What are you listening 2 now?

[Symphonic Addict]

Bosmans: Piano Concertino

Very cool!

[Symphonic Addict]

Three piano sonatas (in F minor, 1863-4, completed by Howard; in C-sharp minor, 1865; in G major, 1878). I found enormous pleasure in these three works, above all in the last sonata.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

I can't do anything but agree, Holst is much more than merely The Planets!

Absolutely! Works like Egdon Heath, Beni Mora, Japanese Suite, the Suites Nos. 1 & 2 for Military Band et. al. are masterworks in my book. There's much to explore in his oeuvre that will take one by surprise. For me, a lot of Holst's brilliance comes from a subtlety that the listener must pay close attention.

I like what I have heard, but I need to make more effort with Holst.

He is certainly worth the effort in my opinion. Do give his oeuvre a thorough listen. There are so many gems to be found.

What really opened my ears to Holst wasn't The Planets, but one of his last works, which was written for viola and orchestra called Lyric Movement:

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Bosmans: Piano Concertino

Very cool!

One of my favorite piano concertos!

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

NP: Britten Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20

[André]

Hasse (1699-1783) spent 30 years in Dresden. He was as famous in Dresden as Bach was in Leipzig or Vivaldi in Venice.

There are a few recordings of a 1763 Requiem in C composed upon the death of Augustus II 'The Strong', Prince Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. That's not the one on this recording. Someone else died right after Augustus II: the heir to the throne, prince Friedrich Christian. Hasse picked up his composing pen for another requiem, this time in E Flat. It is a quite beautiful work, devoid of theatrics or fire and brimstone gestures. Hasse was also famous for his italian operas, performed throughout Italy but also in England (Handel was a rival for the London public's favour). There's an unmistakable italianate feel to this Mass for the Dead. It is pastoral, rustic and refined at once, moving along mostly at an andante pace throughout. Do not expect the drama and anguish felt in Mozart's Requiem (the first romantic choral masterpiece). This is a comforting, almost bucolic view of the Great Pastures.

The Miserere in d minor is also a fine work, if lesser in scope. Somewhat confusingly, Carus recorded the other (C major) Requiem and paired it with another Miserere. It just so happens that both requiems last around 42 minutes whilst the Misereres last about 22 mins. Determined to fool the buying public, Carus plays tricks with its cover art: they are almost identical, one showing the right portion of a Canaletto painting, the other showing the left portion of the same painting.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

NP: Holst The Wandering Scholar, Op. 50

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

NP: Sibelius' 7th



For me, this one of the pinnacles of symphonic composition. A truly awe-inspiring marvel of a work and this Karajan performance milks it for its worth in the best possible sense.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

NP: Walton The Quest

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

NP: Webern Cantatas Nos. 1 & 2, Opp. 29 & 31

[steve ridgway]

Scelsi - Tre Canti Sacri

Nice 8 voice a cappella pieces  .

[steve ridgway]

Stravinsky - Two Balmont Songs

Short and sweet  .

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Last work for the night --- Poulenc Rapsodie Negre

[steve ridgway]

Berio - Points On The Curve To Find...

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Alright, one more work --- Pettersson Symphony No. 11

[steve ridgway]

Schnittke - Schall Und Hall

A slow, echoing work for the unusual duo of trombone and organ (played in a Ligeti like style)  .

[AnotherSpin]

Cascioli's 12 Études reminded me a bit of Ligeti — that same mix of sharp rhythms and unexpected twists, where technical stuff turns into something really musical and clever. But unlike Ligeti, Cascioli feels more open, more lyrical at times — and in a few pieces, there's this flow and freedom that, to my surprise, made me think of solo Keith Jarrett.

[steve ridgway]

Bartók - Music For Strings, Percussion And Celesta

I particularly liked the slow strings of the first movement which reminded me of Ives.

[steve ridgway]

Scriabin - Poème Op 41

Scriabin's short piano pieces break my listening mix up nicely.

[Harry]

The Faces of Melancholy.
Ayres, both Grave and Light for Viols or other musical instruments.
See back cover for details.
Ensemble Isabella d'Este.
Recorded: 1993 at the Eglise Sornetan, CH

This by all means a wonderful disc, filled with fine music, and as a performance, Chapeau! Recording quality is excellent too. The music gives lightness and darkness at the same time, the latter is good, for it is dark and rainy outside, the lightness cheers me up, which I also need...So a win win situation.
I found the original cover and the reissued one, both have their aesthetic quality. A good start in the morning plus coffee of course. I have some stuffed bears in the listening room, they are enjoying themselves too