What are you listening 2 now?

[Papy Oli]

And volume 4 to conclude the set. Just lovely.

[kyjo]

Do you have any stand-out recommendations of them?

Any of their recordings with Andrew Litton conducting, particularly their Prokofiev series on BIS.

[kyjo]

Looks like a great new disc! Stenhammar's piano music is incredibly beautiful, particularly the sublime Sensommernätter which ranks amongst my favorite solo piano works ever.

[kyjo]

Yes, I also enjoy them. The first two SQs possess a more approachable idiom, whilst Nos. 3-5 are Reger in full display. As a whole they represent an important part in the development of the composer's technique IMO. No. 3 is particularly impressive, lasting more than 50 minutes long. The music is rigurously and meticulously written.

Thanks, Cesar. I listened to the String Sextet last night (CPO recording) and my attention (if not my affection ) was kept throughout, due in no small part to the magnificent performance it receives there. There's some fine, meaty music particularly in the first and third movements. But Reger's obstinate avoidance of writing directly-speaking and memorable melodic lines (in some of his chamber works, anyway) is still an obstacle for me. My loss, I'm sure!

[kyjo]

I love the seriousness and nobility of Medtner's music.

+1 I was recently listening to his PC no. 2 (Yegeny Sudbin's recording on BIS) and was again deeply impressed by the depth of Medtner's inspiration.

[kyjo]

Bohuslav Martinů
Field Mass, H279

Leoš Janáček
Amarus, JW 3/6

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus
Sir Charles Mackerras (1985)

I am glad I re-listened to this recording. I originally had a distaste for Janáček's Amarus, which sounded merely conventional, something I have never levelled against Janáček. It turns out that if I play Amarus first, it has far more impact when not following Martinů's Field Mass, a uniquely-scored, emotionally-affecting composition. Odd that programming order would make such a difference on me.



The Czech performers here under Mackerras are quite excellent. Fun Czech choral music too!

I love both of those works. The Janacek may be early but it's already recognizably his own, just within a more "traditional" Romantic context. And the Martinu is just superb.

[Mirror Image]

Nice pic. I guess "Andrea" could be a male name in Portuguese. Will check out the box.

Actually, I believe he's Italian not Portuguese. Andrea isn't an uncommon name for a man in Italy. Think of Andrea Bocelli for example. Yes, do check out this set --- it's excellent.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Villa-Lobos
Dança dos mosquitos
Slovak Radio SO
Duarte

[SonicMan46]

Bach, JS - Preludes Fugues & Transcriptions w/ Ivo Janssen from the 20-CD box - nearly a week, but on the last 3 discs; the Transcriptions are on 2 discs, nearly all Vivaldi on the first one and a mixture of composers on the second recording; I really enjoy the Vivaldi transcriptions and also have them on harpsichord w/ Sophie Yates.  Dave

   

[Papy Oli]

Bach - Cantata BWV 30 / 75 (Gardiner Vol.1)

[vandermolen]

Frederic Austin (1872-1952) 'The Sea Venturers' (1934)
A marvellously swashbuckling Baxian score, with echoes of Philip Sainton's 'The Island' and even of Bernard Herrmann.
I switched on BBC Radio 3 yesterday and they were playing this recording (there is another one) which reminded me what a fine, inspiriting score this is (it has a lovely, lyrical central section). Austin, born in 1872 (the same year as Vaughan Williams) was rather overshadowed by the composers of the English Musical Renaissance, and yet there is a slumbering power to his music which I find most appealing:

[steve ridgway]

Crumb - Madrigals, Book III.

[Florestan]

Actually, I believe he's Italian not Portuguese. Andrea isn't an uncommon name for a man in Italy. Think of Andrea Bocelli for example.

Exactly.

[Que]

[Harry]

Frederic Austin (1872-1952) 'The Sea Venturers' (1934)
A marvellously swashbuckling Baxian score, with echoes of Philip Sainton's 'The Island' and even of Bernard Herrmann.
I switched on BBC Radio 3 yesterday and they were playing this recording (there is another one) which reminded me what a fine, inspiriting score this is (it has a lovely, lyrical central section). Austin, born in 1872 (the same year as Vaughan Williams) was rather overshadowed by the composers of the English Musical Renaissance, and yet there is a slumbering power to his music which I find most appealing:

O, yes a marvelous disc to be sure!

[Harry]

And that's a fine set too Que. I have fond memories of it!

[Que]

And that's a fine set too Que. I have fond memories of it!

I'm currently exploring the Haydn sonatas. 

[Harry]

Ludwig van Beethoven.
Complete Symphonies and other Orchestral Works.
CD II.

Symphony No. 3, opus 55, "Eroica".
Coriolan, Overture, opus62.
Egmont, Overture, opus 84.
Die Ruinen von Athen, opus 113.

Anima Eterna, Jos van Immerseel.


Frankly I know of no better recording of the Third as the present one. What a marvelous journey it is with Immerseel. Every movement bursts with energy, and aplenty of detail will reach your ears, details you never heard before. This is a performance clearly on top when it comes to Authentic interpretations. I love every minute of it. The overtures get the same fine treatment, closer to Beethoven's truth we will never come, but that's because we hear the truth. The recording is close to State of the Art.

[kyjo]

Guarnieri
Symphonies nos. 1 & 2
São Paulo Symphony
Neschling

Pounds the table! I love Guarnieri's robust, rhythmically exciting symphonies.

[Iota]

Hindemith: Ludus Tonalis

Olli Mustonen (piano)


Mustonen almost seems to gouge holes out of the keyboard in his search for colour at times, but ranges comfortably to a gossamer-like insubstantiality where necessary, when it can seem like sounds/ideas drop off the piano as if they were hardly ever there. I find such moments very effective indeed, and they're contrasted well with some glittering characterisations he conjures up at times.

As the remarkable music was a birthday present from Hindemith to his wife, the description 'a gift that keeps giving' seems a particularly apt and accurate one here.