What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[mc ukrneal]

I finally acquired the last disc (#7 from a series of to complete my Gottschalk collection of piano pieces (in the Hyperion series). I have really enjoyed this composer and the series. Gottschalk has some wonderful musical ideas and invention. And they are sparklingly played throughout with energy and passion by Philip Martin. For someone looking for interesting piano music, well played, this a series worth investigating.   

[Harry]

Good morning dear GMG members.

Today I started with the second CD of this box, and my impressions are very favorably throughout. Meyerson plays these pieces in a excellent way.

[Harry]

Not the easiest of SQ, this complete set, but worth the repeated effort to make sense. It took me a while before I found the leading factor, and to understand the emotional content, but I am finally getting there. These recordings from DGG done in 1982 are very good, and as far as I can judge the performances are pretty good too.
I played today the easy first SQ, which is a joy to follow, and the second which makes more demands on your concentration. I like the wayward touch that permeates the work as a whole. A well integrated work.

[Drasko]

Coincidentally I revisited this recording a few days ago. And found it a bit lacklustre, somewhat lacking in energy and poetry, which I'm aware goes against general conception of this recording. Though this is not a work I would necessarily want multiple recordings of, the thought crossed my mind to check Talich's recording. Did Sejna record this?

Q

Sejna did record Ma Vlast, with Czech Philharmonic in mid 50s, but CD is now very difficult to find, I haven't heard it.
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCQ-83806

I personally prefer Ancerl to both Talich and Kubelik, without Ancerl's rhythmic incisiveness that piece tends to sprawl a bit for me.

[Harry]

After Zemlinsky, I had to put in some older music in my player and what else as the long awaited fourth Volume of the Heinrich Schutz edition released by Brilliant rather belatedly if you ask me. Almost 3 years between the third and fourth volume. But its worth the wait, for its every bit as good as all the previous issues, and in my my opinion one of the finest achievements of Brilliant on which they may be proud.  I am listening to the first CD of this set containing "Anderer Theil kleiner Geistlichen Concerten, opus 9, Dresden 1639". The soloist on this recording are all excellent, and the quality of singing and playing is high, very high. The recordings are made in the gorgeous acoustics of the church of Opawa, Silesia.

[Harry]

Ives is not easy ground for me, especially when it comes to his fourth Symphony.  Its difficult for me to find the crux, what his music makes tic so to say.
First Symphony is no problem, thats a fine approachable piece. Anyways, Hyperion had them in their please buy me section, and since the reviews were raving I took the plunge, and will swim what the music holds. Sound is smashing, and Litton's sense of direction too.

[mc ukrneal]

Ives is not easy ground for me, especially when it comes to his fourth Symphony.  Its difficult for me to find the crux, what his music makes tic so to say.
First Symphony is no problem, thats a fine approachable piece. Anyways, Hyperion had them in their please buy me section, and since the reviews were raving I took the plunge, and will swim what the music holds. Sound is smashing, and Litton's sense of direction too.

Regardless of how it goes, you end in a very dangerous place (Central Park in the Dark)!

[Harry]

I am collecting this series of Milanese composers. So far two releases, and very enjoyable they are, well performed and recorded. The music of Brioschi is inventive and surprising. Not your average composer but a man with a distinctive voice. Really fine music, performed on Authentic instruments.

[karlhenning]

The Martinů-palooza continues!

Martinů
String Quartet № 6, H. 312 (1946)
The Martinů Quartet

Martinů – String Quartets nos. 3 & 6, &c.

Interestingly, this work seems to follow in immediate chronological order the Toccata e due canzoni, (H. 311, 1946).

[mc ukrneal]

Currently listening to Victorian Concert Overtures, which isn't as stuffy as it sounds (a nice mix of composers and music):


Chevy Chace, overture for orchestra (or piano duet) by Sir George Macfarren
Romeo and Juliet, overture for orchestra, Op 86 by Henry Hugo Pierson
Macbeth, incidental music Overture by Arthur Sullivan
Prospero Overture for orchestra by Frederick Corder
Froissart, concert overture for orchestra, Op. 19 by Edward Elgar
Overture to an Unwritten Tragedy for orchestra in A minor by Sir Charles H.H. Parry
Britannia, overture for orchestra, Op 52 by Sir Alexander Mackenzie

[karlhenning]

Interestingly, this work seems to follow in immediate chronological order the Toccata e due canzoni, (H. 311, 1946).

And interesting, because I listened to the Toccata e due canzoni for the first time just yesterday.

