Pieces that have blown you away recently

[Symphonic Addict]

The combination of these two works (Piano Trio in G minor and Violin Sonata in E major) by the French composer Sylvio Lazzari (1857-1944), gave me the feeling of being blown away.

Two little-known gems of the chamber repertoire, these works exude lovely tunes (above all the Violin Sonata), expert craftsmanship and intense passion. Looking at the length of the Violin Sonata (42:22 min.) I was thinking it was going to be a problematic work, but it wasn't, it holds rather well and what a marvelous composition it is.

[Florestan]

Absolutely charming music. Besides the unfailing melodic inspiration, there are lots of striking musical ideas wrapped in a terrific orchestration. The content of this disc could make by itself an enticing VPO New Year Concert program. Imnsho this Dane gives the Strausses a hard run for the money. Highly recommended.

[Symphonic Addict]

Thuille: Trio for piano, violin and viola in E-flat major

Lately new chamber works have impressed me a lot, and this composition is not an exception. Masterful piece, inspiration running through each movement. I'm not too much familiar with works in this combination, but this one simply has to be one of the finest. The slow movement is kind of redolent of Schubert in its poetic seriousness.

[kyjo]

Thuille: Trio for piano, violin and viola in E-flat major

Lately new chamber works have impressed me a lot, and this composition is not an exception. Masterful piece, inspiration running through each movement. I'm not too much familiar with works in this combination, but this one simply has to be one of the finest. The slow movement is kind of redolent of Schubert in its poetic seriousness.

I'll have to check it out! Thuille's 2nd Piano Quintet is a masterpiece by my estimation - have you heard it? There's a great recording on CPO:

[kyjo]

My first encounter with Alfven's music and boy, is it good! This is a magical score whose infallible melodic verve and colorful orchestration really blew me away.

Yes, a wonderful score! Definitely check out his 3rd Symphony if you haven't already - a sunny, generously melodic work with a slow movement that's absolutely to die for. It's by far my favorite of his 5 symphonies, btw.

[DaveF]

My first encounter with Alfven's music and boy, is it good! This is a magical score whose infallible melodic verve and colorful orchestration really blew me away.

I was surprised to see the name of Svetlanov, but then learned that he'd been Radiosymfonikerna's Music Director (in fact he was sacked in Russia for spending too much time abroad).  Shows how little I know.

My own recent blow-away piece:



Arnold - Symphony no.6.  Tremendous piece - to my ears combining the best of Simpson (without making me feel I'm being lectured/shouted at) and Rubbra (but more fun).

[relm1]

Arnold's No. 6 is fantastic.  I particularly love this recording.

album

[kyjo]

My own recent blow-away piece:



Arnold - Symphony no.6.  Tremendous piece - to my ears combining the best of Simpson (without making me feel I'm being lectured/shouted at) and Rubbra (but more fun).

Arnold's 6th is a fine work, but have you heard the 5th? To my ears, it's his ultimate masterpiece and an unforgettably powerful work.

[DaveF]

Arnold's 6th is a fine work, but have you heard the 5th? To my ears, it's his ultimate masterpiece and an unforgettably powerful work.

No, but it's next on my list, and I've heard good things about it.  I started with no.6 only because there was a problem with the file of the 1st movement, downloaded along with the rest of the set from a well-known provider of such things.  They offered me a credit on another purchase, but by using various FLAC repair tools I managed to get it working - and very pleased I did.

[Symphonic Addict]

I'll have to check it out! Thuille's 2nd Piano Quintet is a masterpiece by my estimation - have you heard it? There's a great recording on CPO:

Yes, I have, and that CPO CD is great. Thuille's chamber music has proved to be quite rewarding.

[kyjo]

Louis Glass: String Sextet and Piano Quintet



Louis Glass is mainly known (if he is known at all!) as a symphonist, but these two chamber works prove that he was a master of writing for smaller forces. These two magnificent works are remarkable not only for being filled with memorable tunes and inventive part-writing, but for the fact that that they are completely individual and don't really sound like anyone else. Many other lesser-known chamber works of the period are derivative of Brahms or Dvorak to some degree, but not so with these works. They're also quite forward-looking harmonically (especially the Piano Quintet) considering when they were composed (late 1890s), with constantly shifting tonal centers and unpredictable harmonic progessions. In this way, he could be seen as following his fellow countryman Nielsen's lead, though his music rarely actually resembles that of the Great Dane. The Piano Quintet is especially notable for its slow movement which rises to a passionate climax and its life-affirming finale which has a wonderfully noble, warm-hearted secondary theme. Both works receieve splendid performances here, and deserve to be far better-known than they are!

