What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[val]

MELCHIOR NEUSIDLER:      Lute Music                       
/ Paul O'Dette  (2008, Harmonia Mundi)

A very beautiful music of this composer of the XVI century: dances, adaptations from famous songs of Arcadelt, Rore and others, fantasias and some more spiritual pieces. The interpretation is superb.

[Sergeant Rock]

Rodrigo, Concierto Madrigal, Batiz, LSO




Sarge

[mc ukrneal]

Acquired this (Alpine Symphony conducted by Haitink on LSO Live) recently, and finally getting a first hearing of it. The sound is AMAZING! The lows are among the most present that I have ever heard. Just wow! When Night erupts into sunrise, the whole world shakes. This is sunrise on a mountain as it ought to be!!! Good morning! There is a slight moment of confusion later when the horns in the distance enter. Their entry is not heard over the instruments there (and they are a bit too recessed to my taste), but once past the initial moment and the ear adjusts, no real problems.

Entry into the Woods is lyrical and beautiful, progressing the 'story' nicely. I should mention that the ensemble playing is quite good overall. Very crisp. Brings us to the waterfall, and then the meadow and pastures. All of it suitably grand, lyrical. sweet, as approproate.  Are there supposed to be what sounds like cow bells on the pasture? Never noticed that before! And the glacier, which can be awkward sounds quite good for the most part on the approach to some dangerous moments. And then we are at the summit. Beautiful oboe playing - fragile sounding. Never really heard that aspect here so much. Hmm. And the booming vibration of the low brass (stunning really)! This is a mountain in all its glory and the LSO let you know it!  Followed by the summit and I almost feel like it is the first time I'm listening again - I smile with the exhileration, the grandeur, the vision....can this somehow go on forever?

No, (at least not on Richard's mountain), as the mists rise and the sun darkens....

There really is a mournful quality to the elegie. And then the calm...which doesn't really feel all that calm as it develops the whirling winds, the thunder and flashes of lightning. What wonderful playing! It is now ominous and we are enveloped in the storm. and we hear all the parts we heard on the way up cocooned in the sounds of the storm. This storm wasn't the most furious I've heard, but still wonderfully done (and not overdone as some do - you always feel like they have more to give if they need it and that is exactly how I like it). And then we are back to the beauty of sunset, final sounds and night. Such beauty. Really great playing here and I like the fleeter speeds (in final sounds mostly). Not sure how fast this should be, but it seemed a bit swifter, yet still in keeping with the moment. I hate it when this part drags (and it sometimes can), and here it most definitely does not. Finally, we descend back into night. What a great 'dark' sound the orchestra creates, it just vibrates through your very being. it moves you to the core.

PAUSE

I'm back at my desk now, having gotten off the mountain, and I am moved to speechlessness. I really cannot talk even several minutes after this piece has ended. I'm full of contemplation, exaltation, and yet calm despite the haunting darkness that still awaits us.  I don't know if this is the 'best' version or not (I only have Mehta to compare against and I like that one a lot too), but it is special and with fantastic sound. I normally don't buy multiple versions of works I already own (and like), but this one was worth it and I can't wait to listen to this again.

[jlaurson]

Acquired this (Alpine Symphony conducted by Haitink on LSO Live) recently, and finally getting a first hearing of it. The sound is AMAZING! The lows are among the most present that I have ever heard.

we seem to agree: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/dip-your-ears-no-104.html

[Sergeant Rock]

I don't know if this is the 'best' version or not...but it is special and with fantastic sound. I normally don't buy multiple versions of works I already own (and like), but this one was worth it and I can't wait to listen to this again.

we seem to agree: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/dip-your-ears-no-104.html

Bruce mentioned in the comment section that Haitink's Concertgebouw recording is a favorite of his. It was a top choice, a critic's favorite, years ago so I'm not surprised that this LSO version is receiving superlatives too. 

Sarge

[Gurn Blanston]

Currently totally preoccupied with:

&

[jlaurson]

G. Mahler
Symphony No. 4
M.Stenz / Guerzenich Orchestra
Oehms SACD

[bhodges]

Bruce mentioned in the comment section that Haitink's Concertgebouw recording is a favorite of his. It was a top choice, a critic's favorite, years ago so I'm not surprised that this LSO version is receiving superlatives too. 

Sarge

With all these positive comments, I am really eager to hear this new LSO recording.  And while I don't have but two of the LSO Live releases, I like them a lot: Britten's Peter Grimes with Sir Colin Davis, and the Shostakovich 11th Symphony with Rostropovich.

--Bruce

[Antoine Marchand]

Currently totally preoccupied with:

&

Is The Dartington Trio a HIPPI ensemble, Gurn? 

[karlhenning]

A pity that Nils Aas was only a sculptor, and not a composer as well . . . .

[Gurn Blanston]

Is The Dartington Trio a HIPPI ensemble, Gurn? 

No, Antoine, but they play a mean Fanny...

[Sergeant Rock]

Rodrigo, Concierto heroico for piano, Batiz conducting the RPO.

Sarge

[Antoine Marchand]

Clementi - Early Piano Sonatas Vol. 2
Susan Alexander-Max, fortepiano

Three volumes to date, IMHO the best ongoing cycle dedicated to Clementi, from an interpretative point of view.

[Antoine Marchand]

No, Antoine, but they play a mean Fanny...

This Musica Omnia release is also a good choice:



Jaap Schroeder and his Atlantis Trio on period instruments. 

[Lethevich]

[Gurn Blanston]

Clementi - Early Piano Sonatas Vol. 2
Susan Alexander-Max, fortepiano

Three volumes to date, IMHO the best ongoing cycle dedicated to Clementi, from an interpretative point of view.

Yes, I have 2 of those 3, and quite agree with you. S.A.M. is a very good pianista!

This Musica Omnia release is also a good choice:



Jaap Schroeder and his Atlantis Trio on period instruments. 

I'll hunt that down. Felix's trios are among my favorite works of his, and some Fanny to go with it is an excellent choice.

[not edward]

How do these performances compare to the Chandos ones? I've so far failed to buy this CD due to reading reviews which didn't compare favourably, but I tend to trust GMGers more than professional reviewers in this sort of music.

[Sergeant Rock]

Nice. I forgot about Gerhard.

Sarge

[bhodges]

How do these performances compare to the Chandos ones? I've so far failed to buy this CD due to reading reviews which didn't compare favourably, but I tend to trust GMGers more than professional reviewers in this sort of music.

Wow, I had no idea there was even another recording of the Symphony No. 4.  Would also be interested in comments.

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

Henze
Symphony № 7 (1983-84)
Berlin Radio Symphony
Marek Janowski

Hans Werner Henze – Symphonies 7 & 8