What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Harry]

Georg Philipp Telemann.

Musique de Table.
Complete.

Quatuor in D minor for 2 flutes, recorder, violoncello, and B.C.
Concerto in F major, for 3 violins, violino grosso, and B.C.
Trio in E minor for flute, oboe, and B.C.
Solo in A major, for violin, and B.C.
Conclusion in D major for oboe, trumpet, strings, and B.C.

Camerata of the 18th century/Konrad Hunteler.

Played on original instruments.

That Telemann is one of the geniuses of his time is clear to anyone that is seriously involved in music, whether you like it or not. He shaped a whole generation of musicians and was a major influence in his time and long afterwards. He is acknowledge as such.
To say he merely wrote music purely for earning a living is very much mistaken, allthough in a time were there was no social security, one had too. It had however no influence on the quality of the work he produced as some suggest. The dismissive attitude to throw it all in the same melting pot, what also happens to Vivaldi, as mere music of the same calibre makes me sick. Those who criticize have never written a note of music, could not even write the simplest melody Vivaldi wrote, and yet sit on a high and mighty place and try to tell us that all violin concertos sound the same. Ignorance I call that, and even stupidity.
To listen to the D minor concerto were in the second movement the flutes and recorder have a beautiful duet together makes me realize how well it is all written, and why I am so deeply involved in this music. If I look at the score and see how it is all interwoven, and each note makes perfect sense, I feel elated to have the privileged to listen to this music, and that we humans have the opportunity to do just that. To pull down so simply the works of this composer  makes me quite angry.
The concerto in F major for violins is a beauty, with this very warm yearning in the second movement The triplet passage is quite a surprise and makes quite a contrast to the basic character of the ritornello.
Fine music it is IMO.

[Harry]

For me, a very wonderful evening to you!   

Goodmorning/afternoon,night to every one!

[Harry]

A very good morning to you all.

Q

Love the cover Q.

[Danny]

Georg Philipp Telemann.

Musique de Table.
Complete.

Quatuor in D minor for 2 flutes, recorder, violoncello, and B.C.
Concerto in F major, for 3 violins, violino grosso, and B.C.
Trio in E minor for flute, oboe, and B.C.
Solo in A major, for violin, and B.C.
Conclusion in D major for oboe, trumpet, strings, and B.C.

Camerata of the 18th century/Konrad Hunteler.

Played on original instruments.

That Telemann is one of the geniuses of his time is clear to anyone that is seriously involved in music, whether you like it or not. He shaped a whole generation of musicians and was a major influence in his time and long afterwards. He is acknowledge as such.
To say he merely wrote music purely for earning a living is very much mistaken, allthough in a time were there was no social security, one had too. It had however no influence on the quality of the work he produced as some suggest. The dismissive attitude to throw it all in the same melting pot, what also happens to Vivaldi, as mere music of the same calibre makes me sick. Those who criticize have never written a note of music, could not even write the simplest melody Vivaldi wrote, and yet sit on a high and mighty place and try to tell us that all violin concertos sound the same. Ignorance I call that, and even stupidity.
To listen to the D minor concerto were in the second movement the flutes and recorder have a beautiful duet together makes me realize how well it is all written, and why I am so deeply involved in this music. If I look at the score and see how it is all interwoven, and each note makes perfect sense, I feel elated to have the privileged to listen to this music, and that we humans have the opportunity to do just that. To pull down so simply the works of this composer  makes me quite angry.
The concerto in F major for violins is a beauty, with this very warm yearning in the second movement The triplet passage is quite a surprise and makes quite a contrast to the basic character of the ritornello.
Fine music it is IMO.

'Tis, and both Telemann and Vivaldi are truly great composers who deserve due for their achievments to music.  (Neither are particular favorites, either, but credit goes where credit is due!)   

[Harry]

<Telemann day>

Complete Overtures, Volume II.

Disc I.
Overture in D major, <overture jointes d'une Suite tragi-comique> TWV 55:D22, for 3 trumpets, timpani, strings, and B.C.
             in E minor for strings and B.C. TWV 55:e7.
             in B minor for violin solo, strings, and B.C. TWV 55:h4.
             in E minor for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 violins, strings, and B.C. TWV 55:e3.
             in C minor for 2 oboes, violin, strings and B.C. TWV 55:c4.

Collegium Instrumentale Brugense/Patrick Peire.

You don't need another or different set when you buy this one. It is so awfully well performed and recorded that my breath stays away quite often, and I nearly survive my surprise, that Brilliant has managed it, to put under contract, such gifted musicians, to record all the overtures Telemann wrote. And what treasures they will unearth, as with this Volume II.
The beautiful D major, or still the one in E minor, first movement.
This is a monument for Telemann, which he richly deserves, and I applaud Brilliant for having the courage to commit themselves with such enthusiasm on the great works of this composer.

[val]

MONTEVERDI: Ballo del'Ingrate

I deeply love this work. The version of William Christie seems the best to me: good soloists (exception for mediocre Jill Feldman) and a very good balance between the choreographic parts and the dramatic ones.

The systhematic mannerism of Alessandrini's version becomes irritating. Also the systhematic contrasts of dynamic, tempo and intensity, totally artificial. The worst recording of Alessandrini that I heard until today. Even the old versions of Corboz, Loehrer or Deller seem preferable to this almost ridicule mannerism.

So, Christie with les Arts Florissants remains, to me, the best interpretation.

[Harry]

Michael Haydn.

Symphonies.

No. 1c in E flat major.
No. 22 in D major.
No. 23 in F major.
No. 33 in D major.

Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss/Johannes Goritzki.

High quality works, and in the same league as Joseph. The lovely first movement Adagio of No 23 is a gem, as is the following tempo change to Presto. No. 33 is really a full blown extravaganza of the first order, nicely structured, and well and precisely scored.
Have almost all the symphonies Michael has written, and my understanding of that time has grown through it.
Highly recommended.
Very well performed, and recorded by Reimund Grimm the man from MDG!

[Florestan]

Robert Schumann

Violin Sonata No.2 in D minor op. 121
Jean Hubeau - piano
Jean Mouillere - violin

String Quartet No. 1 in A minor op. 41 / 1
Via Nova Quartet

(CD 4 of the complete Schumann's chamber music issued by Erato)

Great interpretation (with superb sonics) of some of the most undeservingly underrated musical gems of the German Romanticism.

[Harry]

Robert Schumann

Violin Sonata No.2 in D minor op. 121
Jean Hubeau - piano
Jean Mouillere - violin

String Quartet No. 1 in A minor op. 41 / 1
Via Nova Quartet

(CD 4 of the complete Schumann's chamber music issued by Erato)

Great interpretation (with superb sonics) of some of the most undeservingly underrated musical gems of the German Romanticism.

I tryed to find that recording on JPC, but since Erato is merged in to Warner it is not to be found Andrei.
Could you tell me some more about this box?

[Drasko]

Francis Poulenc - L'Invitation au Chateau

Tharaud-Van Spaendonck-Vieux

[Florestan]

I tryed to find that recording on JPC, but since Erato is merged in to Warner it is not to be found Andrei.
Could you tell me some more about this box?

It's a pleasure, Harry.

http://www.warnerclassics.com/release.php?release=2739

I have an older issue, I suspect, since the cover is very different than above, but it's the same 6 CD's.

I find the combination of German Romantic music and French interpreters most interesting. Their playing is very sensitive and well thought: brisk pace where needed, relaxed when called for, all with a hint of Latin sensuality. They convey convincingly the arch-Romantic feelings, moods and passions of this extraordinary beautiful music. Very well recorded, too. I recommend it to any lover of Schumann's music. It's the only set of his complete chamber music I have and I'm perfectly happy with it.

I suppose you have the Brilliant set and wait for your comments on that.

EDIT: The real gems here are the lesser works, such as The Three Romances for oboe and piano or The Maerchenbilder, wich are delightful. But the set on the whole is superb.

[Harry]

Allan Pettersson.

Symphony no. 8 in two movements.

RSO Berlin/Thomas Sanderling

A highly disturbing first movement opens this very dark composition.
A wandering nervous individual, looking around in constant anticipation of disaster, walking through barren surroundings devoid of feeling and compassion. No light, no friendliness, despair and loneliness. That's all.
The second movement will not lift from this all prevailing mood, and no ray of light comes from this major disturbance, showing a mind in deep turmoil. Plodding with lead in shoes, and try's to run, but fails in doing that, while the nervous pressure is increasing with heavy blows. Being hunted, and followed close by darkness, that penetrates with abating aggression your mind and soul.
Darkness! No escape possible! But then at 11:47, something of light peeps in, and the strings announce something of a escape?
This is a marvelous piece of work, but you have to have a very steady mind to process this.
Not for the faint hearted!
Good sound and performance!

[Harry]

It's a pleasure, Harry.

http://www.warnerclassics.com/release.php?release=2739

I have an older issue, I suspect, since the cover is very different than above, but it's the same 6 CD's.

I find the combination of German Romantic music and French interpreters most interesting. Their playing is very sensitive and well thought: brisk pace where needed, relaxed when called for, all with a hint of Latin sensuality. They convey convincingly the arch-Romantic feelings, moods and passions of this extraordinary beautiful music. Very well recorded, too. I recommend it to any lover of Schumann's music. It's the only set of his complete chamber music I have and I'm perfectly happy with it.

I suppose you have the Brilliant set and wait for your comments on that.

EDIT: The real gems here are the lesser works, such as The Three Romances for oboe and piano or The Maerchenbilder, wich are delightful. But the set on the whole is superb.

The Brilliant set I have listen too, some time ago, and on the whole I found it excellent Andrei.
Worth every penny of your money. They will be somewhere on the old forum, but really that would take to long searching with my posting habits.
I will order this Erato set also, since I am a great admirer of Schumann's chamberworks.

[wintersway]

Good morning/day all! I can listen to this 3 CD set everyday and not tire of it! Wonderful!

[Harry]

Good morning/day all! I can listen to this 3 CD set everyday and not tire of it! Wonderful!

Goodmorning my friend!
This is a fine set.
I am waiting for you to produce something I don't like!

[wintersway]

Goodmorning my friend!
This is a fine set.
I am waiting for you to produce something I don't like!

I, my friend, am waiting for you to post something that I already possess! You are directly responsible for 95% of my music orders in the past month or so! Thank you!

[Harry]

I, my friend, am waiting for you to post something that I already possess! You are directly responsible for 95% of my music orders in the past month or so! Thank you!

Well you have me surprised here!
Is there never a disappointment in that 95 %?
But I feel flattered.
So thank you too!

[Maciek]

Quick, put on some soprano arias!

[Haffner]

Magnificent playing as always from Gould!

Now on:

Very much a classic: just don't bother with his Beethoven!

[Haffner]

Beethoven ~ #3 Karajan BP '62

My favorite! The 1st movement in particular ROCKED me!