The Classical Music Guide Forums

Febnyc

Symphony No. 3 of Guy Ropartz (1864-1955). More or less languid throughout (with some interstices of "animé), but with lots of strength. The choral finale simply is beautiful - not with the awesome emotion of, say, the Mahler 2nd, but in a more subtle way - with the voices intertwined with the orche...

Febnyc

Belle wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 11, 2023 4:33 pm
What is your preferred "Lieder Ohne Worte"? They're not all even pieces, to be sure, but some of these are very lovely indeed. I loved playing Mendelssohn back when I was a piano student.

I have long enjoyed this one:

Febnyc

Carly Simon (recorded 1990) - great singer, classic songs, brilliant acoustics.

(She's 80 years old - gosh!)

Febnyc

The tension in the music seemed to match the tension of driving this mess, but I'll tell you, the moment the symphony ended, the very minute, the traffic suddenly cleared up and I was able to drive at a normal speed, change lanes, and get off at the right exit. The music is that powerful. https://w...

Febnyc

Febnyc recommended starting with the 7th Symphony, so here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB5D9cLSiZs Thanks for referring to my recommendation for the Seventh. This version I think is awfully slow. Maybe the tempo enhances the "song of the soul" that Pettersson often, and mostly in this wor...

Febnyc

Lance - thanks for featuring the music of Joseph Ryelandt, a composer who I very much admire. He certainly flies beneath most radars, although there are a few labels which have recorded his works. Etcetera has an additional chamber disc - KTC1655 - with a few sonatas for winds. In addition, Toccata ...

Febnyc

He gives me a sense that he's taking me on a long journey, but he winds up just driving around and around the same block. Excellent analogy. And although I have all Pettersson's symphonies it would take me a long time to make it through the cycle. I'd often need to get out of the car for relief - m...

Febnyc

But who would argue that he led an extraordinary life - it's mind-blowing to think about everything Kissinger undertook. A refugee from Hitler's Germany to becoming a household name around the world - and, of course, a featured character in an opera! Who could top that?

Febnyc

Thanks for that excellent overview of A Colour Symphony . And I appreciated a re-introduction to its genesis. Terrific. I've enjoyed this work of Bliss's for a long time - having it on an old (1990s) Nimbus CD - Barry Wordsworth conducting the BBC Welsh SO. Sir Arthur, I would say, gets lost in the ...

Febnyc

I find the Seventh Symphony the least troublesome.

Febnyc

Acte Préalable is a remarkable label offering many surprises in their catalogue. You're right. I own dozens of AP discs. They're put together with quality, the notes are comprehensive (needed for these obscure composers) and the performances generally are top-notch. Re Kątski - It dawned on me that...

Febnyc

Just out of curiosity, I listened today to an Alto CD [1403] (originally recorded in 1988 by Omega/Vanguard) containing 15 original rags performed by pianist William Bolcom , who claims his three American idols include Charles Ives, Scott Joplin, and George Gershwin. This disc contains the most wel...

Febnyc

Lance - I agree. That Kątski (pronouced Kontski, and sometimes spelled that way) CD is a winner. I bought it, and a few others from that Polish label, a few months ago - and have listened countless times. The symphony transcription for piano sextet is a remarkable work (and, oh!, that slow movement).

Febnyc

Rach3 wrote: ↑
Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:27 am
A pleasant surprise which held my attention throughout and will be a re-hear periodically. It is at YT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDtm52cI0-o

Glad you agree - it's really a fine symphony.

Febnyc

Just heard Weingartner's Second Symphony. Initial impressions are good: certainly it's more cohesive than, say, Furtwangler's sprawling Second Symphony. I may return to it in future, but for now it's a one-listen work. The comparison with Furtwängler's Second I hope is not meant to damn the Weingar...

Febnyc

The music of Joly Braga Santos (1924-1988) became less traditional and increasingly chromatic toward his later years, but his earlier works really attract me. Of them all, I often turn to his Symphony No.4 which, for me, is a glorious work. Its four movements stretch to about an hour - and it's quit...

Febnyc

Very interesting, Frank. Seems I have some exploring to do. Of course you know this - but the JPC website (home of CPO label) has samples of the Weingartner works which they've recorded. Here, for instance, are some blips from the edition of his complete symphonies: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/det...

Febnyc

In anticipation of seeing Maestro, I am watching this stunning masterpiece! Candide, final revised version, 1989 Awesome! In my opinion, the best score/composition Bernstein ever turned out. I've tried with his "formal" works - most, if not all, of which leave me cold. I'm full up on West Side Stor...

Febnyc

My thoughts, Lance, would go to his compositions. I've not heard much of Weingartner as a conductor, which I guess was his primary vocation/avocation (he seems to have been a composing conductor, rather than the other way around - although apparently he saw himself equal in both), but I have on my s...

Febnyc

Lance: We spoke on the telephone a number of times many years ago, in the early days of Corlyss and Ralph and that crowd. I have an idea of your age. We do the best we can - no? Exercising mind and body, eating right and hoping for good luck along the way. Music, of course, has its part - it inspire...

Febnyc

Lance wrote: ↑
Sat Nov 25, 2023 6:55 pm
I If you can guarantee me another (at least) 100 years on Earth, then I will acquire the Dutoit!

Now, that's a tall order. I've got you by a number of years - and I still enjoy the Dutoit.

Febnyc

Any votes for Dutoit/Montreal?

Febnyc

Compare the Beethoven to HvK/Berlin 1963, or the Brahms to Solti/Chicago and you'll immediately hear what I mean. These interpretations are for egotistical academics only. There is no comparison, agreed. (the finale is supposed to be slightly slower) Question: Is this the formally-established appro...

Febnyc

https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODA0OTkzOC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MzAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1MTIxNzE4MzB9 ...this CD offers Ralph Vaughan Williams at his very best. F...

Febnyc

You would think Italian would be more mellifluous than English, but in this case the English didn't sound that much different to me. And it was hard to make it out. I didn't know that about GOAT #8. Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. Hard to make out? OK - then we're still talking about ...

Febnyc

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61suK3q5LpL._SL1336_.jpg I'm looking forward to hearing this symphony again, but my initial impression is not as enthusiastic as yours. The Adagio (second movement) seems to meander more than a bit, and the soprano soloist was not quite what I'd like. Still, I'm ...

Febnyc

It sounds, well, like Mozart. I like opera in English because then I can be certain that operatic words were never meant to be understood. And when did opera ever become sensible? DiMaggio struck out 13 times all season in the year of his 56-game hitting streak. That's baseball Italian-style for ya...

Febnyc

jserraglio wrote: ↑
Thu Nov 16, 2023 1:55 pm

What does that sound like in English?

After all, H. L. Mencken said, "Opera in English, in the main, is just about as sensible as baseball in Italian."

Febnyc

maestrob wrote: ↑
Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:10 am

Looks very interesting! I'll hear this today. Many thanks!

Thanks and please let us have your impressions of this symphony.

Febnyc

maestrob wrote: ↑
Wed Nov 15, 2023 11:05 am
I enjoyed every note! Five gold stars.

Thanks - I'm sold. My wallet is a bit thinner, but who cares?

Febnyc

A new name for me, compliments of Toccata: Robin Walker (b. 1953). These four works all are full-blooded, broad-shouldered. They feature deep, dark noises from the orchestra - all tonal, to be sure - but not for the faint of heart. Walker seems to be evoking earth sounds. The CD notes point out that...

Febnyc

The Turkish composer Can Atilla (b.1969) in 2012 composed a score for a national film about the Battle of Gallipoli: Gallipoli 1915 . This led to another work, his Second Symphony, subtitled "Gallipoli - the 57th Regiment." The premiére was performed during the Peace Summit in Istanbul in 2015, the ...

Febnyc

Well, we've strayed off the topic here - but to continue the detour: For me, there's nothing like climbing up to my loft where I have thousands of CDs (and shelf room for more!) and then casting my eye along the rows to find one (many?) I haven't heard in years. It's just like opening a newly-acquir...

