What are you listening to now?

[Papy Oli]

The Lento is superb. Have you heard the Hickox version, the original 1913 version, with considerably more music?

I haven't, will have to look it up, thanks. Just checked my only other cycle (Andrew Davis and that is a later 1920 version).

[Todd]

Honeck's Beethoven.  Honeck is very clearly an espressivo style conductor in these works, pulling tempi around a bit, and in that he reminded me of Willem Mengelberg, though the historical conductor is more extreme.  Honeck makes sure to let woodwinds get some love, and he generates oodles of excitement all over the place.  The opening chords of the Fifth's finale erupt with an intensity and excitement and grandiosity befitting the music that I have not heard bettered.  The Fifth rates among the best versions out there, and the Seventh, if not quite as good overall, nonetheless is a stellar performance.  I do hope Honeck goes on to complete a cycle, because I would really like to hear what he does with the Sixth, and even more with the greatest of all symphonies, the Eroica. 

SACD sound is superb.  Dynamic range is SOTA, timbre is basically perfect, and plenty of hall sound is included, whether actual or augmented.  There are several instances when chords take seconds to decay.  The only downsides are conductor breathing (didn't bother me) and low strings that are not the last word in detail (bothered me a bit). 

[Lisztianwagner]

That's one fine CD, Ilaria!  Great perfromances of three fantastic pieces (although I myself can't help thinking of Woody Allen's Love and Death at moments when I listen to it  ) . Hope you're enjoying it

I agree, they are terribly beautiful performances by Abbado! It was a long time I didn't listen to Prokofiev, what a pleasure to listen to his wonderful music again. Haha, you're right, some parts of those suites were used in Woody Allen's Love and Death (great movie, by the way), but I always try to turn away the thought from my mind and concentrate only on the music.

[Sergeant Rock]

Hans Rott Symphony No.1 E major, P. Järvi conducting the Frankfurt RSO



Sarge

[aligreto]

Onslow: Piano Trio Op. 20....

[pi2000]

Freischutz
[asin]B015QO6Z8K[/asin]

[Todd]

From the big box.  Revisiting one of Kissin's best.  I do wish he'd record more Scriabin.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

^^^^

I don't know why, but I seem to find covers like that rather grating when they make the performer's name GINORMOUS and list the composers and repertoire in tiny font.

[Mookalafalas]

Duets combining a harpsichord and modern piano.  They go nuts playing with the contrasts.  So far I'm loving it.  That said, I suspect they are really playing fast and loose with the score.  Could hardly sound less Bach-like.

[asin]B016VJM7G8[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

Now:



Listening to The Lark Ascending with Hugh Bean/Boult. Stunning performance.

[SimonNZ]

Shostakovich's From Jewish Folk Poetry - Valeri Polyansky, cond.



Stravinsky's Duo Concertant - Itzhak Perlman, violin, Bruno Canino, piano

[Artem]

Sergei Slonimsky's Symphony No.21 " Faust by Goethe" - Valeriy Gergiev, cond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBLbcyXnm7E

Thanks for sharing this. I listened to half of it yesterday and enjoyed it. Never heard about this composer and it seems like he's not been recorded that much at all.

[SimonNZ]

Thanks for sharing this. I listened to half of it yesterday and enjoyed it. Never heard about this composer and it seems like he's not been recorded that much at all.

That YT chanel is proving to be a treasure-trove of largely unknown but particularly exciting contemporary classical - with an emphasis on Rissian / former-Soviet composers.

I'm trying to make hay while the sun shines, before it goes the way of the equally brilliant John11inch chanel.

[Mirror Image]

Now revisiting this classic:



For me, still one of the best Planets around.

[Mirror Image]

Sergei Prokofiev
Scythian Suite
Lieutenant Kije

[asin]B000001GQC[/asin]

Great stuff, Ilaria.

[SimonNZ]

Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto - Pierre Boulez, cond.

(three times in a row)

wow, this is really clicking with me tonight - best listen yet

[Mirror Image]

Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto - Pierre Boulez, cond.

(three times in a row)

wow, this is really clicking with me tonight - best listen yet

Yeah, the Ebony Concerto is good fun indeed.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

A wonderful friend of mine sent me this recording recently, so I've just started listening to it, starting at no. 1!



I'm loving the sound on this one. And I think Solti gets the strings to play measured tremolos at the start of the 7th, which makes this recording sooo much more awesome than most! Epiiiiic

Now after no. 1 and no. 7, I'm on to no. 2!

[Christo]

Now revisiting this classic:



For me, still one of the best Planets around.

It ranks as No. 32 in Peter Power Pop's survey of all available recordings: https://petersplanets.wordpress.com/

[Que]

My morning listening is a blast from the past,  collecting wise.
I got this from BRO three years ago.

[asin]B000BM3MOI[/asin]
Rodrigo de Ceballos, master of the Royal Chapel in Granada, is not a big name in Spanish Renaissance. (More on the recording HERE). But the performance by the Ensemble Gilles Binchois under Vellard is just ravashing. Anyone with a particular interest in Iberian/ Spanish Early Music from will not be disappointed!

Q