What are you listening to now?

[Undersea]

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Haydn: Symphony #98 in B Flat, H 1/98

Eugen Jochum: London Philharmonic Orchestra


More retro Haydn listening - enjoying this recently arrived set so far.

[SymphonicAddict]

Now playing a true colossus with assured greatness: Schmidt Symphony No. 2



I'm hearing a first-rate composer in here. Every movement is ravishing in high amounts, not only by its impossive architecture, but also by its contrapuntal and orchestral ideas.

[Undersea]

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Mendelssohn: Piano Sextet in D, Op. 110

Amati String Orchestra


Not an often discussed piece AFAIK (but quite good all the same) .

[SymphonicAddict]

Now

Some Schubert: Symphonies 8 & 9



I like the aplomb Karajan gives to the score.

The Symphony 8 is incredible as well. On this recording Schubert appears at his more early-romantic-way.

[André]

Someone mentioned Madetoja Symphony No. 2

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Oops, no that was Melartin Symphony No. 2... OK, correcting that error now. 

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...still in the Finnish M's

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Symphony No. 3.  Gorgeous stuff.

Three excellent composers. My vote goes to Merikanto 

[Que]

Morning listening - recent arrival:



A reconstruction of the funeral music for Charles III (1608) and Henri II (1624), Dukes of Lorraine.
The centerpiece is the Missa pro Defunctis by Charles d'Helfer (1598 - 1661).

Q

[Artem]

Very nice, especially Gondwana.

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[aligreto]

Monteverdi: Vespro Della Beata Vergine CD 1/2 [Gardiner]





This was my first version of this work and I have always liked the magnificent vocals particularly the choral singing of the whole ensemble. Coupled with the fact that is was recorded live in the Basilica di San Marco, Venezia, with all of the atmosphere that this brings, it has always held a special place in my collection for me. I think that it is a straightforward and uncomplicated interpretation but an aesthetic, atmospheric and elegant one nonetheless.

Once, while in Venice my family went off shopping and I stole a couple of hours in a quiet, dark corner of the Basilica di San Marco and listened to this on my then Walkman. Being in that place listening to that music will always be an abiding memory for me.

[aligreto]

Beautiful, I go listen to it myself

Great! Reading your later posts I am sure that you enjoyed it. 
I see that you own the original release.
I am also a fan of Schwarzkopf.

[aligreto]

This set is excellent, maybe the best one about Madetoja. Overall, my favorite work is the indisputably gorgeous 2nd Symphony, imbued with a nostalgic atmosphere which I find poignant (and it's a homage to the composer's brother). The cold and quiet Finnish landscapes can also be perceived throughout.

I also have that set but do not remember it in any detail other than liking it. Perhaps when I complete my Pettersson and Melartin cycles I will revisit this set.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

[Artem]

What do you think about it, jessop? I might listen to it myself later.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

What do you think about it, jessop? I might listen to it myself later.

It's nostalgic for me. The first disc of 'new music' I had, and I listened to it dozens of times. Ensemble Recherche play these pieces with brilliant skill. Huge multi-layered textures in L'Asie have incredible balance and very colourful, emotive playing. No instrument ever gets in the way of any other, but rather it's like a rather large web of interconnected sounds at all times. L'Afrique really has a wonderful sense of continuous and gradual growth, even with the consistent use of the piano whose attack on each chord is like a great splash of colour that subtly changes over time with each new chord.

[Malx]

Shostakovich Symphony No 14 - Julia Korpacheva (Soprano), Peter Migunov (Bass), Music Aeterna, Teodor Currentzis.

Another thought provoking recording from Currentzis. There is at times a lightness in his performance of this dark and sober song cycle/symphony which many may find is at odds with majority of interpretations.
Using little vibrato he brings a clarity to the string writing and the voices used whilst authentically Russian seem less funereal than on many recordings I've heard - does this effectively mean Currentzis has missed the essence of the piece, well thats up for debate, what I will say is I found his treatment of the symphony made it an easier listen for me and it is a valid view of a 20th century masterpiece.

[aligreto]

Bartok: String Quartet No, 3 [Quatuor Végh]





Simply magnificent work and performance!

[Undersea]

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Haydn: Symphony #22 in E Flat, H 1/22
Haydn: Symphony #26 in D minor, H 1/26

Max Goberman: Vienna State Opera Orchestra

[Biffo]

Haydn: Symphony in G Major, Hob. I: 100 'Military' - New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein

[aligreto]

Haydn: The Seasons, Summer [Jacobs]





Summer, because that is where we are at the moment. The production overall is magnificent and the vocals in particular are superb.

[Biffo]

John Garth: Cello Concertos, Op 1 - Richard Tunnicliffe (cello) with The Avison Ensemble directed by Pavlo Beznosiuk

[Traverso]

Bach Cantatas

CD 42  and more enjoyable cantatas