What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Lethevich]

Pure enjoyment!

[Conor71]

Bach: Mass In B Minor, BWV 232



I like this version! 

[Scarpia]

Bach: Mass In B Minor, BWV 232



I like this version! 

[Coopmv]

Bach: Mass In B Minor, BWV 232



I like this version! 

There is nothing wrong with that ...

[Christo]

:I really enjoyed the RVW. I don't listen to it very often because I get put off by the title. I expect something lesser, and when comparing it to his other major concertos it is less vital - but this isn't really the point, as I love a lot of non-masterpieces. It is perhaps better to treat it as a compact little suite, and enjoy its well-structured and un-rhapsodic style. Its subtle neoclassical leanings do partner it more with the Concerto Grosso than, say, the Lark or oboe concertos, and as I went into it this listen anticipating just that, it was a real delight.

Perhaps - no, definitely - the best description of the Concerto Accademico I ever encountered. Good that you dare to write down simply/exactly what you hear/think/find, a precious gift IMO. 

[Bogey]

Bach: Mass In B Minor, BWV 232



I like this version! 

Cool.  Nothing wrong with enjoying what you enjoy.    I have never heard this version, but glad you enjoy it.  If I see it at my used haunts I may give ait a whirl thanks to your post.

[Antoine Marchand]

Brahms – String Quartets/ Dvořák – String Quartet in G major, Op. 106
Alban Berg Quartett
2 CDs
1975, 1978
Teldec

IMO, one of the best –the best?- versions available of these always criticized string quartets. I have several complete recordings of them: Amadeus Quartet (DG), New Budapest Quartet (Hyperion), Tokyo Quartet (Brilliant) & Lasalle Quartet (DG); but the ABQ –not usually my preferred ensemble- is just perfect, technically and emotionally (and adding as a nice bonus Dvorak's String Quartet Op. 106)... But I must confess I have been resisting for awhile to purchase the later recording of the ABQ on EMI (now remastered in Japan). 

AMAZON

 

[Antoine Marchand]

Bach: Mass In B Minor, BWV 232



I like this version! 

Earlier today (or yesterday), I was listening to the first disc of Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, conducted by Alan Curtis.

I was laughing so much after reading this paragraph dedicated to the pioneer recordings on Wikipedia: "The first recording of L'incoronazione, with Walter Goehr conducting the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich in a live stage performance, was issued in 1954. This LP version, which won a Grand Prix du Disque in 1954, is the only recording of the opera that predates the revival of the piece that began with the 1962 Glyndebourne Festival production. In 1963 Herbert von Karajan and the Vienna Staatsoper issued a version described by The Gramophone as "far from authentic"... in 1963! Poor HvK, he was always a misunderstood person! 

[Que]

Brahms – String Quartets/ Dvořák – String Quartet in G major, Op. 106
Alban Berg Quartett
2 CDs 1975, 1978 Teldec

IMO, one of the best –the best?- versions available of these always criticized string quartets. I have several complete recordings of them: Amadeus Quartet (DG), New Budapest Quartet (Hyperion), Tokyo Quartet (Brilliant) & Lasalle Quartet (DG); but the ABQ –not usually my preferred ensemble- is just perfect, technically and emotionally (and adding as a nice bonus Dvorak's String Quartet Op. 106)... But I must confess I have been resisting for awhile to purchase the later recording of the ABQ on EMI (now remastered in Japan). 

I share your enthusiasm! But I would continue to resist any urge to get the EMI - the ABQ never surpassed or even equaled its Teldec recordings.

Listening:



Good morning!

Q

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I will reaffirm what a useless critic I am when I say that the Delius flew past without making much of an impression. I get kind of frustrated when this happens to me with Delius, as it's an all too common reaction (maybe the recordings are to blame, but I doubt it - I mostly listen to Unicorn's series of his major pieces). Unlike other pictorial composers such as Bax, he seems to lack a certain something to keep me listening unless I am in an ultra-focused mood. Meh

The Unicorn VC is quite representative. I have another, historic, recording with Albert Sammons, and you can find one on Youtube, too, iirc. That the concerto flew past without leaving a trace is perhaps quit apposite - it's music on the the wing, a web of ruminations, colourings. Other pieces by Delius go somewhere (many would disagree, I know), but the VC is unashamedly poetic and static. You simply enter into the spirit of the thing, or you don't. Delius can be very difficult because he can be very simple... ;-)

[Harry]

Overtures.

Heinichen, Graupner, Fasch, Graun.
Capella Coloniensis, Hans Martin Linde.
Recorded in 1988.

Despite the attractive program, this CD is a dud.
One of the oldest orchestra's around that started in 1954 to play on authentic instruments, you feel a assuredness in their playing, that is in this case also wrecking the performance. The playing is static, harnessed into rather formal matter of fact execution of the music itself, literally!  There is hardly any life in the proceedings, they play as if they would rather not involve themselves. There is not much to recommend, well, the recording is okay. The booklet translations from German into English is a bloody disgrace, and a insult to the language. Not a grain of care has gone into this project. 

[Florestan]

This is a great set.

[Antoine Marchand]

This is a great set.

It's a beautiful set, indeed. Rostropovich/Richter, with Fournier/Gulda, are IMO some of the finest options on modern instruments. On period instruments, I love Bylsma/Immerseel. 

[Antoine Marchand]

But I would continue to resist any urge to get the EMI - the ABQ never surpassed or even equaled its Teldec recordings.

I have the same impression, although I don't know all those Teldec recordings (only this Brahms). But, you know, those Japaneses are so good remastering things.   

[karlhenning]

Are you near-sighted? 

zzzing! ; )

I'm puzzled at the two discs' mixed signals . . . the one I've picked up is headed The Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3.  The works under advisement are:

Concerto for piano & orchestra (1960)
Concerto for piano & string orchestra (1979)
Concerto for piano (four hands) & chamber orchestra (1988)

Ah!  I see now, I missed your sub-text.  The Lubitskaya cover says simply Piano Concerto, but you've helpfully added 1.  And, to be sure, a fine, fresh work, and I don't mind having a second instance of this concerto.

Edit :: I had forgotten the 4-hands!

[Franco]

It's a beautiful set, indeed. Rostropovich/Richter, with Fournier/Gulda, are IMO some of the finest options on modern instruments. On period instruments, I love Bylsma/Immerseel. 

I happily 2d the Bylsma/Immerseel - got it last month and have enjoyed it very much.

[Opus106]

It's a beautiful set, indeed. Rostropovich/Richter, with Fournier/Gulda, are IMO some of the finest options on modern instruments. On period instruments, I love Bylsma/Immerseel. 

A new set of four discs has been released, with performances of those works (and others by Beethoven, involving the same pair of instruments) on both modern and period instruments.

[Harry]

Stunning in every respect. And what a good recording.

[Que]

Q

[Franco]

A new set of four discs has been released, with performances of those works (and others by Beethoven, involving the same pair of instruments) on both modern and period instruments.

Something for everyone.



Looks interesting - thanks for the heads up.

I wonder if this may be the start of a trend?