What are you listening 2 now?

[vandermolen]

Arnold: 2nd Symphony.



After advocacy on the Arnold thread by Jeffrey of the BBC MM disc of the 2nd Symphony I took myself to the local WH Smiths and purchased a copy of the magazine and enclosed CD. For the last two weeks or so Barry Wordsworth's rendition with the BBC Concert Orchestra has become an obsession. Moving on to LP and Sir Charles Groves I thought Groves may suffer from first love syndrome, but no, I enjoyed the work equally under his baton.

I also like both performances Lol as well as Arnold's own recording. I always preferred the odd numbered symphonies (+No.6) more but I've recently come to appreciate No.2 more than before. That was a fine old LP which, I think, came out around the same time as Groves's pioneering LP of Havergal Brian's 8th and 9th symphonies and the orchestral music of Frank Bridge. They are all in the fine Groves box set in mini versions of their original LP sleeves:

[Que]

Morning listening:



Disc 1 has motets, performed by the Chœur de Chambre Namur conducted by Leonardo Garcia Alarcón.
The ensemble has 15 singers and this repertoire not performed in one voice per part (OVPP) is a notable drawback, but given the quality of the singing I can live with it.

EDIT: Followed up with disc 2 with 23 madrigali, selected from the over two hundred (!) that survived. Ravishing pieces in absolutely charming and intsense performances by Capella Mediterranea! 

[Florestan]

This gentle, caressing, comforting Requiem, this "lullaby to death" in loving memory of my father who passed away during sleep a week ago.

[Que]

This gentle, caressing, comforting Requiem, this "lullaby to death" in loving memory of my father who passed away during sleep a week ago.

My heartfelt condolences, Andrei. All the best in dealing with such terrible loss.

[vandermolen]

This gentle, caressing, comforting Requiem, this "lullaby to death" in loving memory of my father who passed away during sleep a week ago.

So sorry to hear this sad news. All strength to you and your family Andrei.

[Harry]

My heartfelt condolences, Andrei. All the best in dealing with such terrible loss.

+1

[vandermolen]

This great work - encouraged by its appearance on Roasted Swan's list of Cheltenham symphonies.
Richard Arnell: Symphony No.3 (1944-45). A fine, defiant and moving work. Arnell's mother was killed in the Blitz on London in World War Two and this would almost certainly certainly have impacted on the symphony dedicated to 'To the political courage of the British people'.

[Irons]

I also like both performances Lol as well as Arnold's own recording. I always preferred the odd numbered symphonies (+No.6) more but I've recently come to appreciate No.2 more than before. That was a fine old LP which, I think, came out around the same time as Groves's pioneering LP of Havergal Brian's 8th and 9th symphonies and the orchestral music of Frank Bridge. They are all in the fine Groves box set in mini versions of their original LP sleeves:

I like the original sleeves, Jeffrey. Missing three of the Elgar but have LP versions of the rest on show.
Maybe due to my reading more enlightened views on GMG but the appreciation of Groves  recordings seems to have risen since his passing.

[vandermolen]

I like the original sleeves, Jeffrey. Missing three of the Elgar but have LP versions of the rest on show.
Maybe due to my reading more enlightened views on GMG but the appreciation of Groves  recordings seems to have risen since his passing.

Yes, I think that he was rather underrated as a conductor and I do not know better versions of Bliss's 'A Colour Symphony' and 'Morning Heroes' (better IMO than the recent Andrew Davis version), Bridge's 'The Sea' and, in particular 'Enter Spring', Elgar's 'Nursery Suite' and Arnold's 2nd Symphony, to name just a few. His recording of Havergal Brian's 8th Symphony (my favourite) is also my top choice.

[Harry]

Morning listening.

Music from Eighteenth Century Prague.

Antonin Reichenauer.
Concertos II

Musica Florea, on period instruments. Marek Stryncl.

