What are you listening 2 now?

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Holst Japanese Suite

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Holst The Mystic Trumpeter

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Last work for the night --- Hovhaness Symphony No. 50, Op. 360, "Mount St. Helens"

[AnotherSpin]

Wagner's imprint on world music at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries — Russia by no means spared — is plain to see. Yet Stravinsky's Funeral Song (Погребальная Песня), supposedly a tribute to Rimsky-Korsakov, strikes the ear in a rather curious fashion, not to say raises an eyebrow. Was such an unmistakable — and ever so slightly mocking — nod to the Siegfrieds Trauermarsch really the most tactful choice? Rimsky-Korsakov and Siegfried make, after all, an odd couple at best. Stravinsky's deep reverence for his former mentor is dutifully recorded — but whether the sentiment was quite as pure as advertised is, shall we say, open to a touch of scepticism.

[steve ridgway]

Scelsi - In Nomine Lucis I/V

Scelsi could also write droning atmospheric music for organ .

[vandermolen]

Co-coincidentally I picked up another Symphony 12 just this week;



Not the kind of repertoire you might associate with Boult!  These Intaglio releases are dreadful in terms of any details about the music or the date/location of the recordings.  This is the BBC SO and it sounds like it must be an early performance (not the Proms).  Its actually rather a dynamic (not the most precise) performance which once again runs contrary to the perception of Boult as a patrician performer of 'old' core repertoire and British music.

Yes, I agree - I have that CD as well. Aren't they pirated recordings?

[Que]

This brings me somewhat up to date with the latest recordings of Franco-Flemish Renaissance music. Lots of new releases lately! 



Since there is no review in English available yet, the link will take you to a Google translated article that is in originally in Dutch:

https://www-stretto-be.translate.goog/2025/04/05/ni-dufay-ni-binchois-the-works-of-pullois-door-het-sollazzo-ensemble-op-het-label-passacaille/?_x_tr_sl=nl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Songs in French and Dutch and motets. Beautiful performances with light instrumental accompaniment and impressive singing by Anna Danileskaia.

[AnotherSpin]

Osho said that war is the ultimate expression of an inner slumber, a mechanical existence in which a person, rather than engaging with reality, perceives only their illusions—projections of internal conflict and division. To awaken, then, is to transcend both war and the madness we call peace.

Might I suggest that great music aids in transcending this division, enabling us simply to be?

[Que]

Easter is behind us, but I haven't let go yet of my survey of lamentations and, by extension, responsories ("tenebrae") for the Holy Week.

I couldn't resist:



PS The music from the time of the transition between Renaissance and Early Baroque is more interesting than earth shattering. Simple, sober, monophonic and declamatory, very text focused and reverential, with the occasional musical highlights. Lodovico Grossi da Viadana was a Franciscan friar, so that makes sense. And you have to be patient and have some time on your hands: the complete set clocks at 1 hour 47 mins... The singing is impeccable with the notable participation of the Collegium Vocale Gent.

[Traverso]

Bach

Vol.2 CD 4

[Que]

[ritter]

You won't see me talking often of baroque music, but those Flute Fantasias by Telemann are a longtime favourite of mine.

(I don't know Claire Guimond's recording, and only have Barthold Kuijken's —on the Accent label— in my collection).

[Karl Henning]

[Traverso]

Mauricio Kagel

This is the completion of  Die Stücke Der Windrose 



yesterday

[Que]

You won't see me talking often of baroque music, but those Flute Fantasias by Telemann are a longtime favourite of mine.

(I don't know Claire Guimond's recording, and only have Barthold Kuijken's —on the Accent label— in my collection).

As they are mine!    My favourites are Kuijken as well, and François Lazarevitch (Alpha). I'm trying the Guimond after it was advertised in a glowing review as being as good as Kuijken, only in better sound.

But I'm not persuaded... It's good, but not that good... 

PS I can also recommend Dorothee Oberlinger's (astounding) version played on recorder.

[steve ridgway]

Schoenberg: Drei Satiren Für Gemischten Chor

[Harry]

An English Pastoral.
Gurney · Finzi · Venables · Bliss.
CHU-YU YANG violin · ERIC McELROY piano.
Recording: St Mark's Church, St Marylebone, London, 13 & 14 April 2024.

Second rerun.

After having abandoned my hifi in the office, due to my new speakers, which is now almost finished in tweaking it to a perfect balance, I now replay things  which I tested on my Eidolons, to my secondary Hi-Res equipment. This recording impressed me on first hearing, not only because of the sound and naturalness depiction of the instruments, but also by a pristine performance, which pays homage to the term "An English Pastoral". Then the appearance of two composers, one of them I did not know at all, namely Ian Venables (b.1955) and Ivor Gurney (1890–1937) of which I heard a few things before. Especially Venables had a huge impact on me, simply because he captured the essence of the "English Pastoral".

[Mandryka]

Benjamin Britten
The Burning Fiery Furnace

Peter Pears as Nebuchadnezzar
John Shirley-Quirk as Shadrach
Robert Tear as Meshach
Stafford Dean as Abednego
Bryan Drake as The Astrologer
Peter Leeming as The Herald

English Opera Group
Benjamin Britten

Less emotionally gripping than Curlew River, but the same singular musical experience from Britten. Very different from George Dyson's take on the Nebuchadnezzar story.

Incidentally, I found a documentary on the making of The Burning Fiery Furnace from Tony Palmer (below), as well as the BBC broadcast (below). It is always fun seeing recognizable musicians working in a professional atmosphere
VS

I've got a ticket to see Burning Fiery Furnace in a couple of weeks in London, I'm sure I've seen it before, I've got a memory of the staging but not of any details beyond that. I've certainly seen Curlew River semi staged at a prom -- I like gender bending operas.

The one I have absolutely no memory of hearing or seeing is The Prodigal Son.

[steve ridgway]

Xenakis - A Colone

A surprisingly musical choral piece .

[SonicMan46]

Ries, Ferdinand - Solo Piano Works w/ Susan Kagan on 5 volumes which I own - a duet Vol. 6 has been released not yet obtained - also 3 volumes of Violin & Piano Sonatas (not shown) have been recorded on Naxos with Eric Grossman (these are in my collection, two as MP3 DLs).  Reviews of the Kagan solo piano discs attached - all quite positive and from Fanfare - remember she is a reviewer there so written by her buddies -  )  Dave