What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Dr. Dread]

I have this CD.  It is quite nice ...

Indeed. The whole box would be better though. 

[Lethevich]

The Tovey is in the spirit of Mendelssohn's 3rd symphony by the way of Brahms/Dvořák, but obviously with a little lower melodic inspiration. Considering the 15 minute length of the first movement, the tension is well-maintained throughout and a fine atmosphere is created by some very inspired moments towards the middle. I tend to find that piano concertos often lack the naturalistic atmosphere of symphonies (such as Mendelssohn's 3rd) because the piano writing tends to detract from the pictures the rest of the orchestra are creating (kind of like a narrator being present), but that seems to apply less to this work.

[Coopmv]

Now playing ...

Here are the tracks on this CD ...

[Renfield]

I have noticed a number of our members from the British Isles are up way past midnight their time routinely ...

Post-midnight shift reporting in. If I can ditch the horrible insomnia for next week, that will be good.

Schubert: Symphony No. 8 (/7 - the Unfinished, anyway): Herbert von Karajan, Philharmonia Orchestra.

[Lilas Pastia]

After listening to a Rome 1957 Gerontius with Vickers (Barbirolli cond.) I  embarked onto another 1957 broadcast concert of a choral classic, Haydn's Die Schöpfung. From Cologne, with soloists Annelies Kupper, Joseph Traxel, Josef Greindl, Walter Berry and Kathe Kraus, As can be surmised from this list, Part III has different soloists (as it should be - don't buy a 3 singers Creation). Although this is over 50 years old, the sound is very good, probably the result of a WDR broadcast (the notes are silent about the provenance). Men's casting is luxurious indeed: all three of them are well  known oratorio or operatic fugures of their time, and they don't disappoint. I'd say they are all at the top of anyone's short list of Uriel, Raphael, or Adam. Greindl is imposing and beseeching and has bottom notes almost as good as Kurt Moll's. Although he's a bit past his prime, Traxel is unequalled in that kind of part: plangent of voice, very expressive and always alert to word-meaning. Berry is surprisingly lyrical and youthful in tone, not at all the Barak or Wozzeck he was soon to become. This very 'singing' Adam came as a welcome surprise.

Lyric soprano Kraus (Eva) doesn't show much personality, but exhibits a bright, clear and pure lyric soprano, perfect for the part. What prevents this from top contention is the wobbly Fricka-like sound of Annelies Kupper. Unfortunately hers  is a prominent part of the work (parts I and II) and she really spoils whatever section she joins in.  

BUT: the combination of energetic and inspired leadership, enthusiastic and committed choral singing and excellent orchestral playing (in very good sound) conspire (!) to make this one of the most remarkable Creations I've heard. I doubt you will find a more awe-inspiring Und es ward Licht ! or more exhilarating, spirited, foot-tapping endings to parts I and II as here.

Available for a song at BRO (until recently , that is - keep looking for a return).

[Coopmv]

Post-midnight shift reporting in. If I can ditch the horrible insomnia for next week, that will be good.

Schubert: Symphony No. 8 (/7 - the Unfinished, anyway): Herbert von Karajan, Philharmonia Orchestra.

In my younger days when I was still a university student, I used to stay up past 2 in the morning to watch those Dracula flicks by Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.    

[Coopmv]

Indeed. The whole box would be better though. 

That Purcell box set is on my shopping list ...

[George]

Sergej Rachmaninoff His Complete Recordings Disc 6 Chopin Schumann  [/move]

That one's a peach! 

[Renfield]

In my younger days when I was still a university student, I used to stay up past 2 in the morning to watch those Dracula flicks by Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.    

Well, Schubert's Unfinished isn't far!

[Lethevich]

The Tovey is in the spirit of Mendelssohn's 3rd symphony by the way of Brahms/Dvořák, but obviously with a little lower melodic inspiration. Considering the 15 minute length of the first movement, the tension is well-maintained throughout and a fine atmosphere is created by some very inspired moments towards the middle. I tend to find that piano concertos often lack the naturalistic atmosphere of symphonies (such as Mendelssohn's 3rd) because the piano writing tends to detract from the pictures the rest of the orchestra are creating (kind of like a narrator being present), but that seems to apply less to this work.

