What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[DavidRoss]

Vänskä's Sibelius 7 to start the day 

Now we're cookin' with gas!

Mahler: Symphony No. 7 In E Minor, "Lied Der Nacht"
Not sure why this is regarded as Mahlers most difficult Symphony? I find it pretty easy going - It has some really fine moments and a great Finale!

It's always been one of my faves. And that Abbado/CSO recording, too!

Thread duty -- about to return to Haitink/CSO Mahler 2. (Got interrupted too many times while trying to listen last night.) So far it sure seems to have many of the same virtues as the Haitink/CSO M3 & M6 -- powerful, beautiful, graceful, strong, respectful, emotionally responsive, thoughtful ... fusing the best of Haitink with the strengths of the Chicago, perhaps? Odd that their M1 strikes me as lackluster ... maybe I need to give it yet another serious hearing.

[Sergeant Rock]

Beethoven Piano Sonata #2 A major op.2/2 played by Lilya Zilberstein, a recording that has perhaps the best piano sound I've ever heard. Sounds like the Bechstein is in the room with me. This CD should appeal to those who think many female pianists prostitute themselves. Here the photo is chaste, the artist modest, with her name not even mentioned on the front cover, and almost hidden on the back in a font a fourth the size of Beethoven's name.






Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Good morning, Dave!

Ferenc on Friday!

Liszt
Rapsodie hongroise № 10 in E, S.244 № 10
Rapsodie hongroise № 11 in a minor, S.244 № 11
Rapsodie hongroise № 12 in c# minor, S.244 № 12
Rapsodie hongroise № 13 in a minor, S.244 № 13
Jenő Jandó

[asin]B00002EPSC[/asin]

[Papy Oli]

good afternoon all 

A bit of Janacek - On an overgrown path (Paul Crossley)

[Karl Henning]

Bonjour, Oli!

Chopin
Piano Sonata № 1 in c minor, Op.4 (1828)
Leif Ove Andsnes

[asin]B000026CIG[/asin]

[Lisztianwagner]

Thread duty:

Edvard Grieg
Piano Concerto in A minor

[Karl Henning]

First-Listen Fridays! Though it is something of a dizzy thought, that there are some Beethoven piano sonatas I have not yet heard . . . .

LvB
Piano Sonata № 15 in D Op.28 « Pastoral »
Wilhelm Kempff

[asin]B001CGJ3QS[/asin]

[DavidRoss]

Good morning, Dave!

Guten morgen, Karl!

Today we bury my friend -- 4 weeks and 2 days after diagnosis. She's singing with the angels now, but her husband must make do with the love of his friends. Fortunately, he has a lot of us.

It seems appropriate that I listen to Mahler's "Resurrection" symphony this morning -- Haitink's CSO release.

Ever since I started collecting classical records, Haitink has been among my favorite conductors. Whenever I hear his old LvB 5th, it stands out as a near perfect reading of the symphony. There's something special about the way Haitink gets inside of certain pieces and reveals nuances most others miss. I think it has to do with the self-effacing respect for the music that leads some to regard him as dull.

Listening to the scherzo of his recent M2 with Chicago, I was struck by the beauty and lilting grace of his conception and the CSO's playing. I recall some reviewer trashing this movement in particular under Haitink, for being bland and not biting and sarcastic enough. Yet I wonder how Mahler himself would have liked it. It seems to me that those who think Mahler's folksy elements should be caustic and mocking might be less insightful than they imagine. Mahler grew up with such music in his father's tavern. I think he loved it and that's why his symphonies are infused with it, despite the disapproval of the critics of his day.

Haitink gets that. And not only gets that, but helps others to get it too.

The orchestra is smashing! ... with more delicacy and sweetness when called for than I would have credited them for, and with oodles of power in reserve (so much more impressive than just playing flat out!).  And the singing is terrific, too, by both soloists and the chorus. In short, I find nothing to fault and much to love about this recording. I suspect it will join my short list of faves.

You can hear Haitink and the CSO perform the M2 for FREE here at the CSO's website: http://cso.org/ListenAndWatch/Details.aspx?id=8363 . It's also available via Mog. (And thanks, DaveW, for calling my attention to Mog awhile back -- the best $5/month I've ever spent!)

[Sadko]

Beethoven Piano Sonata #2 A major op.2/2 played by Lilya Zilberstein, a recording that has perhaps the best piano sound I've ever heard. Sounds like the Bechstein is in the room with me. This CD should appeal to those who think many female pianists prostitute themselves. Here the photo is chaste, the artist modest, with her name not even mentioned on the front cover, and almost hidden on the back in a font a fourth the size of Beethoven's name.





Sarge

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll put it on the wish list. Indeed, it did take me a moment to discover the artist's name. As to "prostitution", I don't mind something cheeky or daring now and then, if it fits the subject and is done with taste (or bad taste and humour  ). But I do hate this new fashion of see-through trying to sell-by-flesh. On me it has an adverse effect, I don't like to be manipulated.

