What are you listening 2 now?

[VonStupp]

Benjamin Britten
Hymn to St. Peter, op. 56a
A Hymn of St. Columba
A Hymn to the Virgin
Hymn to St. Cecilia, op. 27

Finzi Singers - Paul Spicer

Working my way through this set of Britten's choral music this week.

Britten's 'hymns' are pleasant miniatures with lots of ear-pleasing personality. Of course, Hymn to St. Cecilia is the masterpiece, and his ability to write for a cappella chorus in an instrumental manner is a standout part of the work. Glorious stuff! St. Peter is almost a microcosm of Cecilia, and they are interesting to compare.

I forgot what a quirky composer for pipe organ Britten was, as in Columba, and I expect more to come. The all-important semi-chorus in Virgin is quite well done here too.

I have so many versions of Cecilia, but I am really liking the Finzi Singers compared to others I greatly admire. It bodes well for the rest of this series!  VS

[Symphonic Addict]

This release does deserve its praises. It's wonderful!! Not only is the Klami a highlight, but the Pylkkänen!! Kullervon sotaanlähtö (Kullervo goes to War) is a real stunner, very epic and vigorous as you could expect from a title like that. Sibelian tinges didn't last to appear soon, it shares the nordic and Finnish language and feeling.

All in all, one of my favorite new releases/recordings of 2021.




Here he appears. Not to be confused. His face could express something dour, but don't let yourself lead by wrong appearances.

[Symphonic Addict]

I will! I can tell there's something there. There are many pieces I didn't warm up to on first hearing, but after repeated listening, it all fell into place.

Perfect segue to Thread Duty!

Hugo Alfvén
Midsummer Vigil (Swedish Rhapsody no. 1)
Symphony no. 2
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic
Neeme Järvi
(on Spotify)



Of course, the Swedish Rhapsody no. 1 is Alfvén's most famous work, and Järvi and his orchestra play it very well. Such a happy-go-lucky, carefree piece. The same cannot be said of the Second Symphony - it's at times turbulent and dark, and it ends in D minor. I found it more convincing than the First (as kyjo put it, it doesn't "hang together" as well) but I think I need another listen or two before I form my opinion on it. It has some lovely spots, especially the opening. Looking forward to exploring the rest of the symphonies!

You're approaching to the best stuff in my view and in others too (I guess): Symphonies Nos. 3-5

But besides these fantastic symphonies, please do try his complete ballet Bergakungen (The King of the Mountain) at some point. Very folksy, witty, tuneful, noble. Really good stuff in my view.

I have a fascination with nordic composers, maybe even being the composers I appreciate the most. Most A good portion of my all-time favorite composers come from this geographical area: Nielsen, Sibelius, Atterberg, Melartin, Holmboe, Langgaard, Nystroem, Pettersson, Rosenberg and many others.

[Symphonic Addict]

Dvorak: Symphony No. 4 [Rowicki]





The first movement is a very expansive and lyrical presentation. There is, however, much drama and tension in this music and there are wonderful swells to the music and its delivery here. The orchestration is always very engaging. The slow movement has wonderful sonorities and textures to it and it is wonderfully effusive and atmospheric in its presentation and delivery and it is always  thoughtful, lyrical and expansive. The writing is wonderfully lyrical throughout the movement. The Scherzo is an exciting, thrilling and compelling affair with a very joyous and optimistic tone. This is an emotionally cracking delivery of this movement; it is superb music and music making. The forward momentum of the final movement is both very positive and exciting and sometimes thrilling. It appears to take on a life of its own. The brass section is very prominent in the final movement which adds to the dramatic effect. This is a particularly fine version of this work.

Very nice, aligreto! I've just getting a listen to his previous symphony, the 3rd, and oh my, what a glorious work. The performance I heard was the one to be found in the Suitner set. Almost absolute perfection of a performance in my personal perception and analysis. I had forgot how Wagnerian are the first two movements. And sonically is impeccable, top-notch.

Dvorák is a composer of my highest esteem. I love almost all of what he wrote.

[André]

Il Tabarro with Guleghina, Shicoff and Guelfi. Fine contributions from conductor and orchestra in an excellent recording, but undistinguished singing from second-rank singers. No cigar.

[Symphonic Addict]

The exhilaratingly glorious Symphony No. 3 in this knock-out of a performance and recording.