Update: the Mackenzie is substantially worse than the Tovey, it is a suite rather than a concerto, as the movements have no coherent logic in relation to each other.

[Dundonnell]

Could I just say to those concerned about our British members staying up well past midnight that as someone whose working days are over(haha ) that I can stay up all night if I want to

I seldom in fact go to bed now until 3 or 4 in the morning. The 'wee small hours' are by far the best times for me to get stuff like this done...free from all the distractions of an otherwise pulsating social life

[Dr. Dread]

Could I just say to those concerned about our British members staying up well past midnight that as someone whose working days are over(haha ) that I can stay up all night if I want to

I seldom in fact go to bed now until 3 or 4 in the morning. The 'wee small hours' are by far the best times for me to get stuff like this done...free from all the distractions of an otherwise pulsating social life

Hm. Vampire nation?

[Dundonnell]

Hm. Vampire nation?

You got it! The coffin is in the crypt

(Oh cripes...I have just noticed it is actually 3.45am Greenwich Meantime!! I HAD better get to my coffin/go to bed )

[Lethevich]

Hm. Vampire nation?

Those Hammer Horror films Coop watched when he was a kid were actually documentaries...

[Dr. Dread]

[mahler10th]

Could I just say to those concerned about our British members staying up well past midnight that as someone whose working days are over(haha ) that I can stay up all night if I want to

I seldom in fact go to bed now until 3 or 4 in the morning. The 'wee small hours' are by far the best times for me to get stuff like this done...free from all the distractions of an otherwise pulsating social life

Superb post.  I epecially like "......free from all the distractions of an otherwise pulsating social life," which really did make me laugh out loud.  I completely agree about night-owlship.  If I'm up this late into the wee hours (and I always am these days) it's because I'm writing or listening and enjoying coffee in a solitude that has quality soaked into it's very fibre.  It is time and it is peace, it is reflection and it is light, it is just plain inability to get at all bored.

Thread Duty:  
Bruckner Symphony No 9  Zubin Metha  VPO
The thinnest Bruckner recording I've got, not very wide, but fabulous and very distinctive instrumental phrasing in a version that's top notch, but not for the usual Brucknerain reasons.  It's not at all thin in dynamic range, but is thin on the usually expected 'big' orchestral sound associated with Bruckner and his Symphonic Behemoths.  It allows for the magnification of detail in surprising ways.
Crystal clear audio, 10/10 for the recording engineers too.

[mahler10th]

Update: the Mackenzie is substantially worse than the Tovey, it is a suite rather than a concerto, as the movements have no coherent logic in relation to each other.

I agree.  I listened to this twice on the trot some time ago and decided it was no wonder these two Scottish composers weren't World renowned.  The pieces are nice, but there's nothing outstanding there at all.
I haven't listened to it since, but I will come back to it some day and sign a disclaimer to change my mind when I next listen to it, though I don't think I will.

[Lethevich]

I will try to listen to all of these at least once in the coming months - it is my mission...

I agree.  I listened to this twice on the trot some time ago and decided it was no wonder these two Scottish composers weren't World renowned.  The pieces are nice, but there's nothing outstanding there at all.
I haven't listened to it since, but I will come back to it some day and sign a disclaimer to change my mind when I next listen to it, though I don't think I will.

I'll probably give the Tovey future listens, as I found some depth of atmosphere and composition in there - not just being delighted at the Mendelssohnian qualities it at times has, but also at the relative complexity. Too often I am used to lesser tonal composers either being tuneful but one-dimensional, or tough and knotty, but with no melodic appeal. The first movement of the Tovey struck me as a good balance between melody and craft.

[rubio]

 

So , was it a 10/10, or maybe a 10/8 ? I'm very curious about his Haydn and Janacek. I completely trust his Chopin.

[haydnguy]

This is a BEAUTIFUL CD of light piano music. Thanks to George for the suggestion!!

"after the rain...The Soft Sounds of Erik Satie"  Pascal Roge, piano