust?  Also, there is no English Wiki bio that I could find; however one in German is available HERE.  Dave

 

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

From my recent JPC order - yet another 'filler' to justify shipping - never heard of this composer, BUT the clarinet sold me and the CPO label was 'on sale' there:

Volckmar, Adam (1770-1851) - Quartets & Trios (clarinet use on all but a piano trio) w/ Arte Ensemble; a modern clarinet is used - the dates of composition of these works are not stated in the liner notes, although certainly in the early 19th century; the composer studied the development of the clarinet likely when Boehm was improving the instrument.

The recordings are well performed & recorded; the clarinet is beautifully played - recommended for lovers of this instrument; sorry, but I cannot find a review & this is the only CD by this composer listed on Amazon USA!  In fact, these works were in manuscript form until published between 2004-07 - how much more is gathering dust?  Also, there is no English Wiki bio that I could find; however one in German is available HERE.  Dave

 

Yes this composer was a surprise for me too, and I enjoyed this one immensely when I bought it, and also recommended it.

[TheGSMoeller]

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Sonata for Viola & Piano, Op.147 (arr. for viola and string orchestra by Vladimir Mendelssohn, 1991-92)
Юрий Абрамович [ Yuri Abramovich (Bashmet) ], va
Kremerata Baltica

[asin]B000HKDCJY[/asin]

Great one, Karl. I was looking for something to listen to, I think I'll join you.

[kishnevi]

What may the last listen of 2012 (depending on whether or not I get out of work this evening in a timely fashion)

Beethoven:  String Quartets in f minor (Op. 95, "Serioso") and B Flat Major, Op. 130, with the original ending (Op. 133, Grosse Fuge) and the revised ending as the final track of the CD.

You know, they just don't make CD covers like they used to....I have a few CDs from that label with similar style cover art.

And on that note (so to speak) may everyone have a 2013 that is better than their 2012 was.

And to any and all Catholics and Anglicans,  have  a happy Circumcision.   

(Non Catholics, see the eighth day after December 25, remember that Jesus was a good Jewish boy, and then look up an older Catholic festal calender)

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B00288AUX4[/asin]

Listening to In the South. Absolutely amazing performance.

[Opus106]

And to any and all Catholics and Anglicans,  have  a happy Circumcision.   

(Non Catholics, see the eighth day after December 25, remember that Jesus was a good Jewish boy, and then look up an older Catholic festal calender)

I'm not joking when I say that I'd been meaning to look up what this work was all about:

[asin]B000024AKA[/asin]

I guess I know now.

TD: Getting to the transcription of the Op. 24 Preludes to vn & p just now.

[The new erato]

Finishing up the last two discs of this:

[asin]B0035UHJBK[/asin]

[kishnevi]

I'm not joking when I say that I'd been meaning to look up what this work was all about:

[asin]B000024AKA[/asin]

I guess I know now.

TD: Getting to the transcription of the Op. 24 Preludes to vn & p just now.

The Catholic Church has replaced it with another feast, but it used to be important, and still is for conservative Catholics; as one explained to me, it marks the first time Jesus shed his blood, and therefore  prefigures the Passion and Crucifixion.

[The new erato]

Then the V-W disc on this:

[asin]B002HHH3WW[/asin]

Marvellous songs.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Christmas Cheer.

Musik zur Weinachtszeit.

A beautiful disc, recorded by NCA in 1995, which is a state of the art recording no less.

Janet Whitmore Johnson, Soprano.
Konrad Other, Violin.
Hans Joachim Scheitzbach, Cello.
Klaus & Rainer Feldmann, Guitars.

[Lisztianwagner]

Richard Wagner
Tannhäuser



Happy New Year to everyone!!

[Karl Henning]

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Music for the Kozintsev film Hamlet, Op.116/Op.116a
Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Дмитрий Альбертович [ Dmitri Albertovich (Yablonsky) ]

The CD cover art BTW is not from the film ; )

[asin]B0001Z65FI[/asin]

[KeithW]

I caught Chailly's Bruckner 9 on the radio (Sirius Symphony Hal) - came home and dug out the Rattle recording

[asin]B007O3QC8K[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Music for the Kozintsev film Hamlet, Op.116/Op.116a
Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Дмитрий Альбертович [ Dmitri Albertovich (Yablonsky) ]

The CD cover art BTW is not from the film ; )

[asin]B0001Z65FI[/asin]

Nice! I have this on the listening pile along with many other recordings that I haven't gotten to yet. You've spoke before of your admiration of this work or was it Macbeth, Karl?

[Karl Henning]

No, you're right, John: this one, Hamlet (1964), and King Lear (1970).

[Opus106]

Wagner laid bare (no, not what you're thinking)

http://www.youtube.com/v/9wpwL0EWSa0

Even though at one level this shouldn't be, this reduction is immensely 'listenable'. I don't mind the lack of mush at all (although mush is great where appropriate).

Please recommend recordings of piano transcriptions of Wagner (apart from the Gould, of course), if you would.

