What are you listening 2 now?

[Traverso]

Josquin des Prez

[Todd]

Disc four, a big ol' chunk o' Chopin.

[Traverso]

Kodály

sonata for solo cello

[Spotted Horses]

Bruckner, Symphony No 6, Barenboim, Berlin



I like this much better than the earlier Barenboim/Chicago Symphony recording. The recording with the Chicago symphony has inappropriately prominent trumpets (and trombones). This one is much better balanced, to my ear. I also have Barenboim's Dresden set, which I got because of obsessiveness. I'm not optimistic about it because I don't think the Deutsche Gramophone house sound (to the extent that it still exists) suits Bruckner.

[ritter]

More from the Robert Craft box: Berg's Three Pieces for Orchestra, op. 6, Schoenberg's Begleitmusik, op. 34, and Webern's Six Pieces for Orchestra, op. 6 (all with the Columbia Symphony).




CD 14

[SonicMan46]

Haydn, Joseph - Baryton Works w/ John Hsu and friends - Dave

   

[vers la flamme]

Bruckner, Symphony No 6, Barenboim, Berlin



I like this much better than the earlier Barenboim/Chicago Symphony recording. The recording with the Chicago symphony has inappropriately prominent trumpets (and trombones). This one is much better balanced, to my ear. I also have Barenboim's Dresden set, which I got because of obsessiveness. I'm not optimistic about it because I don't think the Deutsche Gramophone house sound (to the extent that it still exists) suits Bruckner.

It is the Staatskapelle Berlin, not Dresden. I love the Barenboim BPO cycle to which that great recording of the 6th belongs—and I love the astronomical album covers. I wonder why he felt the need to record the cycle three times. Though I guess multiple recordings of the same rep is a Barenboim trademark.

Now playing:



Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.9 in D major. Pierre Boulez, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

I have way, wayyy too many recordings of Mahler so I sometimes neglect those that I've had for a while. So I think this may be my first listen to this particular performance. It sounds really good. The CSO is as sharp as possible, really a virtuoso orchestra which this symphony needs. Boulez is never overly precise or lacking in feeling with Mahler's music as one might expect, were one to believe the conventional wisdom regarding his music-making. You can tell Mahler's music is very close to his heart. How exactly it got there, I don't know. I should have gotten the whole cycle rather than collecting the discs one at a time; I think the full set is now OOP and expensive.

Final edit: the Ländler sounds amazing in this recording; it's usually my least favorite movement of the symphony.

[Lisztianwagner]

Arnold Schönberg
Wind Quintet

Robert Craft & New York Woodwind Quintet

[Leo K.]

The London Haydn symphonies 

[Spotted Horses]

It is the Staatskapelle Berlin, not Dresden. I love the Barenboim BPO cycle to which that great recording of the 6th belongs—and I love the astronomical album covers. I wonder why he felt the need to record the cycle three times. Though I guess multiple recordings of the same rep is a Barenboim trademark.

I find myself wondering how much these decisions depend on the conductor and how much on the record label. Obviously Barenboim will continue to perform Bruckner after he records a cycle, and it may be that the record label sees an opportunity to record and capture some revenue, particularly if he is doing a cycle as part of a concert series.

[Spotted Horses]

Kodály

sonata for solo cello

What do you think of it? It's not the sort of thing I would normally associate with Tortelier. I must have the recording, because I have the big EMI box of Tortelier recordings.

[Symphonic Addict]

Langgaard: Symphony No. 2 'Vaarbrud' (Awakening of Spring)

An endearing work that blends elements of Strauss and Nielsen. Perfect music to lift the spirits.

[SonicMan46]

For the afternoon, more Haydn Baryton Trios & Octets - Dave

 

[Todd]

Revisiting this kick ass disc.  It competes with, or even smites, major label recordings in terms of overall impact.

[Bachtoven]

[Lisztianwagner]

Anton Webern
Passacaglia
5 Movements

Pierre Boulez & Berliner Philharmoniker

[Mapman]

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto #1
Béroff; Masur: Leipzig

I don't think I'd heard this before (even though I think highly of the 2nd). This piece is a lot of fun, especially the 1st movement!

[Iota]

Volodos' touch is scarcely credible at times in this selection of Mompou piano pieces. The music is mesmerisingly intimate as ever.

[Symphonic Addict]

Bax: Spring Fire

A great work in terms of orchestral colour and atmosphere, but not much so regarding memorable ideas. The only discernible melody I detected appears in Woodland Romance and is given to the flute.

[Lisztianwagner]

Anton Webern
5 Pieces for Orchestra,Op.10
Symphony, Op. 21

Pierre Boulez & Berliner Philharmoniker

Continuing with Webern; if Schönberg gives me the impression to evoke the unconscious and the essence of things brought to light, Webern sounds to scan nature and depict it cell by cell.