What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Tubin: String Quartet

A pretty endearing, short quartet, filled with some nice folk melodies. The first and third movements were especially delightful.

[André]

Bruckner's 8th Haitink/RCO. I don't know if this was the same one Andre was talking about because, honestly, navigating Haitink Bruckner releases is a confusing mess. There are many different recordings, and on top of that, there are remasters and reissues of the same ones as well. It looks like Haitink has recorded the 8th at least four times. Anyway, this is a terrific recording!

Check the discography of the 8th in Abruckner.com . The listing includes the timings of every movement. Compare your booklet's timing data with the website's. It'll be easy to spot, as Haitink's B8s have notable differences of timings. The 1969 version is by some margin the fastest of all. Timings are 73:31 13:57 13:33 25:17 20:44. Later versions all clock in at 80+ minutes.

[André]

Éric Heidsieck plays the "Hammerklavier" (the 1970 recording, from the complete cycle of Beethoven's sonatas).

CD 19 of the big box:

That's a fantastic set. I've become hooked to his interpretation of Chopin's concerto in e minor. It's quite unlike any other. His interpretation of the Beethoven sonatas is on a par with Yves Nat's IMO.

[André]

2 short but difficult string quartets, a string orch work with clarinet and percussion, a violin concerto where the violin soliloquizes almost throughout, and a solo violin piece that is surprisingly more traditional than the other works. IOW a varied program, challenging but quite fascinating as well.

[DavidW]

Check the discography of the 8th in Abruckner.com . The listing includes the timings of every movement. Compare your booklet's timing data with the website's. It'll be easy to spot, as Haitink's B8 have notable differences of timings. The 1969 version is by some margin the fastest of all. Timings are 73:31 13:57 13:33 25:17 20:44. Later versions all clock in at 80+ minutes.

The timings are off, but only by seconds, so I think that is it.

[Symphonic Addict]

Sinding: His three violin concertos

There's a motif in his first violin concerto that partly imitates (or plagiarizes) one from Bruch's first violin concerto (the 3rd movement). I think it's pretty obvious.

These concertos provide good entertainment, but they're far from being essential.

[Madiel]

Poulenc: Toreador



The first indication of how Poulenc is going to be able to straddle the line between "classical" and popular Parisian song, and how cheeky he can be. The words by Jean Cocteau poke fun at how cafe concert songs would have screwy geography, by creating a tale about bullfighting in Venice. Poulenc provides a Venetian barcarolle with Spanish flourishes. It's fabulous.

[AnotherSpin]

Very good performance of early sonatas, warm and human.

[Madiel]

Nielsen:Little Suite for string orchestra

[Roasted Swan]

Nielsen:Little Suite for string orchestra

One of my favourite Op.1's!! (because its full of youthful energy but is also unmistakeably the work of the composer)

[AnotherSpin]

Beethoven's 3rd Sonata. It's rare that I listen to two outstanding performances of the same piece in a row. But today I was in the mood. Each of the two is second to none. 

[Irons]

Music of the Four Countries.

See back cover for details.
Recorded in 1968, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Isn't that something! Look what I discovered in the huge pile of music Qobuz is offering, with four composers I admire, Starting with Ethel Smyth's composition "The Wreckers", a most glorious piece, and the Charming "With the Wild Geese" from Hamilton Harty, followed by MacCunn and German. Well what I can say is, you get "SOTA" sound, yes indeed recorded in 1968,  they knew a thing or two at EMI about sound. The Orchestra conducted by Gibson delivers marvelous performances of all works. High Fidelity no less. I am bathing in luxurious sound. Recommended.

I have this issue on a HMV Greensleeve LP. Produced by Brian Culverhouse with balance engineer Peter Brown.

I listened to a varied national programme too. Only this time across the pond.



Barber and Copland are well known. Ives, not sure I have been previously acquainted. His 'homely' 3rd Symphony I enjoyed very much. The Creston stood apart from the other works as a different sound-world which proved an excellent way to finish. 

[Que]

[Harry]

Any thoughts Que?

[Mookalafalas]

I was listening to his Hyperion stuff, but switched to this Erato box. Playing the Liszt disk now. He's becoming my favorite pianist...

[Madiel]

Mozart: Missa brevis in C major, K.258

(K.257, 258 and 259 are all masses in C major. The kid was on a roll.)

[Harry]

This topic is more widely read, so I also post in here.

Dear Music friends.

I have come to the conclusion, due to age, and due to the fact that I am primarily streaming, to give away a great part of my CD collection. Excepted of course the rare and precious CD'S, those ones I will keep. So that means that 80% of my collection I will give away. CD'S alas have no worth anymore, and if I would sell them to a firm that gathers large collections, they pay a measle amount, around 1 euro, or even less, and they are picky also. So I rather give them away. You tell me the composers and works you are interested in, and I will see if they are in the give away bag. The CD'S are of course the ones I have chosen, so if you are particular in specific interpretations, you can get lucky or not. So give me enough details to go on.
Only from Europe I might add, except England, for taxes will be horrendous. Plus sending over CD'S to the States, caused me many problems, for the packages never arrived, 4 out of 10.
The only things I will charge you are the costs of sending them to you. If received I will send them on their way. If interested PM me, or post your wishes in the New Topic I made.

Good luck
Harry.

[Madiel]

Nielsen: Symphonic Rhapsody

The 1st movement of a planned symphony, the rest didn't eventuate.

[Harry]

Laszlo Lajtha.
Piano trios, No.1 & 3.
Lajtha Quartet.
Recorded: 1996-97.

Whatever I play from this composer, it touches a nerve. His musical idiom is very akin to me. Given that these recordings sound good, and interpretation is also up to scratch, I have nothing to complain.

[Madiel]

Tubin: Symphony no.1



I'd briefly forgotten there were still a couple of Tubin albums unlistened to. This symphony does seem a little... unfocused compared to the later ones. The symphonic structure of it is less evident. It's certainly not bad to listen to.