[Lisztianwagner]

Please recommend recordings of piano transcriptions of Wagner (apart from the Gould, of course), if you would.

Liszt's piano transcriptions from Wagner's operas are awesome. There's also an excellent arrangement of the prelude of Die Meistersinger played by Wilhelm Backhaus.

[SonicMan46]

Stradella, Alessandro (1639-1682) - Chamber Works w/ many performers - a re-issue of recordings from 1971; 4-CD set - purchase prompted by a review in the Am Record Guide (Jan-Feb 2013) which is attached; the reviewer's comments were nebulous at times but seemed to be recommending the package - 

I've been listening to these throughout the day, and really do not notice the issues in the review as being a problem; for 40+ yr recordings, the sound is excellent; these are the precursors of the violin trio sonatas to emerge so abundantly in the later Baroque, so certainly of historic interest.  Stradella (my first exposure) was largely a 'vocal' composer, the instrumental music here represents virtually all that he composed in this genre.  I would assume he would have written more, but he was an amorous chap who was murdered in his early 40s! 

[Conor71]

Ligeti: Requiem


Good morning all and happy new year - currently playing the ligeti work and after this I will play Disc 1 of the Varese set.

[listener]

Wagner laid bare (no, not what you're thinking)

Please recommend recordings of piano transcriptions of Wagner (apart from the Gould, of course), if you would.

Rather unexpected were Hugo WOLF's Die Meistersinger and Die Walküre paraphrases. (Hugaroton HCD 32 466), but performances on that disc are careful, not bombastic.  Michael Ponti recorded MOSZKOWSKI's Venusberg Bachanale and Isolde's Death, TAUSIG's Ride of the Valkyries and BRASSIN's Feuerzauber from Die Walküre.  (VOX BOX CDX 5047).
side note: There seems to be no recording of Saint-Saëns Paraphrase of Massenet's La Mort de Thaïs, even in the old Vox Boxes.

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD2 from the following set for a first listen ...

[PaulR]

on my new headphones....
[asin]B000CGYO9K[/asin]

[Gold Knight]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart--Symphony No.39 in E-Flat Major, K.543, Symphony No.40 in G Minor, K.550 and Symphony No.41 in C Major, K.551 {"Jupiter"}. All three works are performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker under Herbert von Karajan's baton.
Robert Schumann--Symphony No.4 in D Minor, Op.120, on this occasion once again featuring Maestro Karajan, this time leading the Vienna Philharmonic.

[Karl Henning]

Now playing CD2 from the following set for a first listen ...

Nielsen is a great way to ring in the new year!

[PaulR]

I guess I'll participate in the SQ month.....
[asin]http://B004C4IK8O[/asin]
#4

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD7 from the following set for a first listen ...

[PaulR]

Onto #8

[asin]B004C4IK8O[/asin]
to finish up: #10

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B000PGTID4[/asin]

New acquisition. Listening to Symphony No. 1. Very good so far.

[Conor71]

Riley: In C


I will listen to these Discs this afternoon:

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Graffiti. Such an outstanding work.

[listener]

from purchases today;  BOCCHERINI:  Concerto in E^b,  SCHOBERT (of the mycological misfortune): Concerto in G, FIELD: Rondo in A^b    - fortepiano and orch.
Eckhart Sellheim, fortepiano (Broadwood 1804 and one from southern Germany dated 1796)
Collegium aureum  - original instruments
then to an LP: PADEREWSKI: Piano Concerto in e, op.17     RUBINSTEIN: Concertstück op.115
Felicja Blumental, piano    Vienna Symphony Orch.     Helmuth Froschauer, cond.
  and best wishes to all for the New Year!

[Opus106]

Liszt's piano transcriptions from Wagner's operas are awesome. There's also an excellent arrangement of the prelude of Die Meistersinger played by Wilhelm Backhaus.

Rather unexpected were Hugo WOLF's Die Meistersinger and Die Walküre paraphrases. (Hugaroton HCD 32 466), but performances on that disc are careful, not bombastic.  Michael Ponti recorded MOSZKOWSKI's Venusberg Bachanale and Isolde's Death, TAUSIG's Ride of the Valkyries and BRASSIN's Feuerzauber from Die Walküre.  (VOX BOX CDX 5047).
side note: There seems to be no recording of Saint-Saëns Paraphrase of Massenet's La Mort de Thaïs, even in the old Vox Boxes.

Thank you both.

[Conor71]

Dutilleux: Le Loup


This dude is still alive (I think?) so it seems safe to include him in my modern composer survey - also a first listen!.
After this I will play the Nyman disc.

[Que]

A happy new year to all to you! 

May 2013 be a year filled with personal happiness, health and prosperity...and lots of good music, of course.