[SonicMan46]

It doesn't come as a surprise that Mitzi Meyerson makes the most of Georg Bohm's, Harpsichord Suites. They are absolutely marvelously played and recorded. Hard to imagine to hear better interpretations. Bohm's music has a poise and at the same time contemplative streak that hits ground with  me. The almost filigree texture of the compositions makes you admiring the quality of the works. Its so logical and yet so free in its expression. Recommended. Glossa sale at JPC, 2 cd's for 8 euro's. 

 

Harry - appears to be a GREAT deal!  The Amazon Marketplace wants $35 & MDT $18; of course, JPC has a steep S&H fee to the USA, so would need to make a large purchase - the only Bohm I own at the moment is the 1-disc on the lute harpsichord (image added above) - appears to include half the works on the Meyerson 2-CD set - will add to my wish list!  Thanks - Dave 

[Daverz]

Coincidentally I revisited this recording a few days ago. And found it a bit lacklustre, somewhat lacking in energy and poetry, which I'm aware goes against general conception of this recording. Though this is not a work I would necessarily want multiple recordings of, the thought crossed my mind to check Talich's recording. Did Senja record this?

I agree with MI about this performance.  Maybe you weren't in the mood for it.

There is a Sejna recording, which I have not heard

http://www.amazon.com/My-Country-Smetana/dp/B00000JISZ

A sleeper recording that I love for the sound of the Staatskapelle Dresden is Berglund on EMI.

[Franco]

Rochberg: String Quartet No. 3
Concord String Quartet

[karlhenning]

The Martinů-palooza continues (and keeping it to about the same era)!

Martinů
Piano Concerto № 3, H. 316 (1947)
Giorgio Koukl
Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic
Arthur Fagen

Martinů – Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 5 / Concertino

[SonicMan46]

Finally, a day OFF!  Doing some re-listening this morning to the recent arrivals posted a few days ago - like both! 

Gernsheim, Friedrich (1838-1916) - Piano Quintets w/ the Art Vio SQ and Oganessian on piano - new performers to me, but really well composed and performed chamber music of the late 19th century, along w/ excellent booklet notes; if you like Brahms in this genre, then Gernsheim should also please - 

Mendelssohn, Felix - String Quartet, Op. 13 & Octet, Op. 20 by Felix as a teenager!  Performed by the Afiara SQ w/ the Alexander SQ added for the Octet; also a short work by Schubert - excellent review in Fanfare by Jerry Dubins reprinted HERE - 


 

[Harry]

Currently listening to Victorian Concert Overtures, which isn't as stuffy as it sounds (a nice mix of composers and music):


Chevy Chace, overture for orchestra (or piano duet) by Sir George Macfarren
Romeo and Juliet, overture for orchestra, Op 86 by Henry Hugo Pierson
Macbeth, incidental music Overture by Arthur Sullivan
Prospero Overture for orchestra by Frederick Corder
Froissart, concert overture for orchestra, Op. 19 by Edward Elgar
Overture to an Unwritten Tragedy for orchestra in A minor by Sir Charles H.H. Parry
Britannia, overture for orchestra, Op 52 by Sir Alexander Mackenzie

One of my favourite Hyperion acquisitions this year. Highly melodious, and fun listening.

[not edward]

I shall revisit Martinu. 

Regarding Tippett--how many string quartets did he write?  I have the Naxos recording of the Tippett Quartet playing Numbers 3 and 5, but haven't gotten around to getting the complete set---but I like what I have very much.

Five in total. The other disc in the Naxos series has 1, 2 and 4; the first of which is arguably rather slight, but the other two of which are major Tippett works (the second quartet is in his Beethoven-inflected early style, the fourth--which is probably my favourite of the five--is related to the fourth symphony in both its musical style and also its 'birth to death' narrative).

[karlhenning]

And with thanks to Teresa for sparking the discussion which served to rekindle general interest in this great, great composer:

Schoenberg
Wind Quintet, Opus 26 (1924)
New York Woodwind Quintet

Schoenberg – Chamber Symphony № 2 / Die Glückliche Hand / Wind Quintet

[not edward]

And with thanks to Teresa for sparking the discussion which served to rekindle general interest in this great, great composer:

Schoenberg
Piano Concerto № 3, Opus 26 (1924)
New York Woodwind Quintet

Schoenberg – Chamber Symphony № 2 / Die Glückliche Hand / Wind Quintet

I wish they'd put out this new Wind Quintet with a different coupling: I have the original Koch disc on which the other two works appeared. (I've never been convinced by the Wind Quintet, but would like to give it another try.)