GMG Classical Music Forum

Hello Everyone,

I'm sure a thread of this type has been created before, but here we all can discuss our ongoing listening projects and/or recordings that we're each going to get around to.

My current listening projects:

1. Listen to some of my R. Strauss' opera recordings: Elektra, Salome, and finish Der Rosenkavalier. I also want to get to Capriccio, Daphne, and Die Frau ohne Schatten at some point as well.

2. Finish up Jun Markl's Debussy box set. I have 4-5 discs to go.

3. Listen to Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina (w/ Abbado). I've heard nothing but great things about it.

4. Explore, examine, and absorb more of Tippett's music. I'm quite familiar with a good bit of his music, but I'm still very much in discovery, and rediscovery, phases right now.

5. Finish listening to Kondrashin's Shostakovich cycle.

What about you guys?

I'm not that disciplined I think.

However I'm going through Piano Sonata's by Mozart performed by Pires and Mozart opera's. I think this is a listening project, but I don't like to call it that way.

I have about 100 CDs recently arrived, with another 100 or so to come in the coming weeks. So my project is simply to listen to all these new CDs first. After that, I will go though my collection and find the other almost-never-listened-to CDs. (I have listen to everything I have, but frankly some never so attentively, like some operas and boxsets.)

That should keep me busy for about 3 months or 4. After that, I want to listen to and learn some things that I can sing. Some Schubert and Schumann lieder, a few arias. I already have some of the scores (not to mention lyrics since my German and Italian ain't that good).

I have lots of boxes to listen to, but don't consider that as projects. I intend to aquaint myself somewhat better with Spanish music in the coming year, and do more Scandinavian/Finnish stuff within the usual deluge, and perhaps explore some french and Irish byways.

I don't like turning my listening time into a "project." So, whichever way the wind blows, I guess.  ;)

Quote from: MN Dave on March 22, 2012, 04:37:11 AM
I don't like turning my listening time into a "project." So, whichever way the wind blows, I guess.  ;)

I like that.

 :)

I like that you like that.

Current listening project: Deciding what my ears are hungry to hear . . . .

Quote from: MN Dave on March 22, 2012, 04:37:11 AM
I don't like turning my listening time into a "project." So, whichever way the wind blows, I guess.  ;)

Winds can be fickle...

Quote from: springrite on March 22, 2012, 05:12:25 AM
Winds can be fickle...

Indeed.

Quote from: springrite on March 22, 2012, 05:12:25 AM
Winds can be fickle...

Unless broken . . . .

I have a Shosty set (Haitink RCO) yet to finish.  Will do that over coming 2 weeks.
I must also listen to some Hans Rott, who is a composer new to me (yeah, right)   8)
Also, some Rautavaara by my local band the RSNO and a consulation with Three Screaming Popes by Mark-Anthony Turnage, which will be interesting because I read that it is a musical response to Francis Bacons artwork.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/56/Study_after_Velazquez%27s_Portrait_of_Pope_Innocent_X.jpg/260px-Study_after_Velazquez%27s_Portrait_of_Pope_Innocent_X.jpg)
A screaming Pope

I have a few projects on the go at the moment - my main one is to listen to the Haydn Piano Trios and String Quartets in their entirety again.
I want to finish and get to know the String Quartets of Vagn Holmboe as well.
I have started a new one to listen to a bit more Brahms as I have just recieved a new set of his Symphonies - I am really happy with my Brahms collection now and think it is about time I paid a bit more attention to him.
I also have a non-classical project which is to listen to more Jazz and work my way through the Blue Note Collectors edition I recieved earlier in the month :).

1 - I have made a list in the New year of about 90 maiden-to-me (or as good as maiden) composers that I wanted to start and explore in 2012. I am making a conscious effort of focusing purchases to that goal and I have actually not bought any alternative recordings so far this year. The list goes from Aho to Zemlinsky, from Lully to Stockhausen....I have crossed off 11 names so far (some listening in progress) :

Albinoni, Barber, Delius, Galuppi, Mompou, Ravel, Shostakovitch, Stenhammar, Villa Lobos, Clementi, Biber.

Probably next in will be Kodaly, Bartok, Janacek... or Wagner....or Ligeti....or Ives... i dunno....  ;D


2 - Going through Scott Ross / Scarlatti Boxset - great fun !!! (about 24 to go  ;D )

3 - Revisit Vaughan-Williams symphonies a second time

4 - Finish my 1st exploration of Shostakovitch's symphonies (at the 9th at the moment)

5 - Give a fair listen to sibelius' symphonies off the Blomstedt cycle and see if I open up to it

I am going to try to properly explore George Lloyd's output soon, although I am very poor at sticking to my plans :(

Quote from: Lethevich on March 22, 2012, 12:22:17 PM
George Lloyd

91... damn...this won't stop...

;D

How can a music fan truly claim to have lived without having experienced Lloyd's three operas, twelve symphonies and seven concertos... *flees*

I have a lot on my listening pile....

Debussy Orchestral Works (Martinon) around half way through this outstanding set. Absolutely loving it.
Wagner Ring Cycle (Karajan) - very very excited.
Simpson Symphonies - also very very excited!
Mahler Symphonies (both Sinopoli and Bertini cycles)
revisiting:
Prokofiev Symphonies (Jarvi)
Vaughan Williams Symphonies (Haitink)
many other cds on the listening pile too....

Quote from: Lethevich on March 22, 2012, 12:53:05 PM
How can a music fan truly claim to have lived without having experienced Lloyd's three operas, twelve symphonies and seven concertos... *flees*

or his symphonic Mass....  >:D

(I had to look him up and listen to samples - had never heard of him....  0:))

I was going to say that I don't really set myself listening programs and the like, but then remembered I have been working on a list of Shostakovich quartet timings, preparatory to buying further sets. My prime criteria is that the slow movements be taken properly slowly, which would in theory make Sorrel the best choice, but then Rubio have much better playing and a much better sound...

I won't post my list of timings. It's a text file full of notations and symbolic cross-references.

Alas, working in an office where online streaming is banned for 40 hours a week means I rely on a small handful of CDs to get me through each day - usually old favorites and mainstays. Very few new adventures in my listening these days, and it makes me very sad. :(

That said, I am in a massive Albert Roussel kick right now. 24 listens to Roussel so far in 2012 - that's twice every week!

Quote from: Papy Oli on March 22, 2012, 01:29:54 PM
or his symphonic Mass....  >:D

(I had to look him up and listen to samples - had never heard of him....  0:))

Start with Symphony No 5, truly a marvelous piece and very, very easy to love. :) I shall never forget listening to Lloyd's Fifth Symphony at 4 in the morning while a Category 2 hurricane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ike) pounded the walls of my shelter...

I always have to have a project...

Right now I'm just trying to get everything in my iTunes to a play count of at least 1. I have 42 days to go.

