What are you listening to now?

[ritter]

Lazarev's Master and Margarita.   If you haven't read the novel (by Mikhail Bulgakov) on which this ballet is based , it is warmly recommended.

I had never even heard of Eduard Lazarev, let alone his ballet. Thanks for the tip. 

Another work based on Bulgakov's novel did leave a lasting impression when I first heard it (and it's about time I revisit it, as I have very much enjoyed other music by York Höller I've gotten acquainted with since, as e.g. Spären).

[asin]B00004TVFW[/asin]

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Another work based on Bulgakov's novel did leave a lasting impression when I first heard it (and it's about time I revisit it, as I have very much enjoyed other music by York Höller I've gotten acquainted with since, as e.g. Spären).

[asin]B00004TVFW[/asin]

I knew of the Höller work, thanks, and look forward to it.  In fact, haven't heard anything of his but on your recommend... Siren-like, the novel has called many a composer and musician to its shores, most recently Andrew Lloyd Webber who had a musical in mind:  "I've decided that it's undo-able. It's just too difficult for an audience to contemplate. It's a very complicated novel."

[Tsaraslondon]

Debussy: Jeux - Martinon/Orchestre National de l'ORTF.

I've always had a soft spot for Martinon's Debussy and Ravel recordings. I really ought to get them on CD.

[Todd]

[NikF]

I've always had a soft spot for Martinon's Debussy and Ravel recordings. I really ought to get them on CD.

Yeah, I love those recordings. You're probably already aware, but there's an eight (?) disc box set that brings them together. I would have bought it, but the individual Ravel CD volumes were the sweet gift of a sweet ex.


In other news...

Bax: Tintagel/November Woods - David Lloyd-Jones/Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

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[Sadko]

I knew of the Höller work, thanks, and look forward to it.  In fact, haven't heard anything of his but on your recommend... Siren-like, the novel has called many a composer and musician to its shores, most recently Andrew Lloyd Webber who had a musical in mind:  "I've decided that it's undo-able. It's just too difficult for an audience to contemplate. It's a very complicated novel."

... And it is indeed one of the greatest pieces of Russian literature, suprisingly less known in the West than the other "stars". The dialoge in the opening scene got me hooked instantly, when I read the book for the first time: :-)

"Narzan, please," requested Berlioz.
"There's no Narzan," replied the woman in the booth, and for some reason took umbrage.
"Is there beer?" enquired Bezdomny in a hoarse voice.
"They'll be bringing beer towards evening," the woman replied.
"What is there, then?" asked Berlioz.
"Apricot squash, only it's warm," said the woman.
"Well, come on, come on, come on!"
The apricot squash produced an abundant yellow foam, and there was a sudden smell of the hairdresser's in the air.

[Karl Henning]

Holmboe
String Quartet № 7, Opus 86/M.224 (1964-65)
Kontra Quartet

[asin]B003NEQAMC[/asin]

[Harry]

Holmboe
String Quartet № 7, Opus 86/M.224 (1964-65)
Kontra Quartet

[asin]B003NEQAMC[/asin]

Your a brave man Karl, to listen to these SQ again, I do not have the heart yet to attempt a second time!

[Karl Henning]

Your a brave man Karl, to listen to these SQ again, I do not have the heart yet to attempt a second time!

Oh, I do love 'em, mijn vriend 

[Harry]

These are essential SQ to have. Do not miss them, before they go OOP, its already in the sell out bin.


http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2016/01/mendelssohn-arnold-1855-1933-sq-opus-67.html?spref=tw

[Harry]

Oh, I do love 'em, mijn vriend 

I wish I had your ears and stamina

[Todd]

[aligreto]

Finishing off this enjoyable set with CD3....





....5 Sinfonias.

[Harry]

Just enough time for one SQ by this very fine composer.

http://walboi.blogspot.nl/2016/01/hill-alfred-1869-1960-sq-volume-6.html?spref=tw

[Tsaraslondon]

Massenet's take on the Cinderella story is absolutely delightful and you could hardly find a more perfect Cendrillon than Frederica Von Stade. But why oh why did they cast a tenor in the mezzo-soprano role of The Prince? Gedda does what he can (though he'd have no doubt managed it better twenty years previously) but the vocal balance is all out. It's like casting a tenor as Romeo in Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi. Thank heavens nobody would dream of doing that anymore.

For the rest, there are excellent performances from Jane Berbie and Jules Bastin and Rudel conducts a sparkling performance, but the moments to treasure are all with Von Stade.

[Marsch MacFiercesome]

Is this worth getting? I'm rather partial to Bonney, as you know.

Definitely.

I've only heard the Grieg lieder so far and have yet to hear the Sibelius, Stennhammar, Alfven, and Sjoberg-
but her singing is as you'd expect. The clear, silvery, and radiant Bonneyian tone and the beautifully-conveyed nuances are all there, if perhaps a bit self-consciously at times.

Her Norwegian elocution is uniformly excellent.

I thoroughly enjoyed her singing.

[Mandryka]

Yes, agreed. On the other hand I was a bit underwhelmed by Nordstoga´s Leiozig Chorales. They are from a formal point of view very fine, but in some way they do not touch me that much. But you may think otherwise.

Yes, I'm pleased to say that I do think otherwise,  I like the Leipzig Chorales a lot, and for similar reasons to the CU 3. There is something rather consoling and celebratory about his interpretation which appeals, at least in my present mood.

And the organ is fabulous.

[Tsaraslondon]

Definitely.

I've only heard the Grieg lieder so far and have yet to hear the Sibelius, Stennhammar, Alfven, and Sjoberg-
but her singing is as you'd expect. The clear, silvery, and radiant Bonneyian tone and the beautifully-conveyed nuances are all there, if perhaps a bit self-consciously at times.

Her Norwegian elocution is uniformly excellent.

I thoroughly enjoyed her singing.

Another one for the shopping list then. The programme is very inviting too.

[Marsch MacFiercesome]

Another one for the shopping list then. The programme is very inviting too.

The 'Grieg' is definitely 'Greg.'

[Marsch MacFiercesome]

Massenet's take on the Cinderella story is absolutely delightful and you could hardly find a more perfect Cendrillon than Frederica Von Stade. But why oh why did they cast a tenor in the mezzo-soprano role of The Prince? Gedda does what he can (though he'd have no doubt managed it better twenty years previously) but the vocal balance is all out. It's like casting a tenor as Romeo in Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi. Thank heavens nobody would dream of doing that anymore.

For the rest, there are excellent performances from Jane Berbie and Jules Bastin and Rudel conducts a sparkling performance, but the moments to treasure are all with Von Stade.

I love that Rudel Cendrillon.

Stade would be my clear eponymous first choice as well. Her singing is pure youthful Gallic charm and fun.

What I can't understand is why her popularity isn't a planetary phenomenon.

(Perhaps its because of the garish, Puritanesque dress she's wearing on the cd cover. Since when does a French ' ' Cendrillion ' '  have a buttoned-up collar at the expense of a plunging neckline?)