What are you listening 2 now?

[SonicMan46]

Pleyel, Ignaz (1757-1831) - Piano Trios w/ Trio 1790 & Trio Joachim - Pleyel was an Austro-French composer, music publisher, and piano builder - he wrote hundreds of varied compositions catalogued HERE by Rita Benton, hence works often listed as Ben Numbers; there are nearly 50 listings for KB Trios!  On the 2 discs below, six pieces are recorded with possibly one overlap (Ben #s not listed for Trio Joachim).  I own about 18 CDs of Pleyel's compositions, probably a third are string quartets.  He is a classical composer better known these days for his pianos and publishing business, but a prolific composer of much pleasant music.  Dave

 

[André]

Started listening to this version of Peter Grimes. The Davis/Vickers will follow if all goes according to plan.

[VonStupp]

Choral & Organ Music of Puccini and Janáček
Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge
Geoffrey Webber



A weird program with singing that is not very Italianate or Czech.

[Karl Henning]

Exactly.

As Andrei, e.g., it is the local form of Andrew.

[Karl Henning]

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.

I should revisit that disc.  I do love the Ludus tonalis.

[Karl Henning]

Tchaikovsky
1812 Overture, Op. 49
Hamlet, Op. 67
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 48
Andante cantabile for String Orchestra after the 2^nd movement of the String Quartet № 1, Op. 11
NY Phil
Lenny

Apart from The Nutcracker, the first Tchaikovsky works I got to know well were the 1812 Overture, and the Romeo & Juliet Fantasy-Overture.  Periodically I muse over why the latter has achieved musical stardom, where Hamlet still seems unloved.  I always love the Op. 67 when I hear it ... I have now listened to it three times, yet I struggle to recall any of the matter (FWIW) Nevertheless, a beautiful piece (that, I do remember)

[SonicMan46]

Pleyel, Ignaz (1757-1831) - well, for the afternoon and early evening, I decided to stick w/ Pleyel and play some of his windy music:

Wind Serenades w/ Consortium Classicum, Wind Partitas w/ Amphion Wind Octet (a favorite period instrument ensemble), Clarinet Orchestral Works w/ Dieter Klöcker et al, and Wind/Strings Chamber Works w/ Lajos Lencsés et al.  Dave

[Brian]

Theodore Kuchar Dvorak on Brilliant. Absolutely smashing, exciting, colorful. Pity they didn't give him a crack at the symphony cycle too.

[Brahmsian]

Theodore Kuchar Dvorak on Brilliant. Absolutely smashing, exciting, colorful. Pity they didn't give him a crack at the symphony cycle too.

Which works?

[Karl Henning]

Lovely

https://www.youtube.com/v/NyI6YZibtQU

[prémont]

Concerto No.1.

I have not heard this recording, but the version Arrau made for EMI with Alceo Galliera is my favorite recording of this work next to Anda/Galliera.

BTW Galliera was a fine and underrated conductor.

[Symphonic Addict]

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!

That's an important advance, Kyle. I take your point about memorability. If only he had put some good melodies on the scores, much of his music would have been more approachable.

[Undersea]

Now Listening:



From:




Quite an awesome Box-Set this one - I like listening to these works when I feel like something uplifting.

[Symphonic Addict]

I've been listening to Scriabin's complete piano works in order of opus numbers, something I've had pending during the years, and I think the wait is not offering rewards. I've enjoyed his "Chopinesque" works more than the others from late years, but I'm not crazy about the former ones either. There are many short pieces (preludes, etudes, poèmes, etc) that, in the end of the day, don't give any substantial experience to me. I'm more fond of large-scale works like sonatas, symphonies, concertos, string quartets, and so on, but many tiny preludes lasting less than 1 minute long?? 

Those works sound better like background music, but not like serious listen. The sonatas are meatier, so they have been the most interesting pieces overall. I'm realizing I'm not a fan of solo piano music in general, or at least I'm not about extremely short pieces.

[Symphonic Addict]

Chamber Suite

This is muuuch better. My admiration for this composer is growing more and more, this piece is just wonderful, so lyrical and lovely. Intermezzo possesses a tense quality I find engrossing. Shchedrin manages to create tension in a very effective way.

[Karl Henning]

Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a
Swan Lake (excerpts), Op. 20
Waltz from Act I of The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66
Polonaise from Act III of Eugene Onegin
NY Phil
Lenny

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Hans Henkemans Plays Debussy.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

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

   

They all are excellent albums. I like the Transcriptions by Pieter Dirksen as well.

[Carlo Gesualdo]

Now Listening:



From:




Quite an awesome Box-Set this one - I like listening to these works when I feel like something uplifting.

Wow this look, most be awesome I am listening to The Eton Choirbook of The Sixsteen ensemble wright at this very moment, thanks  Undersea, you have great taste pal.

[Mirror Image]

NP:

Strauss
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40
San Francisco SO
Blomstedt

From this set -



A rather straight-laced, no nonsense interpretation, but boy is it exciting. Blomstedt is an excellent Straussian. Wunderbar!