  I've been taking advantage of the nifty interloan system of the Westchester county ,NY public libraries where you can reserve anything online and have it delivered to your library to pick up in order to hear lots of recordings I always wanted to hear but never got around to, particularly complete opera recordingfs and DVDs.
    Among the opera CDs I've heard recently are Colin Davis conducting Don Giovanni,Lohengrin,Tosca, Hansel&Gretel,Idomeneo and La Clemenza di Tito the Marek Janowski Ring ,
Solti doing Orfeo &Euridice, Don Giovanni, Hansel &Gretel, Lohengrin , Fidelio , Barenboim doing Tannhauser.Parsifal,
Tristan,Meistersinger , Walkure and Siegfreid, as well as Comarosa's Il Matrimonio Segreto,Levine doing Tosca,
Fliegende Hollander, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Cosi , Muti in Don Giovanni, Un Ballo in Maschera, Forza del Destrino, Rigoletto,Attila,
Nagano in L'Amour de Loin by Saariaho, Gardiner doing Weber's Oberon, Beethoven's Leonore (th eealry form of Fidelio,) Rake's Progress, Gluck's Iphigenie en Aulide , Dohnanyi in Hollander,Fidelio, Rheingold and Salome,
Haitink in Gotterdammerung, Peter Grimes, Rattle in Fidelio and Cunning Little Vixen , Sinopoli in Hollander,
Madama Butterfly, Cavalleria R, Karajan in Siegfried, Fidelio ,  Tosca with Price , Turandot ,
Maazel in Otello, Trittico, Fanciulla ,  Pappano in Tristan and Trovatore , Mackerras doing  Makropoulos Case,
Jenufa, Zauberflote ,  Gergiev in The nose, Love for 3 Oranges, Pique Dame and Prince Igor,etc.

   Other repertoire : Schnabel in the complete Beethoven piano sonatas ,  Abbado, Barenboim, Boulez, Blomstedt, Chailly, Eschenach, Gergiev, Inbal, Neeme Jarvi, Gilbert Kaplan, Rattle, Sinopoli, Tennstedt , and Zinman in various Mahler symphonies, Reiner's Das Lied von der Erde,
Barenboim, Boulez, Dohananyi, Davis, Harnoncourt, Knappertsbusch, Luisi,Nagano, Rattle, Solti, and Zander in various Bruckner symphonies , Vanska's complete Sibelius symphonies on BIS ,  Zinman and Mackerras in the nine Beethoven syms,  Alexander Rahbari , Steinberg,Norrignton, Jarvi, Gardiner, Ozawa, in Brahms syms, Chailly and Barenboim with the Schumann syms, Abbado in the Menedelssohn syms,  and much more .

DVDs :  The Amsterdam Ring conducted by Hartmut Haenchen,  Tristan from the Liceu in Barcelons, Meistersinger from Sydeny opera with Mackerras conducting, the  Syberberg Parsifal with Armin Jordan conducting ,
Guglielmo Tell from La Scala with Muti,  Attila, Vespri Siciliani ,  Pergolesi's Frate Nammorato , Rossini's La Donna Del lago also with Muti/La Scala,  Manon from Barcelona with Dessay,  Werther from Vienna State opera,
Thais from Venice, Hollander from  Savonlinna in Finland,  Carlos Kleiber in Rosenkavalier from Vienna, Khovanshchina from Vienna State oper awith Abbado, Janacek's From house of Dead with Boulez conducting ,  Busoni's Doktor Faust from Zurich opera, Schubert's Fierrabras also from Zurich ,  Handel's Giulio Cesare and Rodelinda from Glyndebourne with Christie, and more .

    I've struck a goldmine !  Now I have i tunes, and have been downloading some of the CDs on to my computer .

   

I'm reevaluating the symphonies of Arnold Bax, a composer I've never quite gotten--although I think I should. On paper, it seems to be my kind of music. I plan to listen to each version I own at least twice and compare it to the competition. I have, or will have soon, two to four versions of each symphony. So far I've done 2 & 6. Will do 4 next. Awaiting the arrival of Downes 3 and Leppard 5 before embarking on those symphonies.

Sarge

No projects, I just listen to wherever my mood takes me.

Quote from: DavidW on March 28, 2012, 09:37:35 AM
No projects, I just listen to wherever my mood takes me.

Same here.  I never know what's coming next.

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 28, 2012, 08:42:36 AM
. . . I should. On paper, it seems to be my kind of music. I plan to listen to each version I own at least twice and compare it to the competition. I have, or will have soon, two to four versions of each [Bax] symphony.

That's real application to symphonies you've not "gotten," Sarge!

Well I have just got hold of 128 Decca: The Originals albums thanks to the Spotify Premium service and a playlist created by ulyssestone.

Way too much to listen through systematically of course but I do feel a bit like a kid who's been locked in a sweet shop overnight right now!

Long live Spotify!!

Quote from: Brian on March 22, 2012, 08:16:49 PM
That said, I am in a massive Albert Roussel kick right now. 24 listens to Roussel so far in 2012 - that's twice every week!

Now up to 29 Roussel listens so far in 2012. So... I guess it's a project?  ???

I've been piling up several recordings:

Martinu: Piano Concertos/Leichner-Belohlavek (almost finished though)
Debussy: Complete works for Piano/Aldo Ciccolini
Mahler: excerpts from the 6th Symphony, for the Blind Comparison
Schumann: The Works for solo Piano/Vladimir Ashkenazy

I was also sent, from Youtube, some recordings of Villa-Lobos' symphonies No.3, 4, 6, 11 and 12, plus Choros No.11; rather excited to listen to them. :)

Quote from: Lisztianwagner on April 19, 2012, 03:27:18 PM
Mahler: excerpts from the 6th Symphony, for the Blind Comparison

Really interested to see your vote, Ilaria!

Quote from: Lisztianwagner on April 19, 2012, 03:27:18 PM
I was also sent, from Youtube, some recordings of Villa-Lobos' symphonies No.3, 4, 6, 11 and 12, plus Choros No.11; rather excited to listen to them. :)

hmmm...  I wonder who that was...  ::)  ;D

Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 21, 2012, 08:57:23 AM
Really interested to see your vote, Ilaria! hmmm...  I wonder who that was...  ::)  ;D

Thanks Daniel, I'll provably post my comments and vote next Tuesday; such a great fun to listen to so many different versions of Mahler No.6, while I'm looking at the score. ;D

Haha, yeah, that's not difficult to guess. ;)

Not exactly a project, but I am starting to get re-acquainted with lieder/songs.  I've bought a few within the past couple of weeks and will continue in a moderate fashion.  I no longer engage in "nut-job" buying patterns and am proud of that.  A few years ago I bought every Mendelssohn string quartet disc/set on the market, and I don't even like his music all that much.

