Pieces that have blown you away recently

[Luke]

Fortunately that cycle is also on the recording I have. Not sure if I'll get to it today but definitely will soon.

Yes, still making me jealous. It's such a fine, important work....it's also utterly delicious and adorable. You'll love it.

[relm1]

I enjoyed Fridrich Bruk's (b. 1937) Symphony No. 16.  Here is an excerpt but listening to this album makes me want to explore his music further.  Stylistically, reminds me of Andrei Eshpai with a heavy emphasis on Jewish identity.  As far as I can tell, he's composed 21 symphonies to date.

[Symphonic Addict]

This whole CD featuring works by the American composer Steven Gerber (1948-2015). All the the four works contain a sort of meditative/contemplative feel to it that is truly captivating and somewhat dramatic at the same time, very thought-provoking indeed. The opening of the Symphony No. 1 reminded me of Barber, Alwyn and a little of Rachmaninov and some passages in the Viola Concerto have a strong similarity with the epic style of Bloch. My only overall quibble is the way the works end, being a little abrupt and mildly unsatisfactory. Otherwise, this is music with purpose splendidly played and recorded.

[relm1]

This whole CD featuring works by the American composer Steven Gerber (1948-2015). All the the four works contain a sort of meditative/contemplative feel to it that is truly captivating and somewhat dramatic at the same time, very thought-provoking indeed. The opening of the Symphony No. 1 reminded me of Barber, Alwyn and a little of Rachmaninov and some passages in the Viola Concerto have a strong similarity with the epic style of Bloch. My only overall quibble is the way the works end, being a little abrupt and mildly unsatisfactory. Otherwise, this is music with purpose splendidly played and recorded.

I quite enjoyed that cd when it was released.  The composer wrote very little but I very much enjoyed everything I heard and always wondered how a major label like Chandos would find such an obscure composer.  This album represents maybe half of his orchestral output and he had few else, but all was pleasant. 

[Symphonic Addict]

I quite enjoyed that cd when it was released.  The composer wrote very little but I very much enjoyed everything I heard and always wondered how a major label like Chandos would find such an obscure composer.  This album represents maybe half of his orchestral output and he had few else, but all was pleasant. 

I see there are other two CDs containing the Violin Concerto, Cello Concerto and some works for strings. I definitely want more of this composer.

[Symphonic Addict]

Three opulent and lavishly orchestrated symphonic poems by this conductor-composer, being La notte di Plàton the one that impressed me the most, especially for the last five minutes which comprise some truly sublime music, bringing the last minutes of Strauss's Tod und Verklärung to mind.

[Florestan]

The play for which the music was composed is cringe-inducingly anachronistic (Mozart's mother dies in Salzburg after his marriage with Constanze, Haydn is sent by Joseph II to Mozart to summon him to Vienna etc) but the music is fabulous. The Mozartian themes are so well orchestrated and so seamlessly integrated in the whole that it's very hard to tell where Suppe ends and Mozart begins, or viceversa. A worthy and imho better alternative to Tchaikovsly's Mozartiana suite.

[Atriod]

Albeniz Iberia orchestrated (Arbos and Surinach).

[ritter]

Albeniz Iberia orchestrated (Arbos and Surinach).

Fantastic, isn't it?

Iberia (particularly Rondeña and Almería from Book II) is the kind of work that if I listen to it once —be it the piano original or the orchestration(s)—, I have to listen to it several times...

[Atriod]

Fantastic, isn't it?

Iberia (particularly Rondeña and Almería from Book II) is the kind of work that if I listen to it once —be it the piano original or the orchestration(s)—, I have to listen to it several times...

Many of the pieces in Iberia on piano are definitely addicting, it was that aspect that caused me to inadvertently do some comparisons a while back: https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?msg=1519091

I haven't heard the orchestrations in a while and the one I listened to from Jean Morel was my first time hearing these performances. The Eloquence CD slipped by me, fortunately Analogue Productions put it back in print.

[Symphonic Addict]

The complete recording is a solid winner. However, it was the Suite No. 3 in the form of theme and variations that delighted me the most (with the first two suites close behind). Sparkling and charming to the core.

[kyjo]

The complete recording is a solid winner. However, it was the Suite No. 3 in the form of theme and variations that delighted me the most (with the first two suites close behind). Sparkling and charming to the core.

Oh yes, this disc is a firm favorite of mine - totally delightful from start to finish! Arensky knew how to write music that just oozes with charm. I have such a soft spot for music for 2 pianos/piano 4-hands (more so than for solo piano music, generally).

[Symphonic Addict]

Three pretty interesting string quartets by Henriëtte Bosmans (1895-1952) and Jerzy Fitelberg (1903-1951).

My first time hearing works by both composers and I was very impressed. The Bosmans is a very elegant, suggestive work in the vein of Ravel and Jongen. In its short duration of 12 minutes manages to encapsulate cohesive and highly appealing ideas. The Mosolov SQ in the same disc is another terrific work, quite different from the Bosmans (haven't heard the Van Dieren yet). The Fitelbergs also inhabit a different sound world, here rhythmic vitality and sharped gestures (sometimes mildly reminding me of Shostakovich but without the irony) are the rule most of the time. The slow movement from the SQ 2 provides a nice contrast, it sounded to me with meaningful profoundness. Those Chandos' Music in Exile series are proving to be a source of great music.

[Irons]

The Martinu Piano Sonata took me by surprise. A white knuckle ride of pulsating restlessness, however, always under complete control. Martinu bares his soul to an extent I have not heard previously from other pieces. A section in the middle movement - you cannot miss it - the music seems to transcend and float upwards to another place, quite remarkable.
Written in 1954 for Rudolf Serkin, I listened to a recording from the Czech pianist Frantisek Maly. 

[relm1]

I very much enjoyed hearing Daniel Jones' Symphony No. 4 performed by Royal Philharmonic/Sir Charles Groves!

[Irons]

I very much enjoyed hearing Daniel Jones' Symphony No. 4 performed by Royal Philharmonic/Sir Charles Groves!

A powerful symphony that does full justice to the subject. Talking of which, the LP notes inform that Jones and Dylan Thomas were friends for 30 years and of course Dylan Thomas died aged 39. I wonder if this information accurate? It could be.

[Florestan]

The Martinu Piano Sonata took me by surprise. A white knuckle ride of pulsating restlessness, however, always under complete control. Martinu bares his soul to an extent I have not heard previously from other pieces. A section in the middle movement - you cannot miss it - the music seems to transcend and float upwards to another place, quite remarkable.
Written in 1954 for Rudolf Serkin, I listened to a recording from the Czech pianist Frantisek Maly. 

Why is Paganini featured on the art cover, I wonder? 

[Maestro267]

A powerful symphony that does full justice to the subject. Talking of which, the LP notes inform that Jones and Dylan Thomas were friends for 30 years and of course Dylan Thomas died aged 39. I wonder if this information accurate? It could be.

Both Swansea boys as well, born 2 years apart so perfectly feasible.

[DavidW]

Why is Paganini featured on the art cover, I wonder? 

oops, guess it is a candidate for the bad cover art.  Here is what they should have used:


I guess the cover art designer isn't big into classical music nor basic competency at his job.

[Irons]

Why is Paganini featured on the art cover, I wonder? 

My only guess is that the coupling is a viola concerto.