What are you listening 2 now?

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Does anyone have this disc??? Thank you.

[ChamberNut]

Good evening, Rafael !

I know that Noces has admirers at GMG. I just react negatively to its particular sound world, which I find intensely irritating. I happen to have another version of the piece and have the same feeling when I play the cd. It's a filler for something much more rewarding. Sometimes I let it play but most of the time I skip it.

I feel the same way.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Strauss, Stokowski/NY.

[ChamberNut]

Varèse - Déserts

Déserts is one of my very favourite Varèse works!

[Harry]

Johan Halvorsen (1864 –1935)
Orchestral works, Volume IV.
See back cover for details.
Ragnhild Hemsing Hardanger fiddle.
Marianne Thorsen, Violin.
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Järvi.
Recording venue Grieghallen, Bergen, Norway; 2009 (Bryllupsmarsch) and 2010 (other works).

An ongoing pleasure these Halvorsen series. The sound remastered to 24 bit, adds an extra layer of details. Järvi is making the most out of Halvorsen colourful compositions.

[Traverso]

Music in Versailles

There are recordings that hold a special place because of their courteous panache that takes away the gravity of life for a moment.

La Sonnerie by Marin Marain is such an excellent piece followed by one of the most beautiful harpsichord pieces, namely the Prélude in D minor by d'Anglebert, performed with an impeccable sense of timing and compelling authority.

[Brian]

Harpsichordist Justin Taylor moves to the piano - actually, the pianino, a small six-octave upright piano made for only a few years by the Pleyel company. Chopin wrote several of his preludes on this instrument (not this exact one; his was made a few months earlier), so Taylor uses it to perform those works plus others with the right kind of intimate, small-scale melancholy. The sound is indeed so much smaller than a concert grand, and with an almost velvety softness to the hammering action.

I have heard, and own, so many excellent Chopin recitals. But this one stands out for the instrument and for the artist's total adaptation to that instrument, rather than trying to play it the same way he would play on a Steinway.

[Traverso]

Messiaen

La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ

[Iota]

Enescu: Nocturne in D Flat Major, 'Hommage À La Princesse Marie Cantacuzène',
Pièces Impromptues, Op.18
Josu de Solaun (piano)

A wild, rapturous beginning to the disc, with the single, rather epic Nocturne in D Flat Major, clocking in at just under 20 mins ('La Princesse Marie Cantacuzène' it transpires is his wife).
It's followed by the Pièces Impromptues, seven pieces which comprise a variety of characters and styles, concluding with the exquisite Carillon Nocturne, which evocatively reflects the qualities of that singular instrument. Captivating music all, am very taken by it on this first hearing. And impressed too by the quality of the playing, Josu de Solaun is a new name to me.

[Traverso]

Does anyone have this disc??? Thank you.

I have this recording...you will have the Rota piece.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I have this recording...you will have the Rota piece.

Thank you, Jan. I was interested in the Pizzetti tracks and a member here helped me out.

[Symphonic Addict]

Another varied disc of Respighian delights.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Barber Cello Concerto, Op. 22

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Enescu: Nocturne in D Flat Major, 'Hommage À La Princesse Marie Cantacuzène',
Pièces Impromptues, Op.18
Josu de Solaun (piano)

A wild, rapturous beginning to the disc, with the single, rather epic Nocturne in D Flat Major, clocking in at just under 20 mins ('La Princesse Marie Cantacuzène' it transpires is his wife).
It's followed by the Pièces Impromptues, seven pieces which comprise a variety of characters and styles, concluding with the exquisite Carillon Nocturne, which evocatively reflects the qualities of that singular instrument. Captivating music all, am very taken by it on this first hearing. And impressed too by the quality of the playing, Josu de Solaun is a new name to me.

Enescu's solo piano works are amazing. I own that set with Josu de Solaun, but I haven't listened to any of it. The problem is I already have two excellent cycles from Raluca Stirbat (Hänssler) and Luiza Borac (Avie) ripped to my external SSD. Anyway, great music --- enjoy!

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Barber Essay for Orchestra, Op. 12



I might end up going through the other two Essays for Orchestra. Really fine works.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Barber Second and Third Essays for Orchestra, Opp. 17 & 47

[AnotherSpin]

[Brian]

Harpsichordist Justin Taylor moves to the piano - actually, the pianino, a small six-octave upright piano made for only a few years by the Pleyel company. Chopin wrote several of his preludes on this instrument (not this exact one; his was made a few months earlier), so Taylor uses it to perform those works plus others with the right kind of intimate, small-scale melancholy. The sound is indeed so much smaller than a concert grand, and with an almost velvety softness to the hammering action.

I have heard, and own, so many excellent Chopin recitals. But this one stands out for the instrument and for the artist's total adaptation to that instrument, rather than trying to play it the same way he would play on a Steinway.

Just now finishing this after a two-hour meeting and a lunch break.

Up next:



will be first-ever listens to these two pieces, inspired by DHurwitz praising the Dixit dominus as a bold, wild, surprising piece.

[DavidW]

[vandermolen]

You didn't ask but......!

No 1 (Arnold)
No 2 (Groves)
No 3 (Penny)
No 4 (BBC Music Mag - Lockhart/BBC CO Definitely NOT Lyrita - Arnold!!)
No 5 (Arnold-CBSO)
No 6 (Hickox)
No 7 (Yates-RSNO)
No 8 (Penny)
No 9 (Penny)

Nice choices. The problem with Arnold's generally excellent recording of his 5th Symphony (EMI) is that the sound suddenly becomes repressed in the catchy third movement. It spoils it for me.