What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Haffner]

Robert Schumann



String Quartet No. 1 in A minor op. 41 / 1
Via Nova Quartet

(CD 4 of the complete Schumann's chamber music issued by Erato)

Great interpretation (with superb sonics) of some of the most undeservingly underrated musical gems of the German Romanticism.

I find Schumann's string quartets fascinating as well. I fell that much of his work seems best suited for closing one's eyes and letting images come.

[Haffner]

Quick, put on some soprano arias!

[Haffner]

Mahler Symphony no. 4 (Henchen and the Netherlands Philharmonic)



Best Morning Wishes to All!

[Choo Choo]

So, was missing Worst-Than-Most at St.Florian a good decision or not?

I am now in a position to answer this question:  yes, I think so.

And based on the live #6 that I heard from Mr Nagano, they won't be getting my custom this year either.

Now listening to this (from 1975):



Those were the days.

[Lilas Pastia]

Otto Olsson: Credo Symphoniacum (Organ symphony No 2). This is a large, three movement composition lasting close to 40 minutes. Like the other works on that disc (Proprius), this is mostly meditative, beautifully lyrical (tonal) music. Tournemire and Olsson are my favourite composers for the organ,  ahead or the Dupré and Messiaen.

Dussek: sonatas for the pianoforte, Andreas Staier. Rather cerebral music, not as overtly emotional as Clementi or C.P.E. Bach. Very solid edifices that demand repeated hearings. Staier plays superbly.

[Harry]

Quick, put on some soprano arias!

Maciek?!

[Haffner]

I am now in a position to answer this question:  yes, I think so.

And based on the live #6 that I heard from Mr Nagano, they won't be getting my custom this year either.

Now listening to this (from 1975):



Those were the days.

What a lovely cd cover, thanks!

[Harry]

Ernst Krenek.

Symphony No. 2 opus 12.

Radio Philharmonie Hannover des NDR/Takao Ukigaya.

This symphony in three movements lasting almost 58:00 minutes is a impressive dark composition, well structured, and very economical written. With fine scoring for brass/strings and timpani. The very soft intro makes the mood clear, and the build up of energy and expression is awesome, forever building sky high, and than bring it to a crashing close. I am glad I dived into the music of Krenek, for he is a composer with something to say. Melodic, beautiful adagio's, and strong rhythmic lines.
Recommended is this well recorded and performed disc. Its a live recording from 1994, and there is no noise, and more important clapping at the end, which I always find to be a anti climax.

[Harry]

Glazunov.

Complete SQ, Volume II.

SQ No. 2 opus 10 in F major.

Elegy for strings opus 105.

Utrecht SQ

What a marvelous composer Glazunov was. All the gorgeous melodic content is bubbling out of this brimming cup, and overfloweth my heart. If the symphonies are difficult for some of you to digest, than surely these SQ will remedy that right away, at the latest when you hear the absolutely fabulous Adagio molto, so full with little butterflies and elf's, sitting on your ears, caressing them with their softness. The elegy is unbearably beautiful.
Good performance and recording!
Grab it.

[Bogey]

Brahms Hungarian Dances Rolla/Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra (Erato)

Gooooood morning!

[Harry]

Good morning Bill!

Glazunov.

SO No. 4 opus 64 in A minor.

Utrecht SQ

A fine work, full of all the things that make you glad to be alive and having the privilege to listen to such fine sound and performance.
The world is full with music, lets celebrate that every day!
The Scherzo is a marvel of agility and detailed filigree.

[not edward]

Kevin Bowyer in Nielsen's Commotio. Great piece, fine performance.

[Drasko]

Ravel - Bolero

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra - Roger Desormiere

[Choo Choo]

Since the subject came up recently:



#4 is a particularly attractive and accessible listen.

Today is turning into a day for revisiting favourites...

[SonicMan46]

Good morn to all - Harry - I think one could make it a Telemann Year! - 

A few more posts have been added to the Classic-Early Romantic Composers thread, including some 'new' additions - these guys keep emerging from the woodwork! 

Adalbert Gyrowetz (1763-1850) String Quartets, Op. 44 w/ Salomon SQ on Hyperion - another one of these Bohemian composers - these works are quite Haydnesque, but w/ some early Romantic influences; played lovely by the Salomons w/ excellent balance & presence of the instruments.

Andreas Jakob Romberg (1767-1821) Flute Quintets w/ Vladislav Brunner on the flute along w/ strings (two violas in these works); wonderful disc and recorded well.

Ferdinando Carulli (1770-1841) - Complete Works Guitar & Fortepiano - continuing my listening to this bargin Brilliant box (8-CDs!) - HIP performances, if interested (fortepiano, 1812; guitar, 1820 - original instruments); the guitar & piano just 'integrate' beautifully (hard to sometimes tell which one is playing!).   

   

[Hector]

A Brian day: Symphonies 7, 8, 9, 18 and 31.

Various Brit performers on EMI and Naxos.

He remains quintessentialy British whilst being totally original.

What I mean by that is that I can detect a British thread in his music that is unmistakable but he sounds like nobody else, British or otherwise!

[Haffner]

Berlioz "Le Carnaval Romain et Symphonie Fantastique" (Mackerras and the Royal Philharmonic)

[Harry]

Telemann.

Table Music, Complete.
Disc IV.

Overture-Suite in B flat major for 2 oboes, strings, and B.C.
Quatuor in e minor, for flute, violin, violincello, and B.C.
Concerto in E flat major, for 2 horns, strings and B.C.
Trio in D major, for 2 flutes, and B.C.
Solo in G minor, for oboe, and B.C.
Conclusion in B flat major, for 2 oboes, strings, and B.C.

Camerata of the 18th century/Konrad Hunteler.

Played on original instruments.

The essence of Telemann and baroque music pur sang!
In performance and recording few equals.

[karlhenning]

Oops! "Telemann Day"?  I'm so outta here! 

Listening last night included:

Hindemith, Pittsburgh Symphony & Ragtime, well tempered
Creston, Invocation & Dance
Messiaen, Oiseaux exotiques
Shostakovich, First Pf Cto

[Robert]

Koppel Symphony 3-4  Thanks for the tip