What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Harry]

I can offer only first impressions in this stage: just the first spin of two of the three discs.

On the music: this certainly establishes Tartini as a worthwhile Italian Baroque composer for me, after a somewhat "going through the (pleasant) motions" of Italian Baroque on a disc with concertos, although with top performances by Gatti/Dieltiens/ Ensemble 415/ Banchini (HM). Even so, the 2nd disc with the sonatas Opus 2 was still more interesting than the works on the 1st disc, which are in the booklet described as being generally considered "minor works". From what I've heard sofae, I suspect that this collection of Trio Sonatas by Tartini will be more interesting than Buxtehude's efforts - no minor compliment!
The performing style of the members of the Italian HIP Ensemble La Magnifica Comunità is quite sincere and sober, don't expect something like Andrew Manze's histrionics (of which I'm steadily growing weary, though his Biber still remains), nor in the music extravaganza and virtuosity like in music by Pisendel (Lethe!) or (Franz) Benda.  Enrico Casazza's style reminds me of his countryman Enrico Gatti, though he has not Gatti's velvet tone but a more firm, straight forward sound.

Q

My sentiments exactly.

[Que]

My sentiments exactly.

Well, as usual you took the lead on this one, Harry!

Q

[Lethevich]

No.15 is just as I had hoped (a wild guess from seeing its title "Storm at Sea") - similar in nocturnal sound to No.10. Some wonderful taut development, turmultuous timpani rolls and gong, bass growls. Great stuff! The soloists have just come in - oh man, this is delicious!

[The new erato]

Pleasure.  Forgot to mention: try the recording by Anton Steck.



Q

This was an "NewOlde.com 2004 Best Baroque Chamber Music Recording"

http://www.newolde.com/early_music_cd_awards_2004.htm

[haydnguy]

I just had to post that I listened to each of these disks about 5 times before going onto the next. Certainly my personal "find" for the first half of 2009. My wife loves them too. Her quote was, "much easier to listen to than atonal".   

[Coopmv]

I just had to post that I listened to each of these disks about 5 times before going onto the next. Certainly my personal "find" for the first half of 2009. My wife loves them too. Her quote was, "much easier to listen to than atonal".   

Is this set still available?

[Bogey]

I am finally getting to the Helmut Walcha's Bach Organ Works set after 5 months.  Now playing CD1 from this set ...

Do I recall correctly you already having listened to a large amount of Bach organ works recently. Stuart?

[Solitary Wanderer]

#5 Considered the 'masterpiece' of his youthful symphonies this is a charming work very much in the style of earlier Mozart or Haydn who would, proberly, have been his earlier influences.

Lovely themes, but it just seems to fizzle out at the end 

[Coopmv]

Do I recall correctly you already having listened to a large amount of Bach organ works recently. Stuart?

I finally finished listening to the historical Helmut Walcha's set a few weeks ago after a hiatus and started listening to his Archive set this afternoon.  I also ordered the 22-CD Bach Organ Works set by Gerhard Weinberger, which just arrived yesterday.  In addition, I also ordered 4 2-CD sets of Bach (selected) Organ Works by Margaret Phillips, an English concert organist to try out some new blood.  Indeed, I have a lot of listening to do for this king of instruments and I will ONLY play these CD's on my big rig ...

[Coopmv]

#5 Considered the 'masterpiece' of his youthful symphonies this is a charming work very much in the style of earlier Mozart or Haydn who would, proberly, have been his earlier influences.

Lovely themes, but it just seems to fizzle out at the end 

This recording was probably made in the late 70's to early 80's ...

[Coopmv]

Shifting gear, now playing Bach Organ Works in a 2-CD set by Margaret Phillips ...

[Lethevich]

Lovely themes, but it just seems to fizzle out at the end 

The story of Schubert's symphonic life Struggling with finales, seemingly not enjoying writing minuets at all (a world away from Haydn's joyful ones, for example). It is worth persisting with, though, regardless of how markedly superior the first two movements are.

[Solitary Wanderer]

B minor ~ My parents had this on LP when I was a kid and when I started to explore classical music as a 19 year old one of the first cassettes I bought was a Schubert 'Greatest Hits' and this symphony took up the entire first side, so this music is part of the soundtrack to my life. I enjoy this work alot with its tragic, almost confessional tone and its extreme contrasts of violence  and lyrical pathos.

This recording was probably made in the late 70's to early 80's ...

1992 

The story of Schubert's symphonic life Struggling with finales, seemingly not enjoying writing minuets at all (a world away from Haydn's joyful ones, for example). It is worth persisting with, though, regardless of how markedly superior the first two movements are.

Yeah, really best known for his Lieder of which I have only just begun to explore 

[Dundonnell]

Delius - Song of the High Hills (Fenby, Royal Philharmonic/Unicorn)

Courtesy of a very kind member I am renewing my acquaintance with this marvellous work.

[haydnguy]

Is this set still available?

Yes, it is Coopmv. At a nice price also. $19.99 last I checked.

[Fëanor]

My favourite recording of Takemitsu's music by a wide margin.  Superb music and performances.

[hautbois]

God help me, i can't stop listening to this.....and it has already been 2 months.....

Howard

[Solitary Wanderer]

Speaking of Schubert's Leider:



I like this more and more in a gloomy Gothic, Romantic way. Although it's long and about half way through I find myself wishing the protaganist would pull himself together. 

[Coopmv]

My favourite recording of Takemitsu's music by a wide margin.  Superb music and performances.

Here is another CD from Naxos that is not Eurocentric ...

[Solitary Wanderer]

In complete contrast to Winterreise the Trout Piano Quintet is an absolutly joyful romp. Another work that I discovered as a teenager and still enoy - especially the variations in the fourth movement.

This performance is a winner all round