What are you listening to now?

[SonicMan46]

I am impatiently waiting for volume IV.

Hi Harry - listened to those 3 volumes for the whole afternoon and enjoyed again!  Not sure about the next volume but expect that you're in touch w/ Naxos - hope that its appearance is soon; of Onslow's 70 String Quartets/Quintets, I own about 2 dozen - PLENTY more to collect!  Dave

[listener]

Daniel SPEER (1636-1707)
Musicalisch-Türckischer Eulen-Spiegel  (That is: Strange antics of a very modest Turkish imperial court and field fool who eventually became a Mufti
Markus Miesenberger, vocal   Ars Antiqua Austria     Gunar Letzbor, cond.
Good set of notes to give background, original German texts provided.
Enrique Fernández ARBÓS: Chamber music
Tres piezas originales en estilo español  op. 1     Trio Bellas Artes
Tango, op. 2     Seis rimas de Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, op. 3
Cuatro canciones para la marquesa de Bolaños, op. 4     Oieza de concurso for cello and piano
Assorted performers
Background notes, original Spanish and French song texts not translated.
       finally getting some first listens.

[kyjo]

Bartók: Two Pictures for orchestra

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A relatively early and enjoyable Bartók work. The first movement, In voller Blute (In Full Flower) is faintly impressionistic and atmospheric but not overtly lush. It recalls some music from his contemporaneous ballet The Wooden Prince. The second movement, Dorftanz (Village Dance), is imbued with the stamping folk rhythms that would come to characterize his mature music.


Tchaikovsky: Grand Sonata in G major

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This has usually been viewed as a somewhat problematic work, and it's not too hard to see why. I quite enjoyed the majestic first movement, actually; it has some endearing ideas. But after that my attention started to drift. Despite Lugansky's fine interpretation, I doubt this is a work I will return to.


Tavener: The Protecting Veil

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My goodness, this is such heavenly, rapturous, spiritual music! It's not all serene and contemplative, either - there are moments of searing intensity. Steven Isserlis plays with complete and utter involvement and his playing fits the music like a glove. Highly recommended even to those who might be skeptical of Tavener - like I once was!


Pierné: Piano Trio in C minor

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This trio of symphonic breadth lies somewhere between the monumentality of Franck and the colorful elegance of Ravel. It's characterized by virtuosic writing for all three instruments and some novel rhythms (especially in the 2nd movement). Definitely a work that lovers of French chamber music should investigate!


Chadwick: Symphony no. 3 in F major

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If I'm not mistaken, Cesar (SymphonicAddict) recently posted that he listened to this. It's a really appealing symphony in the Brahms/Dvorak mould (there's nothing very "American" about it), with an uplifting feel and rich textures. Perhaps its melodies lack the last degree of memorability, but that's not a huge gripe. Jarvi and the Detroit SO clearly believe in this music and play it for all it's worth.

[Artem]

This morning:

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[Harry]

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.

Well put!

[Mandryka]

I'm listening to the 6th quartet. It's a good example of engineered sound, I mean live music doesn't sound like this, but what the DG people have done is really effective and I can well imagine some people think that it sounds better than live music.

As far as performance goes, what comes across as special is that it is controlled and accurate playing, but nonetheless communicative. I clearly have an empathy with The Hagen Quartet as I find pretty well everything they do stimulating.

[Madiel]

Shostakovich: Symphony No.4



Definitely one of the Shostakovich symphonies I still know the least. So a step in putting that right.

[vandermolen]

Shostakovich: Symphony No.4



Definitely one of the Shostakovich symphonies I still know the least. So a step in putting that right.

What's the performance like?

[vandermolen]

Yesterday. An interesting coupling of the Copland (Third Symphony) and Chavez (Sinfonia India). Very enjoyable if not my first choice for either symphony. In its favour, however, I was delighted to hear the original ending of Copland's Third Symphony being used without the cut suggested by Bernstein:

[Madiel]

What's the performance like?

Well I like it, same as I like most of Petrenko's and for the same reasons. He knows how to hold these whopping great big movements together so that they sound like a structure rather than a bunch of disconnected episodes.

A few people don't like him because they feel he's not as fiery and dramatic as some conductors. But I'm in favour of reducing the shouting just a little so that I can still understand all of what you're saying...

[Que]

Morning listening:



Q

[Andy D.]

Shostakovich: Symphony No.4



Definitely one of the Shostakovich symphonies I still know the least. So a step in putting that right.

That is the  performance that really kicked symphony 4 in for me where the Barshai and Maxim didn't.

Me:

Enjoying the Complete Wind Quintets of David Maslanka.

[Irons]

Shostakovich: String Quartet No.12.



As a DSCH cycle of string quartets go Borodin and Fitzwilliam are probably enough but I enjoyed this recording very much. Special mention to the viola player, a Mr Galkovsky. His playing/instrument is like an iron fist in a velvet glove. Listening, my ear was drawn to him which in string quartet terms I guess is not ideal, but I liked it. 

[vandermolen]

Well I like it, same as I like most of Petrenko's and for the same reasons. He knows how to hold these whopping great big movements together so that they sound like a structure rather than a bunch of disconnected episodes.

A few people don't like him because they feel he's not as fiery and dramatic as some conductors. But I'm in favour of reducing the shouting just a little so that I can still understand all of what you're saying...

Thank you. I've like those Petrenko recordings which I've heard. My late sister-in-law's brother lives near Liverpool and the RLPO under Petrenko is his 'local band' he thinks very highly of them.

[Que]

Moving on with Book II:

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Half way in, it's safe to say that this set hasn't fully met my expectations...

Q

[Traverso]

Bach

[Harry]

I noticed the last week that at times the site will not load, or takes ages to do so, very disconcerting I think. Maybe the Mods should alert Rob about this.

TD

Giuseppe Maria Cambini.
String Quintets No.1, 4 & 23.

Ensemble Entr'acte, on Authentic instruments.

Actually wonderful music, in such good sound. I simply love the easy approach by this ensemble. It all sounds effortlessly. Really, I would like more work recorded by Cambini.

[Mandryka]

Moving on with Book II:

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Half way in, it's safe to say that this set hasn't fully met my expectations...

Q

Your expectations being?

[Mandryka]

I noticed the last week that at times the site will not load, or takes ages to do so, very disconcerting I think. Maybe the Mods should alert Rob about this.

Yes, that's what I've experienced too.

[Harry]

New acquisition.

Anthoine Boesset.
Je Meurs sans Mourir.

La Poeme Harmonique, Vincent Dumestre.

Thes Airs de Cour are deliciously sung. The soloists are singing together in a well defined balance. No one is blurting out high notes at the cost of the other singers. It's very much an effort of all participants. But then I am a admirer of the voice of Claire Lefilliatre, a fine soprano with a very clear voice eminently suited to the music of Boesset. The instrumentation has a likewise quality, so I consider this CD a success in all quarters.
Excellent recording. I wish they would record all the Airs, Boesset has written. Wishful thinking of course.