What are you listening to now?

[Karl Henning]

Yeah, the RVW 8 seems very, very attractive in comparison at this point in time (at the end of Berg's Chamber Concerto atm).  It is definitely not up my alley, but I still like to ponder Berg's creations. In addition, it makes me appreciate what I usually listen to. Even Shostakovich seems serene in comparison.   0:)

I've gone back and forth with the Kammerkonzert over the years, though now I've settled into robust admiration and enjoyment.  All I'd say is:  don't nail down that coffin lid 

Also, the Adagio has been arranged for trio (cl/vn/pf);  you may dig that approach.  (Or not  )

https://www.youtube.com/v/0NpQ4G9R9Uc

[Mirror Image]

Yeah, the RVW 8 seems very, very attractive in comparison at this point in time (at the end of Berg's Chamber Concerto atm).  It is definitely not up my alley, but I still like to ponder Berg's creations. In addition, it makes me appreciate what I usually listen to. Even Shostakovich seems serene in comparison.   0:)

Like Karl said, don't close that coffin lid just yet. I used to not be able to appreciate the Second Viennese School, but I enjoy them a lot more now and I have to thank Berg's Violin Concerto for opening up this gate for me. If you haven't heard Anne-Sophie Mutter's performance of this concerto, then, run, don't walk, over to YouTube or Spotify and give this magnificent account a listen. I'm glad I never shut the door completely to these composers even if they're not to my taste, they composed some pretty, far-out stuff, but I really enjoy a lot of it. This kind of music definitely gets you into a different headspace. I still haven't cracked Berg's Chamber Concerto however. That's one tough nut!

[Karl Henning]

[...] This kind of music definitely gets you into a different headspace. I still haven't cracked Berg's Chamber Concerto however. That's one tough nut!

There's quite a bit of music which, for me to enjoy, I've got to be in just the right frame of mind.  The Kammerkonzert used to be that way for me, to the n^th degree.  At some point, I reached a watershed, and now I can plug right into it.

[Moonfish]

I've gone back and forth with the Kammerkonzert over the years, though now I've settled into robust admiration and enjoyment.  All I'd say is:  don't nail down that coffin lid 

Also, the Adagio has been arranged for trio (cl/vn/pf);  you may dig that approach.  (Or not  )

https://www.youtube.com/v/0NpQ4G9R9Uc

Nah, I'm actually pulling out the nails....   

[Moonfish]

There's quite a bit of music which, for me to enjoy, I've got to be in just the right frame of mind.  The Kammerkonzert used to be that way for me, to the n^th degree.  At some point, I reached a watershed, and now I can plug right into it.

That is so true, Karl! Different works (even works one adores) can be devious beasts if one is in the wrong mindset!

[Mirror Image]

There's quite a bit of music which, for me to enjoy, I've got to be in just the right frame of mind.  The Kammerkonzert used to be that way for me, to the n^th degree.  At some point, I reached a watershed, and now I can plug right into it.

I've listened to it so many times that I feel I'm not making any headway with it whatsoever right now, but I'll return to it at some point or another. You give some glimpse of hope in understanding it, Karl.

Now:



Listening to Symphony No. 2. Such a wonderful work and although it is more 'Romantic' sounding (not that this is ever a bad thing), it does have Ives stamp all over it. Superb performance from MTT/RCO.

[Ken B]

I wouldn't think the Second Viennese School would be up your alley, Peter. As much as I like say Berg's Three Pieces for Orchestra, I find a lot of Berg/Schoenberg/Webern to be emotionally stilted. It's creepy, eerie music, but I'm not sure I can get on with this kind of music any longer. I need something that has more variety and a wider emotional template. It's fine every now and again, but I would never make a habit of listening to this music, especially nowadays.

Sage words Peter.

TD
Mozart and Beethoven, piano and wind quintets, Melos Ensemble

[EigenUser]

Any Dutilleux fans here? I listened to his Timbres, Espaces, Mouvements today (for my fifth or sixth time this week) and loved it! Pairs well with Ohana's Livre des Prodiges (highly recommended for Dutilleux-ites!).

