What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[karlhenning]

Well, I haven't listened to this since the inaugural listen on 9 January, so, 'tis time!

First listen!:

Langgaard
Symphony № 1, “Klippepastoraler” (“Mountan Pastorals”), BVN 32 (1908-11)
Danish National Symphony
Thos Dausgaard

Langgaard – The Symphonies Danish National Symphony Orchestra Thos Dausgaard Da Capo 7 CDs

[DavidW]

What does he sound like Karl?

[bhodges]

Listening to this piece is as close as I've ever gotten to a mystical experience.

I thought it was incredible.  (Don't recall ever hearing another recording of it.)  Even though I've heard a lot of Messiaen, have heard nothing like this.

PS, the organist, Paul Jacobs, became chair of Juilliard's organ department in 2004 at something like 27 years old--one of the youngest faculty appointments in the school's history--and at least on the basis of this recording, I can see what all the fuss is about. 

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

What does he sound like Karl?

Well, his 16 symphonies cover a delightfully broad range over his career, Davey.  All of them, probably, have their roots in high Romanticism, but the first is perhaps the purest expression of that idiom of the Langgaard symphonies. The second and third movements (both marked Lento) are wonderfully sweet and powerful . . . it's like the best Wagner music Wagner never wrote.

[AndyD.]

Been sampling this. Wow. Anyone have this one?

[karlhenning]

First-Listen Fridays! (This recording)

Hartmann
Symphony № 1, "Versuch eines Requiems" ("Essay for a Requiem"), (1935/36, rev. 1954/55)
Cornelia Kallisch, alto
Bamberger Symphony
Metzmacher

[karlhenning]

What does he sound like Karl?

Well, his 16 symphonies cover a delightfully broad range over his career, Davey.  All of them, probably, have their roots in high Romanticism, but the first is perhaps the purest expression of that idiom of the Langgaard symphonies. The second and third movements (both marked Lento) are wonderfully sweet and powerful . . . it's like the best Wagner music Wagner never wrote.

Just wanted to add that, if Mahler had written a march, but without sinister resonances, that march would be pretty close to the fourth movement, Marcato, of the Langgaard First.

[DavidW]

Sounds like I need to hear this composer Karl!  Thanks!

[karlhenning]

Sounds like I need to hear this composer Karl!  Thanks!

Really, the brain-bender in the Langgaard catalogue is Music of the Spheres. None of the symphonies is quite the same, in manner or effect . . . but all the symphonies I find more than worthwhile, too.

[karlhenning]

First-Listen Fridays!

Hartmann
Symphony № 2, “Adagio für großes Orchester” (1945/46)
Arno Bornkamp, bari sax
Bamberger Symphony
Metzmacher

[karlhenning]

First-Listen Fridays!

Hartmann
Symphony № 3 (1948/49)
Bamberger Symphony
Metzmacher

[karlhenning]

About time I revisited this one (haven't listened to it since 15 January):

Violin Concerto, Opus 15
Ida Haendl, vn
Bournemouth Symphony
Paavo Berglund

Britten – The Collector's Edition EMI Classics 37 CDs

[AndyD.]

Really, the brain-bender in the Langgaard catalogue is Music of the Spheres. None of the symphonies is quite the same, in manner or effect . . . but all the symphonies I find more than worthwhile, too.

I love Music of the Spheres, and I probably need to get more into the symphonies.

[bhodges]

I love Music of the Spheres, and I probably need to get more into the symphonies.

Definitely a piece way ahead of its time.  Some of it sounds like it could have been written by Ligeti--and yet written in 1918!

--Bruce

[AndyD.]

Definitely a piece way ahead of its time.  Some of it sounds like it could have been written by Ligeti--and yet written in 1918!

--Bruce

I think Bruce just summed it up nicely.

[karlhenning]

Further revisitation to The Big Britten Box:

Cello Symphony, Opus 68
Steven Isserlis, vc
City of London Sinfonia
Hickox

Britten – The Collector's Edition EMI Classics 37 CDs

[karlhenning]

I love Music of the Spheres, and I probably need to get more into the symphonies.

I think you'll like them, Andryusha.

[listener]

BACH   Toccatas   BWV 913 - 916
            English Suite 6
João Carlos Martins, piano (unidentified, but very percussive) and vocals
ELGAR    Coronation Ode, op. 44      The Spirit of England, op. 80
Scottish National Chorus an Orchestra         Sir Alexander Gibson, cond.
                       Organ Sonata  op. 28
and LEIGHTON Paean      BRIDGE   Adagio       HOWELLS  Rhapsody no.3 in c#
TIPPETT   Preludio al Vespro di Monteverdi      BRITTEN Prelude & Fugue on a theme of Vittoria
Simon Preston      organ of Colston Hall, Bristol

[karlhenning]

Quite likely a First Listen:

Britten
Russian Funeral (1936)
CBSO
Rattle

Britten – The Collector's Edition EMI Classics 37 CDs

[SonicMan46]

Bach, JS - Goldberg Variations et al w/ Walter Riemer on a fortepiano - a Don (a.k.a. Bulldog) recommendation - excellent review by him on the Bach Cantata website; adds another instrument to my harpsichord, piano, and guitar & harp transcriptions of these works - did an iTunes download and now listening off my iPod hooked to my den stereo - no problem w/ the sound!