What are you listening to now?

[cilgwyn]

Raff is also a favourite composer in my book, I have virtually all that was recorded.
His symphonies are all gorgeous. Have them all, luckily.
I give those people who rate such composers mediocre, 5 rotten tomatoes.

Good,for you,Harry! I like Raff's symphonies,too!

[Karl Henning]

Prokofiev
Symphony № 5 in B^b, Op.100
Minneapolis Symphony
Doráti

[Mirror Image]

Stravinsky
Orpheus
Craft
LSO

[cilgwyn]

In another thread Louis Spohr was offered as an example of a "mediocre composer of too many symphonies". I strongly object to this notion: nine published symphonies are not too many, nor is he a mediocre composer. On the contrary, his symphonic output is original, witty, full of interesting ideas and arresting moments. His orchestration is colorful and effective and he had an obvious gift for catchy, expansive and uplifting tunes.

The piano trios show his lyrical, poetic, intimate side; the instruments are treated equally and blend in the most felicitous manner, passion and sensibility abound and there are stunning moments, as the Scherzo of the first Trio, which sounds almost like a tango.

Highly recommended.

I like Spohr,too! I enjoy his symphonies and chamber music. I like his choral music,too. I wish they'd record more of it,by the way! I like the genial,sunny nature of his symphonies,too. His orchestration in some of the symphonies is absolutely gorgeous. The "birdsong" in the Fourth symphony,for example!

[Karl Henning]

Stravinsky
Orpheus
Craft
LSO

(* frappant la table *)

[Mirror Image]

(* frappant la table *)

I just love this ballet. Well, I love ALL of Stravinsky's ballets. Not a dud in the bunch.

[cilgwyn]

On,now. A magnificent recording of this opera. The sound is mono;but it's difficult to imagine it getting a better recording. Indeed,I bought the Heinrich Hollreiser recording on the RCA label,which is in stereo;and made in the 70's I believe? No comparison. Despite,the 'improvement' in technology;the old recording has far more atmosphere. If I'd got to know this delightful opera via the Hollreiser,I probably wouldn't have bothered with it again. Although,you'd think RCA could have assembled a more distinctive cast? What a dull recording! I think emi would have done a better job. Some of Heger's recordings (for example) of lesser known operas,are,quite superb. I'm glad I bought the Hollreiser,though. It makes you realise what a good recording is all about. Although,I keep trying to get a s/h copy of Hollreisers,Der Zigeunerbaron,which is supposed to be very good.

[Sergeant Rock]

Debussy 12 Etudes and Schoenberg Drei Klavierstücke op.11 played by Uchida




Sarge

[SurprisedByBeauty]

How is that, Jens? IIRC, this was Waltraud Meier's first recording of Kundry, a role she would own for some 20 years. I have another Goodall Parsifal, with Jon Vickers and Amy Shuard (live form Covent Garden, on the ROH's now defunct house label). i must confess it's possibly the worst recording of the opera I have ever encountered...

Well, after hearing the streamlined, fairly elegant and quite good (but hardly inspiring) Parsifal of Bychkov's at the state opera (in a totally forgettable, shallow production of Alvis Hermanis'), I was happy to take this pliable, slow Parsifal in. Well, the first CD, at any rate. It's been a while since I listened to the whole thing. But if you didn't like his ROH Parsifal, I'm not sure you would like this one. From what I hear, the ROH Parsifal was indicative of his strengths (or lack thereof), and not particularly unusual. (True, haven't seen the ROH label... but it's definitely no more?)

TD:



#morninglistening to #2ndvienneseschool & a smattering of #LvB #pianomusic
w/TorEspenAspaas on #2L

#Webern #Berg #Schoenberg

: http://a-fwd.to/SORs93I

"#MirrorCanon"

[Traverso]

Beethoven


Good old Schmidt-Issersted    Symphony No.8

[ritter]

Well, after hearing the streamlined, fairly elegant and quite good (but hardly inspiring) Parsifal of Bychkov's at the state opera (in a totally forgettable, shallow production of Alvis Hermanis'), I was happy to take this pliable, slow Parsifal in. Well, the first CD, at any rate. It's been a while since I listened to the whole thing. But if you didn't like his ROH Parsifal, I'm not sure you would like this one. From what I hear, the ROH Parsifal was indicative of his strengths (or lack thereof), and not particularly unusual. (True, haven't seen the ROH label... but it's definitely no more?)

Thanks. Yep, I suppose Goodall's Welsh Parsifal is not for me...

Regarding Bychkov, he did do a rather accomplished Parsifal here in Madrid a couple of years ago (but not at the level of his Elektra, two years earlier--that was outstanding!). I've got tickets to see him (yet again) doing Parsifal in Bayreuth this summer.

I haven't seen any new CD releases from the ROH's label for years now, so I suppose it's gone for good.

[Mirror Image]

Villa-Lobos
Pequena suíte
Rebecca Rust
David Apter

[Brian]

Since GMG will soon be going quiet for a hiatus, I think I'll post a few things I expect to hear in the next few days, without being quite certain...

[Mirror Image]

Ravel
Sonatine
Muraro

[Todd]

The Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune transcription is quite nice.  It's more luxurious than Yukio Yokoyama's virtuosic solo piano arrangement.

[aligreto]

I am working my way slowly through this relatively recent purchase....





