What are you listening 2 now?

[vers la flamme]

John Cage: 16 Dances for Soloist and Company of Three. Giancarlo Simonacci, Ars Ludi. Wow, challenging music. Very cool that Brilliant has recorded so much Cage. Oftentimes in order to explore these postwar avant-garde composers, one has to go through expensive labels like Wergo, Hathut, Kairos, etc. I got this 2CD for $6 brand new, shipped. Good performances (I think) from these Italian players.

[aligreto]

Saeverud: Symphony No. 4 [Ruud]





This is a first listen to this work for me. I find that the sound world is very interesting, intriguing and appealing. I like the scoring, sparse in some sections but always interesting and engaging and it creates a wonderful atmosphere. I also like the sense of taut tension that prevails throughout the work. The tempo of the work is well driven. I think that this is a very inventive work and it is well delivered here.

[aligreto]

Mismatching description and picture of the product is an Amazon specialty 

Yes, something that we have unfortunately become accustomed to around these parts 

[Traverso]

That's a wonderful set.

I have also this set but I prefer the older one above.

I always think of the movie Barry Lyndon when I hear the Andante con moto from D.929

[Traverso]

Schubert

more chamber music from Schubert

[Biffo]

Beethoven: String Quartet No 7 in F, Op 59 No 1 - Razoumovsky No 1 - Quartetto Italiano

[Mirror Image]

More selections from this recording:

[Harry]

Georg Philipp Telemann.
Concertos for Woodwinds and instruments.
Camerata Koln.

This is a pretty good disc, well recorded and excellently performed. The detailing in the music is brought well to the fore, very polished and sophisticated.
Well known music but played with that little extra, especially speed

[Mandryka]

Wonderful! 

PS I have a hunch that the CD issue has a different cover?

Q

Yes, agreed.

[SonicMan46]

Graupner, Christoph (1683-1760) - well, I have about a dozen more Graupner discs but will finish my listening to this composer with the selections below; note that Rampe & Nova Stravaganza have 3 volumes of his works, and Genevieve Soly has appeared on 7 volumes of the harpsichord pieces (own all except the 7th which I may purchase?) - Dave

     

[vers la flamme]

Frédéric Chopin: Polonaise in F-sharp minor, op.44; Polonaise in A-flat major, op.53, the "Héroïque"; Polonaise in A-flat major, op.61, the "Polonaise-Fantaisie". Vladimir Ashkenazy.

Man, is it just me or is Ashkenazy a real killer in Chopin. He plays the music differently than many. Less dainty, with a heavier touch, less rubato. I could see if someone might think it crude, but I do not see it that way. I couldn't ask for a better performance in the polonaises, though I am now curious to see if Maurizio Pollini provides a subtler, more "intellectual" performance.

These polonaises are massive works, much more expansive and sprawling than his other dances—why? They are nothing like any polonaise by any previous composer. I wonder where Chopin got the idea to write these huge polonaises. 

[Que]

Graupner, Christoph (1683-1760) - well, I have about a dozen more Graupner discs but will finish my listening to this composer with the selections below; note that Rampe & Nova Stravaganza have 3 volumes of his works, and Genevieve Soly has appeared on 7 volumes of the harpsichord pieces (own all except the 7th which I may purchase?) - Dave

 

For me that harpsichord music series with Geneviève Soly turned out to be addictive. 

Q

[San Antone]

I thought you weren't a fan of Bernstein's later DG recordings?

I generally prefer his Columbia recordings, but depending upon a soloist or ensemble, some of his later recordings I think are exceptional.  Gidon Kremer's involvement in that recording was the reason I made that post. 

[Mandryka]

Morning wanderings through the Spotify library:



Q

EDIT: It leaves me unimpressed.... a  rather dry, matter-of-fact approach.

I don't quite feel the same way. I think it's beautiful.  Fluid, melodic and delicate playing, the music laid bare.

[Mirror Image]

I generally prefer his Columbia recordings, but depending upon a soloist or ensemble, some of his later recordings I think are exceptional.  Gidon Kremer's involvement in that recording was the reason I made that post.

Strangely, I didn't think much of Kremer's recording of Bernstein's Serenade, but I never found him to be a particular compelling soloist --- his involvement with his Kremerata Baltica, however, is remarkable. I prefer the older recording with Francescatti. I also liked Hilary Hahn's performance (w/ David Zinman and the Baltimore SO).

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A bit of Bax, Bliss, and Vaughan Williams:


Quite enjoyed the Bax and the Bliss; hadn't heard the Vaughan Williams work in some time, but (if I'm recalling correctly) I seem to remember it being performed...err, shall we say 'a bit livelier' in the past?

This one is with the Lindsay Quartet with Janet Hilton, clarinet, and Keith Swallow, piano on Chandos (a recent used-find for me).

PD

[The new erato]

I have also this set but I prefer the older one above.

I always think of the movie Barry Lyndon when I hear the Andante con moto from D.929

That was my introduction to the work. I saw the movie twice.

[aligreto]

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé - Suite No. 1 [Monteux]





Simply wonderful.

[SonicMan46]

For me that harpsichord music series with Geneviève Soly turned out to be addictive. 

Q

1+ - listening now to the first two discs - may go on?  At the moment, I own the first 6 volumes - the 7th is shown below and was released in 2008 according to the Analekta Website, so end of the series?  Interestingly, multiple keyboard instruments are mentioned, i.e. harpsichord, organ, and fortepiano - I'm sure Que has that last release and may want to make a few comments?  Dave

 

[vandermolen]

A bit of Bax, Bliss, and Vaughan Williams:


Quite enjoyed the Bax and the Bliss; hadn't heard the Vaughan Williams work in some time, but (if I'm recalling correctly) I seem to remember it being performed...err, shall we say 'a bit livelier' in the past?

This one is with the Lindsay Quartet with Janet Hilton, clarinet, and Keith Swallow, piano on Chandos (a recent used-find for me).

PD

That a great LP and CD.