What are you listening 2 now?

[vandermolen]

Vítězslav Novák
The Storm, op. 42
Zdeněk Košler and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus

I am unmoved by much of Novák's orchestral music, but I'm always left gobsmacked by The Storm.

I think that 'The Storm' is one of the greatest and most moving choral works ever written. After an hour of epic tribulations it arrives at a kind-of spiritual catharsis that I found overwhelming when I first came across the work on a double LP set many decades a go. I remember buying it from Farringdon Records in Cheapside London (those were the days!) I bought it alongside Hans Hubert Schoenzeler's recording of Rubbra's 5th symphony - one of my most memorable purchases. Although, I agree with Kyle (Kyjo) that 'The Storm' is Novak's greatest work I think highly of works like the 'South Bohemian Suite', 'De Profundis' and 'In the Tatras' as well as much of the chamber music + the lovely 'Eight Nocturnes for Voice and Orchestra' (especially the beautiful 'Christchild's Lullabye'). I find him to be a most interesting composer and one of the most underrated.

[vandermolen]

Catching up with my GMG listening backlog:



Symphony No. 2.  Very fine Late Romantic symphony.

I have this CD but can't remember much about it. Following discussion here I must listen to it again.
Now playing, Kaljo Raid's 'First Symphony' (from the Eller/Raid CD pictured above). A marvellously inspiriting symphony.

[Que]

Morning listening:

[Florestan]

To me this is the best CD in the series so far. All works are joyful, uplifting and tuneful. Not that the other 3 CD are bad, but this one impressed me the most.

One more disc to go.



Exquisite music.

[springrite]

Some gentle early morning listening.
Eller: Elegia for Harp and Strings.
This is one of those CDs that I can play from beginning to end with much pleasure:

That Raid symphony is excellent as well!

[aligreto]

Two favourites on this thread 

[aligreto]

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas [Backhaus]





Piano Sonata No. 31 Op. 110: The touch of Backhaus is sublime here. His interpretation and execution of the work is immaculately executed. The third movement is a very delicate and expressive presentation. The performance and interpretation overall is immaculate.

[Harry]

I also liked this charming work Harry. I have also been enjoying listening to the music of Uuno Klami recently, having discovered 'Psalmus'. The Kalevala Suite and 'Sea Pictures' are particular favourites. This is my favourite Klami disc:

Yes I agree, this Chandos is also in my collection.

[Harry]

Isabella Leonarda, (1620-1704)

La Musa Novarese.

Gruppo Vocale Musica Laudantes, Riccardo Doni.
Cappella Strumentale del Duomo di Novara, Paolo Monticelli.
Soloists: Loredana Bacchetta, Caterina Calvi, Gianluca Ferrarini, Luca Ferracin.


Last time I have listen to this CD was May 1998, which was 23 years ago, how fast time is slipping through my fingers!!!!
I remember being impressed by Leonarda's music, and the high level of performance. Finally a vocal CD without the cursed counter tenors which seem to be the norm these days. The last thing is the main reason why I abstain from most new recordings that holds interesting music for me. But this CD is incredibly good. I did not enjoy myself so much in a long time. I am in the process of culling my collection, and this one was on my list to listen and see if it was worthwhile, and it bloody well is.
Recording wise its top notch.

[vandermolen]

That Raid symphony is excellent as well!

I definitely agree Paul - I played it again this morning.

Playing here now - Bliss conducts Bliss 'Hymn to Apollo' - a lovely recording of this short but moving work. I've seen it suggested recently that as Apollo (amongst much else) was the God of Healing in Greek/Roman mythology, Bliss, in composing the work, was still trying to come to terms with the death of his brother Kennard in the First World War. Bliss's attempt to assuage his 'survivor's guilt' is more obviously seen in his later choral symphony 'Morning Heroes' but I find the argument that this earlier work also had a cathartic intent convincing. This is a fine CD in all respects:

[aligreto]

Boccherini: String Quintet Op. 25/4 [Europa Galante]





Here is more elegant and utterly charming music.

[Papy Oli]

Various Debussy orchestral works (Haitink, Van Beinum)

[foxandpeng]

Vigilia
Rautavaara
Schweckendiek

Came across this in the insomniacs small hours. Really enjoyable performances.

[Roasted Swan]

Various Debussy orchestral works (Haitink, Van Beinum)

That is a justly famous set!

[Roasted Swan]

I definitely agree Paul - I played it again this morning.

Playing here now - Bliss conducts Bliss 'Hymn to Apollo' - a lovely recording of this short but moving work. I've seen it suggested recently that as Apollo (amongst much else) was the God of Healing in Greek/Roman mythology, Bliss, in composing the work, was still trying to come to terms with the death of his brother Kennard in the First World War. Bliss's attempt to assuage his 'survivor's guilt' is more obviously seen in his later choral symphony 'Morning Heroes' but I find the argument that this earlier work also had a cathartic intent convincing. This is a fine CD in all respects:

+1 for a great disc

[Papy Oli]

That is a justly famous set!

It is a first listen to this set for me, RS and it is very good indeed.

[Roasted Swan]

A first listen for a bargain disc picked up on Amazon



This is part of my re-acquainting myself with the genius of Stanislaw Skrowaczewski.  After the brilliant VoxBox of Stravinsky and Prokofiev in Minnesota I bought this on something of a whim - not really necessary as I have his fine Arte Nova/Bruckner cycle.  But goodness me this is one of the finest Bruckner "Romantics" I have heard in a long long time.  Such an impressive interpretation with beautifully phrased 'singing' lines and really subtlety to the balancing of the orchestral parts.  Counter melodies and secondary line appearing in a quite revelatory manner.  This is broad imposing Bruckner with a quite epic approach - I love Barenboim's thrill ride in Chicago but for example Barenboim takes nearly 5 minutes less time over the whole work than Skrowaczewski.  The Halle from 1993 play superbly too - really willing to push both ends of the dynamic envelope.  Truely visionary in the way Bruckner surely intended to be

[Roasted Swan]

It is a first listen to this set for me, RS and it is very good indeed.

Pretty sure the Haitink element of this set was a Gramophone Award winning disc....

[Harry]

Nikolai Miaskovsky.

Complete Symphonies, Volume XIV.

No. 21 in F minor.
Sinfonietta in F minor.
Silence in F minor.
Serenade No. 1.

State SO of the Russian Federation, Evgeny Svetlanov.

Symphony No. 21 has but one movement, but what an introduction it is. The brass is not that well recorded, so be aware with high volumes, the Andante sostenuto might tempt you to turn the volume up quite a bit. But marvelous music!

[aligreto]

Palestrina: Missa assumpta est Maria [Pro Cantione Antiqua]





Very pleasant listening with clear vocal lines throughout.