What are you listening to now?

[SonicMan46]

Bach JS - Goldberg Variations w/ Septett of harp, strings, winds & a Recorder Quintet - a playlist on Spotify - own a LOT of these works on solo instruments of various types - a pleasant change for me.  Dave

 

[kyjo]

No, I didn't, but I do agree it's a nice symphony 

Oh, okay. I must've been thinking of something else!

[kyjo]

Sinfonia I: This symphony gets better with each listen. One of my best discoveries this year.




The 2 symphonies: After a meaty piece, two tepid, down-watered and eventually forgettable works. They are not nearly as good as any others of his compatriots.

I wish I could find the Kielland Sinfonia on YouTube or Spotify, but no luck...

I pretty much agree with you about the Arensky symphonies. Aside from the rather beautiful slow movement of the 2nd with its prominent cello solo, they are lightweight and forgettable works. They definitely pale in comparison to the symphonies of his compatriots Balakirev, Borodin, Glazunov, Kalinnikov, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Tchaikovsky. Arensky was definitely at his best in his chamber music, such as the 2 piano trios, 2nd String Quartet, and Piano Quintet. I also greatly enjoy his charming suites for 2 pianos.

[SymphonicAddict]

I wish I could find the Kielland Sinfonia on YouTube or Spotify, but no luck...

I pretty much agree with you about the Arensky symphonies. Aside from the rather beautiful slow movement of the 2nd with its prominent cello solo, they are lightweight and forgettable works. They definitely pale in comparison to the symphonies of his compatriots Balakirev, Borodin, Glazunov, Kalinnikov, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Tchaikovsky. Arensky was definitely at his best in his chamber music, such as the 2 piano trios, 2nd String Quartet, and Piano Quintet. I also greatly enjoy his charming suites for 2 pianos.

Yeah, too bad about the Kielland. I was going to post a link of it, but alas, I couldn't find any video or anything similar to share.

As for Arensky, I agree. He succeeded on small ensembles, not much on orchestral ones. I was told positive things about the suites for 2 pianos as you point out. Do you recommend a recording in particular?

[SymphonicAddict]

Partita for cello and piano: A disquieting work, as many of his creations. Nevertheless, it has a bittersweet eloquence I found somewhat touching.




Latin-American Symphonette: The antithesis of the Leighton. To be honest, this is the first work I ever listen to from Gould other than American Salute. It reminded me of Copland but more 'tropical'. A pretty fun piece.

[Karl Henning]

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 [Ancerl]





This is an ardent, assertive, intense presentation in a compelling and powerful performance of this great work.

Excellent!

[Karl Henning]

Bartók: Two Pictures for orchestra


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


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


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


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


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.

The Tavener is a beauty.

[Karl Henning]

Shostakovich, Suite to Words by Michelangelo Buonarroti op.145



Mostly all the bleak starkness you would expect for late Shostakovich, which renders the final song a heck of a surprise when it borders on childlike and jolly.

I do want to hear the orchestral version now, especially as Shostakovich is reported to have considered it his 16th symphony. But also because the piano version is frankly hard work on a first listen and a spot of orchestral colour might not go amiss. In fact I might listen to the orchestral version on streaming as I get ready for bed.

And now I've reached the end of the whole Delos series of the songs. Which I won't claim has been a consistently top-level listening experience, but it's always been interesting. Just like Shostakovich's other output, there are some potboilers and some gems, including some comic songs that are hilarious.

Beautiful!

[Karl Henning]

Stravinsky

I enjoyed the previous so much that I stay a little longer with Stravinsky.

Beautiful!

[HIPster]

A great CD of Boulez sans Boulez:

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Daniel Kawka conducts the Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain in Mémoriale, Dérive 1 and Dérive 2. I saw the same performers doing these same pieces live in concert some 10 years ago, and it was a memorable occasion. The concert was held at the chamber room of the National Auditorium here in Madrid. After it finished, most of those in attendance walked to the adjacent symphony hall, where we were greeted in the foyer by the fanfare Initiale, and we then attended a concert with the Spanish  National Orchestra under Jordi Bernácer giving us Le soleil des eaux, Rituel and the orchestral Notations (plus the original piano Douze notations played by Dimitri Vassilakis). A wonderful "Boulezathon". 

Awesome review, ritter! 

That concert sounds incredible.  Wow.

I need to check out this disc. . .

Cheers!

Some afternoon and evening play:

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The Steger has some fantastic music, but oy! that cover. 

[HIPster]

Your enthusiasm for that one is infectious.

Cheers, aligreto! 

It's a beauty, that's for sure.

[kyjo]

Yeah, too bad about the Kielland. I was going to post a link of it, but alas, I couldn't find any video or anything similar to share.

As for Arensky, I agree. He succeeded on small ensembles, not much on orchestral ones. I was told positive things about the suites for 2 pianos as you point out. Do you recommend a recording in particular?

This recording of the Arensky suites for 2 pianos has brought me great pleasure:

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If you ever need a palate-cleanser after listening to, say, a Pettersson symphony, this should do the trick!

[Que]

Morning listening to this intriguing cycle of 50 fugues for three voices, part of Michael Maier's (1569-1622) alchemical emblem book Atalanta Fugiens.

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Q

[Irons]

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If you ever need a palate-cleanser after listening to, say, a Pettersson symphony, this should do the trick!

[Andy D.]

Getting into Xenakis' Orchestral Works (Turin Symphony Orchestra, Iannis)

I originally started liking this composer through his piece Keqrops (Abbado recording), which is still easily my favorite and one I've been quite inspired by. I like this other cd, but nothing grabs me like the above.

That quite likely will change with further listening.

I remain a bit mixed as far as feelings go when I encounter composers like Xenakis and Penderecki; though there are pieces I revere by each composer, I can't help but listen to some of their music and walk away wondering if they really were just a collection of sound effects. Don't hate me, people. It's just what I get from  some of their music.

[vandermolen]

Excellent!

+1 I have the Supraphon CD. Ancerl's recording of Symphony 10 is excellent as well.

[Irons]

Brahms: Four Pieces Op.119.



A New Zealander, Richard Farrell tragically died in a car accident at Arundel Sussex. He was only in his early 30's.

[Que]

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Q

[Mandryka]

Morning listening to this intriguing cycle of 50 fugues for three voices, part of Michael Maier's (1569-1622) alchemical emblem book Atalanta Fugiens.

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Q

This has a slightly different approach to the music, a bit more electric maybe. I discovered it because it has a singer who I saw in Bach and who I liked very much, Rufus Muller.

[aligreto]

Handel: Ariodante, Act 3 [Curtis]





This version had been recommended to me by a friend whose opinion I trust and I was not disappointed. This is an engaging and refined performance; all forces perform admirably. The tempi are well paced throughout. It is an engaging and satisfying production.