What are you listening to now?

[jlaurson]

Just curious - the Alexander SQ have recorded the Beethoven SQs twice - an earlier version is offered by Arte Nova (above middle); their most recent 'complete' release is on Foghorn Classics (above right which I own and has received superlative reviews) - appears that the label is also offering the recordings as three 3-CD sets - are these from the second set of performances or did Foghorn re-master the earlier set?  Thanks - Dave

I'm pretty sure it's a straight re-issue, actually. The second set as was. (Which I happen to like for op.18, but find to drop off steeply, after that.)

[Ken B]

Oh, hi WienerKonzerthaus who is definitely not jlaurson. But if you happen to see jlaurson, tell him hi too.

There must be a backstory here ...

[SonicMan46]

Brahms, Johannes - String Quintets & Sextets w/ the Alexander String Quartet and several guests (Toby Appel on viola & Dave Requiro on cello) - a 2-CD set - recently recorded (2013) - new arrival today; a Jerry Dubins review attached which helped to prompt my purchase, and also at the suggestion of Brian, more recently - Dave

[springrite]

Let us know your thoughts, Brian.  Between you and PPP, I'm intrigued now by this set! 

An excellent set that has Kimi's approval as well. (and mine...)

[Ken B]

Mahler 2 Boulez

[North Star]

Feldman
Crippled Symmetry
The California EAR Unit
[asin]B00000K38E[/asin]

[NorthNYMark]

Just curious - the Alexander SQ have recorded the Beethoven SQs twice - an earlier version is offered by Arte Nova (above middle); their most recent 'complete' release is on Foghorn Classics (above right which I own and has received superlative reviews) - appears that the label is also offering the recordings as three 3-CD sets - are these from the second set of performances or did Foghorn re-master the earlier set?  Thanks - Dave

As Jens said above, the Late Quartets set I posted is from the same set of recordings as the Complete set you have (in other words, their most recent cycle on Foghorn). 

[Brian]

Dave, I just purchased the Arte Nova box which might make me the first person on GMG to have both? Contra Jens, I looooove the Foghorn "Razumovsky" set. The big plummy opulent sound of the players fits me well. Yes, the Foghorn releases are all identical performances (and from 2008 so no need to edit the sound).

So far, Cluytens Beethoven 1 & 3. Absolutely nothing to complain about.

[André]

Wagner: The Flying Dutchman. Sawallisch, with Crass, Silja, Greindl (Bayreuth 1962). My first ever listening to a complete FD.

Arthur Butterworth: Viola Concerto, symphonies 1 and 4. Amazingly good stuff. Post WWII tonal, listenable orchestral works of high quality.

Lully: Atys (Harmonia Mundi)

[Que]

Some music has the power to alter moods, here's an example that moves the happy meter toward bliss range.  I expected these to be pleasant, even interesting; what I was not prepared for was just how sprightly and varied they are and while hardly profound, they survey a broader range of emotion than anticipated.  I think I'm going to listen to them a lot.  Performance and sonics are first rate: when I got up from my computer just now I thought for a split second I was going to bump into the pianoforte.

[asin]B000WDVRC0[/asin]

Nice!

I just picked by pure coincidence something similar - same period, also on period instruments:

[asin]B0085U0GY2[/asin]
Disc 1: Ferdinand Ries & Franz Limmer

Q

[springrite]

Staying up to write my bio for business purposes. What better music for this than:

Bach: Art of the Fugue (Munchinger)

[SonicMan46]

Dave, I just purchased the Arte Nova box which might make me the first person on GMG to have both? Contra Jens, I looooove the Foghorn "Razumovsky" set. The big plummy opulent sound of the players fits me well. Yes, the Foghorn releases are all identical performances (and from 2008 so no need to edit the sound).

So far, Cluytens Beethoven 1 & 3. Absolutely nothing to complain about.

Hi Brian - I also greatly enjoy the ASQ's performances on the Foghorn label (and will be curious about your comparative comments w/ their earlier ones); my only other complete Beethoven SQ set is the Takacs Quartet which I've had for years; also have Op. 18 w/ the Quatuor Mosaiques.

And, thanks for reminding me of the ASQ's offering of the Brahms' String Quintets/Sextets - listening now and likely will become my favorite performances of those works (Dubins seems to have fallen 'in love' w/ those recordings in re-reading the review I attached in a previous post) - Dave

[Ken B]

Staying up to write my bio for business purposes. What better music for this than:

Bach: Art of the Fugue (Munchinger)

Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks?

[Karl Henning]

Feldman
Crippled Symmetry
The California EAR Unit
[asin]B00000K38E[/asin]

I still find this an entirely mesmerizing work.  I've no idea how ol' Morty did that . . . .

[springrite]

 

Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks?

[Mandryka]

So do I, but I keep trying. Listening to the Fifth now...and still not enjoying it 




Sarge

Well I'm not surprised, it's a particularly uncharismatic performance you've picked there.

[Brian]

What is the "easiest," most approachable, charismatic Bartok SQ set? I was sent a Bartok SQ set to review, against my will, and am worried because I really don't understand them at all.

And, thanks for reminding me of the ASQ's offering of the Brahms' String Quintets/Sextets - listening now and likely will become my favorite performances of those works (Dubins seems to have fallen 'in love' w/ those recordings in re-reading the review I attached in a previous post) - Dave

I listened to the ASQ string quintets CD twice this weekend, once Saturday and once Sunday. Love seems an apt word!

[North Star]

I still find this an entirely mesmerizing work.  I've no idea how ol' Morty did that . . . .

Hear, hear.

Thread duty

Satie
Socrate
[asin]B000FZEQJG[/asin]

[EigenUser]

Feldman
Crippled Symmetry
The California EAR Unit
[asin]B00000K38E[/asin]

I just listened to this on Saturday! Feldman is perfect for doing/grading homework. It really is a cool piece. It starts out with a lot of motion and he seems to take things away one at a time (while gradually changing motifs) until all that is left is a vibraphone/celesta tremolo at the end, which fades away.

What is the "easiest," most approachable, charismatic Bartok SQ set? I was sent a Bartok SQ set to review, against my will, and am worried because I really don't understand them at all.

I couldn't tell you. I'm interested in knowing the answer as well, actually. I only have Emerson.

[Karl Henning]

I couldn't tell you. I'm interested in knowing the answer as well, actually. I only have Emerson.

I've listened to some others since, but I still think very well of the Emersons here.