Quote from: coffee on March 22, 2012, 08:48:40 PM
I always have to have a project...

Right now I'm just trying to get everything in my iTunes to a play count of at least 1. I have 42 days to go.

37 days remaining on that, but now I'm also working on getting the best 1s up to 2s.

I deleted everything on one of my 16 GB Nano iPods, so now I'm about to seriously embark on a huge Mahler journey from the symphonies to the song cycles. My Dad has a 12-14 Mahler symphony box sets loaded on his hard drive from where he ripped the CDs to Mp3 for iPod. I don't know if these are all he has on the hard drive or not, but I'm going to load up maybe around 6 or 7 box sets and some single releases as well. Here are what I'm going to add:

Abbado - DG set w/ various orchestras
Rattle - EMI set w/ various orchestras
Bertini - EMI set w/ Cologne Radio Symphony
Haitink - Philips set w/ Royal Concertgebouw
Chailly - Decca set w/ Royal Concertgebouw, Berlin Radio Symphony
Tennstedt - EMI set w/ London Philharmonic
Solti - Decca set w/ Chicago Symphony
Boulez - DG recordings w/ various orchestras

I'm not going to put any Mahler Bernstein on this iPod for the simple reason that I've heard every one of his Mahler recordings from Sony and DG. I want to see how well of each of these acclaimed cycles hold up against his but mainly I want to hear the music in a fresher, new light and I think these sets will help me achieve this. Hopefully, I'll put these on tomorrow and start listening very soon.

I'm very pleased you're going to dive into Mahler's music, John! (and I think Daniel will be even much happier than me ;)) Those cycles you chose are absolutely excellent, I hope you will enjoy them! :)

Quote from: Lisztianwagner on May 16, 2012, 03:14:03 AM
I'm very pleased you're going to dive into Mahler's music, John! (and I think Daniel will be even much happier than me ;)) Those cycles you chose are absolutely excellent, I hope you will enjoy them! :)

Thanks, Ilaria. I'm hoping to start diving into Mahler later today or tomorrow.

Quote from: Mirror Image on May 15, 2012, 06:33:39 PM
I deleted everything on one of my 16 GB Nano iPods, so now I'm about to seriously embark on a huge Mahler journey from the symphonies to the song cycles. My Dad has a 12-14 Mahler symphony box sets loaded on his hard drive from where he ripped the CDs to Mp3 for iPod. I don't know if these are all he has on the hard drive or not, but I'm going to load up maybe around 6 or 7 box sets and some single releases as well. Here are what I'm going to add:

Abbado - DG set w/ various orchestras
Rattle - EMI set w/ various orchestras
Bertini - EMI set w/ Cologne Radio Symphony
Haitink - Philips set w/ Royal Concertgebouw
Chailly - Decca set w/ Royal Concertgebouw, Berlin Radio Symphony
Tennstedt - EMI set w/ London Philharmonic
Solti - Decca set w/ Chicago Symphony
Boulez - DG recordings w/ various orchestras

I'm not going to put any Mahler Bernstein on this iPod for the simple reason that I've heard every one of his Mahler recordings from Sony and DG. I want to see how well of each of these acclaimed cycles hold up against his but mainly I want to hear the music in a fresher, new light and I think these sets will help me achieve this. Hopefully, I'll put these on tomorrow and start listening very soon.

Really glad to hear this, John! Ilaria was right, very very happy indeed that you are going on a Mahlerian journey!

I'm sure you'll be pleased with this news too:

After just finishing my last listening project, the Wagner Ring Cycle, which took just under 2 months, I shall now start an exploration into the music of Tippett. I hope to start that this week, probably listening to the 'Concerto for Double String Orchestra' and 'The Rose Lake' first. :)
Also, I'll probably start the Villa Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras soon too. :)

So, does this new Mahler journey mean you may be interested in rejoining the Mahler comparisons I am/will be running, John? :)

Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 16, 2012, 09:25:27 AM
Really glad to hear this, John! Ilaria was right, very very happy indeed that you are going on a Mahlerian journey!

I'm sure you'll be pleased with this news too:

After just finishing my last listening project, the Wagner Ring Cycle, which took just under 2 months, I shall now start an exploration into the music of Tippett. I hope to start that this week, probably listening to the 'Concerto for Double String Orchestra' and 'The Rose Lake' first. :)
Also, I'll probably start the Villa Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras soon too. :)

So, does this new Mahler journey mean you may be interested in rejoining the Mahler comparisons I am/will be running, John? :)

This is good news, Daniel. I'm actually listening to Mahler's 7th right now with Simon Rattle and the CBSO. Really good performance, but I've always admired it. I'm afraid I won't be joining you in the Mahler comparison thread. I'm just now starting to get back into Mahler and I want to take my time with the music. I'll just be too busy listening to his music to participate. I'm sure you understand.

Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 16, 2012, 09:25:27 AMI shall now start an exploration into the music of Tippett. I hope to start that this week, probably listening to the 'Concerto for Double String Orchestra' and 'The Rose Lake' first. :)
Also, I'll probably start the Villa Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras soon too. :)

So, does this new Mahler journey mean you may be interested in rejoining the Mahler comparisons I am/will be running, John? :)

Are you familiar with the Fantasia concertante on a theme of Corelli by Tippett, Daniel? Beautiful music that one. I should check the pieces you mention, too (well, I've heard the concerto once)
I still haven't gotten to Mahler's 8th or 10th  ::)
And the Third I ought to listen again.
Then there's the Boulez Bartók box - Wooden Prince unheard, among others...

Quote from: Mirror Image on May 16, 2012, 12:13:55 PM
This is good news, Daniel. I'm actually listening to Mahler's 7th right now with Simon Rattle and the CBSO. Really good performance, but I've always admired it. I'm afraid I won't be joining you in the Mahler comparison thread. I'm just now starting to get back into Mahler and I want to take my time with the music. I'll just be too busy listening to his music to participate. I'm sure you understand.

This is great to hear, John. The 7th is just such a great piece! The first movement from the 7th is one of my absolute favourite Mahler movements. The Rattle is a rather great performance. My current favourite in this symphony would be Solti. Ok, no problem, and yes, I understand. I will be doing a Blind Comparison for each of the Mahler symphonies, which will be spread over a long period of time, so if you ever want to join in, you are more than welcome! Again, really good to hear you are enjoying Mahler, John! :)

Quote from: North Star on May 16, 2012, 01:57:16 PM
Are you familiar with the Fantasia concertante on a theme of Corelli by Tippett, Daniel? Beautiful music that one. I should check the pieces you mention, too (well, I've heard the concerto once)
I still haven't gotten to Mahler's 8th or 10th  ::)
And the Third I ought to listen again.
Then there's the Boulez Bartók box - Wooden Prince unheard, among others...