What an apt description of the piece! 

I've listened to it so many times that I feel I'm not making any headway with it whatsoever right now, but I'll return to it at some point or another. You give some glimpse of hope in understanding it, Karl.

Ahhh, I love the Kammerkonzert! It's a cool format. Like he wrote something for violin accompanied by piano accompanied by winds. Recursive chamber music.

You used to love Berg and the 2nd VS! No -- that must have been your evil twin mirror image. The same guy who hated Delius and Strauss.

Berg:
Chamber Concerto for Piano and Violin with 13 Wind Instruments
3 Pieces for Orchestra
5 Orchesterlieder nach Ansichts-kartentexten von Peter Altenberg

Barenboim/Gawriloff/Lukomska/BBS SO/Boulez

I'm not so sure if Berg is my cup of tea, but I will get my brain exposed to "it"..."the other"..... *help*

The 3 Pieces is seriously dark, insane, unstable music. Fun fact -- it uses a hammer a few times in the 3rd piece (same type Mahler uses in his 6th). I found that Webern was the easiest for me to get into. Lines are much clearer (sparse) and easier to follow. Plus almost everything he wrote is short, so if you don't like it it probably won't last much longer .

[Mirror Image]

Any Dutilleux fans here? I listened to his Timbres, Espaces, Mouvements today (for my fifth or sixth time this week) and loved it! Pairs well with Ohana's Livre des Prodiges (highly recommended for Dutilleux-ites!).

Ummm...I've recommended Dutilleux to you in the past. I knew you would love his music. He's one of my favorite French composers (right behind Ravel, Debussy, Poulenc, and Roussel). He had an unreal ear for sonorities and his music isn't displeasing to my ears like many of his contemporaries (*cough* Boulez *cough*).

Ahhh, I love the Kammerkonzert! It's a cool format. Like he wrote something for violin accompanied by piano accompanied by winds. Recursive chamber music.

You used to love Berg and the 2nd VS! No -- that must have been your evil twin mirror image. The same guy who hated Delius and Strauss.

Tastes change. They evolve. There's a lot of music I don't like now that I liked six years ago for example. I don't dislike the Second Viennese School. Berg is still a favorite. I just said I don't listen to them much these days as I prefer other composers and would rather listen to music that truly moves me and has more variety in the sonic palette, but I'm still very much a 'tonal guy' at the end of the day no matter how far I stray from the herd.

[Moonfish]

Barber: Violin Concerto
Meyer: Violin Concerto

Hahn/Saint Paul Chamber O/Wolff

Barber was spectacular as usual in Barber's VC although the 3rd movement is peculiar as always (IMHO). I wish Barber stayed on the path of the first two movements instead of "dueling" with the violinist. I also found Meyer's piece endearing (especially the first movement).

[asin] B00004RBXW[/asin]

[Moonfish]

The 3 Pieces is seriously dark, insane, unstable music. Fun fact -- it uses a hammer a few times in the 3rd piece (same type Mahler uses in his 6th). I found that Webern was the easiest for me to get into. Lines are much clearer (sparse) and easier to follow. Plus almost everything he wrote is short, so if you don't like it it probably won't last much longer .

To my own surprise I actually liked the "3 Pieces" substantially more than the "Chamber Concerto"!!    0:)

[Mirror Image]

To my own surprise I actually liked the "3 Pieces" substantially more than the "Chamber Concerto"!!    0:)

Wait until you hear Schoenberg's Five Pieces of Orchestra. Truly one of the most magnificent orchestral works of the 20th Century. I'm a true believer whenever it comes to this work. There's nothing else like it in all of classical music.

[EigenUser]

Ummm...I've recommended Dutilleux to you in the past. I knew you would love his music. He's one of my favorite French composers (right behind Ravel, Debussy, Poulenc, and Roussel). He had an unreal ear for sonorities and his music isn't displeasing to my ears like many of his contemporaries (*cough* Boulez *cough*).

