What are you listening 2 now?

[Spotted Horses]

I'll have to give it another listen, as it was the one piece I didn't connect with on this disc upon initial listen. (The Concerto for Two Pianos).

When I first encountered Bacewicz, probably at least ten years ago, I was listening to the thorny works for string orchestra (Concerto for String Orchestra, Symphony for String Orchestra, etc) and I initially found myself flummoxed by the late "avant garde" works when I encountered them. But my brain has softened and they have started to sink in.

[Spotted Horses]

Scherchen's Lugano cycle. The 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 9th symphonies within the last 24 hours. These are no museum pieces. Recorded live just a few months before the maestro's death, they feel like a final, desperate attempt to reach out to a lethargic humanity. The conductor's primal moans and cries send shivers down your spine. No, this isn't a disciplined 21st-century orchestra but rather a gang that has broken free of control and forgotten all notions of discipline. An incredible frenzy, strangely and unexpectedly imbued with an irresistible, magnetic allure.

Curious where you found this. It doesn't turn up on the streaming, download or internet retail sites I usually visit.

[Que]

[vandermolen]

Waxman: Rebecca
I watched the film on DVD yesterday

[Wanderer]

Mozart: Missa solemnis in C, K.337



It's a little startling to be told this is Mozart's last complete mass. Yes, the fragmentary works to come are going to be pretty special (or so I'm told), but I'm only at 337 in the catalogue and this is it?

I guess that's partly because he won't be in Salzburg much longer.

Good thing it's got a certain grandeur about it.

It doesn't reach the heights of the later masterpieces, but it is still an eminently rewarding work and very effective in its liturgical setting. Incidentally, I heard this one live last month in Vienna: it is amazing how fresh and poignant it still sounds - like all great music.

[Florestan]

@JBS Exceptional indeed.

[pjme]

Another Renaissance Christmas recording. Mixed in with the solemn music for church are some secular songs for at the dinner table. I'm really enjoying the quality of the performances and Dominique Visse is vocally present but on good behaviour.

PS Any clues on the marvellous painting on the cover?

read more on this extraordinary painting here:

https://kmska.be/en/6-things-you-need-know-about-fouquets-madonna


Now:

[Harry]

I did not really like this recording to be honest!

[Wanderer]

@JBS Exceptional indeed.

I tried listening to parts of this when it came out. I found his use of rubato overdone and the phrasing in many cases unpalatable because of it.
Nevertheless, I'm glad Maltempo is finally getting some recognition here, he's a terrific pianist. I remember the days when I posted positive comments about his superb Alkan recordings and all that people had to contribute were silly puns about his last name.

[AnotherSpin]

Curious where you found this. It doesn't turn up on the streaming, download or internet retail sites I usually visit.

Someone I used to communicate with online shared this with me privately. It seems he had this set in plastic, but I might be mistaken.

You can listen to the entire set here: https://youtu.be/RowEh3KPY5c?si=lJp6Qx9NKWrBvFM2

Or, you can buy it at amazon.co.uk

[AnotherSpin]

Here is the link

[Harry]

I tried listening to parts of this when it came out. I found his use of rubato overdone and the phrasing in many cases unpalatable because of it.
Nevertheless, I'm glad Maltempo is finally getting some recognition here, he's a terrific pianist. I remember the days when I posted positive comments about his superb Alkan recordings and all that people had to contribute were silly puns about his last name.

A habitual response of the musical illiterates?

[Harry]

Guillaume MorLaye. (?1510-?1558)
Lute and Guitar pieces.
Federico Marincola, Lute.
Recorded: 1993.

I agree with @Que about this recording. It is a very pleasant performance, intimate and unhurried. Well recorded and worth the effort to have, hold and cherise.

[Tsaraslondon]

My favourite piece of Christmas Music, Finzi's In terra pax, in what I believe is its best recording. Norma Burrowes, John Shirley-Quirk and the City of London Sinfonia under Richard Hickox.

[ChamberNut]

When I first encountered Bacewicz, probably at least ten years ago, I was listening to the thorny works for string orchestra (Concerto for String Orchestra, Symphony for String Orchestra, etc) and I initially found myself flummoxed by the late "avant garde" works when I encountered them. But my brain has softened and they have started to sink in.

My first encounter of Bacewicz' music was this work (a live performance I attended) and it probably still remains my favourite of hers (or one of).

[Traverso]

Sweelinck

CD 1

Secular works

[Traverso]

Purcell

CD 7

[Harry]

Anthony Holborne.
Pieces for Lute.
See back cover for details.
Federico Marincola, Lute.
Recorded: 1995.

As good as the previous CD I heard also today with music from the composer Guillaume Morlaye. The same ease of performing, unhurried yet not slow. What kind of Lute he is using I do not know, but what I know is that it sounds fantastic. Marincola I did not know, but thanks to @Que ........well it tumbled right into my favourite Lute players list. Unfortunately I cannot find more as the recordings by him I played today. The sonorities are to my ears breathtaking. Holborne is a composer who pleases the ears with soft tones and mirre! The recording could have been made yesterday, really very good.

[Cato]

Rafael Kubelik's perfectly conducted performance with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra of Karl Amadeus Hartmann's powerful and manic Symphony #6!

The polyphony comes through with great clarity: this was available on a WERGO set of the complete symphonies.

Also, another perfect performance of a work with excellent polyphonic style: Sergei Taneyev's ear-astonishing Prelude and Fugue!

Finally, Sergei Protopopov's 6 Preludes Opus 32* with the young Belgian pianist Valere Burnon:

* The Sixth Prelude somehow became lost.

[AnotherSpin]

Mahler 6th

Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin & Heinz Rögner, recorded 1983 by DDR's Eterna