The second volume is as successful as the first. Supraphon assembled the best musicians available of the authentic school and managed to put together so much quality, bundled it together, 10 CD'S no less, and sold it for a pittance.
Reichenauer is a fine composer, the richness of his scoring, especially for winds, denotes a master in the field, who deserves a prominent place in everyone's collection. Performance is without blemish, all experts on their instruments, and the recording venues are well chosen for the sound is exemplary. Grab this set if you can, its well worth any investment.


The ensemble Musica Florea interprets world premiere recordings of some concertante compositions by Johann Friedrich Fasch's successor at the court chapel of Count Morzin. Reichenauer was strongly influenced in his instrumental music by Antonio Vivaldi, whose works he often quotes in his compositions.

[Traverso]

This gentle, caressing, comforting Requiem, this "lullaby to death" in loving memory of my father who passed away during sleep a week ago.

I'm really sorry to hear this Andrei,my sincere condolences.

[Que]

Via Spotify:



Hat tip Harry, for recommending it! 

BTW I concur with all the  positive quotes on this recording - the woodwind parts are particularly attractive.
But I also agree with Johan van Veen's objection to the occasional added percussive effects. Unnecessary and out of place, but it shouldn't spoil anyone's enjoyment. 

Morning listening.

Music from Eighteenth Century Prague.

Grab this set if you can, its well worth any investment.

To my knowledge this boxset was an exclusive jpc issue, which sold out on sale in a day or so.
Due to the issues with creditcard payments I missed out, though I have a couple of the recordings separately...

[Traverso]

Telemann

CD 1

Konzert A moll
Konzert F dur
Konzert E moll
Suite A moll

Ricercar Consort

[Harry]

Via Spotify:



Hat tip Harry, for recommending it! 

BTW I concur with all the  positive quotes on this recording - the woodwind parts are particularly attractive.
But I also agree with Johan van Veen's objection to the occasional added percussive effects. Unnecessary and out of place, but it shouldn't spoil anyone's enjoyment. 

To my knowledge this was a exclusive jpc issue, which sold out on sale in a day or so.
Due to the issues with creditcard payments I missed out, though I have a couple of the recordings separately...

The added percussive effects are occasional, but in no way detract from the excellence of the performance, and to be honest I rather like the high spirited performance, so unnecessary and out of place, no not really for me, but I rather think its a question of liking it or not, and that's okay.
Glad you like it.
And yes the "Music from the "eighteenth Century Prague" was a exclusive set from JPC, 10 CD'S for 18 euro's, I could not believe my luck.

[pjme]

This gentle, caressing, comforting Requiem, this "lullaby to death" in loving memory of my father who passed away during sleep a week ago.

Cu sincere condoleanțe, Andrei.

Kindest regards from Peter.

[Madiel]

This gentle, caressing, comforting Requiem, this "lullaby to death" in loving memory of my father who passed away during sleep a week ago.

My condolences.

[aligreto]

I am finishing off this wonderful CD with the following works:


Quartet Movement in F major Here we are clearly dealing with music that is on another level completely to what has gone before on this CD. This is a wonderful piece of music and it is given a very fine performance.
Cypresses for Two Violins, Viola and Cello This is another very fine work for string quartet. It has quite a range of emotion expressed in it; I particularly like the poignant sections.
Nocturne for Two Violins, Viola and Cello and Double Bass Op. 40 This is a very eloquent and lyrical short work for string quintet.

[aligreto]

This gentle, caressing, comforting Requiem, this "lullaby to death" in loving memory of my father who passed away during sleep a week ago.

I too would like to offer my condolences to you for your loss, Andrei,

[Madiel]

Haydn, Piano Trio no.10 in A (Hob. XV:35)



Lovely music, especially the 1st movement.

[Brahmsian]

This gentle, caressing, comforting Requiem, this "lullaby to death" in loving memory of my father who passed away during sleep a week ago.

My deepest condolences, Andrei. I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your father.