Yeah, but sometimes it takes me awhile to come around to suggestions. I might hear something once and think "I like this, but I have other things I'd rather hear now" in which case I'll usually come back to it later when I'm looking for new stuff to listen to.

Tastes change. They evolve. There's a lot of music I don't like now that I liked six years ago for example. I don't dislike the Second Viennese School. Berg is still a favorite. I just said I don't listen to them much these days as I prefer other composers and would rather listen to music that truly moves me and has more variety in the sonic palette, but I'm still very much a 'tonal guy' at the end of the day no matter how far I stray from the herd.

I know, I know, I'm just joking around. The difference between us is that I'm too damn stubborn to replace my favorite composers. For instance, Bartok will always be #1 for me, even though I rarely listen to his music now.

[Moonfish]

now
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3            Royal Liverpool PO/Bostock

I listened to another version late last night (Berliner P/Gilbert) and simply had to hear Bostock's performance as well. Nielsen's music is actually steadily growing on me. Love the vocal parts in this symphony. At this point I think I prefer #4, #1, and #3 over #2. Still two to go!        Love the Helios Overture!!!

[Mirror Image]

Yeah, but sometimes it takes me awhile to come around to suggestions. I might hear something once and think "I like this, but I have other things I'd rather hear now" in which case I'll usually come back to it later when I'm looking for new stuff to listen to.
I know, I know, I'm just joking around. The difference between us is that I'm too damn stubborn to replace my favorite composers. For instance, Bartok will always be #1 for me, even though I rarely listen to his music now.

It should be noted that Bartok and Ravel have always been in my Top Favorite Composers list. It's the same with me. These two composers will always be my favorite no matter if I seldom listen to their music these days. BTW, glad you're enjoying the Dutilleux. What works have you heard of his so far?

[San Antone]

Busoni: Late Piano Music
Marc-Andre Hamelin



Very nice new purchase.

[Mirror Image]

now
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3            Royal Liverpool PO/Bostock

I listened to another version late last night (Berliner P/Gilbert) and simply had to hear Bostock's performance as well. Nielsen's music is actually steadily growing on me. Love the vocal parts in this symphony. At this point I think I prefer #1 and #3 over #2. Still three to go!   

You definitely have to acquire another cycle of Nielsen's symphonies, Peter. I mean seriously. Of the newest cycles released, you should definitely consider Oramo's on BIS or the older Schonwandt cycle on Dacapo.

[Moonfish]

You definitely have to acquire another cycle of Nielsen's symphonies, Peter. I mean seriously. Of the newest cycles released, you should definitely consider Oramo's on BIS or the older Schonwandt cycle on Dacapo.

Yes, I am just warming up to Nielsen!      I am also having fun with Bostock and the odds and ends I am finding in my piles!
I have Schønwandt as well as Schmidt on their way (impulsive as always).  Did Schønwandt record one or two cycles?

[Mirror Image]

Yes, I am just warming up to Nielsen!      I am also having fun with Bostock and the odds and ends I am finding in my piles!
I have Schønwandt as well as Schmidt on their way (impulsive as always).  Did Schønwandt record one or two cycles?

Excellent, Peter. Yes, Schonwandt only recorded one cycle of Nielsen's symphonies. I've heard two of Bostock's Nielsen performances and I can't say they're up to snuff with others I've heard. Nielsen's music is a different kettle of fish. It's like if Beethoven and Brahms had a Danish baby that they let loose in the wilderness. These 'wild streaks' in his music are what give it a different character, but, while he observed the Romantic tradition, he often turned his back on it in order to come up with something completely fresh-sounding. There are no 'formulas' in Nielsen. There are no 'orchestral tricks'. He simply has stripped away any excess from his sound-world and delivers music in a hard-hitting, robust style that only a Dane could do.

[San Antone]