Starting the new year off on a cheerful note:



Q

[North Star]

First-listen New Year's Day
Elgar
Symphony no. 1 in A flat major
Sir Andrew Davis & Philharmonia Orchestra (live recording)

Earlier today:
Sibelius
Symphony no. 6 in D minor, Op. 104
Maazel & Wiener Philharmoniker
[asin]B0000041Z3[/asin]

[The new erato]

Then the V-W disc on this:

[asin]B002HHH3WW[/asin]

Marvellous songs.

And now the Warlock disc.

[The new erato]

And now the first disc from this:

[asin]B0018OAP2U[/asin]

This is proving an amazong double disc, perhaps the essential V-W aquisition!

The Tallis Fantasia by Silvestri is wonderful!

And essential symphony recordings; no 4 & 6 by Berglund and no 4 by Gibson, all among the best I've heard.

I think I paid £ 5 for this......

[Sergeant Rock]

Shostakovich Adagio (Elegy); Allegretto (Polka); and String Quartets 11, 12, 13




Sarge

[Opus106]

And to think that I once considered the sound of this recording harsh. (It was my first harpsichord disc.)

Gustav Leonhardt plays then second English Suite. (1973/Seon)

[Sergeant Rock]

Mahler Symphony #1 D major, Fabio Luisi conducting the Wiener Symphoniker




Sarge

[TheGSMoeller]

Sinopoli brings his slow but polished tempi to Elgar's 1st. I find more success in Sinopoli and Philharmonia's performance of the 2nd, but this one is still well-played with the aching-romantic qualities piercing through.  I've always preferred a swifter more peppy 1st and the 2nd more gradual and ponderous, but I wouldn't leave Sinopoli's set behind too many others as it might still be my favorite 2nd.

[Coopmv]

A happy new year to all to you! 

May 2013 be a year filled with personal happiness, health and prosperity...and lots of good music, of course.

Starting the new year off on a cheerful note:



Q

Happy New Year Q.

I like Biondi and have many of his recordings and even attended one of his concerts in NY a number of years ago.  He is a real virtuoso.  Unfortunately, mandolin is not exactly my favorite music instrument ...

[Brahmsian]

Earlier today:
Sibelius
Symphony no. 6 in D minor, Op. 104
Maazel & Wiener Philharmoniker
[asin]B0000041Z3[/asin]

Oh my, how I love this set, and lately, the 6th is my favourite Sibelius symphony.  I think I'll make this my first listen of music in 2013! 

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD16 - all R Strauss' (not my favorite composer anyway) works from the following set while I am working on one of my two New Year's Resolutions - cleaning up the clutter in my study/computer room ...

[Mirror Image]

And now the first disc from this:

[asin]B0018OAP2U[/asin]

This is proving an amazong double disc, perhaps the essential V-W aquisition!

The Tallis Fantasia by Silvestri is wonderful!

And essential symphony recordings; no 4 & 6 by Berglund and no 4 by Gibson, all among the best I've heard.

I think I paid £ 5 for this......

I'll have to dig this back out and listen to it again, Erato. I remember the performances being excellent. By the way, you meant Gibson in the 5th not the 4th.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 2. A great performance.

[Sergeant Rock]

Fauré String Quartet E minor op.121 played by the Quatuor Ebène




Sarge

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD17 - all Tchaikovsky's programs - Symphony No. 6, Capriccio italien and Marche slave from the following set while continue cleaning up the clutter in my study/computer room ...

[Opus106]

Funny. Well, the Aria certainly is at places.

http://www.youtube.com/v/X9bpkJd2rNI

Verlet - BWV 988

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to In the South. Not bad at all. Better than I remembered. Will be listening to the rest of this set. The recording quality is also very good.

[TheGSMoeller]

Now:



Listening to In the South. Not bad at all. Better than I remembered. Will be listening to the rest of this set. The recording quality is also very good.

Oh, John, your friends here at GMG would never lead you astray  You should definitely find much to appreciate in the orchestral works, I have not heard the concertos (I own the separate discs, not the box)
But glad you're giving it another go.

[Coopmv]

Now:



Listening to In the South. Not bad at all. Better than I remembered. Will be listening to the rest of this set. The recording quality is also very good.

Now, this may be worth getting.  I kind of like the late Leonard Slatkin and his SLS ...

[Mirror Image]

Oh, John, your friends here at GMG would never lead you astray  You should definitely find much to appreciate in the orchestral works, I have not heard the concertos (I own the separate discs, not the box)
But glad you're giving it another go.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I find this performance of In the South quite dull compared to other ones I've heard, and enjoyed. The recording quality, again, has hindered this performance a lot for me. Where's the energy and drive this work needs? The whole performance was lethargic and characterless. My opinion of Slatkin remains unchanged. Definitely not a first-rank conductor IMHO.

