Pieces that have blown you away recently

[Symphonic Addict]

The Symphonie-Poème No. 1 is an astounding, gorgeously orchestrated extravaganza with plenty of energy in the outer movements and magical, idyllic, dreamy music in the inner ones. I read that this work is like a cousin of Rachmaninov's Symphony No. 2, to be honest I didn't hear much Rachmaninov here, but rather bits of Ravel and touches of exoticism. A tremendous piece.

[atardecer]

Messiaen - Apparition de l'Eglise éternelle

[vers la flamme]

Messiaen - Apparition de l'Eglise éternelle

Amazing piece.

[Roasted Swan]

The Symphonie-Poème No. 1 is an astounding, gorgeously orchestrated extragavanza with plenty of energy in the outer movements and magical, idyllic, dreamy music in the inner ones. I read that this work is like a cousin of Rachmaninov's Symphony No. 2, to be honest I didn't hear much Rachmaninov here, but rather bits of Ravel and touches of exoticism. A tremendous piece.

I completely agree.  I couldn't hear much/any Rachmaninov either but its a very individual musical voice.  Certainly one of my discoveries of last year.

[relm1]

Yesterday, I enjoyed this greatly while sipping a glass of wine. I think these are my favorite recordings of these two symphonies.  Wish they completed the cycle.

[Maestro267]

Hyperion did that already. Lyrita don't really deal in specially-recorded cycles. They just release audio of concerts previously broadcast on the BBC in the past.

[DavidW]

Yesterday, I enjoyed this greatly while sipping a glass of wine. I think these are my favorite recordings of these two symphonies.  Wish they completed the cycle.

I love that cd, Groves in particular is an exceptional conductor.  There is also a Horenstein recording of another symphony you'll have to check out.  I think all three of those conductors bring more passion than Handley does to Simpson.

[kyjo]

Wilfred Josephs (1927-97): Symphony no. 5 Pastoral (1970)



https://youtu.be/xFMXY4_tyn4 (a different performance than the one in the recording above)

Yet another remarkable 5th Symphony subtitled Pastoral besides the Popov! British composer Wilfred Josephs is further proof - if we needed any - that there are great 20th century symphonists out there whose output still remains largely unexplored (he wrote no less than 12 symphonies, along with much else)! The idiom displayed in this symphony is totally unique and captivating - primarily tonal and melodic, but with some really effective excursions into "hazy" dissonance. It's an amazingly evocative work full of unexpected touches and luminous orchestration. Simply sample the dazzling 2nd movement scherzo which shares the same "gossamer" atmosphere as Holst's Mercury from The Planets. I wouldn't hesitate to call this work a masterpiece, and whilst I don't agree with the Amazon reviewer who states that Josephs is a more interesting composer than Alwyn or Rubbra, this symphony is certainly on par with some of their finest works. I'm looking forward to exploring what little else by Josephs is available on Spotify and YouTube.


Nicolas Flagello (1928-94): Missa Sinfonica (1957)



https://youtu.be/2vv-aokV6kA

Flagello (an almost exact contemporary of Josephs above!) is not as often mentioned as other American composers of the same generation on this forum, but on the basis on what I've heard by him, he deserves to be. His Missa Sinfonica, in five movements based on different sections of the Mass, is a radiant, warm-hearted neo-romantic score in the tradition of Barber and Hanson (but not lacking in some more harmonically "advanced" moments, as in the opening of the 4th movement). The ending, in particular, is marvelously inspiriting and uplifting. The accompanying Rosner symphony (also inspired by the Mass) is also a fine work, but I preferred the Flagello. It's not dissimilar to Respighi in "ancient/biblical" mode (a style quite appealing to me), but doesn't quite have the sincerity and emotional "reach" of the Flagello, to my ears.

[atardecer]

This, just wow.

[atardecer]

I also revisited Gubaidulina's Viola Concerto for the first time in a number of years and was blown away again. Such a powerful composition, and Yuri Bashmet brings so much musicianship and intensity to this performance, I love it.


Gubaidulina - Viola Concerto
Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvD2FUwZjD4
Part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvYRYHgYaNI
Part 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s49JmZG5rz8
Part 4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuLE3TzU5vo

[Irons]

Wilfred Josephs (1927-97): Symphony no. 5 Pastoral (1970)



https://youtu.be/xFMXY4_tyn4 (a different performance than the one in the recording above)

Yet another remarkable 5th Symphony subtitled Pastoral besides the Popov! British composer Wilfred Josephs is further proof - if we needed any - that there are great 20th century symphonists out there whose output still remains largely unexplored (he wrote no less than 12 symphonies, along with much else)! The idiom displayed in this symphony is totally unique and captivating - primarily tonal and melodic, but with some really effective excursions into "hazy" dissonance. It's an amazingly evocative work full of unexpected touches and luminous orchestration. Simply sample the dazzling 2nd movement scherzo which shares the same "gossamer" atmosphere as Holst's Mercury from The Planets. I wouldn't hesitate to call this work a masterpiece, and whilst I don't agree with the Amazon reviewer who states that Josephs is a more interesting composer than Alwyn or Rubbra, this symphony is certainly on par with some of their finest works. I'm looking forward to exploring what little else by Josephs is available on Spotify and YouTube.


Nicolas Flagello (1928-94): Missa Sinfonica (1957)



https://youtu.be/2vv-aokV6kA

Flagello (an almost exact contemporary of Josephs above!) is not as often mentioned as other American composers of the same generation on this forum, but on the basis on what I've heard by him, he deserves to be. His Missa Sinfonica, in five movements based on different sections of the Mass, is a radiant, warm-hearted neo-romantic score in the tradition of Barber and Hanson (but not lacking in some more harmonically "advanced" moments, as in the opening of the 4th movement). The ending, in particular, is marvelously inspiriting and uplifting. The accompanying Rosner symphony (also inspired by the Mass) is also a fine work, but I preferred the Flagello. It's not dissimilar to Respighi in "ancient/biblical" mode (a style quite appealing to me), but doesn't quite have the sincerity and emotional "reach" of the Flagello, to my ears.

Your net casts far and wide! Delighted Wilfred Josephs Pastoral features on this thread as I love the work with a passion. I dislike today's practice of using a label, in this case Lyrita, for convenience. Lyrita possessed a sound a listener could associate with as did Unicorn and founder John Goldsmith who produced Josephs recording.   

[kyjo]

Your net casts far and wide! Delighted Wilfred Josephs Pastoral features on this thread as I love the work with a passion. I dislike today's practice of using a label, in this case Lyrita, for convenience. Lyrita possessed a sound a listener could associate with as did Unicorn and founder John Goldsmith who produced Josephs recording.   

Great to hear that you're also an admirer of the Wilfred Josephs 5th! Anyone else?

[relm1]

Great to hear that you're also an admirer of the Wilfred Josephs 5th! Anyone else?

I haven't heard it but based on all the glowing reviews will add to my listening list and report back.

[Irons]

Great to hear that you're also an admirer of the Wilfred Josephs 5th! Anyone else?

Definitely Jeffrey.

[Maestro267]

We have a place for non-classical music already.

[vers la flamme]

Monteverdi's Zefiro torna. I listened to it like 8 times today, it's incredible. I should find some of Monteverdi's madrigals on disc.

[relm1]

Great to hear that you're also an admirer of the Wilfred Josephs 5th! Anyone else?

I listened to Wilfred Josephs 5th and enjoyed it!  Would love to hear more from him.  I found the work overall surprising in that it wasn't particularly pastoral until the ending which is very still and reflective earning it the subtitle.  I think that approach is more satisfying than if the work is entirely pastoral. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Jolivet: Petite suite, for flute, viola and harp

Twelve-and-a-half minutes of sheer bliss. I never would have guessed that it was composed by Jolivet, I'd have said by Jongen or Ropartz instead. A delectable piece.

[kyjo]

I listened to Wilfred Josephs 5th and enjoyed it!  Would love to hear more from him.  I found the work overall surprising in that it wasn't particularly pastoral until the ending which is very still and reflective earning it the subtitle.  I think that approach is more satisfying than if the work is entirely pastoral. 

You're right, the work very successfully avoids "pastoral/nature-painting" cliches that one might find in a work with such a subtitle. Also notable is how dissimilar it is to a certain other English symphony with the same subtitle by some guy named Ralph...

[kyjo]

Jolivet: Petite suite, for flute, viola and harp

Twelve-and-a-half minutes of sheer bliss. I never would have guessed that it was composed by Jolivet, I'd have said by Jongen or Ropartz instead. A delectable piece.

It must be one of his earlier works, then. His later stuff is quite gnarly and chaotic to my ears. Those French composers sure had a gift for writing great chamber music including flute and harp, didn't they?