What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[not edward]

Oistrakh and Richter in Brahms' 2nd violin sonata, Prokofiev's 1st (both from Salzburg 1972) and the Shostakovich (first public performance, Moscow 1969) and Franck (Moscow 1968). All fine performances, though for me it's Richter's understanding of Brahms' autumnal melancholy that makes that one the most powerful performance of the four.

[karlhenning]

Why empty virtuosity?

What nineteenth-century baggage is being carried in that phrase?  0:)

[George]

JS Bach

WTC

Gould

[not edward]

Why empty virtuosity?

What nineteenth-century baggage is being carried in that phrase?  0:)

Maybe someone's been reading The Joy of Kalkbrenner.

I'm listening to Manuel's download of Henze's Il Vitalino radoppiato again--though I usually don't like Henze that much, I think this is a tremendous piece (and a perfect example of a virtuoso concertante piece that is anything but superficial--despite its borrowings from Baroque style).

[Solitary Wanderer]

[not edward]

Hartmann 6 (RIAS/Fricsay).
Blows away all other recordings I've heard--including Leitner--though I really need to get hold of Scherchen on Tahra.

[Florestan]

Good morning all!

Rachmaninov

PC 2

Rubinstein / Reiner / Chicago SO

The second movement never fails to impress me as one of the most heart-wrenching yet soul-soothing (yes, I'm paradoxical, I know..) in the whole history of music.

[Harry]

Goodmorning Andrei, and to all.

Carl Friedrich Abel.

Symphonies opus 10. 1-6.

La Stagione Frankfurt/Michael Schneider.

There is nothing to complain about here, the music makes good cheer, and the playing is of constant quality.
The recording is finely detailed, and gives a fine view of the writing skills by Abel.

[The new erato]

Westhoffs trio sonatas on ZigZag - one of the best and most interesting releases of baroque chamber music for several years, believe me:



Also Fasch Overtures on Fuga Libera under Dombrecht. If you think this is second-rate stuff, think again. Fully equakl to the best baroque suites of anybody except Bach.

PS: Thought you would like to know that europadisc at last is online (www.europadisc.co.uk) and that they have some VERY good prices on the Hyperion catalogue (the best I've ever seen actually).

[Harry]

Westhoffs trio sonatas on ZigZag - one of the best and most interesting releases of baroque chamber music for several years, believe me:

Cool, I will order a copy.

[Harry]

Antonio Bertali. (1605-1669)

Sonate Festive.

Musica Fiata/Roland Wilson.

This most excellent ensemble makes a feast from the music by Bertali, well played and recorded.

[johnQpublic]

I have that Bertali disc Harry. I too like it very much.

Kancheli - Light Sorrow (Werthen/Telarc)
Gubaidulina - Viola Concerto (Bashmet/DG)

[Harry]

I have that Bertali disc Harry. I too like it very much.

O, at last someone that has actually some of the CPO discs I am playing this last year, apart from Dave & Sarge!

[Harry]

William Schuman.

Symphony No. 4.

Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz.

Always was a admirer of his music, so this ongoing cycle of Symphonies coming from Naxos is a great joy to me.
Good recording, and a fine performance

[Harry]

William Schuman.

Symphony No. 9, "Le fosse ardeatine".

Orchestra Song.

Circus overture.

Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz.

Awesome!

[Harry]

Riccardo Zandonai.

Concerto Romantico for Violin and Orchestra.

Orchestra Haydn di Bolzano e Trento/Maurizio Dini Ciacci.
Stefano Zanchetta, Violin

Well written, melodious and indeed very romantic, and worth your while to listen too IMO. The second movement is ravishing.
To my ears this Orchestra performs adequate, and that goes for the Violinist also, tis all a bit rough hewn.
The grace is missing a bit, beyond the notes there is little elevation.
But still I like it.
The sound is a tad forward, but not too much, and you can walk between the rows of musicians.

[karlhenning]

Tishchenko
Cello Concerto No. 1 (orch. Shostakovich)
Ivashkin / Russian State Symphony / Polyansky

[Harry]

Riccardo Zandonai.

Quadri di Segantini.

Haydn Orchester von Bozen und Trient/Giuseppe Grazioli.

[George]

Good morning all!

Rachmaninov

PC 2

Rubinstein / Reiner / Chicago SO

The second movement never fails to impress me as one of the most heart-wrenching yet soul-soothing (yes, I'm paradoxical, I know..) in the whole history of music.

Yes, that's one great work alright! 

[Hector]

I had to take a 20 minute or so drive and put Beethoven's 9th (LCP, Norrington) on the CD player.

It absolutely bucketed down with rain and my arrival was delayed.

By the time I had got the car parked after the return journey the symphony had finished, surprisingly.

I checked Norrington's timing: 62 minutes!