[listener]

while in the season...
M.-A. CHARPENTIER  Noëls and Motets
Aradia Ensemble    Kevin Mallon, cond.
original instruments, pitch a'=415, so much easier for the tenors
and ROPARTZ: Le Miracle de Saint Nicolas
Psalm 136 (By the Waters of Babylon), Dimanche, Les Vêpres sonnent, Nocturne
Choeur Régional Vittoria dÎle de France,  Orchestre Symphonique de Nancy
Michel Piquemal, cond.
and more SCHOBERT: 2 Violin Sonatas, 2 Trios, 2 Quartets
Luciano Sgrizzi, piano (Fritz, 1820)  Chiara Bancini, violin  Véronique Méjean, violin 2   Philip Bosbach, cello  (Ensemble 415 - named for the pitch?)

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B0018OAP2U[/asin]

Listening to Symphony No. 4 with Berglund conducting the RPO. A fine performance. The opening crashes of the first movement were terrifying. Good stuff.

[Brahmsian]

Happy New Year all at GMG. 

Greg (sock dude), this one's for you! 

Brahms

Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major
Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major
Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor
*F.A.E. sonata movement in C minor

Gyorgy Pauk, violin
Roger Vignoles, piano

Tasmin Little, violin *
John Lenehan, piano *

Brilliant Classics Brahms monolith!

[Opus106]

(Ensemble 415 - named for the pitch?)

Indeed. I have one work from the Schobert disc in the Big HM Lumières box.

TD: Still letting Verlet play the GV in the background, despite not liking much of it.

[Coopmv]

Indeed. I have one work from the Schobert disc in the Big HM Lumières box.

TD: Still letting Verlet play the GV in the background, despite not liking much of it.

What not to like about Blandine Verlet playing of GV?  She is an outstanding harpsichordist ...   

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD8 from the following set for a first listen ...

[Opus106]

What not to like about Blandine Verlet playing of GV?  She is an outstanding harpsichordist ...   

Apart from the obviously eccentric aria, she rushes a bit much for my liking. She's fast where she needs to be, but also fast where I would have preferred a bit of 'clarity', some breathing space, so to say. There's also this...um, 'weird' way she plays. And anyone who spoils the ethereal quality of variation 15 is a no-no in my book. Perhaps it's just a case of getting used to a different style, since this is the first time I hearing a recording of hers (well, apart from the E minor toccata which was featured in a Blind Comparison some months ago).

[Coopmv]

Apart from the obviously eccentric aria, she rushes a bit much for my liking. She's fast where she needs to be, but also fast where I would have preferred a bit of 'clarity', some breathing space, so to say. There's also this...um, 'weird' way she plays. And anyone who spoils the ethereal quality of variation 15 is a no-no in my book. Perhaps it's just a case of getting used to a different style, since this is the first time I hearing a recording of hers (well, apart from the E minor toccata which was featured in a Blind Comparison some months ago).

Looks like you are looking for perfect execution in every movement ...     

[Opus106]

Looks like you are looking for perfect execution in every movement ...     

Do you mean that I want a performer to "stick to the score" always? Not in the least. I'm very much in favour of artists taking flights of fancy (appropriate ones) with their interpretations, more so with baroque keyboard music and the virtuoso stuff from later periods; it's just this particular performance, for now, doesn't quite captivate me.

[Coopmv]

Do you mean that I want a performer to "stick to the score" always? Not in the least. I'm very much in favour of artists taking flights of fancy (appropriate ones) with their interpretations, more so with baroque keyboard music and the virtuoso stuff from later periods; it's just this particular performance, for now, doesn't quite captivate me.

My version of GS by Verlet is on the Naïve label, which may be different from the version you were listening to ...

[Lisztianwagner]

Just finished watching the Neujahrskonzert of the Wiener Philharmoniker again, after still seeing it in the afternoon. Such a wonderful concert it was, it expresses a very joyous, powerful atmosphere!! All the pieces were beautifully played by the orchestra, with great elegance, brilliance and intensity! And I'm also very happy they decided to include Lohengrin's Prelude to celebrate Wagner (although timpani and bass drum were slightly too dull in the first theme).

Now:

Edward Elgar
Overture Cockaigne

[asin]B00000425P[/asin]

[TheGSMoeller]

Listening to In the South. Not bad at all. Better than I remembered. Will be listening to the rest of this set. The recording quality is also very good.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I find this performance of In the South quite dull compared to other ones I've heard, and enjoyed. The recording quality, again, has hindered this performance a lot for me. Where's the energy and drive this work needs? The whole performance was lethargic and characterless. My opinion of Slatkin remains unchanged. Definitely not a first-rank conductor IMHO.

Are there two Mirror Images on GMG? 

[Mirror Image]

Are there two Mirror Images on GMG? 

I should have reiterated what I had previously wrote: I liked the very beginning of the performance, but felt it lost a lot of steam throughout and couldn't retain the same sense of excitement I got from other performances most notably the recent Sir Andrew Davis performance with the Philharmonia.

[kishnevi]

Do you mean that I want a performer to "stick to the score" always? Not in the least. I'm very much in favour of artists taking flights of fancy (appropriate ones) with their interpretations, more so with baroque keyboard music and the virtuoso stuff from later periods; it's just this particular performance, for now, doesn't quite captivate me.

If you want an eccentric recording of BV 988, try Blandine Rannou.  The best  comparison I can make is to tell you to think of HJ Lim playing 1)harpsichord and 2)with the technical proficiency to actually execute her ideas.   The sharing of first name was in fact  enough to confuse me for a moment, and sent me off thinking the Youtube was from Rannou's recording and not Verlet.  (Is it perhaps possible whoever uploaded it to Youtube got his Blandines mixed up?)

It's my almost least favorite recording of the GVs.   Yet I like her other Bach recordings....

I have one recording by Blandine Verlet, her Partitas on Philips (she recorded them a second time on Naive; I'm not sure how many times she's recorded the GVs).   I like that one, at least.

Perhaps 988 brings out the worst in some performers.  My least favorite recording is that of Richard Egarr--a cure for insomnia, that one--and it's the only Egarr recording I have that I don't like.

Thread duty:
Bruggen does Beethoven: the new set of symphonies that was recorded live in Rotterdam in 2011.
Amazon US does not seem to have an image, the link is:
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Rotterdam-2011-Beethoven/dp/B009L4J4O4/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1357074405&sr=1-1&keywords=Bruggen+Beethoven


Listened to the Ninth last night to usher in the New Year, and listening to the rest this afternoon.  Currently on the first movement of the Fifth--extremely fiery at the moment!--with 8 and 7 to go. 
There's (so far) two really bad flaws in this set, which comes close to ruining the Ninth (but not quite).  One flaw is a tenor who just can't get the notes in his solo and the other flaw is a bass who apparently could not keep on pitch during the recitative, and although he got into the swing of it a few moments later,  that was enough to decisively mar the whole performance.

Symphonies 1-6 are turning out fine, and the sonics is excellent even on my little player (this is a hybrid SACD issue),  but be prepared for the crash and burn in the Ode to Joy if you get this one.

[The new erato]

Are there two Mirror Images on GMG? 

I thought that was what mirror images was all about.

[North Star]

Oh my, how I love this set, and lately, the 6th is my favourite Sibelius symphony.  I think I'll make this my first listen of music in 2013! 

I've only listened to the 4th, 6th & 7th, but it sure is a great set. The 6th and 7th are my favourites, and took the longest for me to 'get'.

[Coopmv]

Just finished watching the Neujahrskonzert of the Wiener Philharmoniker again, after still seeing it in the afternoon. Such a wonderful concert it was, it expresses a very joyous, powerful atmosphere!! All the pieces were beautifully played by the orchestra, with great elegance, brilliance and intensity! And I'm also very happy they decided to include Lohengrin's Prelude to celebrate Wagner (although timpani and bass drum were slightly too dull in the first theme).

Now:

Edward Elgar
Overture Cockaigne

[asin]B00000425P[/asin]

I hope you are enjoying this twofer, it is in my Elgar collection as well ...

[SonicMan46]

Happy New Year Q.

I like Biondi and have many of his recordings and even attended one of his concerts in NY a number of years ago.  He is a real virtuoso.  Unfortunately, mandolin is not exactly my favorite music instrument ...

Stuart - maybe you need another genre of music, such as below?       Dave

[Coopmv]

Now playing the following CD - a very early recording by the English Baroque Soloists with John Eliot Gardner, which probably has not been played in over 20 years ...

[SonicMan46]

Well, finishing up some 'first listens' to recently received boxes from Santa - again, most of these were 'fillers' to defray shipping charges - Weyse is new to me; an early Danish composer (1774-1842) (although born in present day northern Germany); despite his extension into the early Romantic era, these compositions are pretty much classical in form. 

 

 

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B000000A9N[/asin]

Listening to The Spirit of England. A moving work.

[TheGSMoeller]

Stuart - maybe you need another genre of music, such as below?       Dave

Amen to that. The mandolin is one of the sweetest instruments I hear.

[Lisztianwagner]

I hope you are enjoying this twofer, it is in my Elgar collection as well ...

Certainly, Solti's performances are very enchanting and beautifully played. Among the works included, I especially love Symphony No.2 and Overture Cockaigne, such passionate, elegant music; absolutely brilliant!

[Lisz]

As LvB goes, though, that's chewier-than-average ; )

Agreed! 

[Coopmv]

Certainly, Solti's performances are very enchanting and beautifully played. Among the works included, I especially love Symphony No.2 and Overture Cockaigne, such passionate, elegant music; absolutely brilliant!

Solti was known for his very impulsive approach on the podium early in his career ...   

[Sammy]

Apart from the obviously eccentric aria, she rushes a bit much for my liking. She's fast where she needs to be, but also fast where I would have preferred a bit of 'clarity', some breathing space, so to say. There's also this...um, 'weird' way she plays. And anyone who spoils the ethereal quality of variation 15 is a no-no in my book. Perhaps it's just a case of getting used to a different style, since this is the first time I hearing a recording of hers (well, apart from the E minor toccata which was featured in a Blind Comparison some months ago).

