What are you listening to now?

[Karl Henning]

Thread duty (though it's only MIDI):


Henning
Moonrise, Op.84a
for flute choir in six parts

[Wakefield]

J.S. Bach - 6 Partiten BWV 825-830 (Clavier-Übung I)
Gustav Leonhardt, harpsichord (by Martin Skowroneck, Bremen 1962, after J.D. Dulcken, Antwerp, 1745)



Partitas I & V: June 16-17, 1968
Partita II: February 28-Mach 1st, 1964
Partitas III & VI: February 11-12, 1970
Partita IV: September 3-6, 1963
Schloss Kirchheim, Cedernsaal (DL)

I own a Japanese reissue of this set, therefore the booklet (excepting some technical details) is almost useless to me.

That's the reason why I decided to read the liner notes written by Peter Watchorn for his own set.

It's quite impressive to check out how Leonhardt illustrates better than Watchorn almost every single musical insight of the latter. 

[Mandryka]

Kåre Nordstoga plays BWV 669 - 671, the Kyrie from CU3

669 is like a introspective plea for mercy. 670 has moments of real astringency, which is fine since the text reminds us of the Crucifixion. It's only 671 which is a bit boring, tiring registration was part of the problem maybe.




François Ménissier plays BWV 669 - 671

Like a sad prayer in 669, so that's cool. 671 is astonishing at the end, like a musical depiction of some passionate terrible struggle resulting in peace on the long final note of the music. It's only 670 which seemed one dimensional, he missed all opportunities to add a note of sourness, despite the centrality of the Crucifixion both in the Mass's text and in Luther's teaching about the Son.

[Sergeant Rock]

Havergal Brian Symphony No. 11 (1954)




Sarge

[Lisztianwagner]

On spotify, first listen to:

Edward Elgar
The Kingdom

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to The Wand of Youth Suite No. 1. Lighter Elgar, like The Starlight Express, for example, but immensely enjoyable and great performance from Judd/New Zealand SO.

[Mirror Image]

Now:

Now listening to Oboe Concerto. Gorgeous work.

[Mirror Image]

Havergal Brian Symphony No. 11 (1954)




Sarge

A very nice symphony. Hope you enjoyed it, Sarge.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 2 and turned it off right after the two minute mark of the first movement. This is just beyond drab and lifeless. The whole idea of nobility and trying to create a majestic sweep with the music in Boult's interpretation just falls flat to my ears. I hear no passion nor do I hear nothing life-affirming. There needs to be more drive in Elgar than this to make the music work in my opinion. Boult is a fine conductor, no question about it, but not with Elgar. Some may very well disagree and that's fine if they do. Give me Barbirolli, Colin Davis, or Andrew Davis any day of the week. Even Menuhin's performance knocks Boult out for the count.

Okay, rant over.

[mrgreg]

Requiem Father Kolbe - Kilar

[asin]B00009WVQS[/asin]

R.I.P.

[Que]

.

One of those rare instances I went into new repertoire by getting a box set with performances that seemed good, but without comparisons or much knowledge and experience.
But it worked out in this instance - these performances by Sei Voci still impress and delight me. I'm sure the time has come for me to take other performances of these pinnacles of musical history, but if the box set was still around I would recommend it without hesitation.

Q

[Que]

J.S. Bach - 6 Partiten BWV 825-830 (Clavier-Übung I)
Gustav Leonhardt, harpsichord (by Martin Skowroneck, Bremen 1962, after J.D. Dulcken, Antwerp, 1745)



Partitas I & V: June 16-17, 1968
Partita II: February 28-Mach 1st, 1964
Partitas III & VI: February 11-12, 1970
Partita IV: September 3-6, 1963
Schloss Kirchheim, Cedernsaal (DL)

I own a Japanese reissue of this set, therefore the booklet (excepting some technical details) is almost useless to me.

That's the reason why I decided to read the liner notes written by Peter Watchorn for his own set.

It's quite impressive to check out how Leonhardt illustrates better than Watchorn almost every single musical insight of the latter. 

I haven't quite warmed up to Watchorn yet..... Though the prospect of a WTC on pedal harpsichord is rather tempting!

Is this particular recording by Leonhardt to your knowledge included in one of the many reissued box sets?

Q

[The new erato]

Disc 3 from this set:

[asin]B007CMTNSO[/asin]

Now the op 46, Andante and Variations for 2 pianos, 2 cellos and horn. Very good, and a fine way to collect some seldom performed works.

[wintersway]

Philip Pickett - Tielman Susato: Dansereye 1551

[The new erato]

Wouldn't that be on the other (chamber music) set?

Q

Yes it is, I mixed up the ASINs! Now corrected.

[Que]

Yes it is, I mixed up the ASINs! Now corrected.

Since you have both: do you like them equally or should one box have priority over the other when considering?

Q

[The new erato]

What an impossible question......I have played 2 discs from each of them. But since the rare chamber music works seems less available than the piano works, ans since I'm a chamber music fan, I would prioritize that. But YMMV. This is purely subjective, quality in both sets seems very fine.

[wintersway]

Maurizio Pollini - Chopin 12 Etudes

[Mirror Image]

On spotify, first listen to:

Edward Elgar
The Kingdom

How did I miss this?!?!? A huge table pound for The Kingdom, Ilaria! Love that work.

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to Falstaff from the Davis box set on Warner. A fine performance.