What are you listening 2 now?

[kyjo]

Hello, Kyle.

Well, I'd have to go through the whole set of 12 again to give you a good answer, but I don't recall disliking any of Milhaud's symphonies (which I know don't get much admiration here on GMG). Having said that, I really[/b] like the First and also enjoy the Second. I don't know if Plasson's DG cycle was cut short, or whether he just decided to record the first two and then the Sixth and Seventh, but the fact is he seems to have chosen the best of the series.

What truly is a blast on the CD I was listening to is the neoclassical (of sorts) and lively Suite provençale (which AFAIK uses themes by André Camera in some sections. A great composition, and really fun!

Thanks, Rafael. I'll keep your suggestions in mind!

[vandermolen]

No Jeffrey, I don't know Nadir by Sainton so I have to look into that. "Doom-laden" always triggers me 

Me too Thom. Sainton witnessed the death of a child in a bombing raid on Bristol in World War Two. 'Nadir' grew out of that as well as his surmise that he was doomed to a life of frustration in that his musical ambition would never be fulfilled. He believed strongly in astrology and saw this as his fate. And yet, 'Nadir' is a wonderfully defiant work which, towards the end quotes the Beethoven's 5th Symphony 'V for Victory' motto theme. I find this work, despite its brief duration, to be very moving:

Here it is:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jirM8hWkkdA

[vandermolen]

Chávez: Sinfonia india

That's a great boxed set which I'm also fortunate enough to have in my collection.

[André]

Disc 10:



The most interesting thing about this particular disc is that it features the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra in Wagner. The interpretations by Schuricht are vivid and quite interesting, but it's the orchestra (horns and winds esp.) that offer some revelatory sounds. Siegfried's horn calls really make the ears perk up, with their unusually fruity tone and vibrato. Listeners familiar with the Schuricht/Paris Beethoven symphonies (nos 3 and 9 in particular) will know what to expect.

[Mirror Image]

That's a great boxed set which I'm also fortunate enough to have in my collection.

It sure is. The only composer I question in the set is Falla who is a Spanish composer not Latin American.

[vandermolen]

NP:



One of the great performances of Copland's 3rd. A masterpiece and one hell of a performance.

I agree. Interestingly I prefer this version to Bernstein's earlier recording on CBS/Sony whereas, in the case of Roy Harris's Third Symphony I much prefer Bernstein's earlier recording to the bloated version on DGG.

Thumbs up for the Chavez ASV CD you posted. That Symphony 4 'Antigona' wears a 'craggy countenance' which reminds me of Havergal Brian.

[vandermolen]

I'm quite fond of Hickox's, Jeffrey. A greatly nuanced performance that seems to get to the heart of the work.

Thread duty -

Variaciones concertantes

No problem with Hickox John but I think that LSO version is very special. Because it's dedicated to him Boult recorded it four times! I think that last version is best although they are all good. He conducted it on 12/10/1972, VW's 100th b'day. The first time I heard the work as my youthful 17 year old self was in attendance. That was also recorded on Intaglio.

[Mirror Image]

I agree. Interestingly I prefer this version to Bernstein's earlier recording on CBS/Sony whereas, in the case of Roy Harris's Third Symphony I much prefer Bernstein's earlier recording to the bloated version on DGG.

Thumbs up for the Chavez ASV CD you posted. That Symphony 4 'Antigona' wears a 'craggy countenance' which reminds me of Havergal Brian.

Yes, indeed. I think this Bernstein performance of Copland's 3rd is one of the finest performances I know. Actually, the Chávez symphony I listened to was subtitled "Sinfonía romántica", which is his 4th. The symphony you're thinking about is his 1st which is Sinfonía de Antígona.

[Mirror Image]

No problem with Hickox John but I think that LSO version is very special. Because it's dedicated to him Boult recorded it four times! I think that last version is best although they are all good. He conducted it on 12/10/1972, VW's 100th b'day. The first time I heard the work as my youthful 17 year old self was in attendance. That was also recorded on Intaglio.

Ah okay, well, that makes sense why this Boult performance carries a special significance along with it. FWIW, I love his performance, too.

