What are YOU listening to today?

arthound · Post by **arthound** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:36 am

Tchaikovsky 'Nutcracker' and Profofiev 'Cinderella' from this box set. Great performances and slightly warmer remastered sound if I am hearing correctly.

Prometheus · Post by **Prometheus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:49 am

josé echenique wrote: Like Prometheus I have also been listening to Bruckner´s colossal Symphony Nr. 5.
In fact I have been listening to 2 versions, both with the great Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the above with Bernard Haitink and the also recently issued Lorin Maazel in the same BR label part of a 1999 complete cycle.
The Fifth is very dear to me, I first heard it in 1979 precisely with Haitink and the Concertgebouw in top form and it was a highlight of my musical life. I also have long cherished Haitink´s VPO version in Philips, so it´s kind of sad to report that I found this 2010 recording nice, dutiful, prim-and-proper but not particularly enlightening or exciting, especially when compared to the Maazel.
Maazel takes his time with Bruckner, his recording is 3 seconds shy of 80 minutes, 5 minutes longer than Haitink, who curiously was slower in the VPO version that needed 2 cds.
But Maazel uses his time well, his reading never drags, and the great coda of the last movement is unbelievably exciting. It is interesting to compare how different the BRSO sounds under these 2 conductors. For Haitink they produce a lighter, more economical sound, whereas for Maazel they just couldn´t be thicker, denser or more powerful.
I have to live a little longer with both recordings to reach a final conclusion, but at first hearing the Maazel is the winner.

Thanks for the info on those recordings, josé. Bruckner 5 is a favorite of mine as well. The Harnoncourt disc has good sound throughout, an increasingly loud finale, and the timpani rolls at the end sound well. It includes a 2nd disc with rehearsals.

Prometheus · Post by **Prometheus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:54 am

Stravinsky-The Firebird-Craft-Naxos.

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:18 am

Prometheus wrote:Stravinsky-The Firebird-Craft-Naxos.

Ah, that's a disc that has tempted me quite a lot recently. Is it a good one Prometheus?

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:20 am

Brahms - Symphony No.1 (Arturo Toscanini, NBC Symphony Orchestra, RCA) below

Mozart - Oboe Concerto (Randall Wolfgang, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, DG)

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:22 am

ravel30 wrote:
Fergus wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:
Seán wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:Beethoven - Symphony No.3 'Eroica' & No.8 (Osmo Vanska, Minnesota Orchestra, BIS)

Do you like it?
Yes I am really pleased with it so far - adds something just a little bit different to the sets I already have.
Seán played a bit of that set for me fairly recently and that was my immediate reaction too....it is on the Wish List
Heard the 5th symphony of that set on the radio the other day and I was totally blown away. I have rarely heard a Beethoven symphony that sounded so clear.

I think it is on my wish list too .

Nice talking with you again Sean, Fergus and Bombasticdarren.

Matt.

It's a fine set Matt, I can't wait to hear more tonight when I get home from university

I hope you are able to get hold of it soon

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:19 am

bombasticDarren wrote:
Prometheus wrote:Stravinsky-The Firebird-Craft-Naxos.

Ah, that's a disc that has tempted me quite a lot recently. Is it a good one Prometheus? :?: :idea:

I like especially that recording of The Firebird very well.

There's even a small detail of the score, in which regard this account is a "first performance" ; )

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:20 am

Schoenberg
Erwartung, Opus 17, Monodrama in one act
Janis Martin, sop
BBC Symphony
Boulez

Cheers,
~Karl

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:52 am

Fabio Biondi and Rinaldo Alessandrini play Bach with poise, elegance and Mediterranean warmth.
I think Bach would have been delighted.

Sergeant Rock · Post by **Sergeant Rock** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:59 am

Listening to Robert Simpson's Third Symphony, Horenstein conducting the LSO

Sarge

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:07 am

Bartok - Violin Sonata No.1 (Christian Tetzlaff/Leif Ove Andsnes, Virgin Classics)

Mozart - Bassoon Concerto (Frank Morelli, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, DG)

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No.6 'Pathetique' (Wilhelm Furtwangler, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Naxos Historical) below

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:19 pm

Mravinsky/Leningrad make an ideal combination in IV & V.

ChamberNut · Post by **ChamberNut** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:48 pm

Antoine de lhoyer (1768-1852)

Guitar Duo No. 1 in A major, Op.31
Guitar Duo No. 2 in C major, Op.31
Guitar Duo No. 3 in E minor, Op.31

Duo Spinosi
Naive

*If you love classical guitar music, check out de lhoyer's music.

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:51 pm

LPs

Herold - Overture to "Zampa" (Wolff/London)
Schubert - Trout Quintet (P. Serkin et al/Vanguard)
Bruch - Kol Nidrei (Fournier/DGG)

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:59 pm

Beethoven - Symphony No.4 & No.5 (Osmo Vanska, Minnesota Orchestra, BIS)

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:29 pm

Fergus wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:
Seán wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:Beethoven - Symphony No.3 'Eroica' & No.8 (Osmo Vanska, Minnesota Orchestra, BIS)

Do you like it?
Yes I am really pleased with it so far - adds something just a little bit different to the sets I already have.
Seán played a bit of that set for me fairly recently and that was my immediate reaction too....it is on the Wish List

You are welcome to come over and to listen to it again.

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 2:34 pm

ravel30 wrote: Heard the 5th symphony of that set on the radio the other day and I was totally blown away. I have rarely heard a Beethoven symphony that sounded so clear.

I think it is on my wish list too .

Nice talking with you again Sean, Fergus and Bombasticdarren.

Matt.

Welcome back Matt, it's good to have you back. Don is right the Vänskä/Minnesota Orchestra Beethoven cycle is well worth getting.

By the way, I bought a copy of the Kempff Schubert Sonata cycle and I really like it, it's gorgeous music-making, thanks for bringing it to our attention.

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:05 pm

Brahms - 'Liebestrau', 'Spanisches Lied', 'Die Trauernde', 'Der Schmied', 'Die Liebende schreibt', 'Liebesklage des Madchens', 'Gold uberwiegt die Liebe' & 'Von waldberkranzter Hohe' (Jessye Norman/Daniel Barenboim, DG) below

Sibelius - Symphony No.3 (John Barbirolli, Halle Orchestra, EMI)

Smetana - 'Vltava' (Antoni Wit, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Naxos)

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:54 pm

ravel30 wrote: ....Nice talking with you again Sean, Fergus and Bombasticdarren.

Matt.

Welcome back Matt

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:56 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:Brahms - Symphony No.1 (Arturo Toscanini, NBC Symphony Orchestra, RCA) below

I am very interested to read how you got on with that one Darren as Brahms/Toscanini is on my Wish List.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:59 pm

karlhenning wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:
Prometheus wrote:Stravinsky-The Firebird-Craft-Naxos.

Ah, that's a disc that has tempted me quite a lot recently. Is it a good one Prometheus?
I like especially that recording of The Firebird very well.

There's even a small detail of the score, in which regard this account is a "first performance" ; )

Cheers,
~Karl

I also like the look of that one

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:03 pm

josé echenique wrote:

Fabio Biondi and Rinaldo Alessandrini play Bach with poise, elegance and Mediterranean warmth.
I think Bach would have been delighted.

That is one that I would love to hear, particularly with those two playing

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:08 pm

Fergus wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:Brahms - Symphony No.1 (Arturo Toscanini, NBC Symphony Orchestra, RCA) below

I am very interested to read how you got on with that one Darren as Brahms/Toscanini is on my Wish List.

I was really exciting; fast-paced and brassy. If I hadn't known better I would have sworn it was a stereo recording

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:09 pm

Seán wrote:You are welcome to come over and to listen to it again.

Thank you very much for that Seán but I want to get you over to my place for a return leg but having work done in the house at the moment which is not condusive either to listening or to guests but I will let you know when it is safe.

That Vanska/Beethoven set is a definite for me; it is just a question of whittling down the List at the moment

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:10 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:
Fergus wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:Brahms - Symphony No.1 (Arturo Toscanini, NBC Symphony Orchestra, RCA) below

I am very interested to read how you got on with that one Darren as Brahms/Toscanini is on my Wish List.
I was really exciting; fast-paced and brassy. If I hadn't known better I would have sworn it was a stereo recording

Exactly as I had hoped....thank you for that

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:11 pm

I revisited Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 this evening and I certainly reconfirmed No. 3 as being my favourite one of the three.

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:59 pm

Fergus wrote:
josé echenique wrote:

Fabio Biondi and Rinaldo Alessandrini play Bach with poise, elegance and Mediterranean warmth.
I think Bach would have been delighted.
That is one that I would love to hear, particularly with those two playing

Bach´s sonatas for violin & cembalo have been extraordinarily well served in recordings Fergus. From the times of Grumiaux and Menuhim to the present, there are dozens of EXCELLENT and I mean, really excellent recordings: Grumiaux and Jaccottet, Kuijken and Leonhardt (my first recording), Reinhard Goebel, Rachel Podger, Viktoria Mullova (twice, first in the modern violin with Bruno Canino and more recently in period instruments with her marvelous mentor Ottavio Dantone), Giuliano Carmignola and Andrea Marcon, etc. But I have a soft spot for the Biondi/Alessandrini team. They are so musical, so selfless, so unaffected, so sunny, and so right! that´s always a pleasure to return to this recording, and it´s marvelously recorded too!

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:49 pm

Fergus wrote:

I revisited Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 this evening and I certainly reconfirmed No. 3 as being my favourite one of the three.

Not that I know your personal tastes, Fergus, but #3 is the least dissonant and most melodic (which translate into "most conservative') of the three, so I'm not surprised that most people find #3 the most accessible.

Keep listening to #2. It's a great one!!

Prometheus · Post by **Prometheus** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:27 am

Fergus wrote:
karlhenning wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:
Prometheus wrote:Stravinsky-The Firebird-Craft-Naxos.

Ah, that's a disc that has tempted me quite a lot recently. Is it a good one Prometheus?
I like especially that recording of The Firebird very well.

There's even a small detail of the score, in which regard this account is a "first performance" ; )

Cheers,
~Karl
I also like the look of that one

Darren and Fergus,

The disc is good as I have found all of the Stravinsky / Craft discs on Naxos to be thus far. This is the only complete Firebird I have as the other is of the Suite.

Prometheus · Post by **Prometheus** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:31 am

Mahler-Des Knaben Wunderhorn-Hampson-DG.

Gave this a first listen tonight.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:51 am

bombasticDarren wrote:

One of the best Lieder Recitals ever made...

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 7:35 am

Prometheus wrote: Darren and Fergus,

The disc is good as I have found all of the Stravinsky / Craft discs on Naxos to be thus far. This is the only complete Firebird I have as the other is of the Suite.

Stravinsky's version is well worth having too, and can be had for a song on amazon:

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:52 am

In these sad times of shootings in supermarkets it´s easy to be cynical about an opera like La Sonnambula, but what the hell, if Chopin, Liszt and Glinka loved it, I surely do too.
The great soprano Mariella Devia is spectacular in the title role, and not only for her amazing coloratura but for her ability to shape exquisitely Bellini´s music. It´s a great pity the big record companies mostly ignored her, because really, they recorded much inferior sopranos from the 80´s to the present day when Mariella Devia was at her finest. The fine tenor Luca Canonici is also a stylish and lyrical Elvino. An important document for Bel Canto lovers.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:41 am

bombasticDarren wrote:
Fergus wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:Brahms - Symphony No.1 (Arturo Toscanini, NBC Symphony Orchestra, RCA) below

I am very interested to read how you got on with that one Darren as Brahms/Toscanini is on my Wish List.
I was really exciting; fast-paced and brassy. If I hadn't known better I would have sworn it was a stereo recording

I grew up with that Toscanini/Brahms I on a 78RPM set that I still have in my collection (sadly the first disc cracked in half when I moved to NY).

The reason the first movement cracks along so quickly is that Toscanini, in his eagerness to brush away the cobwebs, decided to conduct the opening of the first movement with two or three long pulses per bar (6/8=2 beats, 9/8=3 beats), instead of subdividing and conducting 6 or 9 beats per measure as was the practice at the time. The idea was revolutionary then, and has been copied by many conductors (Szell) with less success.

Toscanini was the original HIP thinker, IMHO. Don't know how he might have gotten on with vibrato-less performance practice, but his ideas about tempo certainly reflect a strong inclination to go back to basics and the composers' intentions, stripping away layers of mush that had accumulated with larger orchestras and "traditions" of lush, "romantic" playing with plush sound and excess rubato.

