Pieces that have blown you away recently

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Yesterday, I listened to Elgar's The Apostles (Elder/Halle) and very much enjoyed it.  Not the masterpiece that Gerontius is but it definitely had its moments and very fine writing.  The recording is excellent, vivid, and restrained or epic when needed...it's measured.

I rather enjoy this work, too. I need to revisit The Dream of Gerontius as it seems I've always had trouble fully appreciating it.

[ChamberNut]

Dukas. Symphony in C and La Péri. Truly remarkable works.

[Symphonic Addict]

Dukas. Symphony in C and La Péri. Truly remarkable works.

+1

I had the immense fortune to hear that symphony live some months ago. Needless to say it was riveting, especially for the magical second movement.

[ChamberNut]

+1

I had the immense fortune to hear that symphony live some months ago. Needless to say it was riveting, especially for the magical second movement.

Oh boy, lucky you. That middle movement is utterly breathtaking!

[Symphonic Addict]

Oh boy, lucky you. That middle movement is utterly breathtaking!

Completely fantastic indeed. That performance opened my ears to that specific movement, particularly.

[Cato]

Dukas. Symphony in C and La Péri. Truly remarkable works.

Completely fantastic indeed. That performance opened my ears to that specific movement, particularly.

Oh boy, lucky you. That middle movement is utterly breathtaking!

Was it this recording?  An excellent one!

[ChamberNut]

Was it this recording?  An excellent one!

No, it was Jean-Luc Tingaud with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra on Naxos.

[relm1]

I rather enjoy this work, too. I need to revisit The Dream of Gerontius as it seems I've always had trouble fully appreciating it.

There's a brand new recording for you to check out.



https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9731899--elgar-the-dream-of-gerontius

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

There's a brand new recording for you to check out.



https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9731899--elgar-the-dream-of-gerontius

Thanks, but I own probably 6 or 7 recordings of Gerontius already.

[Florestan]

Nadia Boulanger - Fantaisie variee pour piano et orchestre

Fascinating piece of music, superbly orchestrated.

[Symphonic Addict]

Nadia Boulanger - Fantaisie variee pour piano et orchestre

Fascinating piece of music, superbly orchestrated.

Some very fine pieces being mentioned lately, including this.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

A work that has blown me away today was Frank Bridge's Cello Sonata. What a piece! It sounds kind of like what if Fauré and Szymanowski had a compositional child. The harmonies in this work were absolutely transfixing. I'll definitely give this work another listen soon.

The recording I listened to was The Nash Ensemble on Hyperion:



I'm looking forward to exploring more of Bridge's oeuvre in general. I own all six volumes of Hickox's orchestral series on Chandos, three recordings of chamber music on Hyperion and a Lyrita recording that has Oration (w/ Julian Lloyd Webber) and Phantasm on it.

[Roasted Swan]

A work that has blown me away today was Frank Bridge's Cello Sonata. What a piece! It sounds kind of like what if Fauré and Szymanowski had a compositional child. The harmonies in this work were absolutely transfixing. I'll definitely give this work another listen soon.

The recording I listened to was The Nash Ensemble on Hyperion:



I'm looking forward to exploring more of Bridge's oeuvre in general. I own all six volumes of Hickox's orchestral series on Chandos, three recordings of chamber music on Hyperion and a Lyrita recording that has Oration (w/ Julian Lloyd Webber) and Phantasm on it.

The Chamber Music - especially the string quartets and Piano Quintet - are genuinely remarkable.  Arguably some of the finest British 20th Century quartets bar none.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

The Chamber Music - especially the string quartets and Piano Quintet - are genuinely remarkable.  Arguably some of the finest British 20th Century quartets bar none.

Very nice, indeed. I only own the 4th SQ, but I've been eyeing those Maggini Quartet recordings (three in all). I might have to see if I can get them cheaply as digital downloads since I've vowed to not buy any more CDs.

[Roasted Swan]

Very nice, indeed. I only own the 4th SQ, but I've been eyeing those Maggini Quartet recordings (three in all). I might have to see if I can get them cheaply as digital downloads since I've vowed to not buy any more CDs.

Add to that a favourite disc/download of Jeffrey and I......

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Add to that a favourite disc/download of Jeffrey and I......

Thanks. I believe I own this one already. I'll have to double-check to make sure.

[Symphonic Addict]

Martinu: On tourne!

Of the works on this winner of a disc, I had not listened to On tourne! till today. Silly me! What an EXHILARATING ballet! I was missing a phenomenal riot that features a bizarre plot about a maritime shoot film involving sailors and other sea creatures. It exudes spark galore and elements of jazz can be heard too. It's simply unbelievable how fun this is. Dance of the pearl, on the other hand, contains the most lyrical music, providing a magical contrast.

Unquestionably, this effervescent short ballet would bring the audience to its feet if it had the chance to be programmed in concert halls.

[Cato]

Martinu: On tourne!

Of the works on this winner of a disc, I had not listened to On tourne! till today. Silly me! What an EXHILARATING ballet! I was missing a phenomenal riot that features a bizarre plot about a maritime shoot film involving sailors and other sea creatures. It exudes spark galore and elements of jazz can be heard too. It's simply unbelievable how fun this is. Dance of the pearl, on the other hand, contains the most lyrical music, providing a magical contrast.

Unquestionably, this effervescent short ballet would bring the audience to its feet if it had the chance to be programmed in concert halls.

This offers a taste:

Allow me to offer this work by Franz Schreker: Prelude to a Drama

[Roasted Swan]

Yesterday, I listened to Elgar's The Apostles (Elder/Halle) and very much enjoyed it.  Not the masterpiece that Gerontius is but it definitely had its moments and very fine writing.  The recording is excellent, vivid, and restrained or epic when needed...it's measured.

Cue cries of Britsh-centric Gramophone bias (probably fair!) - but its worth noting that the 3 Elder/Halle recordings of the 3 Elgar Oratorios won the Gramophone Choral Recordings of the Year in 2009, 2011 & 2013.  As I write Presto Classical have a 40% off offer on Halle label recordings which means the set of the 3 oratorios can be had as a FLAC download for £5.49.

[Symphonic Addict]

Listening to some symphonic poems today, I stumbled upon Juvenile by Boris Tchaikovsky. A most magnificent surprise it turned out to be. I love when a work of this emotional caliber catches me off guard. Tchaikovsky composed it under the impression of Dostoevsky's novel The Adolescent. The music reflects an intense, poignant, thought-provoking nature from start to finish. There's a recurring piano part throughout the piece, sometimes accompanied by a viola d'amore in a moving, eloquent manner.

Truly inspirational stuff. For works like this composition is that Boris Tchaikovsky stands out from many other Russian composers in my view. There's real humanity in his music.




This is a live recording of the piece (different from the one I listened to posted above):