Concerning Verlet's Goldbergs on the Naive label, I'm surprised you would consider her performance on the fast side.  I've heard hundreds of Goldbergs, and Verlet is not faster than the norm in any of the variations.  At 80 minutes, she's actually a little on the slow side.  I understand you thinking that her aria is eccentric, but she's just using a staggering of the musical lines.  As for variation 15, I feel the ethereal quality in her reading.  So listen some more; you just might end up liking it.

[North Star]

Berlioz
Béatrice & Bénédict
Davis
[asin]B000063DQ6[/asin]

[Brahmsian]

'Tis the month (again)!

Shostakovich

String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101

*What a sublime 'Lento' 3rd movement.  So beautiful. 

[asin]B00000141G[/asin]

[asin]B0000042HV[/asin]

[TheGSMoeller]

Brahms SQs this evening.

[Brahmsian]

Brahms SQs this evening.

Did you see my post earlier.    RE:  Brahms' Violin Sonatas.    Happy New Year! 

[TheGSMoeller]

I didn't....

Happy New Year all at GMG. 

Greg (sock dude), this one's for you! 

Brahms

Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major
Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major
Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor
*F.A.E. sonata movement in C minor

Gyorgy Pauk, violin
Roger Vignoles, piano

Tasmin Little, violin *
John Lenehan, piano *

Brilliant Classics Brahms monolith!

...until now! Great, I'll have to check these out, I have the Cello sonatas but not Violin.

And, Happy New Year, my friend.

[Brahmsian]

I didn't....



...until now! Great, I'll have to check these out, I have the Cello sonatas but not Violin.

And, Happy New Year, my friend.

I know I sound like a broken record, but the Brahms' violin sonatas are must haves.  As goes with every single one of his chamber works. 

Well, I am only lukewarm about one piece in Brahms' entire chamber oeuvre - his 2nd Piano Quartet, Op. 26.  For me, lukewarm for Brahms is red hot for others, so that's not saying much. 

[TheGSMoeller]

I know I sound like a broken record, but the Brahms' violin sonatas are must haves.  As goes with every single one of his chamber works. 

Well, I am only lukewarm about one piece in Brahms' entire chamber oeuvre - his 2nd Piano Quartet, Op. 26.  For me, lukewarm for Brahms is red hot for others, so that's not saying much. 

I have several recordings of 1st and 3rd piano quartet, with the 3rd quickly emerging as one of my go-to chamber works, there's a climax midway through the opening Allegro Ma Non Troppo movement that forces me to nearly hop out of my seat.

Edit: Just realized I do own Violin S. in G major, it's on this disc...



...which I've listened to the Horn Trio multiple times and seemed to have stopped there. I promise to become a better Brahmsian.

[TheGSMoeller]

Just realized I own 12 (with perhaps one hiding somewhere) recordings of The Goldberg Variations. Guess I'll que one up for next, possibly Levin's...

[Gurn Blanston]

A little late Mozart, courtesy of Rene Jacobs and Co.:



I've always been quite taken with the Freiburgers renditions of these symphonies. As with any other music, there are others that please somone else, but these do quite nicely for me!   

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B000002ZS8[/asin]

Listening to Pagan Symphony. A very nice work.

[listener]

back to a vinyl session so I can get to what's underneath
DEMACHY  Suites for viola da gamba  1 in d, 3 in g, 4 in G
Jordi Savall, 7-string viol da gamba, 17^th century French anon. maker
Arie Amorose, a Janet Baker recital with the ASMF, Marriner cond.
songs by Giordano, Paisiello, A. Scarlatti, Stradella, Martini
RUBINSTEIN: Sonata for Piano 4-hands op. 89  Nocturne in E op.50/1, March in C op. 50/6
Kenneth Broadway and Ralph Markham

[Brahmsian]

I have several recordings of 1st and 3rd piano quartet, with the 3rd quickly emerging as one of my go-to chamber works, there's a climax midway through the opening Allegro Ma Non Troppo movement that forces me to nearly hop out of my seat.

Edit: Just realized I do own Violin S. in G major.



...which I've listened to the Horn Trio multiple times and seemed to have stopped there. I promise to become a better Brahmsian.

Btw, the C minor 3rd Piano Quartet is likely my favourite single chamber work by Brahms.  I absolutely love this piece, and particularly enjoy the very modern (to my ears) 2nd movement.

I swear I've heard it decades ago (this 2nd mvt.), played by the organist at Winnipeg Jets games (either during warm-up or between whistle breaks).

[mc ukrneal]

Well, finishing up some 'first listens' to recently received boxes from Santa - again, most of these were 'fillers' to defray shipping charges - Weyse is new to me; an early Danish composer (1774-1842) (although born in present day northern Germany); despite his extension into the early Romantic era, these compositions are pretty much classical in form. 

 

I find both of those quite enjoyable. If you like it, there is a disc of songs I enjoy that has Weyse, Heise and Lange-Muller. This one:
[asin]B0037OUH9K[/asin]

[TheGSMoeller]

Btw, the C minor 3rd Piano Quartet is likely my favourite single chamber work by Brahms.  I absolutely love this piece, and particularly enjoy the very modern (to my ears) 2nd movement.