I am not yet, Karlo. I know very little of Tippett's music, so this will really be my first exploration into his music. One of the cds I have purchased does have the work you mention though, so I look forward to hearing it!
Mahler 8 is a magnificent work! Make that a must! ;) The 10th is particularly beautiful as well! In the box set, do you have just the adagio, or is it Rattle's BPO performance of the Cooke II version?
Ah yes, the Boulez Bartok set is yet another set of recordings I wish to own...! :D

Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 16, 2012, 02:01:35 PM
I am not yet, Karlo. I know very little of Tippett's music, so this will really be my first exploration into his music. One of the cds I have purchased does have the work you mention though, so I look forward to hearing it!
Mahler 8 is a magnificent work! Make that a must! ;) The 10th is particularly beautiful as well! In the box set, do you have just the adagio, or is it Rattle's BPO performance of the Cooke II version?
Ah yes, the Boulez Bartok set is yet another set of recordings I wish to own...! :D

Go here AT ONCE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqTeQa7MDQ

The box includes Rattle's BPO Cooke II. Do you have any thoughts on the Cooke completion ?
The Boulez Bartok set is superb :D

Quote from: North Star on May 16, 2012, 02:25:25 PM
Go here AT ONCE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqTeQa7MDQ

The box includes Rattle's BPO Cooke II. Do you have any thoughts on the Cooke completion ?
The Boulez Bartok set is superb :D

haha - thanks for the link, Karlo! I am very excited to start exploring Tippett's music! John's enthusiasm really does work it's way to our minds... ;) I would listen to it now, but it's heading towards midnight over here in England, so I shall save it for when I am more awake. ;)

To be honest, the '10th' is the Mahler symphony I know least. I really need to spend some more time with it, I have only heard it once or twice. But, from those listenings, I can say that I do love it very much. And of course, am very grateful to Cooke! I hope to listen to the 10th again very soon. This discussion has certainly put me in the mood for it!
I can certainly imagine the Boulez Bartok being superb, yes! :)

Have a nice evening, Karlo!

Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 16, 2012, 02:32:34 PM
haha - thanks for the link, Karlo! I am very excited to start exploring Tippett's music! John's enthusiasm really does work it's way to our minds... ;) I would listen to it now, but it's heading towards midnight over here in England, so I shall save it for when I am more awake. ;)

To be honest, the '10th' is the Mahler symphony I know least. I really need to spend some more time with it, I have only heard it once or twice. But, from those listenings, I can say that I do love it very much. And of course, am very grateful to Cooke! I hope to listen to the 10th again very soon. This discussion has certainly put me in the mood for it!
I can certainly imagine the Boulez Bartok being superb, yes! :)

Have a nice evening, Karlo!

Yeah, here in Finland it's still over 22 hours to midnight  :P

Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 16, 2012, 02:01:35 PMThis is great to hear, John. The 7th is just such a great piece! The first movement from the 7th is one of my absolute favourite Mahler movements. The Rattle is a rather great performance. My current favourite in this symphony would be Solti. Ok, no problem, and yes, I understand. I will be doing a Blind Comparison for each of the Mahler symphonies, which will be spread over a long period of time, so if you ever want to join in, you are more than welcome! Again, really good to hear you are enjoying Mahler, John! :)

The 7th, from what I've read, has always been viewed as the 'problem child' symphony meaning, I suppose, that it is probably the most enigmatic of them all. I don't know if I agree with this or not, but I think what could possibly give people the most trouble comes from the actual structure of the symphony, especially with those Nachtmusik I & II sandwiched between other movements, but to be perfectly honest I think it's one of Mahler's greatest symphonic creations. The last two movements are especially memorable and moving for me.

I think that the enigmatic quality is because of the very different moods and their quick changing in the symphony. It is very hysteric music much of the time.
I agree with you that it's one of the best works of Mahler.
(BTW, John, it's rather irritating that you seem to be offline all the time, even when you post)

Quote from: North Star on May 16, 2012, 02:52:22 PM
I think that the enigmatic quality is because of the very different moods and their quick changing in the symphony. It is very hysteric music much of the time.

Any fan of Mahler will know that in order to love the music, you have to love his multiple personalities. ;) :D

Quote from: Mirror Image on May 16, 2012, 03:09:15 PM
Any fan of Mahler will know that in order to love the music, you have to love his multiple personalities. ;) :D

Yes, we agree with you on this subject.

Quote from: North Star on May 16, 2012, 03:12:35 PM
Yes, we agree with you on this subject.

:P

Quote from: Mirror Image on May 16, 2012, 02:38:43 PM
The 7th, from what I've read, has always been viewed as the 'problem child' symphony meaning, I suppose, that it is probably the most enigmatic of them all. I don't know if I agree with this or not, but I think what could possibly give people the most trouble comes from the actual structure of the symphony, especially with those Nachtmusik I & II sandwiched between other movements, but to be perfectly honest I think it's one of Mahler's greatest symphonic creations. The last two movements are especially memorable and moving for me.

It is... yes... I personally think that it is Mahler's most 'inventive' symphony, and some listeners may find it simply too strange. But, at least we all appear to love it! The last movement is certainly absolutely brilliant! The first movement is one of my favourite Mahler movements. Such great music!

Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 17, 2012, 09:49:07 AM
It is... yes... I personally think that it is Mahler's most 'inventive' symphony, and some listeners may find it simply too strange. But, at least we all appear to love it! The last movement is certainly absolutely brilliant! The first movement is one of my favourite Mahler movements. Such great music!

I agree. There's something so melancholy and tranquil for me about Nachtmusik II. It's scored for reduced orchestra as well. It has a chamber-like feel to the music, but with just enough bottom end to know you're listening to Mahler. ;)

Quote from: Mirror Image on May 17, 2012, 10:36:54 AM
I agree. There's something so melancholy and tranquil for me about Nachtmusik II. It's scored for reduced orchestra as well. It has a chamber-like feel to the music, but with just enough bottom end to know you're listening to Mahler. ;)

Oh yes, that's an absolutely stunning movement. Glad to hear you being so enthusiastic about Mahler, John! :)

Current projects brewing...

1. Finish up my survey of Xenakis' music
2. Listen to my Cerha, Furrer, and Rihm recordings
3. Revisit a lot of my Les Six collection including a Poulenc EMI box set that hasn't been explored yet
4. Revisit many of my Latin American recordings (mainly Revueltas, Chavez, Villa-Lobos, Ginastera)
5. Listen to Martinu's SQ cycle
6. Listen to Satie's solo piano music
7. Revisit Barber's entire orchestral oeuvre

Quote from: James on November 16, 2013, 06:59:01 AM
Dig your musical enthusiasm.  8)

Thanks? I don't know if you're being sarcastic here, James.

Currently finishing up a most pleasurable self-assigned MusicWeb labor: writing a guide to the 40 download albums BIS is offering at clearance prices to celebrate their 40th anniversary, over at eClassical (http://www.eclassical.com/). (The physical CDs are on sale at Presto.)

