What are you listening 2 now?

[Linz]

CD 2 from this set of Haydn and Sir Neville Marriner

[Traverso]

I love the Wunderhorn-Lieder too—and I have you to thank, Jan, for putting me on to them when you sent me that excellent Haitink recording (over three years ago now)!

Glad you like it, pfff.... time flies   

[aligreto]

Part: Spiegel Im Spiegel [Schwalke/Malter]





This is another version of Spiegel Im Spiegel on this CD, this time for cello and piano. The difference here, other than the obvious one that is, is the tempo at which it is taken. It is considerably faster [1:30 minutes quicker, in fact]. I found this approach a bit strange and a bit of a shock at first but it still works, for me, however as my ear attuned to it.

[aligreto]

I listened to that recording of Alpensinfonie a few weeks ago and as a result bought the Zinman Strauss box this last weekend !

You should definitely enjoy that box set. I bought the individual issues originally.

[Todd]

Some punishing Schubert.

[Mapman]

Tchaikovsky: Symphony #6
Mravinsky: Leningrad

This is a 1982 live recording, about 20 years after the famous DG recording. This recording has the typical downsides of a live performance, and interestingly has almost the same timings as the DG. This is still a powerful performance of this great symphony.

[classicalgeek]

I think you'll enjoy the Pacifica cycle. It doesn't displace the Borodin Quartet on Chandos or Melodiya for me, but for a modern cycle they're difficult to beat. By the way, how are you enjoy that Jansons cycle so far?

Pacifica's Shostakovich is on my wishlist! I imprinted on the Emerson String Quartet's Shostakovich, and while I enjoyed it, it felt like it was missing something.

As for the Jansons Shostakovich symphonies, I've only listened to #1 and #15, and so far, so good. I quite liked #1 - a really solid performance. No. 15 was fine as well, although it lacked that last bit of intensity... and mystery at the very end.

TD:
Dvorak
Symphony no. 8
Symphony no. 9
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras
(on CD)

My first foray into the twin 'Life with Czech Music' sets I received for my birthday:



I enjoyed Mackerras's Ninth more than this Eighth - and the Eighth is probably my favorite Dvorak symphony (though depending on the day I might choose the Fifth or Sixth!) I found the slow movement of the Eighth a little fast - not a true Adagio - and I've heard the Finale done better, especially those rollicking tuttis - you have to hear the horn trills! Höneck has the right idea - https://youtu.be/QXAv-NGppFw?list=PLJdSY82ZLG73TIM1FcK1A38z73y0ufmeQ&t=1824. In Mackerras's recording I can barely hear them at all.

The Ninth was really a fine performance, though - especially the slow movement. The English horn solos were gorgeous, and the approach to the climax in the middle of the movement was perfectly judged. An outstanding Scherzo too. The Czech Philharmonic winds (their specialty, of course) were outstanding in both pieces.

[Operafreak]

Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 in C minor- Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim

[TheGSMoeller]

Going through a couple of my "all-timers"...

[Que]

Morning listening on Spotify:

[Papy Oli]

Good morning all,

Sibelius' 4th from the Essential Sibelius boxset

[Operafreak]

Canteloube: Songs of the Auvergne- Natania Davrath (soprano)-  With orchestra  conducted by: Pierre de la Roche

[aligreto]

Canteloube: Songs of the Auvergne- Natania Davrath (soprano)-  With orchestra  conducted by: Pierre de la Roche

Wonderful!!

[aligreto]

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 11  Op. 22 [Fischer]

[Papy Oli]

Bach - Various Organ Works (Isoir CD5)

[Traverso]

Alla Venetiana


Paul O'Dette

[Irons]

Alwyn: Movements for Piano.

1/ Allegro Appassionato.
2/ Evocation.
3/ The Devil's Reel.



I find keyboard more revealing of Alwyn as a composer then either symphonies or string quartets.

[Harry]

J.S. Bach.

The Brandenburg Concertos.

I am going through my collection in order to bring some ultimate quality back, and discard all that is not to my taste anymore. Culling it is called. And today I am sampling four complete sets. The first one was Musica Amphion, under Pieter Jan Belder. and the first to go. First of all I did not like the sound. To anonymous, and little character. In general I found the tempi conservative, and the detailing at times obscure.
The second set is with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, that caused my ears to protest, it was a rather schrill recording, with the string thin on the ground, and again rather anonymous. I thought there was little warmth in the process, but the detailing and tempi were rather adequate.
The third set is the Brandenburg Consort directed by Roy Goodman, and it was a strong antidote against the other two recordings. The playing is sophisticated, and very detailed, the tempi balanced, and the Hyperion recording very good. Of all sets I have been listening to the first three concertos to get a good impression. And I think this one is probably going to stay, even though it is a bit too polite in expression, but rather this, as a overly joyless interpretation.
The Fourth set is done by the Academy of Ancient Music, directed by Christopher Hogwood, a L' Oiseau-Lyre recording. And this one hit in all the right places, there is nothing 'I could find that did not appeal, so that sealed the deal for me. The first two sets will go, and the last two will stay.

[Harry]

Wilhelm Freidemann Bach.

Complete Sonatas & Trios with Bc.
Sonata in E minor/B flat major/D major/F major/A minor/D major
The B flat major is the only one for two Violins, the rest is all Transverse flutes
The A minor is only a fragment ( allegro 4:08)

Camerata Köln.

Karl Kaiser & Michael Schneider, Transverse Flutes.
Sabine Lier & Ingeborg Scheerer, Violins.


An excellent performance in good sound. It goes to show that Friedemann had also something to say, and quite profoundly so. An absolute must to have. Sabine Meyer plays on a Harpsichord after Johannes Ruckers by Matthias Griewisch Bommental, and a Truheorgel by Friedrich Lieb, Bietigheim. It is worthwhile to say that this a a musical detail of great importance, for it creates such a fine balance.

[aligreto]

Barry: The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant, Act 4 [Markson]