What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[George]

Yes George if you let it become a problem, but I am level headed, so don't worry, I know how far I can reach, and I never overstep the boundaries.

Then I may need to seek your counsel in the future. 

[Harry]

Then I may need to seek your counsel in the future. 

Your welcome my friend for any counsel I can give.

[Que]

Marvelous CD!

Q

[uffeviking]

Lis, I had never heard anything by either of these composers (to my knowledge).  The brief selections Mattila chose were excellent, especially the two Madetoja works that ended the first half, "Luulit, ma katselin sua" ("You Thought I Was Watching You") and "Tule kanssani" ("Take My Hand"), both with soaring vocal lines and pleasant texts.  I enjoyed the two Merikanto pieces, too, but the Madetoja grabbed me more on first hearing.  I would eagerly hear more by either of these composers.  Feel free to suggest away!   

PS, Mattila was great.  I was a bit surprised to find many empty seats in Carnegie's balcony (where I prefer to sit, for sound) but maybe there was something else going on in town last night.  But still, given her reputation I would have expected more bodies.  Perhaps the program was a little offbeat for your normal recital crowd, but yes, she was completely captivating.  She's also quite theatrical, when she chooses to be, e.g., in the final Turina song, "Las locas por amor" ("Frantic for love"), she was doing a few little tango steps next to the piano -- very amusing.

--Bruce

Yes, Bruce, this lady is the quintessential stage performer! I'll talk to you about Madetoya and  Mericanto at a more appropriate thread! 

[rubio]

Shostakovich Leningrad Symphony from the Barshai box set.

[Drasko]

Medtner - Piano Concerto No.1

Nicolai Medtner/Philharmonia/Issay Dobrowen

[George]

Medtner - Piano Concerto No.1

Nicolai Medtner/Philharmonia/Issay Dobrowen

Funny I listened to that today too!

For free! 

[not edward]

Some essential 20th century cello here, and some less essential. All of it is performed very well, though.

[Danny]

Marvelous CD!

Q

Magnificent playing as always from Gould!

Now on:

[Robert]

Bruce, I will only comment on the Ruggles for the time being because I have yet to get to the Piston and must revisit the Ives (which I will later).

Let me just tell you that the Ruggles is terrific ... I really really enjoy this piece. I have Dohnanyi conducting it on Decca as well but I don't recall how great it is. Anyway as to this MTT version I feel he shapes the piece effectively .. it roars, it snarls and builds wonderful drama. When I listen to it I imagine the orchestra fully 'digging in' to their respective instruments and moving to the shapes of the musical phrases. It's a bit 'scary' but superb. I love it when I hear an orchestra fully invested into a work, it's a rewarding experience for the listener and for me grabs my attention. This is one example. And BTW sounds nothing like fellow American composer Ives. If I was to describe one composer as 'muscular' it would certainly have to be Ruggles.

Looking forward to the Piston and back to the Three Places in New England.

Charles

I have the Dohnanyi, do I really need MTT?

[Solitary Wanderer]

Beethoven ~ #3 Karajan BP '62

[Drasko]

Sibelius - En Saga - BPO/Furtwangler (streaming from russiandvd)

[Don]

Thielemann conducting Mozart's Requiem.  Sort of an old-fashioned performance with plenty of drama and heft.  I like it every time I play it.

[Lilas Pastia]

Otto Olsson, organ works: Pastorale, Prelude and Fugue in c# minor, Cantilena. At the Gustav Vasa Cathedral organ. This disc is endowed with the lowest, deepest, most floor-shaking pedal notes I've ever heard. Pianissimo, but what a feeling. I was really afraid for my speakers (especially since they're not mine, on loan from a friend ).. Most of that music is quiet, contemplative and totally engrossing.

[Bogey]

Beethoven

Symphony No. 3 ('44)
Symphony No. 5 ('43)
Symphony No. 9 ('42)

Furtwängler/VPO #3/BPO #'s 5 and 9 (Music & Arts)

After this triad, I am pretty much exhausted.  Though the sound can be a bit rough in places, the performances more than make up for what some may see as audio shortcomings.  The 3rd and 4th movements of the 5th were absolutely incredible....the 9th's Adagio was one of the best I have ever heard...etc., etc., etc.

As for shortcomings so far from this set, the 6th that I listened to earlier today did have poor enough sound that it distracted me from the performance.  I am yet to listen to the 4th and 7th, and unfortunately there is not a recording of the 1st (one of my favorites) and the 2nd.  However, these shortcomings do not even come close to dampening my pleasure of having this on my shelf.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys "historical" recordings, even without having heard the 4th and 7th.

[Bogey]

Ending the evening with some radio:

Brahms Cello Sonata #2 in F Op 99 David Finckel, cello; Wu Han, piano (ArtistLed)

[Danny]

[Que]

A very good morning to you all.

Q

[Danny]

For me, a very wonderful evening to you!   

[Daverz]

Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 3 - Ormandy/Philadelphia.  Really luxurious orchestral playing.  This is a 2-CD Japanese issue of Symphonies 1-3.  Nice to hear it without the crunchies on my RCA Red Seal Lp.



Hindemith, Violin Concerto - Oistrakh/Composer/LSO.  Wow, beautiful Decca recording.  My copy is a Japanese CD rather incongruously coupled with Bruch's Scottish Fantasy.



Bruckner, Symphony No. 5 (Schalk) - Knappertsbusch/VPO from 1956.  I was really suprised to put this on and hear stereo.  It's a little muffled and limited, but otherwise OK stereo.



By the way, the Yen/Dollar exchange rate is so good right now that even with shipping costs that make up about a third of the total cost, the last 7 discs I ordered from hmv.jp only totalled $73.  I don't expect that situation to last long.