What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Gurn Blanston]

I've been listening frequently to the first symphonies that Haydn wrote for the Esterházy family lately, #6, 7 & 8 (Le Matin, Le Midi, Le Soir). Since they are by far the most frequently recorded early symphonies (hell, early works at all!), needless to say there are many versions to choose from.

Today, I got this one in the mail;



The Apollo Ensemble is a Dutch chamber orchestra with a real facility for playing Haydn. Probably no coincidence that they number precisely the same as the Esterházy Band. They play these works without a harpsichord continuo. I don't note any sign of a hollowness that needs filling! The members seem to be easily up to the rather more difficult than not solo parts. The overall timbre of the group just seems excellent to me, this may well be the best 6 - 8 that I've heard yet!   

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD3 from the following set for a first listen ...

[Conor71]

Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel


Some more new Discs! - first up the Markevitch recording followed up by the Svetlanov. I want to listen to Scheherazade too and will play the Karajan version.

[TheGSMoeller]

I've been listening frequently to the first symphonies that Haydn wrote for the Esterházy family lately, #6, 7 & 8 (Le Matin, Le Midi, Le Soir). Since they are by far the most frequently recorded early symphonies (hell, early works at all!), needless to say there are many versions to choose from.

Today, I got this one in the mail;



The Apollo Ensemble is a Dutch chamber orchestra with a real facility for playing Haydn. Probably no coincidence that they number precisely the same as the Esterházy Band. They play these works without a harpsichord continuo. I don't note any sign of a hollowness that needs filling! The members seem to be easily up to the rather more difficult than not solo parts. The overall timbre of the group just seems excellent to me, this may well be the best 6 - 8 that I've heard yet!   

"Damn you, Gurn!!!" -Greg's wallet

This is a fantastic trilogy of symphonies, Gurn. The solo parts you mentioned play a large part in my fascination of these works. Thanks for the report on this. 

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 2 from this excellent set.

[Mirror Image]

Charles Koechlin
Le Buisson Ardent

http://www.youtube.com/v/zdSqHvtT03E

A great work, Ilaria. My only wish is someone would upload the superior Holliger conducted performance. The Segerstam is decent, but the performance doesn't quite do the work justice and the sound quality, a Marco Polo release, isn't that great. Koechlin requires clarity in all the frequency ranges.

[Brian]

So far in 2013 I've averaged 3 first listens every day! That's pretty good, I think. The latest are Niels W. Gade's Second Symphony, from the BIS box Jeffrey recommended to me, and Hindemith's Symphony in E flat, from the Bernstein Symphony Edition.

[Brahmsian]

'Tis the month!

Shostakovich

Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112 'The Year 1917'

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I love this symphony, and it's frenetic energy!!!  I know at least Daniel will agree with me. 

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Enigma Variations. Superlative performance.

[kishnevi]

So far in 2013 I've averaged 3 first listens every day! That's pretty good, I think. The latest are Niels W. Gade's Second Symphony, from the BIS box Jeffrey recommended to me, and Hindemith's Symphony in E flat, from the Bernstein Symphony Edition.

What did you think of it? (I'm almost afraid to ask)

Thread duty:  H. Schutz:  Lukas Passion   Capella Augustana/Messori dir.
the journey through the Brilliant box (Heinrich Schutz Edition) continues; this is CD 13.

And did you psychedlicize your avator, or is the forum software acting up?

[Gurn Blanston]

"Damn you, Gurn!!!" -Greg's wallet

This is a fantastic trilogy of symphonies, Gurn. The solo parts you mentioned play a large part in my fascination of these works. Thanks for the report on this. 

Yr welcome (I think!) Greg. I listened to it again after posting that and verified for myself that it does indeed have that special something that really appeals to me in these works. No tinge of a bigger group 'throttling back', just a nice little bunch playing their butts off.

[Brian]

What did you think of it? (I'm almost afraid to ask)

Very pleasant, though less memorable than #1 for me. I have yet to hear 3-8; BIS's notes say 3 is a low spot but 4 is one of his best.

[kishnevi]

Very pleasant, though less memorable than #1 for me. I have yet to hear 3-8; BIS's notes say 3 is a low spot but 4 is one of his best.

About the only low spot in that set (IMO) is The Crusaders, and that's mostly because of a less than stellar tenor.  I don't quite remember--is it 4 or 5 which features a concertante piano?  (That's the one I kept plugging when we doing the voting for 100 greatest concertos thing.)

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Violin Concerto. Tasmin Little you are outstanding!

[Mirror Image]

Now:




Listening to Idyll. A remarkable piece of music. Great performance.

[Conor71]

Glazunov: Symphony No. 1 In E Major, Op. 5


Making a few first listens today - first up Disc 1 of this newly arrived set. Next I will return to familiar territory and play Symphony No. 6 from the Jarvi/Prokofiev box.

[North Star]

Bach
Clavier-Übung III
Foccroulle

Pure awesomeness. It's astonishing that I've actually managed to neglect most of this so long.
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[Que]

How is the sound on that one, Q?

Recordings on two of the three discs are from the mid-50s but soundgood for their age. An excellent, respectful remastering IMO.

Starting the day with a newly acquired recording:



The cover is very secretive about what is actual on this disc....though the refer "nights of Modena" gives us the clue that this is night music composed for the ducal Court of Modena, Italy.

I think "Vespro della Beate Vergine, Antonio Giannettini (1648-1721)" would have been more helpful.

So, Maria Vespers by a little known Italian Baroque composer (also known under the name Zanettini or Zannettin) who was renowned in his time for his operas.  The vespers are "reconstructed" like we seen before in other recordings, so music by Corelli, Bonporti and another unknown - Pietro deli Antoni - has been added.

More on this disc HERE.

Q

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

And in the early morning of this very cold Saturday up in the high North of the Netherlands, I pulled out this fine box that I bought in 2007, and which is a excellent start when the coffee has not yet reached these shores.

Disc III from this very recommendable box, that still stands tall amongst many different interpretations. Very good sound too. almost no expenditure, and maximum pleasure. What more could you possibly want huh?

Concerts Royaux

[Fafner]

Good morning everyone!

Now listening to Siegfried Idyll.