New addition, old addiction

[Wieland]

Hi
I just joined your forum here. I am a classical music lover for almost 40 years now having assembled a huge collection of records and CDs. In recent years my interest focussed on the symphony and the string quartet, especially those of lesser known composers of the late 19th up to the 21st century. That brought me here since I realized that there are quite a few knowledgeable people around with whom I want to share my experiences and passion. I am not a native speaker but lived in the Big Apple for a couple of years, so I hope my English will do. Professionally, I am involved with guiding young people following an academic career.

[bhodges]

Greetings from NYC, Wieland, and welcome to GMG. Many interesting people here for sure, and you will find quite a few (like me) who share your interest in symphonic music and quartets. Enjoy!

--Bruce

[mc ukrneal]

Welcome and enjoy!

[ritter]

Willkommen, Wieland! (der Schmied?  ).

I hope you enjoy your viists to GMG...

Beste Grüsse aus Spanien nach Schwaben

[Wieland]

Willkommen, Wieland! (der Schmied?  ).

I hope you enjoy your viists to GMG...

Beste Grüsse aus Spanien nach Schwaben

No, Wieland, the poet, Christoph Martin Wieland (5 September 1733 – 20 January 1813). I live in a street named after him. I have to admit that I never read anything by him.

Grüsse zurück nach Spanien, mein Sohn interrailte dort gerade herum.

[North Star]

Gesundheit, Wieland, und herzlich willkommen auf GMG.

String quartets and symphonies, you say? I wouldn't say no to either. Do you have any particular favourites?

[aligreto]

Welcome and I look forward to your contributions 

[Wieland]

Gesundheit, Wieland, und herzlich willkommen auf GMG.

String quartets and symphonies, you say? I wouldn't say no to either. Do you have any particular favourites?

Thanks for the warm welcome. Well, my favorite string quartet is op. 132, but I love all Beethoven quartets. And most of the famous quartets of the romantic period except maybe Brahms. I am a great admirer of the 15 Shostakovich works and those of Ravel, Debussy, Janacek and Bartok. Of the more recent works I appreciate Ligeti 2, Lutoslawski, Ferneyhough 2 and some of the Rihm quartets.
In the symphony area my greatest heroes are Mahler, Sibelius, Nielsen and Schostakowitsch. And all those numerous composers that followed their path. I am especially interested in Nordic composers and probably own most of the symphonies written e.g. by Finnish composers that are available, from Melartin and Madetoja to Aho, Sallinen, Rautavaara and Nordgren.
By the way, one or two of my students are currently studying at the University of Eastern Finland.

[North Star]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Well, my favorite string quartet is op. 132

I prefer op. 131 - this is not a good start!   

, but I love all Beethoven quartets.

thank goodness 0:)

And most of the famous quartets of the romantic period except maybe Brahms.

Everything was fine until that last bit.     The Brahms quartets certainly weren't as easy to grow to like as many of his other chamber works for me either, though.

I am a great admirer of the 15 Shostakovich works and those of Ravel, Debussy, Janacek and Bartok. Of the more recent works I appreciate Ligeti 2, Lutoslawski, Ferneyhough 2 and some of the Rihm quartets.

Agreed, although Lutoslawski and Rihm I don't know well at all. What about Dutilleux's Ainsi la nuit and Berg's Lyric Suite?

In the symphony area my greatest heroes are Mahler, Sibelius, Nielsen and Schostakowitsch. And all those numerous composers that followed their path. I am especially interested in Nordic composers and probably own most of the symphonies written e.g. by Finnish composers that are available, from Melartin and Madetoja to Aho, Sallinen, Rautavaara and Nordgren

Those four are certainly among the greatest, perhaps the greatest of the 20th century. All are among my favourites as well, particularly Sibelius. Of that list of Finns you mention, I'm most familiar with Aho.

By the way, one or two of my students are currently studying at the University of Eastern Finland.

Very nice.

[Wieland]

I prefer op. 131 - this is not a good start!    thank goodness 0:)Everything was fine until that last bit.     The Brahms quartets certainly weren't as easy to grow to like as many of his other chamber works for me either, though.Agreed, although Lutoslawski and Rihm I don't know well at all. What about Dutilleux's Ainsi la nuit and Berg's Lyric Suite?Those four are certainly among the greatest, perhaps the greatest of the 20th century. All are among my favourites as well, particularly Sibelius. Of that list of Finns you mention, I'm most familiar with Aho.Very nice.

I know the Dutilleux but haven't heard it in a long time. The Berg I heard actually yesterday, at least the first 4 movements, since it is part of the new Belcea CD. I find it a difficult piece, but I will try to get more into it.