[vandermolen]

Yes, indeed. I think this Bernstein performance of Copland's 3rd is one of the finest performances I know. Actually, the Chávez symphony I listened to was subtitled "Sinfonía romántica", which is his 4th. The symphony you're thinking about is his 1st which is Sinfonía de Antígona.

Yes, you're quite right of course.

[kyjo]

Every once in a while I put this disc on for sheer aural gratification. What enchanting tunes ! What sumptuous orchestrations ! What gorgeous recorded sound ! Undemanding but wonderfully sophisticated music  .

+1 A fantastic disc! I was recently listening to the Sweeney Todd suite, which veers between anxious intensity (which you'd expect given the subject matter) and, perhaps surprisingly, an almost British Light Music frivolity! Curiously, considering the dark ending of the story's plot, Arnold's suite ends in the latter vein. There's a wonderful C major tune near the middle of the suite which sticks in the head and, disappointingly, never returns. Maybe it does in the full ballet?

[kyjo]

Sigurd von Koch - Piano Quintet in F major

I could call it the best piano quintet from Scandinavia (I don't know many either, except the Atterberg), and quite likely a masterpiece as well. A work full of appealing ideas, and yet another case for: why the heck is it not more widely known? Fortuntaley this recording is fantastic.

Sounds right up my alley, Cesar!

[Todd]

Disc 7.  The ABQ is definitely a late LvB ensemble.

[Mandryka]

When I was a teenager I remember catching a train from Rome to Brindisi, somewhere on the route the wagon got full of  soldiers (this was in the days of compulsory military service) who all started talking Italian. And I remember thinking that I don't understand a word they're saying, but it doesn't matter because the sounds are so musical, it's just so lovely to hear them.


That's the memory which came flooding back to me listening to Berio's Laborintus II on this recording from Ictus Ensemble. This  is Berio totally in his element. Berio can do voices.


I get the feeling religion comes into this music, maybe it's better not to understand, makes more sense that way.

[T. D.]

When I was a teenager I remember catching a train from Rome to Brindisi, somewhere on the route the wagon got full of  soldiers (this was in the days of compulsory military service) who all started talking Italian. And I remember thinking that I don't understand a word they're saying, but it doesn't matter because the sounds are so musical, it's just so lovely to hear them.


That's the memory which came flooding back to me listening to Berio's Laborintus II on this recording from Ictus Ensemble. This  is Berio totally in his element. Berio can do voices.


I get the feeling religion comes into this music, maybe it's better not to understand, makes more sense that way.

[Emphasis added] In my relatively limited experience, voices are what Berio does best!
Thanks for the reminder. When I get home I'll listen to this, one of my favorite Berio works.
I have an old/obscure recording.

[Mirror Image]

Judith: Choreographic Poem for Orchestra

[Irons]

Franck: 4 Tone Poems.



I was prompted to listen to this recording by PD's recent purchase of the same. I hope PD enjoys the tone poems on offer as much as me. Not intending to play both sides but I did. Le Chasseur Maudit is dynamic and exciting, Les Eolides is along similar lines. The pace slows for the mostly meditative Rédemption which has deeply religious connotations. Les Djinns, a work for piano (Frantisek Maxian) and orchestra, an unexpected and pleasant surprise. I found the first and last outstanding but all four highly entertaining.

[Symphonic Addict]

Franck: 4 Tone Poems.



I was prompted to listen to this recording by PD's recent purchase of the same. I hope PD enjoys the tone poems on offer as much as I did. Not intending to play both sides but I did. Le Chasseur Maudit is dynamic and exciting, Les Eolides is along similar lines. The pace slows for the mostly meditative, Rédemption which has deeply religious connotations. Les Djinns, a work for piano (Frantisek Maxian) and orchestra, an unexpected and pleasant surprise. I found the first and last outstanding but all four highly entertaining.

I'm with you here. Le Chasseur maudit and Les Djinns contain the best music IMO.

[Todd]

[vers la flamme]

[Emphasis added] In my relatively limited experience, voices are what Berio does best!
Thanks for the reminder. When I get home I'll listen to this, one of my favorite Berio works.
I have an old/obscure recording.

I've that one too. I'll have to give it a listen.