Quote from: Mirror Image on November 16, 2013, 05:32:37 PM
Thanks? I don't know if you're being sarcastic here, James.

When you get a very positive response, best to accept it.

Quote from: Sammy on November 17, 2013, 08:38:06 AM
When you get a very positive response, best to accept it.

From James, yes, I suppose I should! :)

Quote from: Brian on November 17, 2013, 07:14:21 AM
Currently finishing up a most pleasurable self-assigned MusicWeb labor: writing a guide to the 40 download albums BIS is offering at clearance prices to celebrate their 40th anniversary, over at eClassical (http://www.eclassical.com/). (The physical CDs are on sale at Presto.)

It would be interesting to read your guide.

As for my projects, I very much enjoyed listening to Mahler's symphonies last year and earlier this year. I never heard them before.

For next year, I'm thinking about investigating Debussy and Schoenberg. I've bought a couple books about these two composers and I have some cds by them, so next year I may get more orchestral music by Debussy and later Schoenberg pieces. Although, there's just so little time for music and too much interesting stuff that I would like to check out besides these two composers. Obviously, I will get distracted by something else.

Quote from: Artem on November 17, 2013, 03:04:11 PM
It would be interesting to read your guide.

As for my projects, I very much enjoyed listening to Mahler's symphonies last year and earlier this year. I never heard them before.

For next year, I'm thinking about investigating Debussy and Schoenberg. I've bought a couple books about these two composers and I have some cds by them, so next year I may get more orchestral music by Debussy and later Schoenberg pieces. Although, there's just so little time for music and too much interesting stuff that I would like to check out besides these two composers. Obviously, I will get distracted by something else.

Debussy and Schoenberg are two of the 20th century's most seminal composers and you would greatly benefit from investigating their music! Schoenberg is not always easy listening, but seeing that you like some avant-garde music, you shouldn't have too much trouble with him. Just ask us if you need any help with recording recommendations! Personally, I would check out Haitink's recordings of Debussy's orchestral works and either Boulez or Craft in Schoenberg (though I prefer Karajan in Verklarte Nacht and Pelleas and Melisande). It would be a shame if you decided to bypass their music! :)

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I'm also planing on taking more time with the individual composers' threads.

Quote from: Artem on November 17, 2013, 03:11:44 PM
Thank you for the words of encouragement. I'm also planing on taking more time with the individual composers' threads.

My pleasure! Yes, the individual composer threads are valuable resources for getting to know more about a particular composer.

Quote from: James on November 17, 2013, 03:13:42 PM
STILL exploring Stockhausen, the exploration began in 2007 after his death, and I've become somewhat obsessed.

It's ok, I don't think anyone has noticed. ;D

Quote from: amw on November 17, 2013, 03:57:54 PM
It's ok, I don't think anyone has noticed. ;D

Lol :laugh:......

Not a guarantee, but I'm thinking of listening to a lot more Haydn in the coming months.  My history is that I have plenty of Haydn discs but don't play them much except for the Cello Concertos (Coin/Hogwood) and keyboard sonatas.  However, recent listening of the string quartets op. 20 from the Solomon Qt. has given me new perspective and insight into Haydn's music and I'm hungry to move on to his other works.  Well, looks like I've talked myself into that guarantee. 

My foremost current listening project is the EMI Delius set. Also, I'm making my way through the Rimsky/Gergiev opera box, the Kempe Strauss set, and the DG Brahms chamber music collection. I plan to revisit Boult's EMI recordings of VW's orchestral works soon. I'll also be interspersing some more modern stuff in there as well.

Quote from: Artem on November 17, 2013, 03:04:11 PM
It would be interesting to read your guide.

Thanks! I hope to have it done and posted on MusicWeb by the end of this week or maybe the start of next.

My listening projects for pleasure:
- Arthur Rubinstein edition
- Murray Perahia edition
- complete Haydn symphonies

I am going to declare 2014 the year of the Schus, because over the last few months my interest in both Schubert and Schumann has been surging - almost unquenchable. This goal happily coincides with a lot of the recordings by Rubinstein and Perahia.

You should try some Schutz.

Quote from: The new erato on November 17, 2013, 08:51:07 PM
You should try some Schutz.

Agreed, although technically it's Schütz.  ;)

As for my 'projects', that Ligeti Project box is definitely one. And then Le Sage's Schumann, when it arrives.

OK; Schulhoff then.

Current box sets I plan to finish:

Hogwoods 32 CD set of Haydn
The Naxos 10 CD set of Lutoslawski

I am slightly past the midway mark on both.

Quote from: The new erato on November 17, 2013, 09:25:16 PM
OK; Schulhoff then.

I love Schulhoff, that would be a great addition! And there's always William Schuman, of whom I maybe know two or three pieces, tops.

Quote from: Brian on November 18, 2013, 04:34:12 AM
I love Schulhoff, that would be a great addition! And there's always William Schuman, of whom I maybe know two or three pieces, tops.

Listen to Schütz, too, though!

A few more projects of mine:

1. Finish all the RCO Anthology box sets I have (Volumes 5-7)
2. Revisit all of Dvorak's symphonies, tone poems, and concertante works
3. Tackle the rest of Ogawa's set of Debussy's solo piano music (I've already heard two discs from the set)
4. Listen to more of Respighi's orchestral oeuvre --- I've already heard so much but need to listen to some of the more unknown works
5. Go through all of my Portrait recordings of Canadian composers

But some of these projects will be halted in December as I'm going to devote a lot of my listening time to Delius (again). I'm also going to be writing an article on the composer and I don't know how long it will take me.

Quote from: Mirror Image on November 18, 2013, 07:48:32 AM
But some of these projects will be halted in December as I'm going to devote a lot of my listening time to Delius (again). I'm also going to be writing an article on the composer and I don't know how long it will take me.

This is great news, John.   :)

No, seriously, it is great news.  I feel like all is right with the world again.  I would look forward to reading your article, and I am going to put Delius on the 2014 "composers to explore" list.  :)

Quote from: Mirror Image on November 18, 2013, 07:48:32 AM
A few more projects of mine:

1. Finish all the RCO Anthology box sets I have (Volumes 5-7)
2. Revisit all of Dvorak's symphonies, tone poems, and concertante works
3. Tackle the rest of Ogawa's set of Debussy's solo piano music (I've already heard two discs from the set)
4. Listen to more of Respighi's orchestral oeuvre --- I've already heard so much but need to listen to some of the more unknown works
5. Go through all of my Portrait recordings of Canadian composers

But some of these projects will be halted in December as I'm going to devote a lot of my listening time to Delius (again). I'm also going to be writing an article on the composer and I don't know how long it will take me.

Sounds great, John! That Ogawa set is excellent. Such colorful, nuanced performances.

