What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Marc]

Just before going to sleep: Jehan Alain's Le Jardin Suspendu, played by Leonore Lub.

Taken from this 2-cd set:

[Mirror Image]

Now:



First listening. Fantastic! I love it!

[Lethevich]

Mirror Image: I love the two Wiren discs I've heard so far (including 4 & 5 on CPO, which I believe you recently purchased?) - I must pick up that other one if I find it cheaply.

(No.2)

This is music full of quite familiar-sounding gestures, but written in a conherent personal style. Most of all it feels big-hearted - a Romantic style tempered with knowledge of neoclassicism and an appreciation for joyful melodies that do not outstay their welcome. Where the neoclassicism comes in is the composer's economy of means - repetition is a large part of how he builds themes, and there is a clear, yet well-supported architecture to his movements and orchestrates. Rather than traditionally Romantic flowing lyricism, phrases and themes move back and forth - although symphonically, rather than in a concerto for orchestra style.

There is not the angst of a more advanced neoclassicist such as Holmboe, the composer evidently relishes writing music to delight rather than confront. That is not to say that there is no drama, or contrast, but it's always coming delivered a positive and downright life-affirming manner.

[Mirror Image]

Mirror Image: I love the two Wiren discs I've heard so far (including 4 & 5 on CPO, which I believe you recently purchased?) - I must pick up that other one if I find it cheaply.

(No.2)

This is music full of quite familiar-sounding gestures, but written in a conherent personal style. Most of all it feels big-hearted - a Romantic style tempered with knowledge of neoclassicism and an appreciation for joyful melodies that do not outstay their welcome. Where the neoclassicism comes in is the composer's economy of means - repetition is a large part of how he builds themes, and there is a clear, yet well-supported architecture to his movements and orchestrates. Rather than traditionally Romantic flowing lyricism, phrases and themes move back and forth - although symphonically, rather than in a concerto for orchestra style.

There is not the angst of a more advanced neoclassicist such as Holmboe, the composer evidently relishes writing music to delight rather than confront. That is not to say that there is no drama, or contrast, but it's always coming delivered a positive and downright life-affirming manner.

Yes, Lethe, I own both Wiren discs on CPO. Haven't heard the other one yet, but may have re-listen again as I'm enjoying it so much.

I've been wanting to get into Larsson's music, but have only heard a few of his works in the Naxos series Swedish Orchestral Favorites.

[Lethevich]

Larsson seems to have one of those nightmare outputs that bounces from Romantic to serialism - all his "hits" - such as those orchestral favourites type of pieces - seem to give a deceptive impression of his music as a whole, although I have yet to hear any of his Schoenberg-inspired works.

[Mirror Image]

Larsson seems to have one of those nightmare outputs that bounces from Romantic to serialism - all his "hits" - such as those orchestral favourites type of pieces - seem to give a deceptive impression of his music as a whole, although I have yet to hear any of his Schoenberg-inspired works.

I, too, have heard he composed serialist works. As with many 20th Century composers, he didn't stick to one style, but explored many of them. As long as there's a common bound between all his music, then him writing serial music doesn't bother me. What does bother me is a composer who can't write lyrically in the serial style.

Anyway, I'll have to checkout more of his music sometime down the road.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to the first movement right now of Harrison's Piano Concerto and it's quite beautiful.

[Lethevich]

This came as a surprise to me. I've never been big on the Goldbergs, but this recording is everything I have been looking for. The playing is a little like Gould - each note struck clearly, no washes of ambience to smear the detail - the sound is kind of dry which perfectly underlines what Tureck seems to be going for: a really handy balance of clear, harpsichord-style detail, but with all the nuance the piano is capable of in its quiet registers.

[Conor71]

Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier - Roberts: Book 1, Kirkpatrick: Book 2

[listener]

HUMMEL  4 Pieces for Piano and Orchestra:
Le retour de Londres, op.127    Variations and Finale in B^b, op.115,    Oberon's Magic Horn, op.116 (loosely based on themes from Weber's opera)     Variations in F, op. 92
Christopher Hinterhuber, piano     Gäyle Symphony O.    Uwe Grodd
"Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2008"
pianists and longer pieces: Daniel Berman  (INFANTE Sevillana), Koji Attwood, Denis Pascal (Jos. MARX Albumblatt), Peter Jablonski (SZYMANOWSKI 2 Mazurkas), Peter Froundjian, Roland Pöntinen (Improvisation on themes from Rota's score to Fellini's "Amarcord"), Marc-André Hamelin (CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO Cipressi, TRENET arr, WEISSENBURG 3 pieces
recorded live, in concert..   The hall appears to be a small one, seating about 200, so there is no need for excessive volume.  The selections here seem to be chosen with that in mind, aiming for beautiful playing rather than dazzling and deafening.  The audience is very quiet.   A lovely disc.

[Conor71]

Bach: St Matthew Passion, BWV 244

Love this recording! 0:).

[The new erato]

I, too, have heard he composed serialist works. As with many 20th Century composers, he didn't stick to one style, but explored many of them. As long as there's a common bound between all his music, then him writing serial music doesn't bother me. What does bother me is a composer who can't write lyrically in the serial style.

Anyway, I'll have to checkout more of his music sometime down the road.

Then please DO start with this simply exquisite set of 12 concertino for a variety of instruments:



And continue with these charming quartets:



And, re Wiren; this is a fabulous series  of quartets:



Review here:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/May05/wiren_quartets_DAPHNE1021.htm

Conclusion: Not to be missed!

[Mirror Image]

Then please DO start with this simply exquisite set of 12 concertino for a variety of instruments:



And continue with these charming quartets:



And, re Wiren; this is a fabulous series  of quartets:



Review here:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/May05/wiren_quartets_DAPHNE1021.htm

Conclusion: Not to be missed!

Thanks Erato. I'll check those out.

[Marc]

WOW!!

With Bach and Liszt, a.o. the great Fantasia und Fugue über "Ad nos, ad salutarem undam" from the latter, and an orgastic performance of Bach's Präludium und Fugue in e-moll BWV 548.

WOW!! again!

[MN Dave]

[George]

Choral Fantasy

[AndyD.]

Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Hungarian Sketches (Reiner, CSO)

BartokBartokBartok MORE!

[karlhenning]

Yes, there must be more Bartók!

[AndyD.]

Yes, there must be more Bartók!

This marks the beginning of my new obssession. He's definitely a Metal dude (laughing)!

[George]

Morning, Andy and k a rl!