What are you listening 2 now?

Started by Gurn Blanston, September 23, 2019, 05:45:22 AM

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Que, Harry and 33 Guests are viewing this topic.

Dry Brett Kavanaugh

Béla Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2. Anton Dikov, Dimiter Manolov/Sofia.



Luke

Quote from: Spotted Horses on March 23, 2023, 09:54:57 AMMaybe the joke's on him and we are not supposed to understand it.

I don't think so. This conversation occurred in the final stages of my journeying around the country for the book that I keep hinting at (sorry if it's getting annoying). I was outside PMD's house on Sanday, Orkney, when I was unexpectedly invited in by the current owner, who was PMD's carer in the last years of his life. The house was virtually unchanged, amazing to see, but it was the people who made it the deeply humbling and moving experience which I discuss properly in the book. But re the 6th: this very gentle and thoughtful man was devoted to Max, but he didn't like the big public events which came with it at all. He recalled attending a concert at the Cadogan Hall in London in which the 6th was performed, of how the music was met with general consternation in musically knowledgeable critics and listeners, whilst he, musically untrained, knew precisely what the symphony was doing: every twist and turn it takes is the musical equivalent of an event, a new view, a change of direction, a change of gradient etc. on the walks the composer used to take around Orkney. So, whilst sitting feeling somewhat socially awkward in the crowded concert hall, he was able to escape in his mind's eye back to a precise walk upon his remote home islands.

Linz

Bantock

Harry

Quote from Manuel, born in Spain, currently working at Fawlty Towers.

" I am from Barcelona, I know nothing.............."

foxandpeng

Quote from: Spotted Horses on March 23, 2023, 09:54:57 AMMaybe the joke's on him and we are not supposed to understand it. In any case, carved out enough time to listen to the brief middle movement. Something is starting to diffuse into my brain. Arresting harmonies and sonorities.

Quote from: Luke on March 23, 2023, 10:23:35 AMI don't think so. This conversation occurred in the final stages of my journeying around the country for the book that I keep hinting at (sorry if it's getting annoying). I was outside PMD's house on Sanday, Orkney, when I was unexpectedly invited in by the current owner, who was PMD's carer in the last years of his life. The house was virtually unchanged, amazing to see, but it was the people who made it the deeply humbling and moving experience which I discuss properly in the book. But re the 6th: this very gentle and thoughtful man was devoted to Max, but he didn't like the big public events which came with it at all. He recalled attending a concert at the Cadogan Hall in London in which the 6th was performed, of how the music was met with general consternation in musically knowledgeable critics and listeners, whilst he, musically untrained, knew precisely what the symphony was doing: every twist and turn it takes is the musical equivalent of an event, a new view, a change of direction, a change of gradient etc. on the walks the composer used to take around Orkney. So, whilst sitting feeling somewhat socially awkward in the crowded concert hall, he was able to escape in his mind's eye back to a precise walk upon his remote home islands.

This is immensely helpful, Luke. Thanks for sharing. Great story.

I do agree that with repeat listens the work begins to embed. Fascinating and rewarding. Keep going ... we will start a Peter Maxwell Davies revival at this rate.

I will make the banners.
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Lisztianwagner

First listen to:

Ernst Krenek
String Quartet No.4

Sonare-Quartett


"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." - Gustav Mahler

Spotted Horses

Quote from: Luke on March 23, 2023, 10:23:35 AMI don't think so. This conversation occurred in the final stages of my journeying around the country for the book that I keep hinting at (sorry if it's getting annoying). I was outside PMD's house on Sanday, Orkney, when I was unexpectedly invited in by the current owner, who was PMD's carer in the last years of his life. The house was virtually unchanged, amazing to see, but it was the people who made it the deeply humbling and moving experience which I discuss properly in the book. But re the 6th: this very gentle and thoughtful man was devoted to Max, but he didn't like the big public events which came with it at all. He recalled attending a concert at the Cadogan Hall in London in which the 6th was performed, of how the music was met with general consternation in musically knowledgeable critics and listeners, whilst he, musically untrained, knew precisely what the symphony was doing: every twist and turn it takes is the musical equivalent of an event, a new view, a change of direction, a change of gradient etc. on the walks the composer used to take around Orkney. So, whilst sitting feeling somewhat socially awkward in the crowded concert hall, he was able to escape in his mind's eye back to a precise walk upon his remote home islands.