Febnyc

I realize that downloading is the style now. As for me, I'll stay with CDs as long as they still are produced. I like to have the program notes (especially for new, unknown music) at hand while I am listening. Just a stick-in-the mud, what can I say?

Febnyc

Honestly, so much music out there that is generally unheard that is truly worthy of hearing. Ain't that the truth! I have so many CDs of unsung composers - I wouldn't know where to start talking about them and describing their music. It's fortunate that there still are recording labels who are will...

Febnyc

jserraglio wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:38 am
I just retired in June after I hit 80 so now I have time to listen.

Congratulations. I've been retired for 27 years and highly recommend it. Enjoy the time.

Febnyc

maestrob wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:10 am
Thanks! I have them on my Spotify playlist now.

Enjoy.

I particularly like the opening bars of Trio No.3 - a wistful theme which, the second time through, is picked up by the cello - beautiful. And, a bit later, both strings take it with the piano playing some arpeggios behind them.

Febnyc

Huh? Most, indeed, not mainstream. As a matter of fact, not even a tributary.

Where do they find these candidates?

Maybe I'm the one who's not in the main stream?

Febnyc

These Piano Trios really are worth hearing:

Febnyc

I'm glad you enjoyed the zarzuela, Len. As with most of these folk operas, I find the music to be infectious and melodic. It appears that the "update" was not well received in some quarters. I'm not surprised - for me the original staging always wins out. But maybe I'm old fashioned - although I thi...

Febnyc

Two compositions by Rachmaninoff, his Suite #1, Op. 5 [also called Fantasy], and the Suite #2, Op. 17 have long been popular among duo-pianists. I had forgotten that both of these Suites were orchestrated for one piano with orchestra. Suite #1 was Rebekah Harkness; Suite #2 was orchestrated for one...

Febnyc

jserraglio wrote: ↑
Thu Nov 09, 2023 3:15 pm

Voce Humana (Human Voice) 2014 featuring Sophia Loren. Dir. by her son, Eduardo Ponti. (30 min. short).

https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2051626 ... e/#credits

Brava, Sophia!

Febnyc

Lance wrote: ↑
Thu Nov 09, 2023 2:26 am
One other day, we have almost 200. I know we are being watched. What will it take to get their input hereon?

Lance - have you considered a pop-up invitation or landing page which would appear when a non-registered visitor accesses the site? Properly worded, these can be effective.

Febnyc

OMG - Signora Sophia! The most stunning movie star of them all.

She's 89 years old now and still looks glamorous. (PS - we share the same birthday - but she's six years older.) Swooning...

Febnyc

Thanks, Lance, for reminding us of these very lovely piano pieces. I have a Pavane disc (2006 recording) of some Bizet piano music, which includes the Chants du Rhin , beautifully realized by Peter Vanhove. I will be spinning this CD today to brighten up an otherwise dreary Thursday here in Fairfiel...

Febnyc

Ricordanza wrote: ↑
Thu Nov 09, 2023 6:17 am
Are these human beings or bots?

Good question.

As I type now there are 151 guests showing overall and 52 on this board.

Febnyc

HERBERT KEGEL, conductor (German, 1920-1990) Coincidentally, yesterday I took down off the shelf my Capriccio CD of Beethoven's Sixth, Kegel conducting. It's a very good performance - although falls short of my favorite Sixth, that of Fürtwängler's with the Stockholm PO on EMI. F's transition from ...

Febnyc

Enjoy!

Febnyc

lennygoran wrote: ↑
Fri Nov 03, 2023 8:22 am
Here's a link to what Amazon has. BTW I definitely want my DVD's to have captions! Regards, Len

Thanks, Len.

The Bréton (La Verbena de la Paloma) is a lovely work. I've heard it only, and I imagine a DVD would even be more entertaining.

Febnyc

I actually grew up with Rozhdestvensky's stereo Melodiya recording, available here on Angel records, which is faithful to Prokofiev's original score with its sublime, peaceful ending. Thanks, I've heard the Rozhdestvensky which you mention, and which I believe is considered the benchmark for this w...

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