What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Christo]

Julius Rontgen.

Symphony No 8 in C sharp major.*
Symphony No 15 in F sharp minor.
Variations about a Norwegian Folk tunes.

* Carmen Fuggiss Soprano. NDR Radiophilharmonie, David Porcelijn. Recorded in 2006.

A very fine example of the art of Rontgen, and a great performance of all works, perfectly recorded. All the works I heard for the first time, but already they feel familiar. Well crafted these works, they duly impress through their lyricism and filigree details that emerge all the time, often out of a magical stillness. Like this Cello solo in the Lento of the Symphony No 15, it floats over the work like a magician and oversees the beauty he created. Recommended.

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/Julius-R%F6ntgen-Symphonien-Nr-8-15/hnum/6142788

Great to learn. This is actually the third commercial recording of the Symphony No. 8 (in C Sharp ) (I, at least, own two other versions) and I'm curious to learn wether this one is the best so far. 

[Brahmsian]

SQ #2

Man, this is great stuff. Everytime I listen to these works I become further convinced that they are the best SQs ever written. Simply stunning.

George, they are quite honestly right up there with Beethoven's, IMO.  I thought the Borodin's had not recorded SQ# 14 and # 15?

[Antoine Marchand]

A superb example of period instruments... sounding like modern ones!   

[George]

George, they are quite honestly right up there with Beethoven's, IMO.  I thought the Borodin's had not recorded SQ# 14 and # 15?

It's a later set, different than the one on Chandos. Great sound, and it comes with the Piano Quintet with Richter.   

Now playing:

Chopin
Waltzes
Arrau
Philips

I love his dark, smelling-of-the-roses interpretation of these works. Just another example of why I love to have different interpretations of piano works.

[Bogey]

Good morning.

[karlhenning]

Good morning, lads!

My listening at the moment is secret . . . .

[Bogey]

Good morning, lads!

My listening at the moment is secret . . . .

Who is the chap on the right, Karl?

[karlhenning]

It is many years since I have seen The Plexiglas Brassière of Silence . . . .

[Harry]

If you want to have a good time, and you have some coins to spend, not afraid to dive into a world that is unknown to you, that brings up thoughts of your own personal harem, endless banquets, dancing nymphs, every whim catered for, in other words, your fantasy come true, than this is the cd to purchase. Believe me, it will give you untold pleasures.

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Orient-Occident-1200-1700/hnum/1019663

[SonicMan46]

Muzio Clementi.  The Complete Sonatas Volume III.  "The London Sonatas".
Disc I, recorded in 2008, played on a Kirckman 1798, a'=430 Hz.
Gostantino Mastroprimiano, Fortepiano.

So far the best volume in this series, well played and excellently recorded, these London Sonatas are a feast for my ears.

Harry - just acquired my 3rd volume of these works last week and listened in my office - not ideal!  So, will give them a better audition @ home over the next few days; but I must say that there is a different (and quite enjoyable) level of complexity to the works on this newest release -    Dave

[SonicMan46]

Martinu, B. - Violin Concertos & Rhapsody-Concerto w/ Josef Suk, Vaclav Neumann, & Czech PO from 1973 & 1987; remastered yet again w/ excellent sound; enjoy & own nearly a dozen discs of this composer's music - this CD is a 'new' addition.

Beethoven, LV - Piano Sonatas w/ Kempff - now on the last 2 discs of this 8-CD bargain box; again a well-recommended collection in this forum which I would not hesitate to support! 


 

[Todd]

Even though Michael Endres had recorded a ton of Schubert for Capriccio in the 90s, he never recorded the Wandererfantasie.  Now he has for Oehms, and it's possibly his best Schubert recording.  The disc includes the 'Grazer Fantasie' in C, a piece new to me, and it's quite a lovely "early" piece.  The early 13 Variations on a Theme by Hüttenbrunner, also new to me, is also a fine early piece.  But the meat of the disc is given over to the Three Pieces D946 and the aforementioned Wandererfantasie.  Both are superb.  As expected, Endres' tone is beautiful at all times, even in the most challenging portions.  The knottiest passages come off as almost easy.  Too, the energy level never flags in either of the works.  This is largely exuberant Schubert playing.  It's somewhat soft-hewn compared to more intense approaches like, say, Richter's, but I confess to liking this approach – a sort of extra-virtuosic Kempff, if you will.  Throw in basically top notch sound, and this is one of my discs of the year.

[Harry]

Even though Michael Endres had recorded a ton of Schubert for Capriccio in the 90s, he never recorded the Wandererfantasie.  Now he has for Oehms, and it's possibly his best Schubert recording.  The disc includes the 'Grazer Fantasie' in C, a piece new to me, and it's quite a lovely "early" piece.  The early 13 Variations on a Theme by Hüttenbrunner, also new to me, is also a fine early piece.  But the meat of the disc is given over to the Three Pieces D946 and the aforementioned Wandererfantasie.  Both are superb.  As expected, Endres' tone is beautiful at all times, even in the most challenging portions.  The knottiest passages come off as almost easy.  Too, the energy level never flags in either of the works.  This is largely exuberant Schubert playing.  It's somewhat soft-hewn compared to more intense approaches like, say, Richter's, but I confess to liking this approach – a sort of extra-virtuosic Kempff, if you will.  Throw in basically top notch sound, and this is one of my discs of the year.

He is one of my favourite Schubert interpreter. 

[Harry]

Alexander Borodin.
Complete Chamber Music. Disc III.

Sextet in D minor.
Trio in G minor.
Trio in G.
Piano trio in D.

Moscow Trio, with a bunch of added musicians.
Recorded in 1995, licensed from NMC

For me this box is in every sense a find. I knew the music from Borodin, but I never heard it this well, as on this three far box released by Brilliant 3 weeks ago. The serenity and dignity with which this ensemble of musicians play is nothing short of remarkable. They do not over look details, are one with their instruments and Borodin. Quite a extraordinary set, which is on top of my playing list these last couple of days. From my perspective, heartily recommended.

[MN Dave]

[pi2000]

Johannes Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem, Op. 45
Performer: Hans Hotter, Hans Bachem, Agnes Giebel
Orchestra: Cologne Radio Orchestra
Conductor: Sergiu Celibidache

[Bulldog]

The first piano quartets of Dvorak and Paul Juon played by the Artis Piano Quartet on the Profil label.  Hard to say just what category of listener would want this disc.  Although well played, there are recordings that are significantly better: Beaux Arts for the Dvorak and a CPO disc for the Juon.

[Brahmsian]

The first piano quartets of Dvorak and Paul Juon played by the Artis Piano Quartet on the Profil label.  Hard to say just what category of listener would want this disc.  Although well played, there are recordings that are significantly better: Beaux Arts for the Dvorak and a CPO disc for the Juon.

Hmm, interesting Don.  Juon's name sounds familiar.....didn't he orchestrate one or more of Brahms' Hungarian Dances?

[Air]

Ludwig Van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 14
Alban Berg Quartet

Woke myself up with this treasure.  This is rough, impulsive Beethoven, with a good deal of subtlety too.  The Berg quartet completely trashes the tempo and plays their heart out in this brilliant quartet.    I love it, it isn't elegant and "pleasant", it's Ludwig Van Beethoven for God's sake. 

Precise by the detail, though.

[MN Dave]

"Zyklus No. 9" can kiss my ass.