Pieces that have blown you away recently

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thanks for going to the trouble.

Edit: List for 3rd Sonata are in correct order of movements.

One thing that I've noticed in the past re youtube is they don't always follow one video with the correct subsequent movement.    In this case, I suspect because I had clicked on a topic (Diane Andersen) and whomever had uploaded the videos (I think Supraphon) had arranged them in the correct order that they then played in the right order.

In any event, I enjoyed listening to it!

PD

[Symphonic Addict]

Really amazed by the content of this disc, featuring two early and late unnumbered string quartets by Bacewicz, the String Quartet No. 1 and the Quintet for piano, oboe, violin, viola and cello by her compatriot Joachim Mendelson (1892-1943) which are written in a serious yet spicy style. The four works have no waste whatsoever, but I was especially astounded by Bacewicz's late string quartet, what an impressive composition. Anyone familiar with her late works will have an idea as to what to expect.

[DaveF]

Oddly enough (since I have known the piece for 50 years and the recording for nearly as long) Shostakovich 8 - Haitink and the Concertgebouw.  OK, the first movement seems like an inferior rewrite of the same movement in no.5, and the Passacaglia is rather dull, but the finale struck me afresh as one of DSCH's most brilliant bits of invention, with the 2 scherzo movements not far behind.

[Symphonic Addict]

Two superb Austro-German finds:

Boris Blacher (1903-1975): Two Piano Concertos + Variations for piano and orchestra on a theme by Clementi

Johann Nepomuk David (1895-1977): Symphonies 2 and 4


Some of the most inventive, fresh, appealing music for piano and orchestra I've heard recently. Even though these pieces can lack certain warmth, I feel there's spark, slyness and purpose in them.

As for the second composer, I also heard another CPO CD that includes David's Symphonies 1 and 3, but it wasn't as interesting as this one. These are neoclassical, contrapuntal symphonies that could be judged like "academic", but don't allow yourselves be fooled by this prejudice, David manages to make these two works flow convincingly with some powerful motion running on them. The Symphony No. 2 made a bigger impression on me, which I believe it's a potential masterpiece whose 4th movement is a tremendous passacaglia that ends with evident elevation.

[vandermolen]

Two superb Austro-German finds:

Boris Blacher (1903-1975): Two Piano Concertos + Variations for piano and orchestra on a theme by Clementi

Johann Nepomuk David (1895-1977): Symphonies 2 and 4


Some of the most inventive, fresh, appealing music for piano and orchestra I've heard recently. Even though these pieces can lack certain warmth, I feel there's spark, slyness and purpose in them.

As for the second composer, I also heard another CPO CD that includes David's Symphonies 1 and 3, but it wasn't as interesting as this one. These are neoclassical, contrapuntal symphonies that could be judged like "academic", but don't allow yourselves be fooled by this prejudice, David manages to make these two works flow convincingly with some powerful motion running on them. The Symphony No. 2 made a bigger impression on me, which I believe it's a potential masterpiece whose 4th movement is a tremendous passacaglia that ends with evident elevation.

Most interesting Cesar!

[Crudblud]

After many years of trying to "get" Brahms, one of his pieces finally clicked for me. Symphony No. 3 is pure structural brilliance.

[kyjo]

Thomas de Hartmann: Cello Concerto (1936):



The accolades that other members of similar tastes (you know who you are ) have been giving this composer's music are fully warranted. This substantial (38 min.) work is a truly major and unique addition to the cello concerto repertoire. Its sound-world is a fascinating meld of Slavic influences (Orthodox chant) and more "exotic" coloration in the orchestration and harmonies - witness the magical opening of the slow movement! Overall, this is a major discovery and I don't hesitate to call it a masterpiece!


Alois Hába: Overture for Large Orchestra (1921)



https://youtu.be/k1aMfreYls4?si=zrNGM1yIgRxTvwpw

The majority of this composer's works are written in an avant-garde, microtonal style which I'm not too fond of. But this early Overture is a glittering hunk of late-romantic orchestral sumptuousness. If you know Schreker's Vorspiel zu einem Drama, you'll have an idea of what to expect here. Absolutely glorious!

[Mapman]

Atterberg: Symphony #2

This symphony has great melodies, especially in the first movement. Absolutely delightful!

[kyjo]

Atterberg: Symphony #2

This symphony has great melodies, especially in the first movement. Absolutely delightful!

Of course, I can't help but agree! It's difficult for me to single out just one of the Atterberg symphonies as my favorite, but if forced to choose I'd probably go with the Second. The second movement features one of the most glorious, long-breathed melodies known to me in the slow outer sections, which enclose a brilliant scherzo-like section. And the finale, which Atterberg later added to an originally two-movement work, manages to be very convincing in its own right with its heroic grandeur. Jarvi's recording is significantly quicker than Rasilainen's on CPO (by 10 minutes, actually!), and overall I prefer Rasilainen's greater sense of breadth which gives the listener more time to savor Atterberg's gorgeous orchestration with its prominent use of orchestral piano.

[pjme]

Boris Blacher (1903-1975): Two Piano Concertos + Variations for piano and orchestra on a theme by Clementi

50-60 years ago Boris Blacher's name would occasionally pop up on the radio or even in the (Belgian) concert hall for he wrote Paganini variations ! A classic concert opener, an acceptable bit of contemporary music - that would combine wll with Sibelius or Dvorak.

[Symphonic Addict]

Of course, I can't help but agree! It's difficult for me to single out just one of the Atterberg symphonies as my favorite, but if forced to choose I'd probably go with the Second. The second movement features one of the most glorious, long-breathed melodies known to me in the slow outer sections, which enclose a brilliant scherzo-like section. And the finale, which Atterberg later added to an originally two-movement work, manages to be very convincing in its own right with its heroic grandeur. Jarvi's recording is significantly quicker than Rasilainen's on CPO (by 10 minutes, actually!), and overall I prefer Rasilainen's greater sense of breadth which gives the listener more time to savor Atterberg's gorgeous orchestration with its prominent use of orchestral piano.

The other day I was comparing the 3rd movement from the CPO and the Chandos recordings and the CPO one blew the Chandos one out of the water. The attention to details, the grandeur Rasilainen and the orchestra give to the music is unparalelled, there's an evident difference in approach. I sometimes like Järvi's conducting for his speedy take on some works, but on Atterberg it didn't work to me.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Atterberg: Symphony #2

This symphony has great melodies, especially in the first movement. Absolutely delightful!

I particularly enjoyed the first movement.  Thanks for bringing the symphony up. 

PD

[Symphonic Addict]

50-60 years ago Boris Blacher's name would occasionally pop up on the radio or even in the (Belgian) concert hall for he wrote Paganini variations ! A classic concert opener, an acceptable bit of contemporary music - that would combine wll with Sibelius or Dvorak.

Good call. Blacher wrote some interesting stuff, but for some reason record labels seem to have lost interest in his music nowadays.

[Maestro267]

I disagree fundamentally about the Passacaglia of Shostakovich 8 being dull. Its quietness is crucial to the uneasiness of the War Machine of the previous movement, it evokes desolation, and its eventual transition into the C major of hope in the finale.

[Roasted Swan]

Oddly enough (since I have known the piece for 50 years and the recording for nearly as long) Shostakovich 8 - Haitink and the Concertgebouw.  OK, the first movement seems like an inferior rewrite of the same movement in no.5, and the Passacaglia is rather dull, but the finale struck me afresh as one of DSCH's most brilliant bits of invention, with the 2 scherzo movements not far behind.

Wow - each to their own but if you do engage with DSCH's soundworld I'm amazed Symphony 8 makes so little/negative an impact (in part)

[Roasted Swan]

Thomas de Hartmann: Cello Concerto (1936):



The accolades that other members of similar tastes (you know who you are ) have been giving this composer's music are fully warranted. This substantial (38 min.) work is a truly major and unique addition to the cello concerto repertoire. Its sound-world is a fascinating meld of Slavic influences (Orthodox chant) and more "exotic" coloration in the orchestration and harmonies - witness the magical opening of the slow movement! Overall, this is a major discovery and I don't hesitate to call it a masterpiece!


Alois Hába: Overture for Large Orchestra (1921)



https://youtu.be/k1aMfreYls4?si=zrNGM1yIgRxTvwpw

The majority of this composer's works are written in an avant-garde, microtonal style which I'm not too fond of. But this early Overture is a glittering hunk of late-romantic orchestral sumptuousness. If you know Schreker's Vorspiel zu einem Drama, you'll have an idea of what to expect here. Absolutely glorious!

Not heard the de Hartmann yet but he was one of my major discoveries as a composer last year.  A remarkably individual voice.  I think the violin concerto is on the way next......

[pjme]

...the majority of this composer's works are written in an avant-garde, microtonal style which I'm not too fond of. But this early Overture is a glittering hunk of late-romantic orchestral sumptuousness. If you know Schreker's Vorspiel zu einem Drama, you'll have an idea of what to expect here. Absolutely glorious!

The non-microtonal works by Haba are very impressive indeed, dark and mysteriously threathening - Schoenbergian!. Thanks Kyjo for reminding me of these works.

The 1993 box from which these recordings stem.

[DaveF]

Wow - each to their own but if you do engage with DSCH's soundworld I'm amazed Symphony 8 makes so little/negative an impact (in part)

Well, I try to be honest in my aesthetic (mis)judgements.  Mark Wigglesworth writes about no.8:

The vast opening movement does follow with striking similarity the structure of the corresponding movement in the Fifth. But there is more passion in the earlier piece, more sorrow. The second time around there is an emptiness in the pain: it is a hollow cry rather than an emotional heartbreak.

Perhaps it's just the emptiness I hear at the moment.  But don't forget we are in the "blown away" thread.

[DavidW]

Weinberg's string quartets have blown me away. I had not even warmed to the composer before when I tried his orchestral music.  But when I on a whim put on v 5 (Danel Q) of the string quartets I wad a big wow moment!  I'll keep relistening to that album and will check out the others.

[LKB]

After many years of trying to "get" Brahms, one of his pieces finally clicked for me. Symphony No. 3 is pure structural brilliance.

Brahms' Third was one of the first symphonies l memorized, back in 1973. A  nearby Wherehouse ( remember those? ) had a copy of von Karajan's 1964 recording with DGG, and it became my first purchase of that label.

I feel in love with the piece immediately, and it proved to be an excellent introduction to the composer.

TD: Lately I've been newly enamored with Bach's Partitas and Sonatas for solo violin. Mostly via Grummiaux on Philips,  but I've also heard a couple of excerpts from Hilary Hahn, whose artistry I've come to respect.