What are you listening to now?

[Que]

Lute Music, from Ottaviano Petrucci's Collections, (Venice 1507-1508)

Music by:

Francesco Spinacino & Joan Ambrosio Dalza.

Paolo Cherice, Lute/Vihuela.

Must be an all time favourite with me. This is such a beautiful recording.

I think this must be one of my favourite lute recordings as well!

Q

[aligreto]

Elgar: Cello Concerto [Du Pré/Barenboim]





I have always been a fan of Du Pré. I feel that she always brought a certain level of emotion to her performances, which I like. And so it is here.

[aligreto]

Fritz Reiner and The CSO did a good reading of that ... I've got it on an album paired with R-K's Scheherazade, which is amazing

Thank you for the recommendation. The Maazel above is the only version of this work that I own.

[aligreto]

Seeing Previn's name come up reminded me of a good story involving him:

When Previn was young and making his name in classical music, he had an opportunity to audition for an apprenticeship under George Szell in Cleveland... as Previn tells it, he went to Szell's house expecting that he'd be auditioning on a piano but there was no piano in the room

"Dr. Szell, where is your piano?"

"You don't need the piano.  We can use the coffee table"

Previn was baffled but he didn't dare question Szell... he sat down on the couch and put his hands on the coffee table as if he were playing the piano ...

Szell told him "ok, we'll start with the Mozart Sonata no. 14 in C minor... go ahead"

Previn, still incredulous but wanting to be respectful, brought his fingers down onto the coffee table in the shape they'd be playing the chord on an actual keyboard

Szell exclaimed "No! No! That's too loud!"

Previn, not believing he could possibly be serious replied "Dr. Szell, I'm sorry.  I'm used to my coffee table and have never played yours before"

Szell was not amused and stood up, glaring down at him.  "I have no use for smart alecks.  Get out!" and ordered Previn out of his home.

Very amusing 

[Harry]

He is an old member (his account is still active). One of the most belligerent fans of historically informed performance. He used to run his own forum. 

Is that forum still active?
Belligerent is the right term for this guy. A member of this forum would go through all kind of military ranks, ending with general

[prémont]

Is that forum still active?
Belligerent is the right term for this guy. A member of this forum would go through all kind of military ranks, ending with general

Yes, it is very much alive.

[SymphonicAddict]

Fortunately, both can be found on YouTube!

Stupendous news, Kyle! I remember having looked for them there before with no success. Now I completed the cycle.

[Tsaraslondon]

A fine set of performances. I trust that you have fond memories of this album.

Yes indeed.

[Wakefield]

Is that forum still active?
Belligerent is the right term for this guy. A member of this forum would go through all kind of military ranks, ending with general

Yes, it is very much alive.

You're right, Harry. I had forgotten the military ranks! 

Anyway, full disclosure: I was a member for a very short time, and I was always kindly treated by Rod and his troop. 

[kyjo]

Glad you thought highly of the Bainton Symphony 3 Kyle. Do you know the Chandos CD with the Symphony No.2 and Clifford's defiant 'Symphony 1940' - a great CD IMO which has given me great emotional pleasure. +1 for Magnard's 4th Symphony. His tragic death robbed us of a great composer. I have a soft spot for the Plasson recording as it was how I discovered the work on LP and also for its marvellous coupling, the very moving 'Chant Funebre'.

Yes, I know the Bainton 2nd Symphony, which I like very much, from that Chandos CD. I haven't listened to the Clifford yet.

[Traverso]

Schubert

Impromptus D.899 & D.935
16 German Dances

[ChopinBroccoli]

Schubert

Impromptus D.899 & D.935
16 German Dances

The only Brendel I own ... I'm otherwise allergic to his playing... but he just really has a knack for Schubert, it can't be denied

Great record!

[SonicMan46]

Onslow, Georges - String Quintets w/ the Elan Quintet - my newest acquisitions of this composer; recordings recent (2015-17) - Onslow wrote 34 'String Quintets' (from his Op. 1 to Op. 82 - more information HERE in one of the Onslow threads); he also composed 36 'String Quartets'.  Dave

   

[Kontrapunctus]

I don't know about Sibelius' "Finlandia," but the other works sound great in these arrangements. I was initially puzzled as to why it took 3 guitars to play Albenez' "Leyenda," which works fine on one guitar, but this is a wild re-imagining of the piece.

[Traverso]

The only Brendel I own ... I'm otherwise allergic to his playing... but he just really has a knack for Schubert, it can't be denied

Great record!

[Harry]

You're right, Harry. I had forgotten the military ranks! 

Anyway, full disclosure: I was a member for a very short time, and I was always kindly treated by Rod and his troop. 

Well I even made it to the top, becoming a full fledge General no less. And I was only for a short time on Rod's forum.
But yes he always treated me with respect too.

[Harry]

Onslow, Georges - String Quintets w/ the Elan Quintet - my newest acquisitions of this composer; recordings recent (2015-17) - Onslow wrote 34 'String Quintets' (from his Op. 1 to Op. 82 - more information HERE in one of the Onslow threads); he also composed 36 'String Quartets'.  Dave

   

I am impatiently waiting for volume IV.

[Kontrapunctus]

Very well played.

[prémont]

Well I even made it to the top, becoming a full fledge General no less. And I was only for a short time on Rod's forum.
But yes he always treated me with respect too.

Even I posted there for a short time, but I can't beat your rank, Harry. And I was always treated with respect. In this respect (pun intended) it is a rather pleasant forum.

[André]

I was very doubtful about this set. A friend of mine brought it to me last week. 14 discs of harp concertos, chamber music and salon pieces.

Lily Laskine was to the harp what Marie-Claire Alain, Maurice André and Jean-Pierre Rampal were to the organ, the trumpet and the flute respectively. All four of them megastars and all four Erato artists. The 1963 recording of Mozart's flute and harp concerto is the biggest seller of any classical music disc made in France, ever. According to the liner notes, Laskine's harp playing is instantly recognizable. I can't argue, as I don't know much about the harp or other harpists. Xavier de Maistre, Nicanor Zabaleta - any others?

I've listened to the first four discs and I can say there was not a dull moment in these 4 hours of fine music (yes!) and extremely characterful playing. Laskine's harp vocalizes and sings. Quite amazing. When playing chamber music her sound blends in the textures beautifully. There is no attempt at spotlighting (sound engineers) or scene stealing. You can count on french composers to achieve perfect balance between instruments. Elegance and refinement rule.

The earliest performance here is from 1929, the last from 1981 (she was 88, died at 94). During the stereo era Erato chained her to her harp to re-record all her repertoire. Multiple versions of the flute and harp concerto (5), Ravel Introduction and Allegro (3), Debussy Danses sacrées et profanes and Sonata for flute, viola and harp (3), Pierné Concertstück, Handel concerto (2) etc. Works by unknown, little known or forgotten composers... Nobody investing in such a set will be harping about work duplication (sorry, couldn't resist  ). In the chamber works we can compare the artistry of other great artists like Alain Marion, J-P Rampal or Marcel Moyse (Ravel Introduction et allégro), etc.

I fully expected to put this on while reading a Lars Kepler crime novel - aural wallpaper. But no, I listened to everything with interest and delight. Wow!