Quote from: ChamberNut on November 18, 2013, 08:50:24 AM
This is great news, John.   :)

No, seriously, it is great news.  I feel like all is right with the world again.  I would look forward to reading your article, and I am going to put Delius on the 2014 "composers to explore" list.  :)

Thanks, Ray! You'd be interested to know, as well, that I'm going to be revisiting a lot of Richard Strauss' music as well. There's still so much of his music that I haven't heard. I'm beginning to feel quite bad for the things I said about his music now as I'm sure Kyle is as well.

Hopefully, I'll have that article written before the end of December (maybe sooner). I'll definitely be posting it in the Delius thread with some pictures to go along with the article.

Quote from: kyjo on November 18, 2013, 11:04:19 AM
Sounds great, John! That Ogawa set is excellent. Such colorful, nuanced performances.

What I heard so far, Kyle, I couldn't disagree with you. Lovely performances.

The only one I'm really pursuing just now is finishing the Haydn symphonies with Fischer conducting. I'm in the low 90's and it's been a fun ride so far.

Quote from: Mirror Image on November 18, 2013, 01:36:48 PM
I'm beginning to feel quite bad for the things I said about his music now as I'm sure Kyle is as well.

Yeah, I do! The bad thing is that we spurred each other on in trashing Strauss' music! ;D

Quote from: kyjo on November 18, 2013, 02:45:11 PM
Yeah, I do! The bad thing is that we spurred each other on in trashing Strauss' music! ;D

Yeah, big mistake on our parts for sure! There are so many gems in Strauss' oeuvre. Certainly one of the major composers of the 20th Century.

Quote from: Mirror Image on November 18, 2013, 02:49:23 PM
Yeah, big mistake on our parts for sure! There are so many gems in Strauss' oeuvre. Certainly one of the major composers of the 20th Century.

Yes, a major composer for sure. His music just lacks that "breathtaking" feeling that permeates the music of my very favorite composers. Lots of powerful moments in his music, though; I've had the majestic horn theme of Don Juan in my system for a couple weeks. I think I'll revisit Ein Heldenleben tonight. I recall liking the opening but being bored by the rest of the work; I expect that opinion to change!

Quote from: kyjo on November 18, 2013, 02:56:38 PM
Yes, a major composer for sure. His music just lacks that "breathtaking" feeling that permeates the music of my very favorite composers. Lots of powerful moments in his music, though; I've had the majestic horn theme of Don Juan in my system for a couple weeks. I think I'll revisit Ein Heldenleben tonight. I recall liking the opening but being bored by the rest of the work; I expect that opinion to change!

I don't know if I agree with that, Kyle. There are moments in Eine Alpensifonie where my breath quite taken away and even Don Juan, with the right performance, can take one's breath away if caught in the music. I think one thing I'm going to try to do is not compare him to any of my favorite composers and just listen to the music with an unbiased ear.

  Current Listening Projects:

  Right now I am thoroughly enjoying this set:

  [asin]B001TH28EY[/asin]

  So far I have heard the first handful of operas.  I am now on Discs 14-16 La Finta Giardiniera. There are 40 CDs in this boxset and I am enjoying it so much that I do not wish to race through it.  I have been replaying arias and ensembles that I liked.

 

Quote from: stingo on November 18, 2013, 02:12:23 PM
The only one I'm really pursuing just now is finishing the Haydn symphonies with Fischer conducting. I'm in the low 90's and it's been a fun ride so far.

  A fine set stingo  8).  That was my listening project many months ago. So much variety across the 104 symphonies I was never bored or fatigued. 

  marvin

Quote from: Artem on November 17, 2013, 03:04:11 PM
It would be interesting to read your guide.

It's online! (http://musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Nov13/BIS_40_feature.htm)

Thank you.

My main listening project right now is to listen to Elgar's The Kingdom and The Apostles (both are Elder/Halle recordings).

Nothing but Havergal Brian until the end of 2013.

Quote from: springrite on December 24, 2013, 07:07:54 PM
Nothing but Havergal Brian until the end of 2013.

Nice, I'll definitely have to reignite another Brian-a-thon very soon.

Quote from: Mirror Image on December 24, 2013, 07:11:25 PM
Nice, I'll definitely have to reignite another Brian-a-thon very soon.

I wouldn't doubt it. You do more of that type of thing than anyone around here. We should call you the "Thon(g) Man"!

Quote from: springrite on December 24, 2013, 07:27:33 PM
I wouldn't doubt it. You do more of that type of thing than anyone around here. We should call you the "Thon(g) Man"!

:P

Not many of my listening projects have actually happened but...I'm hoping next week, since I'll be on vacation, I can make this one actually happen:

1. Listen to Elgar's The Kingdom and The Apostles again. I really enjoyed both of these works much more than The Dream of Gerontius, but I'll try to give Gerontius another listen. I've already listened to The Kingdom twice.

2. Listen to more of Holst's music. I have severely neglected this man's music for no good reason. I know several of his works outside of The Planets of course, but I don't know them that well. I'm hoping to give The Hymn of Jesus, Egdon Heath, Hammersmith, The Golden Goose, Japanese Suite, Ballet Music from 'The Perfect Fool,' Beni Mora, A Fugal Concerto, Double Concerto, A Somerset Rhapsody, The Mystic Trumpeter, etc. another listen. Truth be told, he's never been a favorite of mine, but I do think he's written some fine music.

3. Re-listen to Tippett's A Midsummer Marriage. This is such a wonderful opera that I feel quite ashamed I haven't listened to it in quite some time.

4. Listen to the Shostakovich recordings I have coming in the mail: Ashkenazy's The Execution of Stepan Razin on Ondina and Petrenko's recording of Symphony No. 4 which has been highly praised by...well...everyone! 8)

5. Listen to my Lennox and Michael Berkeley and Walton recordings whenever they arrive. Already listened to Lloyd-Jones' recording of Walton's ballet The Quest today and highly enjoyed it. Look forward to exploring these discs.

Edited:

6. Get my head wrapped around Bax's music. I remain rather indifferent to this composer at the moment so I'm hoping to change this over the course of my vacation.

Certainly enjoying it very much so far!
[asin]B0002RUAFQ[/asin]

Mozart - Piano Concertos (Immerseel)
Chopin: all works
Beethoven: my symphony cycles and cycles of piano sonatas
Rossini: operas
Mozart: operas
Handel: operas

I have about 2-300 unlistened to CDs arranged in bins in my smallest bedroom, which I use as a walk-in closet.  I never put a CD on my shelves in the living room until I have listened to it.  There, I have about 5-6,000 CDs. 

Also in my living room, on the top of an equipment rack, I have four stacks of CDs.  I listen to one CD from one stack and then go to the next stack, though sometimes I will listen to more than one CD if a single work extends over more than 1 CD, and then I go on to the next stack, and just keep rotating. 

