What are you listening 2 now?

[Maestro267]

Wordsworth: Symphony No. 3
London PO/Braithwaite

Brian: Symphony No. 2
RSNO/Brabbins

[aukhawk]

Late last night I listened to this
Debussy, String Quartet : Eroica Quartet
after several mentions in the Composer thread



I enjoyed this soft-edged rendering of a perennial favourite - dreamy slow movement very apt in a 'and so to bed' sort of way.

Early this morning I bought, on day of release,
Prokofiev, Piano Sonatas 6,7,8 : Steven Osborne
not really sure if Osborne would be a good fit in this percussive clattering music



After the 6th sonata - still not convinced.  In my own collection I prefer the recent release by Florian Noack. 
But - it was probably too early in the morning for Prokofiev!
I had to go out for a while, then just before lunch resumed with nos. 7 and 8 - and these both hit the spot.  He adopts wide-ranging tempi - sounding dangerously fast on occasions, the articulation starting to suffer.  Faster than Martha Argerich in the 7th, faster than Yuja Wang in the 8th.  I didn't have Osborne down as a risk-taker.  But then in the short slow movement of the 7th he adds well over a minute to Argerich's time, making her sound off-hand by comparison.  In the final movements of both sonatas he really rips it up in a most satisfying way. 
I could do with a bit more bottom-end heft in the piano sound - but that often seems to be a problem when the music is as percussive as this.

[Mirror Image]

Pärt
La Sindone
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Tõnu Kaljuste



This is probably the last Pärt recording that I enjoyed from start to finish. All the works are excellent and add to an already impressive oeuvre.

[Traverso]

Borodine

Petite Suite

Arenski

Scherzo

Kabelevski

Sonatine No.1

Rachmaninov

2 Préludes

Satie

Varia

[aligreto]

Mozart: Die Zauberflöte [Bohm]





I am generally a big fan of Bohm's Mozart but this interpretation is heading in the direction of Grand Opera which is definitely something that this work is not.

[Papy Oli]

Good afternoon all.

George Butterworth this afternoon. So beautiful.

[asin]B00005IA6B[/asin]

[Tsaraslondon]

Mozart: Die Zauberflöte [Bohm]





I am generally a big fan of Bohm's Mozart but this interpretation is heading in the direction of Grand Opera which is definitely something that this work is not.

Ah, but Wunderlich's peerless Tamino is one reason I return to it time after time.

[Harry]

Arnold Krug.
String Sextet-Piano Quartet.
Linos Ensemble.

A totally forgotten and unloved composer in our time. A contemporary of Johannes Brahms, and absolutely worthy to stand beside him. The String Sextet is a masterwork in every respect. Just sample the second movement "Adagio Tranquillo" and you are sold on the spot. The Linos ensemble are luxuriating in the string sounds relishing the richness of Krug's invention. Such great lyricism, flowing passages, dramatic impetus and a strong sense of narrative expression. There is a old world warmth of tone, embracing one when listening to this sextet, endowed with so much affection by the musicians, played with finesse and copious switches in mood, that yes, this is necessary to have and hold close to one's bosom. The Piano Quartet is of an equal level, with an awesome complexity, vividly on display, an intense writing, that gives a powerful image of what to expect in the first movement. Enough moments of delicacy in between the passion. The Linos ensemble is flawless in intonation, and they are expressively assured and beautifully balanced. The sound quality is first rate.

[j winter]

Happy Birthday!  Symphonies 5 & 6, Karajan

[aligreto]

Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 [Szell]

[aligreto]

Ah, but Wunderlich's peerless Tamino is one reason I return to it time after time.

I would not disagree with that.

[Tsaraslondon]

Disc 1

Symphony no 5 in B flat major
Symphony no 8 in B minor 'Unfinished'
Rosamunde - Ballet music

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment - Sir Charles Mackerras

I just love the 5th here, the opening movement so light and blithe. Such a wonderfu performance. The 8th is pretty good too.

[aligreto]

Schubert: Symphony No. 9 [von Karajan]





I have not listened to this work in quite some time but the one thing that immediately struck me was that the musical language was still that of Beethoven [a tribute to Beethoven and his innovation and influence opposed to any criticism of the great Schubert].

[aligreto]

I just love the 5th here, the opening movement so light and blithe. Such a wonderfu performance. The 8th is pretty good too.

I would not disagree with that either. 

[Papy Oli]

"And then the Marketing guy told me I couldn't use the yacht, the jet plane or the Motorbike on the new LP Cover !!!  "

[aligreto]

"And then the Marketing guy told me I couldn't use the yacht, the jet plane or the Motorbike on the new LP Cover !!!  "

Indeed. He does look bewildered which is unusual in itself as he is always portrayed as calm and in total control of the world.

[amw]

Arabeske Op. 18. This is possibly my favourite performance of this piece I've heard so far.

[j winter]

So, Karajan's Schubert is good, and very old-school... but really, can't I find something even more over the top than that?  Ah yes, this should do the trick... 

Schubert 9, Celibidache, Munich PO   ....Actually, it's not as slow and portentious as you might expect, clocks in at under an hour even with applause. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Piano Quintet

Incredible work. Disturbing but fascinating.

[Traverso]

Schubert

Schwanengesang  D 957