What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Drasko]

Wind Sonatas

[Harry]

Wind Sonatas

Excellent set you have there!

[Maciek]

That's the recording I was trying to recall on the Martin thread.  I quite like the piece...what do you think of it?

I liked it - but this was my first (and very casual) listen, and I don't think I've grasped all of it yet. I'll give it more time tomorrow - who knows, I might even begin to love it.

So, I guess you survived Brian intact?

I actually quite liked it, though it is a monster of a piece, can't deny that. Wouldn't go as far as Luke in my praise - but then this was my first acquaintance. In time, who knows what will happen? I might even grow to hate it.

Now listening to:

John Adams - Violin Concerto
Chloe Hanslip, violin
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Leonard Slatkin, conductor
(Naxos)

[Harry]

Goodmorning/afternoon/evening to all.

Telemann

Complete Flute Sonatas, Volume II.

Konrad Hunteler, Flute.
Rainer Zipperling, Cello.
Carsten Lohff, Harpsichord.
On Authentic Instruments.

As I said of the first CD, these sonates are very special, and in terms of compositions not to be faulted.
The impact of these carefully constructed sonatas is devastating, for it shows Telemann in the spotlight were he belongs. Sure he composed a lot of works, which will hold my attention, were others turn away in disgust, but his artistry is beyond doubt. Also it is not necessarily true, that if you write a lot, it must be bad. He was a creative mind with lots of good ideas like Vivaldi, and turned that into music. The sheer volume is amazing, and given that situation the quality also. The Flute Sonatas are high on my list, for they represent the best Telemann has to offer. The writing for the flute is nothing short of spectacular, and his fellow composers also thought very highly of them and I might add also the composer. You had to earn this praise in that time, and it was no common thing that composers praised each other.

The performance is perfect, big names great recording.

[val]

SCHUMANN: Piano Trio in D minor  / Beaux-Arts Trio (1971)

This is a dense and dark work, very chromatic, that needs several auditions to be understood. It is not far from the 2nd Symphony. In fact it is a very beautiful work and the interpretation of the Beaux Arts (1971) is the best I know, intense, with energy and passion but always with a perfect balance.

[Harry]

Prokofiev.

Sur le Borysthene opus 51.

Lieutenant Kije, opus 60.*

Boris Statsenko, Baritone*

WDR SO Koln/Michail Jurowski.

My love for ballet is none to all else, to see and to hear. So this recording is quite a treat for me, especially when this 1997-1998 recording is so well done by this orchestra and conductor. And the recording is simply state of the art. The Baritone on this recording should be applauded too, for he does a marvelous job, and I have returned a few times to his singing.
The music needs no introduction, for by now almost all know these ballets. After so many hearings, I am still wonderfully surprised by the beauty of Prokofiev's writing

[Harry]

Prokofiev.

Semyon Katko, Ballet Suite.

WDR SO/Koln/Michail Jurowski.

As above really, quite a remarkable Suite, with another side of Prokofiev's genius.
Sound is a tad diffuse, but still very detailed, with a good front to back stage, a firm and powerful recording.

[wintersway]

Good morning/day to all!

[Harry]

Yes WW excellent stuff for your ears.
Goodmorning my friend.

[wilhelm]

[Harry]

Absolute topnotch that one Wilhelm!

[Harry]

Robert Volkmann.

Symphony No. 2 opus 53 in B flat major.

Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie/Werner Andreas Albert.

What a glorious and cheerful Symphony this is, brings into focus a lot of classical composers, it has a almost Mendelsohnian gaiety, and the forward trust of Schumann.  The third movement "Andantino" is one of the best I ever heard. The recording from 1993 is fabulous and clear in detail and a excellent front to back perspective. And a orchestra that plays well under Albert.
Recommended.

[BachQ]

And I shall take up the Wagner tuba

You mean you haven't already done so?  Yes, by all means, take it up .........

[Harry]

Robert Volkmann.

Cello Concerto, opus 33 in A minor.

Overture opus Posth, in C major.

Johannes Wohlmacher, Cello.

Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie/ Werner Andreas Albert

Quite a virtuosic Cello Concerto, must be very difficult to play I am sure. Anyway a highly melodious work, which sprints forward like a leopard. Fast living for the cellist I'd say. Will need a doctor afterwards. But great fun, and well played. The overture is a lovely laid back piece, which is Mendelsohnnian in character, and quite nice. All is well recorded.

[karlhenning]

You mean you haven't already done so?  Yes, by all means, take it up .........

But only to smack it down again!

[Harry]

Lex Van Delden.

Nonetto per Amsterdam for Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, 2 Violins, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass, and Piano.

Viotta Ensemble.
Members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Most excellent music, and a perfect rendering by the VE. A lot of composers come to mind listening to van Delden, like Poulenc, Roussel, Klein, Hindemith, Reger, and even Wolf Ferrari. And yet having his own style, quite fascinating, really!

[Lilas Pastia]

The Kraus Symphonie funèbre is a masterpiece! My recording of it uses it as a preface to his Cantata on the Death of Gustav III (the swedish king assassinated in a masked ball - the event triggered a few operas). The Cantata is a somber beauty.

[karlhenning]

Rakhmaninov
Piano Sonata № 2, Opus 36
Hélène Grimaud

[sound67]

Listened to these (at the shop!):



Putting dedicated young performers into the spotlight, I'm all for it. But who needs these, frankly, second-rate (if first-rate amateur) readings of works that have been countlessly recorded by more gifted hands before - and then charge FULL PRICE for them?

If some of the proceeds went into sponsoring youth music activities in Latin American, then I would understand the proposition. But Mahler 5 in the same company (both literally and figuratively) as Abbado? For the same kind of money? 

[hautbois]

Good morning/day to all!

I am very curious!

Howard