I swear I've heard it decades ago (this 2nd mvt.), played by the organist at Winnipeg Jets games (either during warm-up or between whistle breaks).

3rd Piano Quartet, 2nd String Quintet, Clarinet Quintet, Clarinet Trio and Horn Trio have completely absorbed me. such amazing compositions. Been listening to his Symphonies for two decades now (have even performed no.4) but ashamed it took me this long to finally discover his treasure of chamber works.

[Mirror Image]

This recording from the Thomson RVW set:

[asin]B000000AJ7[/asin]

Fantastic performance all-around.

[Lake Swan]

Rachmaninov.

http://open.spotify.com/album/5JLBNZSBzT28JujT3QUlwX

[kishnevi]

I know I sound like a broken record, but the Brahms' violin sonatas are must haves.  As goes with every single one of his chamber works. 

Well, I am only lukewarm about one piece in Brahms' entire chamber oeuvre - his 2nd Piano Quartet, Op. 26.  For me, lukewarm for Brahms is red hot for others, so that's not saying much. 

Any preferred recordings?  A check of my shelves reveals only two:  Mutter and Znaider.

Thread duty:  Pyotr Ilyich.  Suites 1-4.  Antal Dorati/Novya Philharmonia

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 2.

[dyn]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 2.

no spoilers ( ;) ), but that piece has one of my favourite endings to anything ever

(one of the few pieces that tops it is actually tippett's 1st symphony)

((now playing: Henri Lazarof, Spectrum))

[Brahmsian]

Any preferred recordings?  A check of my shelves reveals only two:  Mutter and Znaider.

RE: Brahms' violin sonatas

No, not really.  I only own one recording (that of Gyorgy Pauk with Roger Vignoles).

Although I have heard and really enjoy Schlomo Mintz with Itamar Golan.  And also Itzhak Perlman with Daniel Barenboim is pretty good (although I can many GMGers cringe when mentioning either Perlman and Barenboim - ie - Popular classical music artists that people LOVE to lay the poopoo on).

[kishnevi]

RE: Brahms' violin sonatas

No, not really.  I only own one recording (that of Gyorgy Pauk with Roger Vignoles).

Although I have heard and really enjoy Schlomo Mintz with Itamar Golan.  And also Itzhak Perlman with Daniel Barenboim is pretty good (although I can many GMGers cringe when mentioning either Perlman and Barenboim - ie - Popular classical music artists that people LOVE to lay the poopoo on).

I don't lay poopoo on them.  I don't particularly care for Barenboim's politics,  and Perlman does a good deal of crossover (for instance, his recent collaboration in cantorial (Jewish synagogal) music),  but they generally deliver a good product.   

Thread duty:
Returning to the Brilliant Schutz Edition with Capella Augustana/Messori
Kleine Geistliche Concerte SWV 282-305  CDs 8 and 9
Rather mysteriously, this is split into two CDs, even though the combined running time is 74 minutes,  so it could fit rather comfortably on a single disc.

[Mirror Image]

no spoilers ( ), but that piece has one of my favourite endings to anything ever

(one of the few pieces that tops it is actually tippett's 1st symphony)

You don't have to worry about spoilers concerning Tippett. He's one of my favorite composers. I'm quite familiar most of his music.

Now:



Listening to Falstaff. I'm still trying to grasp this work. Barbirolli is the man for the job.

[Brahmsian]

'Tis the month (again)!

Shostakovich

String Quartet No. 10 in A flat major, Op. 118

*Definitely always been one of my favourite DSCH quartets! 

[asin]B000009CJC[/asin]

[asin]B0000042HV[/asin]

[Gold Knight]

Antonin Dvorak--Symphony No.8 in G Major, Op.88, performed by the Herbert Blomstedt led Staatskapelle Dresden.
Franz Schubert--Symphony No.6 in C Major, D 589, once again featuring the Staatskapelle Dresden under Maestro Blomstedt's baton.

[Opus106]

My version of GS by Verlet is on the Naïve label, which may be different from the version you were listening to ...

I can't say for sure, as they YT video did not contain information beyond her name. But given what Don says (below), it's probably the Naïve recording.

If you want an eccentric recording of BV 988, try Blandine Rannou.  The best  comparison I can make is to tell you to think of HJ Lim playing 1)harpsichord and 2)with the technical proficiency to actually execute her ideas.   The sharing of first name was in fact  enough to confuse me for a moment, and sent me off thinking the Youtube was from Rannou's recording and not Verlet.  (Is it perhaps possible whoever uploaded it to Youtube got his Blandines mixed up?)

I can just about imagine what Lim might do with a harpsichord, given what I've heard of others say about her playing (haven't had the pleasure of hearing her myslef).

Concerning Verlet's Goldbergs on the Naive label, I'm surprised you would consider her performance on the fast side.  I've heard hundreds of Goldbergs,

And I've heard just a few.