Stack 1 is for operas and vocal music of all sorts.  From that stack, I am currently listening to Purcell's complete sacred music in an 11 CD box, performed by conductor Robert King and the King's Consort, and various choirs and soloists. 

Stack 2 is for piano music, mostly solo piano music, but some of the items are boxes with mixed solo and orchestral music.  Right now, I am listening to the complete EMI recordings of Samson Francois on a 36 CD set. 

Stack 3 is for symphonic music; right now I am listening to the Giulini set of the Brahms Symphonies with the VPO. 

And Stack 4 is for chamber music.  Right now I have an assortment of 3 individual CDs--under that is a set of the complete Brahms chamber music from hyperion.

Forgot I started this thread, does anyone have any current listening projects?

Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 01, 2014, 05:28:34 AM
Certainly enjoying it very much so far!
[asin]B0002RUAFQ[/asin]

Now that you're back, Daniel, what did you think of Haitink's RVW cycle?

the LPs on the New World and Louisville labels
The cover for the Erb was unusual for Louisville, they generally had generic fronts with notes on the back
sample covers:

Quote from: Mirror Image on September 21, 2014, 07:46:34 PM
Forgot I started this thread, does anyone have any current listening projects?

Good thread!

-Over the summer I was going through Haydn symphonies, but I've taken a break and just listen to my favorite ones that I've heard.

-I also went through many of Ohana's orchestral works, but there aren't many of them, sadly. And I heard the SQs, which were pretty good, but I didn't like them as much.

-After seeing a documentary on Ligeti a while back I've been working my way through Ockeghem masses This is because clip of the Missa Prolationum was played and I found it to be (1) beautiful, and (2) eye-opening into Ligeti's music. His "micropolyphonic" style wouldn't exist without this direct connection to polyphonic mass settings.

-Over the summer I listened to all of Mahler's symphonies (except I never got around to 3 and 8).

Very cool, Nate. 8)

Quote from: Mirror Image on September 22, 2014, 02:26:17 PM
Very cool, Nate. 8)

:laugh: Haha, I just realized that my post from this morning contained a '8' and a ')' without a space. That is a really annoying smiley character combination! I meant Mahler 8, not Mahler 8) !

Quote from: EigenUser on September 22, 2014, 02:32:51 PM
:laugh: Haha, I just realized that my post from this morning contained a '8' and a ')' without a space. That is a really annoying smiley character combination! I meant Mahler 8, not Mahler 8) !

8)

I waffled for a while on the Gardiner Cantatas box. But I recently noticed it's out of stock at amazon (and AMP prices have gone up), and it's on sale from presto (albeit with a hefty charge for transatlantic shipping), so I took the plunge.

Today I started on it with disc 44, which I believe is the liturgically appropriate disc for today. I'm going to try to continue that for a year. Has anybody else done this or tried?

Quote from: Pat B on October 12, 2014, 09:23:57 PM
I waffled for a while on the Gardiner Cantatas box. But I recently noticed it's out of stock at amazon (and AMP prices have gone up), and it's on sale from presto (albeit with a hefty charge for transatlantic shipping), so I took the plunge.

Today I started on it with disc 44, which I believe is the liturgically appropriate disc for today. I'm going to try to continue that for a year. Has anybody else done this or tried?

I did just that for the first half of this year, adding other recordings where I have them (Herreweghe mostly, a bit of Koopman and some oldies) ... but broke the habit for lack of time. Love the Gardiner box and the Bach cantatas.

I once tried to listen to most of the cantatas throughout the liturgical year, but I did not have a complete set and got lost after a few weeks.
(In German Radio they play at least one every sunday morning at 7 or 7:30 or so, so one doesn't even need recordings.)
Although I love some of the cantatas it's not music I am so passionate about, so I would probably lose the patience if I tried again.
But one guy (in a German language forum) kept going and even wrote up short comments every week!
If you read German:
http://www.tamino-klassikforum.at/index.php?page=Board&boardID=80

Quote from: Pat B on October 12, 2014, 09:23:57 PM
I waffled for a while on the Gardiner Cantatas box. But I recently noticed it's out of stock at amazon (and AMP prices have gone up), and it's on sale from presto (albeit with a hefty charge for transatlantic shipping), so I took the plunge.

Today I started on it with disc 44, which I believe is the liturgically appropriate disc for today. I'm going to try to continue that for a year. Has anybody else done this or tried?

I think SDG is releasing a new batch. It's listed in several UK stores as a future release.

Quote from: king ubu on October 13, 2014, 11:25:32 AM
I did just that for the first half of this year, adding other recordings where I have them (Herreweghe mostly, a bit of Koopman and some oldies) ... but broke the habit for lack of time. Love the Gardiner box and the Bach cantatas.

Yes, it's a bit ambitious for me as I don't generally plan out my listening in advance, and I don't always do a lot of listening on Sundays. We'll see how it goes.

Brian, I'm actually glad to hear it's being re-pressed.

Quote from: Pat B on October 13, 2014, 12:36:27 PM
Yes, it's a bit ambitious for me as I don't generally plan out my listening in advance, and I don't always do a lot of listening on Sundays. We'll see how it goes.

I loved doing it, but just ran out of time and had to focus on stuff that didn't allow for most vocal music (I can listen while reading, but not to opera or lieder or anything where I can actually understand much of what's being sung - now I'm playing Monteverdi in the background and that's no problem at all, even though I might occasionally catch a phrase or two).

Anyway, I might give this another try next year, that time maybe reading along Gardiner's extensive notes as well - but I definitely plan to listen to the second half of the box sooner than that.

My own listening projects for the future are many ... and they're ambitious. I'll probably get started with the first pretty soon, but might interrupt and pursue other things in between:

• try and figure out how all of this stuff works ... starting with medieval music, proceeding into Renaissance and Baroque, reading along some books and articles etc.
• follow the development of the "symphony" (I've gotten to Beethoven by now, but with the Hogwood Haydn just in, I'll take a turn backwards first, before I go on with Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, Bruckner, Mahler)
• get started on string quartets and again proceed more or less chronologically from Haydn and Mozart via Beethoven on to the romantics and on to Shostakovich etc.

There's more, but those three are the ambitious ones, whilst other things I'll approach in a more casual manner (i.e. bel canto opera, Baroque opera, orchestral music from France, Belgium, Russia, more german Baroque music, though of course the baroque stuff might get included in the first and most ambitious of my "projects" ...)

Anyway, this is not "current", or rather, it will be "current" for months and years to come  :)

Since I have a good bit of Strauss on the way, I'll definitely be turning my attention to his music for November. My CD collection is so scattered around that I'm also in the process of at least getting some things more organized. Like, for example, a few hours ago, I started getting all of my Strauss together. This is going to take some time that's for sure. :)

The only listening 'project' I can think of is trying to find a suitable frame of mind in which I can sit down and listen for the first time to the St Matthew Passion. I also have a 10-volume collection of music from the Warsaw Autumn festival which I need to listen to in order to get up to speed on some of the mystery scores Maciek's been posting.

