What are you listening 2 now?

[Iota]

Benjamin Britten
Canticles, I - V
The Heart of the Matter

Philip Langridge, tenor
Steuart Bedford, piano
Jean Rigby, contralto
Derek Lee Ragin, counter-tenor
Gerald Finley, baritone
Frank Lloyd, horn
Osian Ellis, harp
Dame Judy Dench, narrator


Maybe because it has been so long since I have listened to Britten, but in hearing his Canticles, I am reminded of what a genius the composer was.

Canticle II, which follows the story of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac, nearly had me in tears. A most unexpected reaction from a rather analytical listener.
VS

Musings



The Muses leave their Father Apollo to go out and Light the World
Gustave Moreau (1868)

Yes indeed, Britten's very particular expressivity illuminates the Canticles, and that recording is a marvellous one. Canticle II is what first alerted me to them too, hypnotic. I enjoyed your musings linked to as well.

NP:

Sallinen
A Solemn Overture (King Lear), Op. 75
Symphony No. 1, Op. 24
Chorali
Symphony No. 7, Op. 71, "The Dreams of Gandalf"
Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra
Ari Rasilainen

From this set -




It's been about 14 years or so since I've listened to Sallinen's music and, honestly, I don't know why I neglected him for so long. A truly fascinating composer with a sound-world all of his own, which is no easy feat.

Great tip! Have much enjoyed the Solemn Overture and Symphony No.1 so far.

[Traverso]

Telemann

Musique De Table

CD 1

Musica Amphion
Pieter-Jan Belder

[ChamberNut]

BACH, Johann Sebastian (1685—1750)
The Complete Organ Works.
Volume VII.
Masaaki Suzuki playing the Arp Schnitger Organ of Martinikerk, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Recording: 20th—24th November 2023 at Martinikerk, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Pitch: a' = 465 Hz.
Tuning: after Hinz, Variant of Neidhardt.



Although the afternoon was meant for Orchestral music, I was sorely in need of some Bach, and not any Bach but what is produced by this wizard Suzuki on the Arp Schnitger organ in Groningen. I heard this instrument so often when at a concert, and I confess this instrument sounds true to life on this recording, of which I never heard it in this way before, and there are many recordings of this organ in my collection. Volume VI was gorgeous already, but VII goes even further by refining all the details even more in focus. And my speakers go low, very low, in that I feel the Praestant 32', not entirely of course, but quite enough.
I will treasure this set above all else.

The Ballet Masterpieces box set weeps. 

[Harry]

The Ballet Masterpieces box set weeps. 
[/quote

The Ballet Masterpieces box set weeps. 

I meant this in respect of Bach my friend, the Ballet box stands next to me. I see it every day, and will start listening soon to it and all it's treasures. So no weeping but rejoicing. Ballet was my first love, and is still is.

[Harry]

Édouard Lalo (1823–1892)
Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21 (1874) in D minor, for Violin and Orchestra.
À Son Ami P. Sarasate.

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921)
Concerto No. 3, Op. 61 (1880), in B minor,  for Violin with Orchestral Accompaniment.
À Monsieur P. Sarasate.

Pablo de Sarasate (1844–1908).
Concert Fantasy on Bizet's 'Carmen', Op.25 (1881)
Fantaisie de Concert.
À Monsieur Hellmesberger, Directeur du Conservatoire de Vienne.

James Ehnes Violin.
BBC Philharmonic, Juanjo Mena.
Recording venue MediaCityUK, Salford, Manchester; 10 and 11 April 2024.

A new recording and a darn good exposition of all three composers in SOTA sound. Very enjoyable, to listen to the mastery of Ehnes on the Violin, amd the BBC orchestra under Mena making it a feast in which to participate is pure joy. Not many could resist the enthusiasm engendered, believe me. Try it, won't you?

[Traverso]

The Ballet Masterpieces box set weeps. 

Wich box is that?

[Madiel]

Édouard Lalo (1823–1892)
Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21 (1874) in D minor, for Violin and Orchestra.
À Son Ami P. Sarasate.

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921)
Concerto No. 3, Op. 61 (1880), in B minor,  for Violin with Orchestral Accompaniment.
À Monsieur P. Sarasate.

Pablo de Sarasate (1844–1908).
Concert Fantasy on Bizet's 'Carmen', Op.25 (1881)
Fantaisie de Concert.
À Monsieur Hellmesberger, Directeur du Conservatoire de Vienne.

James Ehnes Violin.
BBC Philharmonic, Juanjo Mena.
Recording venue MediaCityUK, Salford, Manchester; 10 and 11 April 2024.

A new recording and a darn good exposition of all three composers in SOTA sound. Very enjoyable, to listen to the mastery of Ehnes on the Violin, amd the BBC orchestra under Mena making it a feast in which to participate is pure joy. Not many could resist the enthusiasm engendered, believe me. Try it, won't you?

James Ehnes was on Australian radio this morning. He was very engaging in conversation. I'm inclined to explore his recordings quite a bit.

[ChamberNut]

Wich box is that?

This one! Well, there are a number of them.  However, I think this is mine and Harry's personal favourite.

[ChamberNut]

James Ehnes was on Australian radio this morning. He was very engaging in conversation. I'm inclined to explore his recordings quite a bit.

Oh, I hope you do!! He was born and raised in my home province of Manitoba. Very lucky, as he'll come and perform often with our symphony and orchestras.

[Harry]

This one! Well, there are a number of them.  However, I think this is mine and Harry's personal favourite.

Yeah, correct that's the one.

[T. D.]

James Ehnes was on Australian radio this morning. He was very engaging in conversation. I'm inclined to explore his recordings quite a bit.

Haven't heard any recordings, but have been seriously impressed by various Youtube videos.

[T. D.]

Excellent performances.
A drawback for me is that the ensemble decided that it was a good idea if 6 out of 14 madrigals would also be recorded in their transcription for harpsichord... According to booklet in that way it is easier to hear the harmony...   These transcriptions are actually well played by Elam Rotem, but I'd rather have heard more madrigals on this recording. The harpsichord transcriptions deserve their own recording!
Despite the misgivings on the programming choice, still an impressive recording.

Another recommended recording:

Thanks for the reminder. Was meaning to hear the La Compagnia del Madrigale, but (as so often happens) never followed up.

[Harry]

William Walton (1902– 1983).

Symphonic Suite from 'Troilus and Cressida' (1947 –54, revised 1963, 1972– 76)  Arranged 1987 by Christopher Palmer (1946– 1995) from the opera in three acts.

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1936–39, revised 1943) For Jascha Heifetz.

Portsmouth Point (1924–25) Overture. To Siegfried Sassoon.

Charlie Lovell-Jones, Violin.
Sinfonia of London, John Wilson.
Recording venue, Church of St Augustine, Kilburn, London; 2024 (Symphonic Suite from Troilus and Cressida) 2024 (other works)

A new release, and again a very welcome one. All three works are performed with excellent results.  For me, one cannot have enough Walton. And another fresh look so you will, does sometimes increase the appetite. I am always hungry in that sense. I will say this, really outstanding performances in SOTA sound, as per usual with Chandos. Lovell-Jones really adds a different look on the Violin concerto, more so as I thought he would. Another winner, he delivers the goods right and proper.

[Roasted Swan]

Haven't heard any recordings, but have been seriously impressed by various Youtube videos.

In a world of super-virtuosi who can toss off the hardest music with little or no apparent difficulty, James Ehnes is one of the very very finest.  Technique to spare but a stunning musician too.  I'd listen to anything played by him.

[Traverso]

This one! Well, there are a number of them.  However, I think this is mine and Harry's personal favourite.

I have another one....

[Linz]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  The Symphonies CD 2
Symphony D Major k95k73n
Symphony No. 11 DM k84k73
Symphony No. 10  GM k74
Symphony D Major K87K74a
Symphony D Major K120K111K111a
Symphony C Major K96K111b
Symphony No. 13 K112
The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood

[Traverso]

Telemann

CD 1

Konzert   TWV 52:A1
          TWV 52:F2
          TWV 52:E1
          TWV 55:A2

[ChamberNut]

I have another one....

I would have got the Bonynge box set if I had not got that other one. As it is, more than half is duplicated between the two.

[Traverso]

I would have got the Bonynge box set if I had not got that other one. As it is, more than half is duplicated between the two.

The box is OOP and they are asking ridiculous  prices for it even nine times the initial price, how kind we are to each other to go to the limit and beyond.

[foxandpeng]

Edmund Rubbra
Symphony 8
Richard Hickox
BBC NoW
Chandos