What are you listening 2 now?

[JBS]

This twofer is a treasure trove. Donizetti was a pupil and protege of Giovanni Simone (Johann Simon) Mayr and it shows. He and Rossini were probably the only Italian composers of their time who were thoroughly versed in German music; the difference being that Rossini was an autodidact in this respect, albeit a genius one, whereas Donizetti absorbed it from Mayr's rigorous teaching. His SQs are very accomplished works, full to the brim with interesting, often arresting, ideas and gorgeous melodies, interlocked within a compelling structure and a gripping musical discourse. They are all excellent but if I were to single out one, it must be the SQ No. 14 in D major, which is almost Schubertian in the way Donizetti makes a major key sound as turbulent, distressing and dissonant as a minor one.

The recording is sonic bliss, the instruments placed in genuine stereo manner (to my ears, the order is, from left to right, cello, violin I and II, viola --- which is unusual but highly interesting and effective) and clearly and vividly audible at all times.

This --- and the second volume, also a twofer, which I can hardly wait to begin listening to  --- is highly recommended for fans of both Donizetti* and Classical string quartets. Unqualified Florestan's Stamp of Approval.

* @Tsaraslondon @ritter @nico1616 @JBS

You piqued my interest. See the Purchases Thread.

TD
Ingrid Haebler playing Schubert's Impromptus.

[andolink]

Delightful music by lesser known contemporaries of Haydn and Mozart. Perfomances and sound are both superb - -

[Irons]

Violin Sonata: Grace Williams.



A strong piece with plenty to say.

[Que]

[AnotherSpin]

[brewski]

Replaying last night's Mahler 6 in my head, after the breathtaking account from Simon Rattle and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, as part of their US tour. Love the piece anyway, but Rattle encouraged even more trippiness than usual, with many pungent details, packed with shrieks and groans. The orchestra was in outstanding form.

-Bruce

[Spotted Horses]

Rachmaninoff, Preludes Op 31, Ruth Laredo



Wonderful performances. I listened to a few selections of from Shelley's set, and they sound different, as performances of music with this level of pianism usually sound different. Couldn't say which performer I prefer. The one clear distinction is that the Laredo set is recorded from a closer perspective.

[SonicMan46]

Delightful music by lesser known contemporaries of Haydn and Mozart. Perfomances and sound are both superb - -

 

Hmmm - period oboe -    I have just one CD w/ her (inserted above - on a period copy oboe after Jonathan Bradbury, c. 1720); put together a 4-CD playlist on Spotify for a later listen, BUT there are plenty of other options on Amazon - may peruse.  Dave

[Linz]

Bruckner Symphony No.2 in C Minor, 1872 First concept version. Ed. William Carragan, Bruckner Orchester Linz, Kurt Eichhorn

[Todd]

I've yet to hear a bad Toscanini recording, and this is most certainly not bad.  The ancient sound, with some radio interference included, is about as good as one could expect from something 89 years old.  The scale and bass are skimpy, which makes the music sound lighter and less grand(iose).  It sounds operatic at times.  Some passages sound strikingly Wagnerian, and as with his Debussy La Mer from later, Toscanini imbues flexibility into his speedy tempi.  There are cuts as well.  The splices of Walter's later recording sound pretty much seamless.  Not one of the great Bruckner 7s, but good, and certainly worth the $0.00 asking price.

[Linz]

Carl Philippe Emanuel Bach Rondos and Fantasias, Christine Schornsheim

[ritter]

Replaying last night's Mahler 6 in my head, after the breathtaking account from Simon Rattle and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, as part of their US tour. Love the piece anyway, but Rattle encouraged even more trippiness than usual, with many pungent details, packed with shrieks and groans. The orchestra was in outstanding form.

-Bruce

Was thinking of getting tickets got that tonight at Carnegie Hall (which is just a couple of blocks away from my hotel here in New York), but I have a family engagement I can't cancel. Seems I'll be missing a great concert... 

Last time I saw Mahler's Sixth live was in Berlin in 2008, Pierre Boulez conducting the Staatskapelle. It's been a while...

[Lisztianwagner]

Alexander Zemlinsky
Eine Florentinische Tragödie

Riccardo Chailly & Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra



Béla Bartók
Bluebeard's Castle

István Kertész & London Symphony Orchestra

[Henk]

Alexander Zemlinsky
Eine Florentinische Tragödie

Riccardo Chailly & Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra



Béla Bartók
Bluebeard's Castle

István Kertész & London Symphony Orchestra

I think I have both recordings, but never really listened to them, I need to look them up and give them a spin to listen closely. What is your evaluation?

[Lisztianwagner]

I think I have both recordings, but never really listened to them, I need to look them up and give them a spin to listen closely. What is your evaluation?

I think they are tremendous recordings, both in the orchestral and the vocal performance! I have no other terms of comparison for the Florentinische Tragödie, but Chailly is always brilliant in Zemlinsky and also in this case his recording is very passionate and intense; the Kertész is engrossing and hauntingly beautiful (personally, my favourite version of Bluebeard's Castle), while Ludwig and Berry are extraordinary as main characters.

[Linz]

Hans Huber Symphony No.1, op.63 ''William Tell' and Symphony No.7, ''Swiss' Stuttgarter Philharmonker, Jörg-Peter Weigle

[brewski]

Was thinking of getting tickets got that tonight at Carnegie Hall (which is just a couple of blocks away from my hotel here in New York), but I have a family engagement I can't cancel. Seems I'll be missing a great concert... 

Last time I saw Mahler's Sixth live was in Berlin in 2008, Pierre Boulez conducting the Staatskapelle. It's been a while...

Of course, it's not the same as being there, but it looks like WQXR will be broadcasting the concert, which means that they are likely to archive it later.

Meanwhile, so sorry I can't zip into NYC for a quick drink! This weekend is a traffic jam (in a good way), and I'm snowed under with a ton of work, to boot.

-Bruce

[Henk]

I think they are tremendous recordings, both in the orchestral and the vocal performance! I have no other terms of comparison for the Florentinische Tragödie, but Chailly is always brilliant in Zemlinsky and also in this case his recording is very passionate and intense; the Kertész is engrossing and hauntingly beautiful (personally, my favourite version of Bluebeard's Castle), while Ludwig and Berry are extraordinary as main characters.

Thank you, Ilaria. I'm gonna search for the recordings and try to play them soon.

[Daverz]

Violin Sonata: Grace Williams.



A strong piece with plenty to say.

The whole disc is a real beauty. 

TD:

Schubert: Grand Duo, orchestrated by Joachim

[vandermolen]

Naxos Kalevala selection