What are you listening to now?

[SymphonicAddict]

Have listened to 1-3 and am now in the midst of 4. I was especially impressed with the First (and I see that he was only 22 at its composition). But this is clearly some music that I'm going to need to live with awhile; there's a lot to take in. Clearly in a late-Romantic vein, all four of these works feel huge - not necessarily because of their length (they're long, but at an average of 50 minutes, he seems almost parsimonious compared to some late-Romantic composers - Mahler and Bruckner have barely finished clearing their throats at that point!) - but simply because there's something mountainous, something imposing, about them.

This is definitely a purchase I don't regret. I'll be returning to this one.

That is a rather good set. These symphonies need some listens to open their secrets, mostly for the 3rd (at least to me).

[SymphonicAddict]

You might be interested to know that Mackerras found a mistake in the published usual version of this symphony with a (repeating) timpani figure at the end of the work missed out - which he reinstates here - its just a little pointing the main pedal roll by adding the 5th above at the beginning of every phrase.  Perhaps other/newer versions now do this too I don't know but I think Mackerras was the first.  There are many fine discs in this RPO/Tring series - the Handley/Rach Symphony 2 is especially good.

I didn't know that about the timpani. A curious fact. Thanks for the clarification.

I'm listening to the 2nd Symphony by Rachmaninov (or ff  ) from that same label and is just superb indeed. The Adagio (playing now) is especially breathtaking and with an almost perfect measure/pacing.

[Que]

Morning listening:



Q

[vandermolen]

Perhaps it is the mood we both find ourselves in at this point in time 

That is definitely true in my case and is a wise observation.

[vandermolen]

Shaw does justice to these works but his generic conception does not leave an indelible impression.



This was the first digital recording on BBC Legends (1984). The sound is indeed very good. The audience is commendably silent. Matacic always conducted the 1877 version of the score - my favourite. The Philharmonia plays well - I doubt they had much familiarity with the work and indeed, there is no trace of another recording before or since. Matacic conducts with a sure hand, without making much of the occasion. The finale in particular needs to be knit mote tightly than it is here: of all the versions listed in John Berky's discography, this is one of the slowest, without an attendant gain in spaciousness and authority.

Two great CDs. I always like the Faure/Durufle coupling. Also my favourite version of Bruckner's Symphony 3 along with Szell's recording.

[vandermolen]

I find myself struggling to appreciate Stanford (recently listened to the 2nd symphony). Strikes me as a bit stiff and stodgy.

That's largely my view as well and I tend to prefer the music of Parry. However, symphonies 3 and 5 and Irish Rhapsody 4 are exceptions which I enjoy.

[vandermolen]

Bliss PC
[asin]B00006669K[/asin]

[Traverso]

Morning listening:



Q

Did you alter your opinion  about this set? Based on the samples  I heard  I was not tempted to purchase it. I think that Rousset is more to my  taste.

[Que]

Did you alter your opinion  about this set? Based on the samples  I heard  I was not tempted to purchase it. I think that Rousset is more to my  taste.

Nope, still mixed feelings... 

Rousset is my clear preference as well!

Q

[Florestan]

This is serious stuff, deeply meditative and philosophical while at the same time lyrical and soulful. It begs for repeated listenings.

[Karl Henning]

Shostakovich: The Limpid Stream - Rozhdestvensky/Stockholm Royal Orchestra.

[asin]B000000AYB[/asin]

That's a piece I've never heard (not surprising, as this is the first recording!).  What's your take?

[Karl Henning]

More from this lovely box of Haydn piano trios with the Beaux Arts Trio. Hard to choose a favorite; lately I've just put on one of the 9 discs at random.

[asin]B0000041LO[/asin]

--Bruce

It's just possible that they are all at a fairly uniform, high standard.

0:)

[andolink]

[Traverso]

Bach

CD 2

[Biffo]

That's a piece I've never heard (not surprising, as this is the first recording!).  What's your take?

I have the album but I have only listened to it once, several years ago - it didn't make a favourable impression, far too long. Five of the numbers were recycled in Ballet Suite No 1 and that might be a better way of hearing the best of it.

Own listening: Koechlin: La Meditation de Purun Bhagat - Radio-Sinfonieorchester de Stuttgart des SWR conducted by Heinz Holliger

[Mahlerian]

Ligeti: Aventures
Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Rose Taylor et. al, Philharmonia Orchestra, cond. Esa-Pekka Salonen


Schoenberg: Erwartung, Op. 17
Janis Martin, BBC Symphony Orchestra, cond. Boulez
[asin]B00AK3X3U6[/asin]

Erwartung has as good a claim as any musical work to be called the Eighth Wonder of the World.  The rapid stream-of-consciousness composition was produced in a similar stream-of-consciousness process, and yet its dramatic qualities shine through as coherently shaped.  Beautiful, terrifying, a whole river of emotions in a half hour.

[Karl Henning]

I have the album but I have only listened to it once, several years ago - it didn't make a favourable impression, far too long. Five of the numbers were recycled in Ballet Suite No 1 and that might be a better way of hearing the best of it.

Thanks.  All I really now of the piece is, that together with Ledi Makbet Mtsenskovo Uyezda it drew ire in "Muddle Instead of Music."

It may, all the same, be B- or even C-grade Shostakovich.  (And I do not know any C-grade, directly  0:)  )

[Karl Henning]

Schoenberg: Erwartung, Op. 17
Janis Martin, BBC Symphony Orchestra, cond. Boulez


Erwartung has as good a claim as any musical work to be called the Eighth Wonder of the World.  The rapid stream-of-consciousness composition was produced in a similar stream-of-consciousness process, and yet its dramatic qualities shine through as coherently shaped.  Beautiful, terrifying, a whole river of emotions in a half hour.

From my first hearing, it has always been one of my favorite Schoenberg scores.

[Karl Henning]

A first listen:

Koechlin
Sur les flots lointains, Op.130

[asin]B07574QX4Y[/asin]

[North Star]

A first listen:

Koechlin
Sur les flots lointains, Op.130

I'll join in, although not for a first listen.

Earlier:
Scarlatti
Sonatas Kk. 468-475
Ross