That will give a context for thinking about it, at the very least. Perhaps your acquaintance should take a video recorder and retrace that walk, so we can at least see the scenery that inspired the music.

Now, how do I interpret the sort of grotesque dance-like music that appears at various points during the generally slow, severe and atmospheric second movement?
There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind. - Duke Ellington

Traverso

Purcell

Come Ye Sons of Art    lovely music........


Linz

Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Op. 20, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Philadelphia Orchestra 2 CDs

foxandpeng

Quote from: vandermolen on March 23, 2023, 09:21:09 AMNo.23, based on Caucasian folk tunes, is one of the most approachable, but still deeply-felt, composed when NYM was evacuated, along with his friend Prokofiev, during World War Two.

Your notes on Miaskovsky 23 are superlative, Jeffrey. They've really opened my eyes as well as helping open my ears. I also think this is one of my favourite symphonies so far. Miaskovsky's marshalling of folk songs and melodies is outstanding.

Listening again for the umpteenth time today.

"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

foxandpeng

Quote from: Karl Henning on March 23, 2023, 10:02:31 AMHere goes an attempt at a complete survey in reverse order. We shall see ....

Myaskovsky
Symphony № 27 in c minor, Op. 85 (1949)
Russian State Symphony
Valery Polyansky

If you do decide to do this, I'll be delighted. Now that I have a level of familiarity with all but the last few, it will give me an intelligent touchstone while I live with the cycle alongside other music for the next weeks.
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Todd



Tip-top Mozart from the Prazak, some of the very best I've heard.  But not better than the formidable Armida Quartet, though different.  Call it a draw.  Lucky for the listener.
The universe is change; life is opinion. - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

People would rather believe than know - E.O. Wilson

Propaganda death ensemble - Tom Araya

Lisztianwagner

Alexander Zemlinsky
Lyric Symphony

Debora Voigt (soprano), Bryn Terfel (baritone)
Giuseppe Sinopoli & Wiener Philharmoniker


"Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." - Gustav Mahler

Que


Symphonic Addict

Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 4
Magnard: Symphony No. 4


Committed performances of both works, but the sound quality is not the ideal in either case.

Part of the tragedy of the Palestinians is that they have essentially no international support for a good reason: they've no wealth, they've no power, so they've no rights.

Noam Chomsky

Madiel

Rewinding the first phases of the Haydn symphony randomiser but with different conductors. Because. Previn is conducting no.96 this time.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

foxandpeng

Nicolai Miaskovsky
Complete Symphonies
Symphony 24
Svetlanov
State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia


First run at 24
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Spotted Horses

#88957
Quote from: Todd on March 23, 2023, 12:43:41 PM

Tip-top Mozart from the Prazak, some of the very best I've heard.  But not better than the formidable Armida Quartet, though different.  Call it a draw.  Lucky for the listener.

I'm noticed that Amazon.com is selling the complete Armida Mozart set for $29.99, which seems anomalously low, given that Presto has it listed for $85.
There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind. - Duke Ellington

Symphonic Addict

Rochberg: Symphony No. 2

More compact and cogent than the 1st Symphony. The music has a Bergian quality to it, although this symphony sounds more approachable than anything of the Austrian composer methinks.




Braunfels: Concerto for organ, boys' choir and orchestra

It didn't succeed my expectations, the organ doesn't seem prominent enough to give a good impression. On the other hand, the incorporation of the choir adds a heavenly element to the music I found endearing.

Part of the tragedy of the Palestinians is that they have essentially no international support for a good reason: they've no wealth, they've no power, so they've no rights.

Noam Chomsky

foxandpeng

Night music ... Allegri's Miserere and more. Quite beautiful and appropriately soporific.
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy