What are you listening to now?

[NikF]

Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances - Mariss Jansons/St Petersburg Philharmonic.

[asin]B000UZ4EY8[/asin]

[SymphonicAddict]

Second listen to this

Tentative ranking of the Kinsella symphonies I have heard
7
10
6
4
3
5
With a big gap in front of 5 to signify how much less I liked it.

That leaves 1,2,8, and 9 unheard. Are there any recordings of them?

Yes, on YouTube (except the No. 8 ). The No. 9 is for strings and it's a dense and terrific work. Nos. 1 & 2 have a quite regrettable sound quality (I have checked them but not heard yet), but you can get an idea of them.

[SymphonicAddict]

Those sentences describe much of Vierne's output!  A GREAT composer!

+1, and his Piano Quintet is a masterpiece in my view.

[JBS]

Yes, on YouTube (except the No. 8 ). The No. 9 is for strings and it's a dense and terrific work. Nos. 1 & 2 have a quite regrettable sound quality (I have checked them but not heard yet), but you can get an idea of them.

Thanks. I shall try them out in the next few days.

[San Antone]

Le Damoiselle elue

[André]

I was thinking I never heard a Brahms symphony recording where there wasn't something to enjoy, but now you've reminded me of this one.

Particularly the 3rd symphony. I remember seeing Bernstein on TV doing an interview in conjunction with this recording and I seem to remember him saying that he had the insight that the temp indication, allegro con brio, didn't apply to the main melody so much as to the accompanying voices. The result is that it is veeery sloooow. Just dreadful, IMO

I agree that Giulini's Brahms 2 with LAPO is a great example of using a slow tempo to illuminate a score. It is a terrific recording.

It is slow. Very slow. I thought Giulini/WP loved the music to death with his 40 minutes timing, but Bernstein adds 2 minutes, making this the slowest version of the 3rd symphony I have come across (both take the first movement exposition repeat). BUT: it is also quite energetic in the first movement development and especially in the finale, which has real fire in the belly. The orchestra sounds very involved, with big, biting attacks and strong accents. The comparison with Giulini, who conducts the same orchestra and was recorded in the same hall (identical tonal makeup and hall ambience) is revealing: the italian conductor makes the orchestra sing, while Bernstein makes them bellow.

Although misguided from the start, I found the results imposing and true to the character of the work. For the real ticket in the 3rd, my number one recommendation has always been Walter with the Columbia Symphony: as gorgeous as can be and yet always on the move, inhabited with a simmering inner life that eludes Bernstein.

[André]

+1, and his Piano Quintet is a masterpiece in my view.

+ 1.

The story has been told before, but it bears repeating: Vierne composed the quintet as a cri du coeur after the death of his son in WWI (aged 17, so Vierne had to give him a special permission to enlist).

[NikF]

Rachmaninov: Piano Trio No. 2 - Borodin Trio.

[asin]B000000ACH[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Rachmaninov: Piano Trio No. 2 - Borodin Trio.

[asin]B000000ACH[/asin]

One of my favorite works from Rachmaninov and that particular performance is my reference recording.

[Mirror Image]

Still in Barber-ville -

Piano Sonata, Op. 26

[NikF]

One of my favorite works from Rachmaninov and that particular performance is my reference recording.

I've not owned it for all that long and so it might have been you I noticed mention it, leading to the purchase.

[Mirror Image]

I've not owned it for all that long and so it might have been you I noticed mention it, leading to the purchase.

Yeah, I've posted this recording on this thread several times. I hope you enjoy the performances as much as I have.

[Mirror Image]

Le Damoiselle elue

Sublime work. I also loved the arrangement for vocalists, chorus, and piano that appeared in the DG Complete set.

[NikF]

Yeah, I've posted this recording on this thread several times. I hope you enjoy the performances as much as I have.

Thanks. Yeah, in particular the second movement of that performance was really quite moving without becoming depressingly doleful. And I love it when everything comes together like that.

[listener]

New disc(s) of new music from Houston TX
Karim AL-ZAND   Visions from Another World       Reena ESMAIL: Teen Murti for String Orch.,
Derek BERMEL: Murmurations     Anthony DI LORENZO: Jabberwocky, Anthem of Hope: Houston Strong
Marcus MARONEY:  Concerto for Chamber Orchestra
ROCO Ensemble, Houston   

[NikF]

Drigo: Pas de Trois - Bonynge/LSO.

[asin]B00E2276X6[/asin]
Larisa Lezhnina in her Kirov days as the Fairy Doll from Die Puppenfee was a real charmer.


And I think a final listen for the evening -

Balakirev: Islamey (orchestrated by Lyapunov) - Svetlanov/USSR Academy Orchestra.

[SymphonicAddict]

For me, the most accomplished symphony from Spain. It's sheer joy to listen to this, and it has an epic feel to it, mixed with some rustic airs. The performance does justice to the work.

[Que]

Morning listening:



I wasn't even aware that Neapolitan composer Francesco Durante had written harpsichord music. "A significant number of works", according to the booklet. I would be happy if more would get recorded, because I definitely like what I hear.... very inventive stuff. Durante was a pupil of Alessandro Scarlatti and Domenico's contemporary.

Q

[Mirror Image]

Thanks. Yeah, in particular the second movement of that performance was really quite moving without becoming depressingly doleful. And I love it when everything comes together like that.

Good to hear, man. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Traverso]

Matthew Locke

Psyche