What are you listening to now?

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

St. Matthew Passion. I have always liked the chorus (I have Solti), but I am not sure these 'new' versions are much better. The Gardiner seems like an early favorite, but speed of opening is slow (but nice and big) so we'll see. The McCreesh is super fast and I love, love, love that. But it is SOOOOO underweight! Not sure where I'll end up on that one. Then there was an 'old version' from Karl Richter and I've not yet sampled that one.

It is a matter of taste, of course, but the performances with small forces are more in line with the performances that Bach himself organized (and which he wrote for). I tend to prefer them because I find the counterpoint within the chorus and involving chorus and orchestra is more clear. Of course you lose the monumental effect of the performances with full chorus. That is not a negative for me, because I don't find the sound of a large chorus attractive.

[André]

Disc three, with overtures (Creatures of Prometheus, Coriolan) and a performance of the first movement from a putative 10th symphony in E flat. I have another version of that (under Wyn Morris), and neither make it sound like late Beethoven except for the first chords which strikingly recall (or announce?) the Grosse Fuge. The rest sounds like a work from Ries or Spohr. Nice but backward rather than forward sounding.

[aligreto]

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 [Tennstedt]





I find this to be a sharp and crisp interpretation of this work. The strings sing out but there is a dark undercurrent that prevails throughout the performance which is valid and appropriate. There is also a certain poignancy that prevails throughout. The Urlicht is forlorn but heartfelt and captivating. The conclusion is powerful and filled with drama. This is an assertive and buoyant presentation. The conclusion is very fine indeed.

[king ubu]

Into disc 3 now ... the Franck towards the end of disc 2 just prompted me to look for my copy of "The Last Romantic", which also has "Prélude, choral et fugue", with that amazing fugue. Ready for getting a spin tomorrow.

[aligreto]

My recording's older than yours!! Playing here,now! A 1924 recording,of Henry Wood,conducting this Symphony!  According to Classical Notes;"Wood's deeply personal and exciting account,remains fascinating and a harbinger of many that would follow".

Very good! Does it live up to its billing?

[Brian]

This new release of music from Josquin to Scheidt:



Super good. And the instrumentarium is interesting - Antonini alone plays 8 different models of recorder/flute.

[aligreto]

I do not know that performance at all, aligreto, but as I have mentioned in another thread, I'm not the greatest Ormandy fan, but I'll have to see if I have that performance in my collection.

Although I do not have a strong opinion on the matter, with regard to any particular performance Ormandy would not be one whose interpretation I would deliberately seek out. However, this one I do find rather intriguing.

[king ubu]

Super good.

agreed! 

[Mandryka]

This new release of music from Josquin to Scheidt:



Super good. And the instrumentarium is interesting - Antonini alone plays 8 different models of recorder/flute.

Yes, very good fun.

[Mirror Image]

Although I do not have a strong opinion on the matter, with regard to any particular performance Ormandy would not be one whose interpretation I would deliberately seek out. However, this one I do find rather intriguing.

[See purchases thread]

[Mirror Image]

Enescu
Cello Sonata No. 2 in C major, Op. 26/2
Valentin Radutiu (cello), Per Rundberg (piano)

[Mirror Image]

Debussy
Préludes, Livre I
Hiroko Sasaki, piano

[André]

No 9. Second performance of the symphony in the set, with Schaller's own completion of the finale (the other one has the Carragan completed finale). One more disc to go (Mass no 3) and I'm done with this set, 14 months after unwrapping it.

[Mirror Image]

No 9. Second performance of the symphony in the set, with Schaller's own completion of the finale (the other one has the Carragan completed finale). One more disc to go (Mass no 3) and I'm done with this set, 14 months after unwrapping it.

Sounds like you couldn't wait to finish it.

[André]

Sounds like you couldn't wait to finish it.

Sort of. I'm no fan of "Cathedral Bruckner". It skews the sound completely IMO and steers the music in the wrong way. Ol' Anton knew perfectly well he was composing for concert halls, not churches. But then some people have always known better than the composer...

[Mirror Image]

Sort of. I'm no fan of "Cathedral Bruckner". It skews the sound completely IMO and steers the music in the wrong way. Ol' Anton knew perfectly well he was composing for concert halls, not churches. But then some people have always known better than the composer...

Ah, yeah, I'm not a fan of the 'Cathedral Bruckner' sound either. Favorite Brucknerians: HvK, Wand, Giulini, and Celibidache.

[JBS]

First listen to this
[asin]B07MWQ9CL8[/asin]

Not sure how to describe it. Strauss leavened with orchestral Debussy, perhaps.
The composer died at age 36 of TB, one reason the CD clocks in at just under an hour.

[Kontrapunctus]

No.3-5.

[TheGSMoeller]

In the past few years this has become one of my favorite symphonies. It's awesome!

[HIPster]

I see from my notes that some time ago a MusicWeb reviewer trashed this disc.  Without going back and re-reading the review, I can't imagine why, frankly.  Maybe, just possibly, the voices aren't the absolute best in the business.  But honestly they sound quite nice to me.

Arias for one and two voices from Gasparini, A Scarlatti, and Handel, interspersed with a trio sonata and works for solo organ and harpsichord, makes for a varied and enjoyable listening experience.  What's not to love?

As I write this I am listening to the last track.  I certainly wouldn't mind starting the disc over and listening to it again.  Only the "opportunity cost" holds me back.

Strongly recommended !!

Hope this helps.  YMMV.

Thank you, Zeus!

Helps a great deal.  I've added this to the wishlist. 

As a point of reference, this is my go-to Arcadian Academy disc:

[asin]B00HX6FDN8[/asin]

Cheers!

TD:
Beethoven
Op. 59, no. 1
Fine Arts Quartet