What are you listening to now?

[Brian]

Not a big Gergiev fan, but the internet seems to think that this is the best complete Sleeping Beauty on NML streaming.

[Karl Henning]

Interestingly, I was also just listening to

Mozart: Piano Sonata in B-flat K281
Mitsuko Uchida

Curious! 

Et maintenant:

Bach-Busoni
Chaconne in d minor, from BWV 1004
Pletnev

[aligreto]

Langgaard: Symphony No. 16 [Dausgaard]....





What a wonderful work with its buoyant and effervescent first two movements, particularly that opening movement. The subsequent two movements I found to be infused with pathos and poignancy. The final movement was beautifully lush and lyrical and heads towards and finally reaches a conclusion but not necessarily a resolution to what precedes it; fitting perhaps for a final symphony. Another very fine work of a high standard methinks.

[aligreto]

I finally bought the set,which was on offer at Presto. I had the downloads before and the cd of 2 & 4;but I have known the Fifth for quite a few years,from an off air cassette I made from a R3 broadcast. I like these symphonies. I have read allot of rave reviews of these symphonies in various places online,but I have noticed that opinions are more mixed here,overall. I also understand,from posts at the Unsung Composers Forum that there are some cuts in the scores used in these recordings?!! That aside,I like the sound of these symphonies. Very nationalistic,lots of heavy brass in evidence and some very beautiful nature writing. Symphony No 4 is a peach of a score with that lovely melody,sweeping strings and heavenly singing. No wonder it was so popular when it was first performed! When I first heard it,I remember I was listening in another room on cordless headphones;I thought,"Whoa! Now that's really something!"

Thank you for posting those comments. Although the set has been on my List for a long time and I have not bought it, it will stay on the List based on what you have said above 

[king ubu]

... the internet seems to think ...

Don't think so 

[aligreto]

Liszt: From CD 5, Prometheus....





A strong, assertive interpretation with wonderful orchestral colour and textures augmenting the tone and sense of drama and excitement of the music. A very fine performance.

[Mandryka]

Piet Wiersma plays Bach's B minor prelude BWV 544 at Noordbroek, very exciting playing. It's very well recorded too.

There's so much music by Bach, it seems inexhaustible.

[Florestan]

That would be contrary to what I think about Gade's Symphonies.

I was talking specifically about the 2nd. The 1st I liked, the others I've not yet heard.

[SonicMan46]

Koželuch, Leopold (1747-1818) - Keyboard Sonatas - just listened to Kemp English's Vol. 1 (his V.9 was just released) which I own on CD, and now enjoying Jenny Kim on Spotify w/ my den stereo (iPad cabled to AUX port) - both on fortepiano - believe that I'm liking Kim's instrument and her interpretations a little better than those of English - left a post in the 'Recordings Considering' thread - please post there if you might have some comparative listening of these two keyboardists in these sonatas.  Dave

 

[Todd]

Well, hell's bells, some Hindemith that I actually enjoy.  The quartets are very much of their time (early 20th Century), and are extremely finely crafted.  It sort of makes sense that a string player would write his best stuff for strings.  The Amar Quartet appear to be chamber music rock stars, and Naxos delivers sound as good as any label's.  I hope the next two volumes are as rewarding.

[Karl Henning]

Well, hell's bells, some Hindemith that I actually enjoy.

Glad you like the quartets.  You mean, you don't like the Kammermusiken?

[aligreto]

Locatelli: Introduttioni Teatrali Nos. 1-6 [Raglan Baroque Players]....





This is a first listen to these works for me. I found the music to be interesting, engaging and entertaining. It has good structure, exciting rhythmic passages and very pleasing harmonies. The "showtime" element is also captivating lending good drama and entertainment value to the proceedings as well. The music is also very well played in very tight performances which augments the inherent drive and forward momentum of the music.

[Florestan]

Locatelli: Introduttioni Teatrali Nos. 1-6 [Raglan Baroque Players]....





This is a first listen to these works for me. I found the music to be interesting, engaging and entertaining. It has good structure, exciting rhythmic passages and very pleasing harmonies. The "showtime" element is also captivating lending good drama and entertainment value to the proceedings as well. The music is also very well played in very tight performances which augments the inherent drive and forward momentum of the music.

Heartily agreed on all accounts.

[kishnevi]

  I hope the next two volumes are as rewarding.

They are
TD
[asin]B006H4GPPW[/asin]
First hearing yields a very positive reaction.

[Mister Sharpe]

Help, I'm bogged down in Russia, like Napoleon, Hitler and now Trump! 

That this recommendable work is not more popular may be testimony to the dominance of the emotive in violin and orchestral relationships as much as it is to the composer's complex writing style.  Though not lacking in warmth, or excitement, no one will leave the concert hall after a first hearing of Tanayev's Concert Suite humming an earworm.  Perhaps after a dozen listens...  Instead of tugging at heartstrings, the work grasps at synapses, counterpoint is king here and textures and recurring themes are to be identified and enjoyed.  A study of the Suite's structure would, besides revealing its composer's obsession (not exclusive) with Baroque models, no doubt prove rewarding.  I really like Korsakov's playing here, but feel compelled to compare some others', Lydia Mordkovitch's and Oistrakh's for example.   

Lordy, I see someone has this for sale on Ebay for Eur 34.90!

[HIPster]

TD
[asin]B006H4GPPW[/asin]
First hearing yields a very positive reaction.

Excellent. 

Sitting on my wishlist at the moment. . .  hmmmmm.

TD:

[asin]B01CH6SA60[/asin]

A recording that continues to grow on me (purchased last Summer).

[kishnevi]

Excellent. 

Sitting on my wishlist at the moment. . .  hmmmmm.

TD:

[asin]B01CH6SA60[/asin]

A recording that continues to grow on me (purchased last Summer).

Same here. I was listening to it again as part of my mini-binge of contemporary composers this week.  In the company of Carter and Wourinen, it held its own.

[Todd]

Glad you like the quartets.  You mean, you don't like the Kammermusiken?

The one disc of the works I did hear did not leave an entirely positive impression on me.

TD, first listen in a long time:

[kishnevi]

TD

In the form of the first two CDs of this
[asin]B004Y7F4HY[/asin]
Including Venezia e Napoli and all three "Annees", a full evening.

[Que]

Morning listening is music by Venetian composer  Baldassare Galuppi (unlike the cover and notes here, his first name is usually spelled with only one "r"):



Q