A very welcome rediscovery. The artistic qualities of this Czech genius appeared very early in his life. He was born to write gorgeous, majestic and optimistic music.

[classicalgeek]

You're approaching to the best stuff in my view and in others too (I guess): Symphonies Nos. 3-5

But besides these fantastic symphonies, please do try his complete ballet Bergakungen (The King of the Mountain) at some point. Very folksy, witty, tuneful, noble. Really good stuff in my view.

I have a fascination with nordic composers, maybe even being the composers I appreciate the most. Most of my all-time favorite composers come from this geographical area: Nielsen, Sibelius, Atterberg, Melartin, Holmboe, Langgaard, Nystroem, Pettersson, Rosenberg and many others.

There's a Bergakungen Suite included in the Järvi set, and of course I know the 'Shepherdess's Dance'! I'll definitely explore the whole ballet - looks like there's a complete recording of with Svetlanov (of all people) on Spotify! You list some great composers there: Nielsen and Sibelius are favorites of mine, and I've liked what I've heard by Atterberg, Holmboe, and Langgaard (VERY different composers, by the way!) Pettersson is more of an acquired taste - I need to do some deeper listening to his Symphonies and Concertos. I'm not as familiar with the rest though I've heard some of their music.

TD: A familiar piece in a classic recording:

Tchaikovsky
Symphony no. 6
Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
Yevgeny Mravinsky
(on Spotify)



Harrowing and intense from first note to last - I'd venture to guess the shattering climax of the first movement (9 bars after letter Q in the score) has never been done better. The third movement is a tour de force, and Mravinsky brings it to a powerful but devastating conclusion. Perhaps not the best-played or best-sounding, but Mravinsky's vision of the work is so gripping that those qualities are less important.

[Undersea]

Currently:



Cherubini: String Quartet #5 in F


Relaxing after work with some nice String Quartets...

[TheGSMoeller]

The Wooden Prince...

[bhodges]

Shostakovich: Two Pieces for String Octet (Ensemble Biancafiore) - Never in a million years would I have imagined that this piece could be done by an ensemble of Japanese mandolins, but here we are. Won't replace the original, but it's still pretty great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i24qnm-QaMk

--Bruce

[classicalgeek]

To finish up before the weekend:

Korngold
Symphony in F-sharp major
Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg
Marc Albrecht
(on Spotify)



Perhaps my favorite underrated 20th-century symphony! Full of great tunes (even in that strange, somewhat angular first movement) and *stunningly* orchestrated. Sometimes it reminds me of Mahler in spots - is this what Mahler would have sounded like had he lived longer? - but at the end of the day, it's pure Korngold. The slow movement moves me every time I hear it.

[JBS]

Second listen. Basic description: a well-executed mainstream approach.

[Mirror Image]

So many members here are listening to such great music that I can't even reply to everyone individually --- a real dilemma. It makes me wish sometimes that we had a like feature here, but then we'd see more likes and less comments on posts, so I understand why GMG doesn't.

Now playing this new arrival:



So far, it's a gem! I concur with Cesar.

[Linz]

Bruckner 9th from tis set

[Symphonic Addict]

So many members here are listening to such great music that I can't even reply to everyone individually --- a real dilemma. It makes me wish sometimes that we had a like feature here, but then we'd see more likes and less comments on posts, so I understand why GMG doesn't.

Now playing this new arrival:



So far, it's a gem! I concur with Cesar.

Glad to read your impressions! Both conductor and orchestra understand this music and deliver convincing performances.

[Mirror Image]

Glad to read your impressions! Both conductor and orchestra understand this music and deliver convincing performances.

Without a doubt! I'll have to repeat this recording again soon.

[Linz]

Bruckner's 3rd from this set

[Linz]

Now for some Sibelius

[vandermolen]

Now for some Sibelius

That's a great set!

Now playing:
John Kinsella's 6th Symphony

[vandermolen]

This release does deserve its praises. It's wonderful!! Not only is the Klami a highlight, but the Pylkkänen!! Kullervon sotaanlähtö (Kullervo goes to War) is a real stunner, very epic and vigorous as you could expect from a title like that. Sibelian tinges didn't last to appear soon, it shares the nordic and Finnish language and feeling.

All in all, one of my favorite new releases/recordings of 2021.




Here he appears. Not to be confused. His face could express something dour, but don't let yourself lead by wrong appearances.

Good to know Cesar - I'm looking forward to receiving the CD.