[Sadko]

... And I liked the testbits I just listened to, so it went from the wish list to the shopping cart 

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

I begin to be convinced that this complete recording of Prokofiev's symphonies might be one of the very best I have heard. Somehow Jarvi hits the right nerve for me, for his journey through them is a deep one, and a passionate one as well. I am so immersed into his interpretation of the sixth which I think perfect in every way. The introduction Allegro moderato carries so much weight and insight, that the bare soul of the composer comes at the surface and that's rather scary. I get goosebumps just hearing those violins cry out with the sustained alto's on the back. The urgency of the music is readily at hand in the hands of Jarvi, especially when the brass sets in at about 8:00 minutes, and then the mighty sound breaks out. Breathtaking! Incredible fine sound and performance.

[Sergeant Rock]

... And I liked the testbits I just listened to, so it went from the wish list to the shopping cart 

I don't think you'll be disappointed. The second half of the recital is available too. All Brahms.

Sarge

[North Star]

Today we bury my friend -- 4 weeks and 2 days after diagnosis. She's singing with the angels now, but her husband must make do with the love of his friends. Fortunately, he has a lot of us.

I'm sorry for you, David.

good afternoon all 

A bit of Janacek - On an overgrown path (Paul Crossley)

Afternoon, Papy! Great stuff, isn't it?

I love that Tenth with the Philadelphia Orchestra!

Excellent, Karl!

Thread duty:

Shostakovich
Symphonies nos. 11 & 12
Mariss Jansons
[asin]B000G6BJS0[/asin]

Debussy
Etudes
Béroff
[asin]B0040UEI36[/asin]

[Sergeant Rock]

Debussy Images (Gigues, Ibéria, Rondes de printemps), Stéphane Denève conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra




Sarge

[mc ukrneal]

Guten morgen, Karl!

Today we bury my friend -- 4 weeks and 2 days after diagnosis. She's singing with the angels now, but her husband must make do with the love of his friends. Fortunately, he has a lot of us.

It seems appropriate that I listen to Mahler's "Resurrection" symphony this morning -- Haitink's CSO release.

Ever since I started collecting classical records, Haitink has been among my favorite conductors. Whenever I hear his old LvB 5th, it stands out as a near perfect reading of the symphony. There's something special about the way Haitink gets inside of certain pieces and reveals nuances most others miss. I think it has to do with the self-effacing respect for the music that leads some to regard him as dull.

Listening to the scherzo of his recent M2 with Chicago, I was struck by the beauty and lilting grace of his conception and the CSO's playing. I recall some reviewer trashing this movement in particular under Haitink, for being bland and not biting and sarcastic enough. Yet I wonder how Mahler himself would have liked it. It seems to me that those who think Mahler's folksy elements should be caustic and mocking might be less insightful than they imagine. Mahler grew up with such music in his father's tavern. I think he loved it and that's why his symphonies are infused with it, despite the disapproval of the critics of his day.

Haitink gets that. And not only gets that, but helps others to get it too.

The orchestra is smashing! ... with more delicacy and sweetness when called for than I would have credited them for, and with oodles of power in reserve (so much more impressive than just playing flat out!).  And the singing is terrific, too, by both soloists and the chorus. In short, I find nothing to fault and much to love about this recording. I suspect it will join my short list of faves.

You can hear Haitink and the CSO perform the M2 for FREE here at the CSO's website: http://cso.org/ListenAndWatch/Details.aspx?id=8363 . It's also available via Mog. (And thanks, DaveW, for calling my attention to Mog awhile back -- the best $5/month I've ever spent!)

A reminder that life is precious. So sorry to hear that she finally succumbed - and so quickly. You hopefully have some wonderful memories of her to remember her by. If you feel like sharing, feel free. Regardless, our thoughts are with you, friends, and family.

[Karl Henning]

LvB
String Quartet № 9 in C Op.59 № 3 « Razumovsky »
Vermeer Quartet

[asin]B0001ZA2IE[/asin]

[Lisztianwagner]

Today we bury my friend -- 4 weeks and 2 days after diagnosis. She's singing with the angels now, but her husband must make do with the love of his friends. Fortunately, he has a lot of us.

I'm deeply sorry, David; her spirit will be kept alive forever by who's loved her.

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.5 - Adagietto

[asin]B000001GR0[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

Today we bury my friend -- 4 weeks and 2 days after diagnosis. She's singing with the angels now, but her husband must make do with the love of his friends. Fortunately, he has a lot of us.

God be with you all!

[Sergeant Rock]

Debussy Jeux, Stéphane Denève conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra




Sarge

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

I really love the first Symphony, so many traces of Sibelius, and yet such a individual voice. Sweeping gulfs of sweet romanticism, with some woodwinds that Sibelius could have composed, just listen to the closing bars of the second movement!  The first movement is a great introduction to the work, many will be unable to dislike it, its simply gorgeous. And a lot of ideas and passion are unleashed in the third movement, well scored for every desk, this you must give him, he is a good orchestrator. The performance is without doubt a very good one, the Seattle Symphony give their very best. The sound is spacious, and has a very good front to back image, with other words a lot of depth.

Symphony No. 1 in E minor, "Nordic".