As a Sibelius fan you might be interested in the new recording of the symphonies by the Berlin PO with Simon Rattle conducting, it just came out https://www.berliner-philharmoniker-recordings.com. It obviously is the first complete cycle by the BPO since Karajan never did 3. What are your preferred recordings of the 7?

[North Star]

I know the Dutilleux but haven't heard it in a long time. The Berg I heard actually yesterday, at least the first 4 movements, since it is part of the new Belcea CD. I find it a difficult piece, but I will try to get more into it.

As a Sibelius fan you might be interested in the new recording of the symphonies by the Berlin PO with Simon Rattle conducting, it just came out https://www.berliner-philharmoniker-recordings.com. It obviously is the first complete cycle by the BPO since Karajan never did 3. What are your preferred recordings of the 7?

Yes, I am aware of the new release. And indeed the Berliners never performed the Third with anyone before Rattle's cycle!
I am actually currently watching an hour long interview of Rattle on Sibelius with Vesa Siren in the Digital Concert Hall.
Vänskä's Lahti cycle would be my choice for probably all the symphonies, although I do like others as well, e.g. Berglund's Helsinki recordings, Bernstein & NYPO (nos. 1,2 & 5 in particular), , Maazel & WP in no. 4. I would like to hear Segerstam's cycle on Ondine.

[Wieland]

Yes, I am aware of the new release. And indeed the Berliners never performed the Third with anyone before Rattle's cycle!
I am actually currently watching an hour long interview of Rattle on Sibelius with Vesa Siren in the Digital Concert Hall.
Vänskä's Lahti cycle would be my choice for probably all the symphonies, although I do like others as well, e.g. Berglund's Helsinki recordings, Bernstein & NYPO (nos. 1,2 & 5 in particular), , Maazel & WP in no. 4. I would like to hear Segerstam's cycle on Ondine.

The Lahti cycle I recently down-loaded from itunes. I usually don't do that, but it was so cheap (8,99 for all) that I could not resist. I will listen to it on my next trip. I own the Ondine Segerstam and I think it is a very fine cycle, maybe my favourite right now although I have numerous other recordings which I also like.

[Brahmsian]

Welcome to the forum, Wieland!  It is always a pleasure to have new participating members.

[Wieland]

Greetings from NYC, Wieland, and welcome to GMG. Many interesting people here for sure, and you will find quite a few (like me) who share your interest in symphonic music and quartets. Enjoy!

--Bruce

Thanks Bruce, I spent some of my best time in NYC. I still return every second year or so to see if it is still there and usually visit the famous Academy Store on 18th street.

Also, all others, thanks for the warm welcome. This seems the right place for me.

[Camphy]

Welcome, Wieland!

[bhodges]

Thanks Bruce, I spent some of my best time in NYC. I still return every second year or so to see if it is still there and usually visit the famous Academy Store on 18th street.

You will be pleased to know that Academy is still hanging on, despite the fact that virtually every other store in town has disappeared.

Meanwhile, I have also enjoyed the Rihm quartets I've heard, though I can't say I'm all that familiar with all of them yet. One of them (No. 8?) asks the musicians to incorporate the sounds of torn strips of paper - quite interesting.

--Bruce

[Wieland]

Meanwhile, I have also enjoyed the Rihm quartets I've heard, though I can't say I'm all that familiar with all of them yet. One of them (No. 8?) asks the musicians to incorporate the sounds of torn strips of paper - quite interesting.

--Bruce

A few years ago I heard and saw the Ardittis doing that in concert. I must say it is not my favorite Rihm Quartet. The one I really think tops it all is 11.

[asin]B00B2KW0K0[/asin]

[bhodges]

And thanks for that interesting recommendation. I know I haven't heard the 11th yet, and I just heard the Minguet about a year ago for the first time - an extremely impressive group. (Don't have any of their recordings yet.)

--Bruce

[Wieland]

And thanks for that interesting recommendation. I know I haven't heard the 11th yet, and I just heard the Minguet about a year ago for the first time - an extremely impressive group. (Don't have any of their recordings yet.)

--Bruce

They are really a remarkable group. I heard them live just two weeks ago. The hall was only 1/3 full and we had free choice of places. So I was sitting centre first row just 3 m from the group. In the first half they were giving Georg Katzers 1st Quartet and Lachenmanns Gran torso, which is mainly scratching and knocking on your instruments with long stretches of silence in between. After the intermission they gave a passionate account of Mendelssohns op. 80. The playing was just fantastic. Quite an experience.

[Mirror Image]

Welcome aboard, Weiland! Please do stick around. Lots of great, knowledgeable folks here. I see we've already met in the Schnittke thread.