What are you listening 2 now?

[Linz]

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Keyboard Music, Vol. 1, Miklos Spanyi

[Bachtoven]

DG's latest wunderkind has released his transcription of "Mars" for solo piano--works pretty well. He also transcribed 4 movements from "Romeo and Juliet" that Prokofiev did not include in his transcription of the ballet for piano (The recording includes other works by Prokofiev, too). Very good playing and sound on both recordings.

[VonStupp]

Some versions of Fauré's Requiem today:

The Rutter and Giulini are easily two favorites of mine of that work. I can't imagine I would put up much fight to hear the Hyperion either.
VS

[André]

Quite a few versions (Tintner & Inbal for starters) - see this disocgraphy......

https://www.abruckner.com/discography1/symphony8incminor/

I just spotted something unusual - this discography lists Nagano as being nearly 25 minutes LONGER than Inbal - are there other cuts...?

No cuts. Inbal is very dynamic, attempting to give the work coherence even though Bruckner was still feeling his way and immediately started working on a revision. Nagano embraces the original's more abrupt and discursive ideas. His reading is protracted, aiming at timelessness. IMO it works well with this specific version. In the definitive version timings range from 70 to 105 minutes. It's the same difference in pov.

[Traverso]

Sweelinck

[foxandpeng]

Tubin: Symphony no.7



And so I've reached the end of the Tubin discs I bought (in June 2023 no less, not bad if I deduct 3 months away!), ending with perhaps my favourite disc where I enjoy all 3 works quite a bit.

It's quite possible I'm going to turn around now and do a Tubin chronology thing, incorporating all the other albums I can find out there on streaming. His musical language definitely does seem to change over time.

Tubin. Flippin' brilliant, if such crass turns of phrase are allowed.

An old LP preserved on the internet...



It's actually extracts from 2 different Danish LPs put together on an American label. They did this at least a few times (edit: and I'm getting the impression that taking European recordings to the US was pretty much what the Turnabout label was for). I'm currently on the Nielsen half, soon to move to the Holmboe half.

Holmboe. Also flippin' brilliant, even if it isn't allowed. Not that I have heard this version.

Thread:

John Robertson
Symphony 1
Anthony Armoré
Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
Navona

Been listening to Robertson's symphonies over the weekend, despite my lack of posts. I really very much like them - particularly this one, so far. New to me, but finding much to enjoy.

Anyone else familiar with him?

[Bachtoven]

Passionate playing and good sound.

[Mapman]

Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Cellos, RV 531
Ma, Koopman, et al.

[Henk]

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Jack Gallagher Orchestral Music.

[Symphonic Addict]

John Robertson
Symphony 1
Anthony Armoré
Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
Navona

Been listening to Robertson's symphonies over the weekend, despite my lack of posts. I really very much like them - particularly this one, so far. New to me, but finding much to enjoy.

Anyone else familiar with him?

Yes, I have heard his 5 symphonies so far. The first two have nice music (the first one has ideas that reminded me of Sibelius and Nielsen), but something happened to his creativity and the next three decreased in quality resoundingly.

[kyjo]

Liszt: Sonata in B Minor (and other solo pieces)
Krystian Zimerman

One of the most indispensable discs of solo piano music known to me!

[Mapman]

Weber: Invitation to the Dance (orch. Ormandy)
Liszt: Mephisto Waltz (Der Tanz in Dorfschenke)
Saint-Saens: Danse Macabre
Brahms: Hungarian Dances 17-21
Gliere: Russian Sailors' Dance
Ormandy: Philadelphia

Exciting!

[Symphonic Addict]

Puccini: Messa di Gloria

[Cato]

A wonderful group of works!

Do you know this somehat recently discovered work by Protopopov?

One movement is lost, otherwise...wonderful work!

[kyjo]

I'm intrigued by this statement. Can "orchestration" be used in the context of chamber music? To me, orchestration is more about how a composer writes for the instruments at his disposal, with a little bit about what specific instruments are used. So for me a quartet/quintet etc. can make use of orchestration.

Sure, but I usually use the term "instrumentation" when discussing chamber music. Not that it really matters, of course!

[foxandpeng]

Yes, I have heard his 5 symphonies so far. The first two have nice music (the first one has ideas that reminded me of Sibelius and Nielsen), but something happened to his creativity and the next three decreased in quality resoundingly.

I will probably need to hear them a couple more times through to weigh my agreement or otherwise, but I agree that 1 and 2 seem the most valuable so far. His Vallarta Suite is very much of interest.

NP: John Robertson Symphony 2

[André]

Among my favourite Haydn symphonies. No 44 in particular is an amazing achievement. So much to like: the slow movements (often using mutes on the strings, to meltingly tender effect), the high horns (so gorgeously played by the ECO players that they should get star billing), the warm tone and unanimity of the string section, the splendid recording (even a solo double bass is clearly heard), etc. Nos 44, 45, 48 and 49 have captured my heart and mind long ago and held them ever since. I can't see that ever changing. This is music that changes life.

I bought the LPs in the late seventies. They were then spread over 3 discs: 44+49, 45+48 and 46+47. It was short measure even then and it was high time they were reissued more economically. For the cd release the producers went instead for a numerical order by Hoboken number, from 44 to 49. They were not composed in that order, though. It's 49, 48, 44, 45, 46, 47.

These readings are a tad sturdier, slightly more robust than Marriner's similarly conceived interpretations. No need for duplication if one has the latter's set of 'name symphonies', but if curious about Haydn's glorious Sturm und Drang  symphonies, of which these 6 are fine examples, this set is warmly recommended.

[Symphonic Addict]

Bryars: Cello Concerto 'Farewell to Philosophy'

My first encounter with this composer, and what an inaugural listen this was. Several epithets come to mind on listening to it: profound, thought-provoking, intimate, reflective, human. Music completely devoid of fireworks and showy gestures; rather focused with a contemplative aura. I'm quite moved by this piece I must say. Just so good. Thanks @foxandpeng for originally mentioning it. That was excellent.

[Le Buisson Ardent]

NP:

Rachmaninov
Suite No. 1 for Two Pianos, Op. 5
Nikolai Petrov, Alexey Cherkasov

From this OOP set -