What are you listening 2 now?

[ritter]

It seems to happens all the time,   welcome back into the flock to warm  yourself   (hopefully).

+1. Welcome back!

[Cato]

Harold Shapero.
Orchestral Works.
Los Angeles Philharmonic., Andre Previn.
Recorded: 1988 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music center, Los Angeles.

A new discovery and a good one too! I like the sounds this orchestra is producing in aid of the music by Shapero, which is an eye opener in many respects. Stumble by accident over him, but then I like to stumble over these sort of surprises. Remarkably well recorded. Previn clearly believes in this music and so do I.

Harold Shapero became rather famous for that Symphony and a few other works!

It seems that teaching at a university and family life, along with working on the creation of an early synthesizer, severely restricted his output for many years, although in this interview, which was done near his retirement in 1988, and which I recommend highly, he says that he composes quite a bit.

He died in 2013: perhaps there are a good number of unpublished, unplayed manuscripts?

http://www.bruceduffie.com/shapero.html

[Iota]

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms (1948 version)

What a memorable musical thing the recurring laudate chant from this work is. It has that deeply satisfying glow of inevitability and rightness about it that manifests in musical themes from time to time.

[Harry]

Christopher Rouse.
Orchestral works.
See back cover for details.
Evelyn Glennie, Cho-Liang Lin, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Leif Segerstam.
Recorded: Finlandia Hall Helsinki, 2001-2003.

Impressive, tonal modernity packed in a detailed and sonic extravaganza. Me likes!  I am sure @foxandpeng will love this too, or I eat my hat, well metaphorical speaking I mean. Rouse does two things for me, he involves me deep into his soundword, and he manage to surprise me at places I did not expect. I have heard so much music in my life, being quite eclectic in my choices of style and intent, but this one, well added a bit more. Superb recording and performance.

[Traverso]

Mozart

[nico1616]

Listening to Messiah is a seasonal urge come Xmas or Easter, but since I've had this cd release waiting for my bon vouloir for almost 3 years I figured there was no reason to delay reacquaintance any further. Back in the day when this was released I bought the cassette version, now long gone. I listened to it so many times back then that I've come to judge other versions against this one - it's my benchmark on just about every level: orchestra, continuo, chorus, soloists.

Pinnock's conducting is utterly devoid of any sense of hurry or rigidity (Gardiner) yet never indulges in unwarranted underlinings (almost all MI versions except Mackerras). The production helps: these are musical numbers that follow one another without interruption. Timing of pauses must be tight yet flexible. A recitative must segue into the following aria, a decent but not obvious pause must follow the slow choruses, etc. Archiv Produktion's team deserves kudos for making the 2,5 hour work seamless and unified.

As for the soloists: Messiah is such a musical icon/milestone that just about every superstar vocal soloist has been enlisted at one time or another. I'm actually surprised the 3 Tenors haven't figured in a recording. Maybe because Handel practically forgot there was a tenor past the first aria Ev'ry Valley ?

Soprano Arleen Auger ('I Know That My Redeemer Liveth'), alto Michael Chance, contralto (?) Anne-Sophie von Otter ('He Was Despised'), tenor Howard Crooks (('Ev'ry Valley') and bass John Tomlinson (a terrific Bluebeard, heard here in 'Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together' and 'The Trumpet Shall Sound') prove that Messiah singers are not just 'sacred' imitations of their Lucia, Azucena, Florestan or Osmin to make their their mark. There's a nice feeling of characterful voices perfectly complementing each other. There are no ensembles in Messiah, just a few short duets here and there. Temptation may run high to make a showcase of individual numbers. That's not the case here, yet there's no shortage of vocal brilliance in the individual numbers.

The spiritual and communal aspects of the work are quietly emphasized by Pinnock and his crew. A nice change from the star (mis)casting often heard.

I realized I did not have this one in my collection. I am a big fan of Auger and Pinnock so I ordered it

[steve ridgway]

Earlier I was listening to Messiaen: Le Livre Du Saint Sacrement, Pour Orgue. Only the first hour and twenty minutes or so but enough to get an adequate glimpse of eternity  .

[SonicMan46]

Mysliveček, Josef - finishing up my Il Boemo collection today, about a half dozen left:

For the morning, the recordings below - Violin Concertos & Cello Concerto (the latter mixed with Haydn's two) - both performers excellent as the attached reviews indicate.  Dave

 

[Traverso]

Takemitsu

[Linz]

Václav Pichl Contemporaries of Mozart, volume 1 CD 11, Symphonies, London Mozart Players, Matthias Bamert

[Klavierman]

I'm starting my day in a rather mellow mood. If I weren't a pianist, I think I'd like to be a lutenist. I really love the intimate yet soulful sound.

[AnotherSpin]

The first and second concertos out of three.

[Traverso]

Bach


Maybe today it is the day to listen to Götterdämmerung, but let's hope for the best.

[hopefullytrusting]

Felt like a Holst day after watching that Twilight Zone episode:

Brook Green Suite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxjJkP8oVYY
Symphony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz8wjnRKHfU
Egdon Heath: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kDF3AG3Gp4
The Mystic Trumpeter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNyCb4megwo
Humbert Wolfe Songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY3jIxPeWsI

[Que]

I'm starting my day in a rather mellow mood. If I weren't a pianist, I think I'd like to be a lutenist. I really love the intimate yet soulful sound.

Great recording... and welcome back. 

[hopefullytrusting]

Felt like a Holst day after watching that Twilight Zone episode:

Brook Green Suite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxjJkP8oVYY
Symphony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz8wjnRKHfU
Egdon Heath: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kDF3AG3Gp4
The Mystic Trumpeter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNyCb4megwo
Humbert Wolfe Songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY3jIxPeWsI

I was spot on. This is perfect music for a summer day. When I have more time, I'll definitely be buying a version of all of these.

The Mystic Trumpeter is the sole piece that sort of doesn't fit the above mold - this feels like something Ives or Mahler might have written - it is a killer track, but it definitely something you would assume was not done by Holst.

[pianococo90]

Jason Eckardt
Pulse-Echo for piano quintet

[Iota]

L.Boulanger:
Psalms  24, "La terre appartient à l'Eternel"; 129, "Ils m'ont assez opprimé dès ma jeunesse"; 130, "Du fond de l'âbime"
Vielle prière bouddhique.

I've paid very little attention to Lili Boulanger until now, but listening to the above for the first time, they grew on me very quickly.  A genuine individuality, littered with highly interesting moments, and an overall warmth and passion that is neither sentimental or overbearing. A very happy discovery indeed, and a particularly striking achievement for one whose life was cut so tragically short.

[ritter]

L.Boulanger:
Psalms  24, "La terre appartient à l'Eternel"; 129, "Ils m'ont assez opprimé dès ma jeunesse"; 130, "Du fond de l'âbime"
Vielle prière bouddhique.

I've paid very little attention to Lili Boulanger until now, but listening to the above for the first time, they grew on me very quickly.  A genuine individuality, littered with highly interesting moments, and an overall warmth and passion that is neither sentimental or overbearing. A very happy discovery indeed, and a particularly striking achievement for one whose life was cut so tragically short.

Lili Boulanger is a "glaring omission" in my exploration of French music, which I should correct ASAP.  Thanks for reminding me of her...

TD:

Philippe Entremont conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in music by Erik Satie: Parade, Relâche, and Claude Debussy's orchestration of the Gymnopédies No. 1 and No. 3.



CD7 of this set:

[Linz]

Bruckner Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major, 1878 Version Ed. Robert Haas, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink