What are you listening 2 now?

[aligreto]

Brahms: Symphony No. 3 [Boult]

This is an old download and I honestly do not remember its provenance so I unfortunately do not know who the performing orchestra is or what label it is on as I originally neglected to tag it properly.

The opening was far too slow for me and lacked the impact that other versions have. Otherwise, the movement developed into quite a good version. It was lyrical, well balanced and made a good case for the music, I felt. The slower pace of this presentation suits the tone and mood of the two inner movements. They are suitably lyrical, expansive and ruminative. The Final movement is a joy to hear. It is assertive and buoyant, electric in places, and very well delivered.

[aligreto]

Poulenc
Les soirées de Nazelles FP84
Thème Varié FP 151

You finally broke free of your Cantata shackles 

[VonStupp]

Vítězslav Novák
Lady Godiva Overture, op. 41
Toman and the Wood Nymph, op. 40
De Profundis, op. 67
Libor Pešek and the BBC Philharmonic

A bit too Post-Romantic for my tastes, although the authority of Pešek is unmissable. I think I even detect slight Impressionist tendencies here, or a Delius effect at least. I feel I'm in the minority for not caring for Chandos' big orchestral sonics, but that is in evidence here too. I will have to try Pešek's Liverpool outing of Novák on Virgin to see if I like it any better. De Profundis' big pipe organ finale is fun though!

[kyjo]

Have you ever heard his symphonies 3 and 4 on YouTube, Kyle? The cheerfulness of the 2nd is practically absent in them. These are much more serious works, and quite interesting they are.

No, I haven't! I'll have to check them out.

[Karl Henning]

Copland
Appalachian Spring
Four dance episodes from Rodeo
Billy the Kid ballet suite
Fanfare for the Common Man
Music for the Theatre
Connotations (with the composer on piano)
Inscape
El salón México
Y Phil
Lenny

[kyjo]

Symphony No. 1 in G minor

A robust, vigorous symphony in a splendid recording. The Scherzo is just infectious, almost Dvorakian in its uninhibited joy.

Have you heard his 4th Symphony? It's a really wonderful creation - full of freshness and memorable tunes. I'm not always impressed by Gernsheim but that work really surprised me. I'll have to try the other symphonies (though I recall the 3rd being not very engaging).

[Artem]

Is her wonderful voice still holding up well?

Her voice is great. I particularly enjoy the programme of that disk. It flows perfectly.

[prémont]

Peculiar, isn't it ?

Paging Harry, Mandryka, Premont and Co...  0:)

Maybe you guys can shed some light on that sound please ? Thank you.

I think the buzzing sound of the deep notes of the cantus firmus ( = the choral tune which is heard in the bass voice) is made by the 16' fagot in the organs pedal. Also the effect may be increased by a 16' violone, which plays in unisono with the organ.

http://mypipeorganhobby.blogspot.com/2009/07/waalse-kerk-amsterdam.html

[Iota]

Tippett: String Quartet No.2


I'm really enjoying this quartet at the moment. I guess you could say it wears its charms fairly discreetly, but they are many and varied.

[Symphonic Addict]

Vítězslav Novák
Lady Godiva Overture, op. 41
Toman and the Wood Nymph, op. 40
De Profundis, op. 67
Libor Pešek and the BBC Philharmonic

A bit too Post-Romantic for my tastes, although the authority of Pešek is unmissable. I think I even detect slight Impressionist tendencies here, or a Delius effect at least. I feel I'm in the minority for not caring for Chandos' big orchestral sonics, but that is in evidence here too. I will have to try Pešek's Liverpool outing of Novák on Virgin to see if I like it any better. De Profundis' big pipe organ finale is fun though!

Lady Godiva and De Profundis are pretty good pieces, but I'm less keen on Toman and the Wood Nymph.

[Symphonic Addict]

Have you heard his 4th Symphony? It's a really wonderful creation - full of freshness and memorable tunes. I'm not always impressed by Gernsheim but that work really surprised me. I'll have to try the other symphonies (though I recall the 3rd being not very engaging).

Yes, I recall enjoying all these symphonies. My favorite is the No. 2 in E flat major. Not earth-shattering stuff, but very well-crafted they are.

[Symphonic Addict]

Piano Quintet in B minor

Gosh, this monumental quintet always thrills me with its intense passion and lushness. It's absolutely ravishing!

[VonStupp]

Lady Godiva and De Profundis are pretty good pieces, but I'm less keen on Toman and the Wood Nymph.

You read my mind...

[Symphonic Addict]

Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 4

Extraordinary composition, full of arresting harmonic and rhythmic gestures. This is what I call succulent music.

[Symphonic Addict]

Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B flat major

Weber really knew how to write for the clarinet. Just delightful in every way. The Minuetto is so fun.

[Papy Oli]

I think the buzzing sound of the deep notes of the cantus firmus ( = the choral tune which is heard in the bass voice) is made by the 16' fagot in the organs pedal. Also the effect may be increased by a 16' violone, which plays in unisono with the organ.

http://mypipeorganhobby.blogspot.com/2009/07/waalse-kerk-amsterdam.html

Thank you very much Premont, I appreciate the response even if the technical aspect is beyond me. At least, I am relieved the sound is "normal"   

[Symphonic Addict]

Trio for horn, violin and piano

A first listen to this piece. The 1st movement didn't impress that much, but the next ones... wow! They demonstrate why Ligeti was an important composer. The final movement Lamento is quite striking. A formidable find I must say.

[VonStupp]

Bedřich Smetana
Má Vlast, JB 1:112
Rafael Kubelík and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1971)



Family Listening Night:
The girls chose Má Vlast to listen to tonight. I couldn't find my mono recording of Kubelik leading Chicago, but I remember liking his Boston just fine. Václav Smetáček on Supraphon is my go to for comparisons, so I look forward to hearing this one again. Good Night All!

[amw]

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas [Backhaus]





Piano Sonata No. 30 Op. 109 I was particularly attracted to this one of the late sonatas for some reason. I found it to be very appealing and engaging listening. It felt that there was something different about it. Did LvB have something in particular on his mind when he composed it I wonder? It is serenely delivered by Backhaus.

Op. 109 is dedicated to Maximiliane von Brentano, the daughter of the person now widely considered to be Beethoven's "Immortal Beloved", Antonia von Brentano (dedicatee of several other Beethoven works). Musicologists of the 19th century gossip magazine variety believe Beethoven and Brentano had a brief affair around the time Maximiliane was born, and that therefore she may be Beethoven's unacknowledged daughter. There is, as far as I know, no proof that this is true, nor would obtaining such proof be possible. Another theory suggests that Beethoven intended the sonata to be an easy work for students, such as its nine-year-old dedicatee, but unless she was a child prodigy of enormous talent he did a very bad job at this. The sonata certainly is special regardless.

[Mirror Image]

Zemlinsky: String Quartet No. 4

Extraordinary composition, full of arresting harmonic and rhythmic gestures. This is what I call succulent music.

Great stuff, Cesar. All of Zemlinsky's SQs are worthwhile and wonderful works.