[Symphonic Addict]

I thought the content of this CD deserves to be here. Fantastic, superb, exquisite music. The final minutes of the Quartet are to die for; the 2nd mov. of the Quintet shows how an expert composer Marteau was, such perfect balance in the musical canvas. CPO did it again by bringing non-mainstream repertoire impecabbly performed and recorded.

[Florestan]

Cross post from the WAYLTN thread



Disc 1

This a fabulous recording. The voices are superb, the sonics surprisingly very good and the music, oh, the music is heavenly. I was not familiar with Lehar's Der Zarewitsch but the two numbers included here, the aria Allein! Wieder allein! (Wolgalied) (a Russian-inflected melody featuring balalaikas prominently) and the duet Kosende Wellen (with a blissful violin obbligato singing (sic!) a ravishing unison with the voices) really blew me away and I know exactly what I'll be listening to tonight:

[Mapman]

Villa-Lobos: Chôros #10

I listened for the 3rd time last night. I know that I had positive impressions on my first listen, but it all makes so much more sense now. I now can hear how the first half is foreshadowing the 2nd half. And the orchestration is continually fascinating. It's also interesting how the chorus is used almost percussively.

[Mapman]

Haydn: Symphony #94 "Surprise"

I'd forgotten what happened after the big timpani hit. The rest of the movement is incredible! It's a wonderful set of variations, with some more surprises. Szell also inserts a surprise into the finale, by changing a crescendo to a subito forte for the timpani. I initially felt that the first movement (after the introduction) was too slow, but Szell quickly convinced me that his tempo choice was appropriate. My only complaint is that the horns were hard to hear; fortunately this symphony doesn't depend much on the horns.

[kyjo]

Villa-Lobos: Chôros #10

I listened for the 3rd time last night. I know that I had positive impressions on my first listen, but it all makes so much more sense now. I now can hear how the first half is foreshadowing the 2nd half. And the orchestration is continually fascinating. It's also interesting how the chorus is used almost percussively.

Indeed, a real blockbuster of a work which I had the great opportunity of performing several years ago. The second half of the work, with the chorus singing nonsense syllables on top of a percussion-driven orchestral accompaniment, is nothing short of a ritualistic thrill-ride!

[pjme]

Indeed,  "Rasga o Coração", one of Villa Lobos most wonderful scores!

The text here in a Google translate version....I hope someone can find a better translation.

If you want to see the immensity of the sky and sea
Reflecting prismatic sunlight
Tear the heart, come and lean over
About the vastness of my grief

Tear it up, what are you going to see?
Inside the sobbing pain
Under the weight of a cross
cry from tears
Angels singing divine prayers
God to rhythm his poor woes

It absorbs all the odor that is reeking
By the thorny blossoms of my suffering
See if you can read it in their pulses
The white illusions and what he says in his groan
And what can't the aunt say about palpitations?
Listen to it softly, sweetly throbbing
Chaste and purple in an evening sleigh
Purer than a vestal candida

You will hear a hymn
Just flowers singing
Over a sea of petals
of undulating pain
Crazy to call you, tutelary angel
In the eagerness to see you or to die

Angel of forgiveness! flower come open me
This heart in the spring of this pain
As it blooms, the magician smiles on your red lips
You will see my passion smiling to God

Palm from the Empyrean
Who encouraged Jesus on the cross
martyrdom lily
Heart, host of light
Woe twilight, stellar tomb
Red Via Crucis of Pain

[Maestro267]

A piece that's blowing me away as I write is Ravel's Piano Trio. This is my first listen and I am loving it. I didn't realize Ravel wrote as much chamber music as he did. But we have a full-sized string quartet, a piano trio, a violin sonata.

[Roasted Swan]

A piece that's blowing me away as I write is Ravel's Piano Trio. This is my first listen and I am loving it. I didn't realize Ravel wrote as much chamber music as he did. But we have a full-sized string quartet, a piano trio, a violin sonata.

Good shout!  I'm not sure the work needs it(!) but Yan Pascal Tortelier orchestrated the Trio here;



The is the original release cover but its appeared in various Chandos couplings and is certainly worth a (fun) listen......  Check out this great Decca disc too if you are in the mood to explore more chamber Ravel.....



FWIW - it won the 1997 Gramophone Chamber Music award that year......

[Symphonic Addict]

Let's not forget the dreamy Introduction et Allegro for flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet (there's also a version with string orchestra on a Chandos CD) and the Sonata for violin and cello.