Also I am apparently going to end up with every version of Kreisleriana ever recorded. I've started transferring my files to new and bigger electronic storage and recategorising them in a more sensible way, I've completed about 30 GB of ~700 and already have three Kreislerianas. They're all pretty good too, so I can't really choose between. I miss the days when I made do with just one recording of everything :(

This arrived last week and I'm going through them 1 CD per day in chronological order. Much better so far than my Hungarian SQ box.

[asin]B000051ZPV[/asin]

Quote from: Holden on October 19, 2014, 11:51:33 AM
This arrived last week and I'm going through them 1 CD per day in chronological order. Much better so far than my Hungarian SQ box.

Do you have recordings by groups from other parts of the world, Holden?

I'm almost finished with my complete comparison of all versions I have of every all Haydn symphonies, taken in Hoboken order (currently finishing symphony 101). I know, it's crazy. Took me about 6 months, with about 3 versions everyday.

Quote from: amw on October 18, 2014, 10:31:45 PM
The only listening 'project' I can think of is trying to find a suitable frame of mind in which I can sit down and listen for the first time to the St Matthew Passion.

Herreweghe's first version is one of my top 10 recordings of anything, by anyone, in any musical category.

[asin]B00158UFGA[/asin]

Quote from: king ubu on October 14, 2014, 12:51:04 AM
Anyway, I might give this another try next year, that time maybe reading along Gardiner's extensive notes as well - but I definitely plan to listen to the second half of the box sooner than that.

Does the Big Gardiner Box come with notes or a book? How does that work?

Quote from: amw on October 18, 2014, 10:31:45 PM
Also I am apparently going to end up with every version of Kreisleriana ever recorded.

*signs up for future blind comparison game*

I have been working through Brahms' catalogue of compositions while reading Jan Swafford's biography of Brahms. I find this to be a very useful approach to discover new music and composers.

Quote from: Jay F on October 19, 2014, 01:21:03 PM
Herreweghe's first version is one of my top 10 recordings of anything, by anyone, in any musical category.

I don't really need recording recommendations, there are plenty out there... just trying to figure out what emotional state I should be in when I first listen, what to do with the rest of the day, etc. v_v

Quote from: Brian on October 19, 2014, 01:28:11 PM
*signs up for future blind comparison game*

maybe in 2015...

Quote from: Cosi bel do on October 19, 2014, 11:59:49 AM
I'm almost finished with my complete comparison of all versions I have of every all Haydn symphonies, taken in Hoboken order (currently finishing symphony 101). I know, it's crazy. Took me about 6 months, with about 3 versions everyday.

That explains where you were, at least.
Please report to Haydn's Haus!

And glad to see you back.

Quote from: amw on October 19, 2014, 01:45:45 PM
I don't really need recording recommendations, there are plenty out there... just trying to figure out what emotional state I should be in when I first listen, what to do with the rest of the day, etc. v_v

Awake, and not hungry. Go for a walk afterwards.

OK, now listen to it.  0:)

Quote from: Brian on October 19, 2014, 01:28:11 PM
Does the Big Gardiner Box come with notes or a book? How does that work?

Not really - a small book with some lists, basic info (tracklists, soloists, even full orchestra listing, recording location/date) is on the single sleeves (foldout cardboard ones - cardboard is a bit thin, but the whole things looks wonderful, with Steve McCurry's portraits on each of the discs. You then get a CD-rom with extensive liner notes (I've not looked at it since buying the box about a year ago, but I think it's something like Gardiner's on-going "diary" commenting on each part of the whole "pilgrimage" - lots of reading for sure, if you want to read it all).

Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on October 19, 2014, 01:49:20 PM
That explains where you were, at least.
Please report to Haydn's Haus!

And glad to see you back.

Well, actually, I was mainly taken by other (more "serious") occupations... My Haydn project was more like a relief :D

And a little pissed off by how my Mahler comparison was wasted because of childish arguments, on another forum, and "finished" there by someone else with a jury of only five...

I'll do that about Haydn :)

This week on Naxos Music Library, I hope to focus on the symphonies of Lyatoshynsky and the piano recordings of Ragna Schirmer.

Quote from: Brian on October 20, 2014, 12:12:53 PM...and the piano recordings of Ragna Schirmer.

Just make sure it's the piano recordings, and not the god awful Hammond Handel.

Quote from: Philo on October 20, 2014, 12:29:26 PMI also recently completed a listen to over 70 versions of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 30.

Now that's something I could get into.

re: Bach: Sacred Cantatas.

So far I have kept up. I think this is 9 weeks in.

Today is the Second Sunday in Advent. According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wachet!_betet!_betet!_wachet!_BWV_70) it is a bit unique in the cycle. The only cantata for today was expanded for a different occasion (BWV 70), and the original is apparently lost. So instead, since it is two Sundays after the twenty-third Sunday after Trinity, I listened to the two cantatas for the twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity (which doesn't exist this year).

In a some years, Advent II aligns with Trinity XXVI, which is the occasion for BWV 70.

Quote from: Brian on October 20, 2014, 12:12:53 PM
I hope to focus on the symphonies of Lyatoshynsky

Was just listening to Lyatoshinsky's Symphony No. 3 on Russian Disc.  Very good music.

On repeat Pécou's latest recording Tremendum. All works by Schubert. Different Beethoven symphonies cycles.

Quote from: Todd on October 20, 2014, 12:28:38 PM


Just make sure it's the piano recordings, and not the god awful Hammond Handel.

"Hammond Handel", eh?

I don't think he's that bad...

Hammond Handel

https://www.youtube.com/v/Pei-2ljoFRk

"Listening project" sounds like work, not fun.

Quote from: Jay F on December 08, 2014, 05:45:52 PM
"Listening project" sounds like work, not fun.

I wish I could find work that was like listening to Bach Cantatas on Sundays.

Quote from: Jay F on December 08, 2014, 05:45:52 PM
"Listening project" sounds like work, not fun.

Fun is a serious business.

Heard a violin sonata on the radio a while back and can't recall who composed it. Only thing that I can recall about it was that it was by a "name" composer from the Romantic or Late-Romantic era. Solution? Listen to all the violin sonatas I can come across from those two eras.

Greatest solution ever.

Quote from: Philo on December 09, 2014, 09:51:02 PM
Heard a violin sonata on the radio a while back and can't recall who composed it. Only thing that I can recall about it was that it was by a "name" composer from the Romantic or Late-Romantic era. Solution? Listen to all the violin sonatas I can come across from those two eras.

Greatest solution ever.

It was Grieg's Violin Sonata No. 2.