What are you listening 2 now?

[Todd]

4.

[André]

If you look at that pic cover, the hills of Rome in the background appear slightly blurred by the distance and the special quality of the italian light. This is not translated into sound here, as everything is pinpoint clear, each choir entry precise, the tonal blend of the all-male/trebles chorus bright and pure.

I find that relentless clarity detrimental to what is supposed to be an endless melisma suggestive of a journey through air, incense clouds and light. I remember liking the blend of Josef Veselka's Czech Philharmonic mixed chorus better, with warmer sound and more integrated internal balances (from LP days) as well as a warmer way with the phrases, with less sharp entries and slightly slower tempi. There could be an 1975 LP vs 1985 CD sound difference as well: 1980s CD could have a glare to the sound. Listening to the entire disc (55 minutes) tires the ear after a while.

This disc is superfine then, but not the last word in terms of choral sound.

[Linz]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Requiem, Simoone Kermes - Stéphanie Houtzeel - Markus Brutscher - Arnaud Richard, MusicAeterna & The New Siberian Singers, Teodor Currentzis

[Mandryka]

In his day John Lill's Beethoven was widely admired - concerti and sonatas.  I suspect these days his quite 'serious' style will attract fewer fans but I have to say I have always enjoyed it like you.

I'm listening now to op 111. There's a sense of each movement being a whole, shaped into something coherent, like when you listen to Furtwangler. The first two/three slow variations fall a bit flat, but nonetheless I'm glad to have found Mr Lill.

[prémont]

If you look at that pic cover, the hills of Rome in the background appear slightly blurred by the distance and the special quality of the italian light. This is not translated into sound here, as everything is pinpoint clear, each choir entry precise, the tonal blend of the all-male/trebles chorus bright and pure.

I find that relentless clarity detrimental to what is supposed to be an endless melisma suggestive of a journey through air, incense clouds and light. I remember liking the blend of Josef Veselka's Czech Philharmonic mixed chorus better, with warmer sound and more integrated internal balances (from LP days) as well as a warmer way with the phrases, with less sharp entries and slightly slower tempi. There could be an 1975 LP vs 1985 CD sound difference as well: 1980s CD could have a glare to the sound. Listening to the entire disc (55 minutes) tires the ear after a while.

This disc is superfine then, but not the last word in terms of choral sound.

Your point is quite clear. Although the Missa Papae Marcelli is technically a polyphonic piece, it contains significant implied harmonic structure. I refer to this as "functional polyphony" when the harmony takes precedence over the polyphony. When performed with excessive focus on the individual voices, the music can become wearisome to listen to.

[prémont]

I'm listening now to op 111. There's a sense of each movement being a whole, shaped into something coherent, like when you listen to Furtwangler. The first two/three slow variations fall a bit flat, but nonetheless I'm glad to have found Mr Lill.

Good description of the integrity of Lill's playing - even if his style is far from Furtwängler's. I have always found Lill worthwhile and think he is rather underrated here at GMG.

[Linz]

Bruckner Symphony No. 3 in D Minor, 889 Version (aka 1888/89) Ed. Leopold Nowak, Münchner Philharmoniker, Valery Gergiev

[Todd]

Inspired by the knowledge that Zlata Chochieva has taken up the Rimsky PC, I figured I'd revisit this sole recording of that work that I currently own.

[foxandpeng]

Vagn Holmboe
Cello Concerto
Danish NRSO
BIS

This feels familiar only because of multiple plays. Like much of Holmboe, there is little that is easily memorable, but once it embeds it is rewarding. I often wonder whether Holmboe isn't my favourite composer.

There is something in Holmboe that I hesitate to call unique - I'm just not that knowledgeable - but it isn't like anything I hear elsewhere.

[Linz]

Jan Dismas Zelenka
Johann Georg Pisendel Concerti, Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz

[Linz]

Bruckner Symphony No. 7 in E Major, 1885 Version. Ed.Leopold Nowak, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink

[foxandpeng]

Malek Jandali
Conertos
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Marin Alsop
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra

Jandali doesn't really put a foot wrong, for me. There is enough of the East here to interest those seeking melody, in the same way that Hovhaness speaks to his Armenian heritage. Different, but equally fascinating.

[Symphonic Addict]

Sibelius: Symphony No. 1

One of the best renditions I've heard of this sensational piece. Most of the passages I consider critical are done quite satisfyingly, especially the "nordic sunrise" moment just after the slow introduction in the 1st movement, the horns and timpani make it really heroic (what a splendid moment!). This symphony has several great moments and despite the influence of Tchaikovsky (chiefly in the 4th movement), this is already Sibelius with the recognizable trademarks.




Walton: Symphony No. 2

If it were not for the epic first movement of his first symphony, I wouldn't consider it like his best work in the form, but rather this one. This symphony packs a punch of thrill, abrasive gestures and resplendent orchestration. The passage at 5:15 mark in the 2nd movement featuring the orchestral piano and the harp is so atmospheric and brilliant. I'd love to hear this work live (and the first one too, of course).

[Symphonic Addict]

The paucity of his work available for streaming doesn't help. I have been following your posts with interest, but Eshpai is somewhat elusive..

Fair enough. There are composers who resonate better with our tastes than others. In my case, Eshpai is anything but elusive. His music speaks straight to my being.

[NumberSix]

Sibelius: Symphony No. 4
Barbirolli, Hallé Orchestra

[Bachtoven]

Captivating music (even Sorabji praised the Sonata), excellent playing, but rather shallow piano sound, and only 39 minutes of music.

[JBS]

Moving on with Mozart/AAM/Hogwood


CD 14

Number 31 in D Major "Paris" 1st version K297/300a
Number 35 in D Major "Haffner" 2nd version K385
Number 38 in D Major "Prague" K504

[steve ridgway]

Penderecki: Song Of The Cherubim

[steve ridgway]

Ligeti: Hungarian Rock

[Symphonic Addict]

Villa-Lobos: Symphony No. 3 'A Guerra'

So powerful. The slow movement, especially, portrays a vivid feeling of tragedy that is not very dissimilar to what one hears in the slow movement of Myaskovsky's Symphony No. 16.

Moreover, I'm more fond of this CPO cycle than the Naxos one, even the sound quality is uniformly better.




Rubbra: Symphony No. 4

There's a visionary, reflective and organic element to the music I find wholly compelling and unique, and it's something special that differentiates Rubbra's style from other English composers. Not only does this music have these attributes, but also a sense of grandeur that never gets rambunctious. A work of real purpose.