Is a 29 CD box set of Tartini's Violin Concerto music too much? In my case possibly yes. But who could resist a very competitively priced set such as this even just to have as a reference set? And then of course we have the fine combination of L'Arte Dell'Arco and Guglielmo performing which I find very appealing. I have now made my way through 10 discs, dipping into over time rather than continuously listening to these CDs. I have not been disappointed and I have enjoyed what I have heard so far.

[Harry]

Second rerun.

https://walboi.blogspot.nl/2018/02/bach-wilhelm-friedemann-1710-1784.html

[ritter]

Since GMG will soon be going quiet for a hiatus, I think I'll post a few things I expect to hear in the next few days, without being quite certain...
...

Good idea...

The following is what I'm thinking of listening to these days.

Two new arrivals (ready to be picked up at the delivery point on my way home from work this evening):

[asin]B00NQ2XC6I[/asin]A severely truncated complete recording of the opera (to make it fit on tow LPs in its original release). I already have Mme. Souliotis in Norma (a 1971 luve performance under Oliviero de Fabritiis from a La Scala tour to Japan), but it's from the end of her brief career and her voice had deteriorated significantly. In 1967, though, she must have been a Norma to reckon with (despite the Carnegie hall debacle in the role around that time), and I always find this soprano exciting (defects and all). Pity to have the stentorian Mario del Monaco as Pollione (what an unsubtle singer, mon Dieu), but Fiorenza Cossotto and conductor Silvio Varviso add to the set's allure IMO.

[asin]B000S6DPI0[/asin]Hat tip to Todd regarding this one...

And continuing my exploration of off-the-beaten-track 20th century Italian opera, Franco Alfano's swansong:

[asin]B076K22NC8[/asin]This must be one of the latest efforts in an idiom that was long dead when it appeared (it's from 1953). Still, Alfano was a comptent and versatile composer (much underrated IMHO), and the bits I've listened to of this Il dottor Antonio have a nostalgic, elegiac feeling that seems quite engaging. As usual, the Cantus-Line release is no-frills, with just a cast list and not much kore. Fortunately, I managed to purchase (long live abebooks!) what appeared to be the only available copy of the libretto--published when the score was first performed.

Of course, I may end up listening to something completely different! 

[kyjo]

Recent listening:

Fauré - Cello Sonata no. 1:

[asin]B075VWW59V[/asin]

The first movement is notable for its rhythmic quirkiness, the second for its unforced beauty, and the third for its joyousness. The sublimity of this music is fully captured by Isserlis and Shih.


Connesson - Flammenschrift:

[asin]B01ERXFHLW[/asin]

Wow! This 10-minute orchestral work is a nonstop rush of dynamic rhythmic energy. I will certainly have to investigate more of Connesson's music.


Duruflé - Requiem:

[asin]B000001461[/asin]

Such a moving, beautiful work. Duruflé's combination of Renaissance-like modality with lush, impressionist harmonies is totally enrapturing. The work is predominantly contemplative in mood, but when Duruflé does 'crank up the heat', the effect is tremendously exciting!


Mozart - Piano Concerto no. 17:

[asin]B000GLKLCK[/asin]

A delightful, sparkling work where Mozart experiments with some fresh, unexpected harmonies.


Tippett - String Quartet no. 1:

[asin]B017752XLO[/asin]

The outer movements are busy and contrapuntal and the slow movement, which I found to be the highlight of the work, is apparently influenced by Elizabethan madrigals and is more lyrical and accessible.


Schuman - Symphony no. 6:

[asin]B002QEXBUY[/asin]

Much mid-century American music is overall optimistic in tone, with the notable exception of much of William Schuman's music, particularly this symphony. It is tragic, foreboding, and anxious in character. The propulsive rhythmic energy of his celebrated 3rd Symphony is present here, but with a darker underpinning. The ending is particularly bleak and pessimistic. Not 'easy listening' by any means, but a thought-provoking and individual work.


Hummel - Cello Sonata:

[asin]B0007ORDY0[/asin]

Hummel proves to be a composer of great melodic talent and harmonic ingenuity in this delightful work.


Szymanowski - Stabat Mater:

[asin]B000002RU8[/asin]

As was remarked in the Szymanowski thread, his vocal writing is absolutely gorgeous. This often hypnotic work shows the composer at the height of his powers.


Schmidt - Symphony no. 1:

[asin]B001QUL72I[/asin]

Though this symphony has nice moments, it is a youthful work that is nowhere near as individual and impactful as his 2nd or certainly 4th symphonies. I found the finale, in particular, to be quite academic-sounding. The finale of his 2nd symphony contains much more refined and powerful fugal writing.


Kodály - Concerto for Orchestra:

[asin]B077MNLNPW[/asin]

This vibrant, colorful, energetic work is given a spectacular performance by the seemingly infallible JoAnn Falletta and her Buffalo band. Kodály's superb orchestration skills are on full display here.

[Mirror Image]

Ravel
Ma mère l'Oye
Dutoit
MSO



Dutoit's traversal of Ravel's orchestral music is still some of the best around IMHO. Sensory overload. I don't listen to Ravel's orchestral music much these days as I have a strong preference for his solo piano, chamber music, opera, and mélodies (+ song cycles), but, like Ozawa's Ravel recordings (another old favorite), these performances have as special place in my heart.