What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Frankel: Symphonies 7 and 8

I was particularly taken by these two symphonies above the others. Overall, the only one that didn't convince me that much was the No. 3. Otherwise, a very good cycle.

[Cato]

Concerning listening alone to the String Quartet #1 of Roger Sessions:

This implies Mrs. Cato might not be as enthusiastic as you about Sessions...

Excellent deduction, Watson! 

[foxandpeng]

Benjamin Britten
Sinfonia da Requiem
Steuart Bedford
LSO
Naxos

First convincing piece so far for me, by Britten. Enjoyed this.

[brewski]

Everything I've heard from Franz Schreker has been enthralling, including this "Nachtstück" from his opera Der ferne Klang, with the WDR Symphony Orchestra and conductor Ingo Metzmacher. (Recorded live on 13.01.2024 in the Kölner Philharmonie.)

-Bruce

[Le Buisson Ardent]

The only Shosta conductor I need:

While I do love those rather raw Rozhdestvensky performances on Melodiya, I have to say I wouldn't want to be without Haitink (his recordings of Symphonies Nos. 8, 11, 13-15 are still some of the best around in my book), Kondrashin, Barshai, Svetlanov, Bernstein, Petrenko, both Kurt and Michael Sanderling, Gergiev et. al. Anyway, happy listening! (Although 'happy' isn't exactly the right adjective I'd use for Shostakovich.)

[Le Buisson Ardent]

BrucknerA Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major, 1888 Third Version - Ed. Benjamin Korstvedt,  Altomonte Orchester St. Florian, Remy Ballot

Good choice. I love Ballot's rather controversial cycle. I especially love his performances of the 2nd, 5th and 6th symphonies. Of course, the 7th and 8th get superb performances. I think his 9th performance, however, is weak link, although the outer movements sound particularly impressive.

[NumberSix]

Glenn Gould
Berg: Piano Sonata, Op. 1
Schoenberg: Three Piano Pieces, Op. 11
Krenek: Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 92, No. 4

[Symphonic Addict]

Two early works by Bridge. The String Quintet is pretty good. The String Quartet less so.

[hopefullytrusting]

Over the next few days:

Khrennikov's Cello Concerto 1 & 2
Khrennikov's Violin Concerto 1
Pakhmutova's Trumpet Concerto
Shebalin's Violin Concerto
Suslin's Crossing Beyond
Suslin's Sonata for Cello & Percussion
Suslin's Sonata for Solo Cello
Ustvolskaya's Grand Duet

[NumberSix]

Over the next few days:

Khrennikov's Cello Concerto 1 & 2
Khrennikov's Violin Concerto 1
Pakhmutova's Trumpet Concerto
Shebalin's Violin Concerto
Suslin's Crossing Beyond
Suslin's Sonata for Cello & Percussion
Suslin's Sonata for Solo Cello
Ustvolskaya's Grand Duet

How can you know so well in advance? I don't always know what I want hour by hour.

[hopefullytrusting]

How can you know so well in advance? I don't always know what I want hour by hour.

It is part of my psychology. I tend to systemize that which can be systemized for efficiency's sake, so that I maximize my time more effectively leading to an increase in the probability of being more productive. :-)

[Le Buisson Ardent]

NP:

Bruckner
Symphony No. 2 in C minor
Wiener Philharmoniker
Muti



Without question, one of the great performances I've heard of this symphony. The Wiener Philharmoniker in particular sound energized and Muti's clear-headed direction gets the most out of them.

[NumberSix]

Satie: Vexations
Noriko Ogawa

I am about 2/3 through this 80 min album. I am shocked to find I like it. The repetition is meditative.

Just before this album, I listened to Brandenburg No. 5, which was delightful and energetic. This is a surprisingly welcome follow-up.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Satie: Vexations
Noriko Ogawa

I am about 2/3 through this 80 min album. I am shocked to find I like it. The repetition is meditative.

Just before this album, I listened to Brandenburg No. 5, which was delightful and energetic. This is a surprisingly welcome follow-up.

Ogawa's Satie recordings are fantastic. I hope that BIS gets around to recording more of Satie's music. I'd love to hear the orchestral version of Socrate on their label and in their customary pristine audio quality.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Schoenberg: Ewartung
Boulez, Janis Martin (soprano), BBCSO

Back to Arnie and the utter bewitchment of Ewartung. Janis Martin shines like a black diamond and sustains the intensity from the first second to the last. Boulez & co. are equally magnificent. Arnie's imagination, as so often, completely dumbfounds me.

POUNDS THE TABLE!!! Yes, this is an unbelievably fantastic performance without question. It will be interesting to see how the Schoenberg project with Fabio Luisi/Danish National SO on DG develops. As it stands right now, I think only Boulez and Robert Craft have given us any kind of comprehensive survey of Schoenberg's music.

[steve ridgway]

@Cato @ritter & @steve ridgway , especially

Just played it all and found it enjoyable .

[Le Buisson Ardent]

Schnittke: Requiem

For me, this is one of the greatest requiems of the 20th Century. Schnittke pulls out all the stops with his ingenious orchestration, especially in that Credo movement with the rock band drum kit and what sounds like an electric guitar and electric bass guitar. Totally rad!

[NumberSix]

Ogawa's Satie recordings are fantastic. I hope that BIS gets around to recording more of Satie's music. I'd love to hear the orchestral version of Socrate on their label and in their customary pristine audio quality.

I see she has a huge Debussy solo piano box!

[NumberSix]

POUNDS THE TABLE!!!

Shhhh! People are trying to listen to music.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

I see she has a huge Debussy solo piano box!

Yep, I own it and it's not bad at all.