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[Symphonic Addict]

Timpani concerto

Aho wrote some unusual concertos, including for contrabassoon, tuba, theremin and timpani. The latter is an impressive and serious piece, well worth hearing. Aho rarely shows some hint of sentimentalism in his works, and here is not an exception. I liked it very much.




Clarinet quintet

I'm not familiar with this composer's output, so today I decided to try some of his chamber works, and this Quintet turned out to be a real revelation. Sparkling, frolicsome, lyrical and slightly aggresive. Quite interesting to say the least.




Piano Concerto No. 1

For some this version may sound too romantized, but for me it worked quite well. This concerto is fantastic. I think I'm gonna listen to the whole pieces on this excellent set these days.

[André]

Works for piano, left hand and orchestra, commissioned by - who else? - Paul Wittgenstein. Schmidt also wrote three large-scale piano (left hand) quintets for him.

The Concertante Variations (1923) are based on a well-known theme from Beethoven's Spring sonata. The theme is stated only after a beautiful, substantial introduction. Anyone who likes the Reger sets of orchestral variations (Mozart, Hiller, Telemann, Beethoven) will enjoy this very fine piece.

The concerto (1934) is less conversational in manner, with lengthy solos for the pianist. It is a more serious piece, sometimes hinting at Rachmaninoff.

Production values are high. This record is part of the MDR Edition under Maestro Luisi on the Querstand label. Superb sound. Recommended if the style appeals.

[T. D.]

Slowly working through this recent acquisition. Delighted so far, currently on disc 7 (out of 20). It's exceeding expectations.

[JBS]

CD 3, the triosonatas for organ
[asin]B01N5Q5BGB[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Slowly working through this recent acquisition. Delighted so far, currently on disc 7 (out of 20). It's exceeding expectations.

Very nice! It's a great box set. Hope you continue to enjoy it.

[Mirror Image]

A Stravinsky-a-thon is now at hand, which will most definitely spill over into tomorrow:

Pastorale
Ballade
Suite italienne
Divertimento (transcription for violin & piano by Stravinsky & Samuel Dushkin from Le Baiser de la Fée)
Excerpt from Apollon musagète
Violin Concerto in D
Tango
Ilya Gringolts (violin)
Peter Laul (piano)
Casey Hill (oboe), Scott MacLeod (cor anglais), Juan Ferrer (clarinet), Steve Harriswangler (bassoon)
Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia
Dima Slobodeniouk

[Symphonic Addict]

Der Schwanendreher

It's always a pleasure to revisit this piece. Such a fun work. Hindemith at his wittiest and most rustic.

[vandermolen]

Timpani concerto

Aho wrote some unusual concertos, including for contrabassoon, tuba, theremin and timpani. The latter is an impressive and serious piece, well worth hearing. Aho rarely shows some hint of sentimentalism in his works, and here is not an exception. I liked it very much.




Clarinet quintet

I'm not familiar with this composer's output, so today I decided to try some of his chamber works, and this Quintet turned out to be a real revelation. Sparkling, frolicsome, lyrical and slightly aggresive. Quite interesting to say the least.




Piano Concerto No. 1

For some this version may sound too romantized, but for me it worked quite well. This concerto is fantastic. I think I'm gonna listen to the whole pieces on this excellent set these days.

Try Bliss's Oboe Quintet Cesar which I think is even better. The best performance is by the Melos Ensemble but that may only be available in a box set. Other recordings, such as on Naxos, are fine too.

[Irons]

Pleased with this set. The "Classical" is a bit po-faced, not at the races compared with my favourite recording, Ansermet. The 7th Symphony on the other hand is outstanding. Recording has brushed up well in the digital mastering. 4th & 5th up next.

[Tsaraslondon]

Magnificent Sibelius from Mutter.

[Florestan]

#Endlessrepeatmode: 'Calvinism' is YOUR misnomer for Reformed Protestants, who themselves dislike it, cause simply wrong. 'Reformed' protestants (mostly in France, also Poland, England, even dominant in Lithuania, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland and Holland in the late 16th Century) are NOT an offspring of the humanist Jean Cauvin, nor of any other "leader", but simply an autonomous group of christians.

Leading intellectuals/humanists of the movement in the Renaissance era were e.g. A Lasco, Bucer, Zwingli, Knox and many more, Jean Cauvin including. Cauvin actually quite interesting as a clear and strong proponent of civil rights and radical forms of democracy, but also a typical academic in the better humanist tradition, alongside Morus or another Frenchman, Montaigne.

The "Calvinists" you're confusing these Protestants with, are so-called "Neo-Calvinists" from the 19th Century. I told you I'm presently writing two books of their main leader, one Bram Kuyper, the leading Dutch statesman and scholar in the decades around 1900, with quite a following in places like the US, Canada, Korea or South-Africa. Not a "Reformed" story, but definitely an interesting one. Read my books! 

Hey, it was just a joke! 

[steve ridgway]

Ligeti - Masterworks Vol. 2.

[asin] B07MCW81MK[/asin]

[Tsaraslondon]

More lovely Auvernge songs. Jill Gomez may not be quite so well known as some of the illustrious singers who have recorded selections, but she has the full measure of the idiom, her singing both sensuous and charming. Vernon Handley in repertoire you would not readily associate him with, provides lush but detailed accompaniment. A wonderful disc.

[Mandryka]

https://www.youtube.com/v/Pa91oitfPp0

This is Trudelies Leonhardt playing D 850 - the first movement. A good job in what is, for me, really challenging music.

[Papy Oli]

Arnold Cooke - The Seamew

https://www.youtube.com/v/r3ajKj_vSZAhttps://www.youtube.com/v/t1TI77TZ0owhttps://www.youtube.com/v/re7gfSF0MUY

[Roasted Swan]

Pleased with this set. The "Classical" is a bit po-faced, not at the races compared with my favourite recording, Ansermet. The 7th Symphony on the other hand is outstanding. Recording has brushed up well in the digital mastering. 4th & 5th up next.

I'd remembered these performances from rather murky Vox/Turnabout LP's back in the 70's - with lots of added cracks and pops from the poor pressings.  When I came across these in the digital transfers I was really impressed.  But generally I think Martinon was a fine and dynamic conductor and not just in the "predictable" Ravel and Debussy.  By the way all 7 symphonies from Martinon turn up hidden away in this Amazon download;

[asin]B07D4DKX6X[/asin]

The Vox Boxes you have are available very cheaply in the US but no so readily/cheaply available in the UK hence the download option.  Usual thing of Amazon low bit rates but they still sound a heap better than those dreadful old LP's!  Search "   Sergei Prokofiev: Essential Works" as the image link does not seem to be working.....

[Traverso]

Schubert

3 klavierstücke ( Impromptus) D.946
6 Moment musicaux, D.780
12 German Dances D.790

[Maestro267]

Elgar: The Black Knight
London Symphony Chorus
London SO/Hickox

[Traverso]

Ketèlbey

[Roasted Swan]

Ketèlbey

I do love a bit of Ketèlbey but the absolute best disc is an old EMI/Philharmonia one with John Lanchbery - so good to hear this music played brilliantly by a full symphony orchestra!