What are you listening 2 now?

[Florestan]

Hi Andrei - the recording w/ Hough piqued my interest - I've not changed/added/culled my Rach Piano Concertos recordings for years - and looking the two sets that I own are relatively 'old' - however, I was reading reviews of the Hough set, recorded live, and mostly laudatory although audience clapping is mentioned at the end of each work, something that I cannot tolerate well (just me although the reviewer mentioning this was also annoyed) - BUT when you listen let us know?  Also, I do enjoy the performances of Eresko (what happened to him?) but could replace the Wild, so any other 'more recent' recommendations from all would be appreciated.  Dave

I have not heard Ereskov / Provatorov --- but Earl Wild / Jascha Horenstein is excellent, both sonic-wise and interpretive-wise.

[SonicMan46]

I have not heard Ereskov / Provatorov --- but Earl Wild / Jascha Horenstein is excellent, both sonic-wise and interpretive-wise.

Thanks Andrei - has been a while since I've spun those discs, but these two sets I kept after a little culling a while back so must have been my favorites of the ones owned at the time - I need to re-listen but recall really liking Eresko, and also Wild - a nice contrast to have both recordings.  Dave

[André]

One of the very best versions of this opera. The three principals have good claims to be their respective role's best exponents. Oh, and orchestra and conducting are excellent, too. The sound is 1957 Kingsway Hall vintage. Hugely enjoyable.

[aligreto]

Another new composer to me. This year's release.

What a wonderful image. I would have liked to have taken it 

[aligreto]

That set is not bad, but this one is better... 

Yes, my good friend, that may well be but the major disadvantage from my perspective is that it is played on piano. Some of us have sensitive ears you know  

[Undersea]

Recent Listening:




Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli


Beautiful work - I am looking forward to receiving that Brilliant Classics set of Palestrina and discovering more of his music...

[Symphonic Addict]

Excellent set. I especially like Concerto for Orch. and two Dances.   

The Peacock Variations, Dances of Galánta and Háry János Suite stand out for me, but I love the whole set overall.

[Symphonic Addict]

I'll have to investigate this cycle - sounds like a very appealing combination of performers. Shelley is a brilliant pianist who has recorded such a wide range of repertoire.

It's pretty fine, Kyle, and with stunning sonics as usual with Chandos.

Love that work! Bliss is increasingly becoming one of my favorite British composers behind RVW, Bax, Walton, Lloyd, Arnold, and Elgar. As you say, his orchestration is so imaginative (great use of percussion!), and I find the way he works out his musical material to be very satisfying.

I'm tempted to agree with you about including Bliss in my list of favorite British composers. Other works that have impressed me by him are his string quartets. All of them deserve much more exposure.

Oh yes, a gorgeous work. It's a pity that Nadia basically stopped composing when her sister Lili died in 1918 - as she left us with very little. The only other work I know by her (besides a few songs) is her brilliant 3 Pieces for cello and piano. Btw, the Tansman PC no. 2 on that disc is also fantastic!

I didn't know the existence of those works. I'll investigate them. And yes, the Tansman is pretty good if memory serves.

[Karl Henning]

Respighi
Pini di Roma
Feste romane

Sibelius
Lounnatar, Op.70
Phyllis Curtin, soprano
Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49

Rimsky-Korsakov
Scheherezade, Op. 35
Jn Corigliano, vn
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34

NY Phil
Lenny

[Symphonic Addict]

Saint-Saëns: Cello Sonata Nr. 1 in C minor
Reger: String Sextet in F major

[André]

Disc one, with the first 7 works mentioned on the set cover. Glissées for solo cello is a most fascinating work.

[Karl Henning]

Overtures

Rossini
Il barbiere di Siviglia
L'italiana in Algieri
Guillaume Tell
La gazza ladra
Semiramide
La scala di seta

von Suppé
Leichte Kavalierie
Dichter und Bauer

NY Phil
Lenny

[Klavier]

No.32.

[vandermolen]

Respighi
Pini di Roma
Feste romane

Sibelius
Lounnatar, Op.70
Phyllis Curtin, soprano
Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49

Rimsky-Korsakov
Scheherezade, Op. 35
Jn Corigliano, vn
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34

NY Phil
Lenny

Great concert Karl!

[MusicTurner]

Raff: 'Sinfonie VIII, Fruehlingsklaenge' /Lehel

At best, perhaps with a slight hint of for example Dvorak, but this work didn't convert me to Raff either ...

Michael Haydn Edition /Brilliant Classics box

What I've heard so far has been rather disappointing. Knew some of the Farberman symphonies, they are acceptable, and the chamber music for strings likewise ok. He's known for some stylistic experimentation, but as a general listener, you just don't hear it much. Also, the psychological depths appear limited, at least in these recordings. The music may be 'better than it sounds'. 'Perseus & Andromeda' has good orchestral playing, but rather terrible soloists, and a lot of recitation. The concertos receive poor performances. The religious vocal works might result in a better overall impression of the box set.

Leschetizky: 'Piano Concerto' /marco polo CD

Third- or fourth tier, short late-Romantic piano concerto, of the rather heavy/predictable sort. Not really recommended; outdated, clumsy, repetitive, with a few moments in it.

[Florestan]

Yes, my good friend, that may well be but the major disadvantage from my perspective is that it is played on piano. Some of us have sensitive ears you know  

It's precisely the piano that makes it better... 

[aligreto]

It's precisely the piano that makes it better... 

Ok Andrei, we will give you that one   

[aligreto]

Beethoven: String Quartets [Gewandhaus Quartet]





String Quartet Op. 59/1

Op.59 is a quantum leap in terms of musical content over Op.18.
This is a wonderfully expressive presentation of this work. The first violin flits about endlessly over a wonderful foundation in the first movement. The performance is both assertive and powerful with great presence. The intensity of the performance is wonderful. The second movement is a repeat of the first in terms of tone and presentation. The music is wonderfully attacked in the second movement; there is a great bite to the performance. The first violin and the cello scoring are stand out elements of this movement. The scoring for the slow movement is superb. It is viscerally and emotionally engrossing. The slow movement is a joy in itself. The string writing is really superb as is the interpretation and performance here. This level of superlative music and music making is carried forward into the final movement. This is a remarkable piece of music by any standard.

[VonStupp]

Leoš Janáček
Sinfonietta, JW 6/18
Taras Bulba, JW 6/15
Cunning Little Vixen Suite, JW 1/9
Charles Mackerras and the Vienna Philharmonic



Some might prefer Mackerras with the Czech Philharmonic on Supraphon in these works, but as in his traversals of Janáček's operas with Vienna, he is able to stir them up pretty well. The virtuoso series on Decca is also easy on the wallet.

[Brahmsian]

Háry János Suite

Thoroughly entertaining. Most of the music has a sparkling nature, but Song is full of lyricism and magic. A very special movement.

Háry János Suite is one of my favourite orchestral pieces by any composer. Probably a Top 5.