... and Verlet is not faster than the norm in any of the variations.  At 80 minutes, she's actually a little on the slow side.  I understand you thinking that her aria is eccentric, but she's just using a staggering of the musical lines.  As for variation 15, I feel the ethereal quality in her reading.  So listen some more; you just might end up liking it.

It's not exactly maddeningly fast. As I said, she seems 'quirky', for want of a better word, in places where I would have preferred a little more 'steady', calm playing. As I said, this is the first time I'm hearing her, so my preference might change on further exposure.

[Mirror Image]

Now:

[asin]B000000AS2[/asin]

Listening to Symphony No. 5 "Di tre re".

[Conor71]

many GMGers cringe when mentioning either Perlman and Barenboim

Not me - love these Guys!

[Conor71]

Stockhausen: Wach


Continuing with the modern classical this evening - these works are probably at about the limits of my appreciation

[dyn]

Electroacoustic stuff.



It's good. will analyse when not so completely lost in it. >.>
(Rios del Sueno in particular simply drowns you in sound, to the point where it's almost impossible to think about anything else...)

[Conor71]

Ligeti: Aventures


Ive grown to like this work - very original and witty! Also on this Disc: Cello Concerto and Chamber Concerto.

[Opus106]

Electroacoustic stuff.

Here we have dyn listening to din.



TD... sort off: Just finished listening to Berg's VC (van Keulen).

[Karl Henning]

Listening to Falstaff. I'm still trying to grasp this work. Barbirolli is the man for the job.

Ah, so you grasp the work now, then? ; )

[Lisztianwagner]

Franz Schubert
Symphony No.8

[asin]B000001GXE[/asin]

[TheGSMoeller]

Good morning, friends.

Elgar seems to a hot topic lately, I think I'll keep the debates running and bring these two on the road with me.

[Karl Henning]

Here we have dyn listening to din.

But is the din dyn's?

[Karl Henning]

Happy New Year, all!

Elgar
Falstaff, Op.68
LSO
The composer conducting
Recorded in Nov 1931 & Feb 1932

[asin]B004MSRDK6[/asin]

[TheGSMoeller]

Happy New Year, all!

Elgar
Falstaff, Op.68
LSO
The composer conducting
Recorded in Nov 1931 & Feb 1932

[asin]B004MSRDK6[/asin]

Probably safe to take the string off that case now, Karl. 
And Happy New Year, friend.

[The new erato]

But is the din dyn's?

How about the moniker Gunga Dyn?

"It was "Din! Din! Din!     You limping lump o' brick-dust, Gunga Dyn!  "

[listener]

a pair of Louisville LP's just acquired:
mono - TANSMAN Capriccio   BOROWSKI The Mirror    DAHL The Tower of Saint Barbara
and newer, in stereo: SCULTHORPE Sun Music III  WIDDOES Morning Music
HOVHANESS Avak the Healer  for soprano, trumpet and strings
glad I paid so little for them.  The Hovhaness sounds like everything else he wrote (more of the same)
generic covers, only the sticker changes, so one illiustration will sufice

[Lisztianwagner]

Josef Strauss
Die Soubrette

http://www.youtube.com/v/_evNkmhhNEo

[Karl Henning]

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
Symphonic Movement, unfinished (1945)
Polish National Radio Symphony
Mark Fitz-Gerald

[asin]B0020LSWXE[/asin]

Cross-posted from the Shostakovich Symphony Month thread:

The real find here is a portion of the original first movement to the Symphony No. 9. David Fanning located it--321 bars in an untitled manuscript--pressed within the autograph score of The Gamblers at Moscow's Shostakovich Archive. This, along with ink and handwriting similarities, made for a tentative identification. The clincher was Fanning's discovery of three duplicate pages in a folder of unarranged Shostakovich autographs at the Glinka Museum of Musical Culture, bearing a January 15, 1945, date. That matched to the month the point at which the composer began work on his Ninth. What we get is the full manuscript, lasting shy of seven minutes, with eight bars Fitz-Gerald provides for a final cadence.

[Karl Henning]

'Tis still the month!

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 1 in C, Op.49
The Mandelring Quartet

[asin]B004OWN868[/asin]

[Fëanor]

'Tis still the month!

Дмитри Дмитриевич [ Dmitri Dmitriyevich (Shostakovich) ]
String Quartet № 1 in C, Op.49
The Mandelring Quartet

[asin]B004OWN868[/asin]

I found the sound quality on the Manderlings irritating so I gave them away. 

[Karl Henning]

Oh! Sorry.

[Brian]

I decided today would be well-spent surfing Naxos Music Library and finding music that I didn't even know existed! Like Englund's Concerto for 12 Cellos:



So far, it's awesome.

[Mirror Image]

Ah, so you grasp the work now, then? ; )

I understand it a lot better than I did, but I'm still baffled by it. I don't think there's anything quite like it in Elgar's oeuvre.