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:15 pm

Dvorak - Overture to "Rusalka" (Stankovsky/Marco Polo)
Dvorak - Requiem (Macal/Delos)

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:29 pm

Seán wrote:Stravinsky's version is well worth having too, and can be had for a song :lol: on amazon:

That box is practically an obligatory purchase : )

Cheers,
~Karl

absinthe · Post by **absinthe** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:36 pm

karlhenning wrote:
Seán wrote:Stravinsky's version is well worth having too, and can be had for a song on amazon:

That box is practically an obligatory purchase : )

Cheers,
~Karl

Yup. At the price you get an awful lot of coasters for your money. It would cost at least double to acquire as many cork or plastic coasters.

Well, keep the three ballets and Agon....

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:45 pm

Havergal Brian

Symphony № 1, Gothic (1919-27)
Whole lotta people
Ondrej Lenard, conducting

Symphony № 17 (1960-61)
Symphony № 32 (1968)
RTÉ National Symphony
Leaper

Cheers,
~Karl

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:47 pm

josé echenique wrote: Bach´s sonatas for violin & cembalo have been extraordinarily well served in recordings Fergus. From the times of Grumiaux and Menuhim to the present, there are dozens of EXCELLENT and I mean, really excellent recordings: Grumiaux and Jaccottet, Kuijken and Leonhardt (my first recording), Reinhard Goebel, Rachel Podger, Viktoria Mullova (twice, first in the modern violin with Bruno Canino and more recently in period instruments with her marvelous mentor Ottavio Dantone), Giuliano Carmignola and Andrea Marcon, etc. But I have a soft spot for the Biondi/Alessandrini team. They are so musical, so selfless, so unaffected, so sunny, and so right! that´s always a pleasure to return to this recording, and it´s marvelously recorded too!

I have absolutely no doubt about what you say José which is why I would love to hear it but have you noticed what price it is going for now

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:50 pm

johnQpublic wrote: Not that I know your personal tastes, Fergus, but #3 is the least dissonant and most melodic (which translate into "most conservative') of the three, so I'm not surprised that most people find #3 the most accessible.

Keep listening to #2. It's a great one!!

Very adequately summed up in relation to me John

I have to say I do enjoy No. 2 but it still requires some more work on my behalf for me to fully appreciate it....but I am not terribly far away I think

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:53 pm

Prometheus wrote: Darren and Fergus,

The disc is good as I have found all of the Stravinsky / Craft discs on Naxos to be thus far. This is the only complete Firebird I have as the other is of the Suite.

You make a compelling case....duly moved to Wish List status

absinthe · Post by **absinthe** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:58 pm

Has anyone heard this record and willing to comment?
I like Munch with Beethoven and the Boston defies comment - so does Leontyne Price - but the sound hasn't quite the characteristics of (the many) other Living Stereo recordings I have, for which there could be several reasons....

Incidentally it was cheaper to buy as a CD in the UK than an MP3 dld.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 4:00 pm

maestrob wrote: I grew up with that Toscanini/Brahms I on a 78RPM set that I still have in my collection (sadly the first disc cracked in half when I moved to NY).

The reason the first movement cracks along so quickly is that Toscanini, in his eagerness to brush away the cobwebs, decided to conduct the opening of the first movement with two or three long pulses per bar (6/8=2 beats, 9/8=3 beats), instead of subdividing and conducting 6 or 9 beats per measure as was the practice at the time. The idea was revolutionary then, and has been copied by many conductors (Szell) with less success.

Toscanini was the original HIP thinker, IMHO. Don't know how he might have gotten on with vibrato-less performance practice, but his ideas about tempo certainly reflect a strong inclination to go back to basics and the composers' intentions, stripping away layers of mush that had accumulated with larger orchestras and "traditions" of lush, "romantic" playing with plush sound and excess rubato.

Thank you very much for those thoughts. I have only relatively recently "discovered" Toscanini and everything that I have heard with him so far I have enjoyed. That thought in relation to the HIP performance practice requires a bit more study on my behalf but I must say that I can see where you are coming from with it. Whenever I listen to Toscanini's performances from now on I will study them in greater depth with your comment in mind

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 4:01 pm

Beethoven – Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8 Klemperer.

I was hoping that No. 7 would not be a slower and more ponderous performance than it obviously should be and I was not disappointed in this regard. The tempi were adequately paced throughout and the textures and “feel” of the performance were not “heavy” resulting in a most enjoyable performance.
No. 8 was an equally enjoyable performance.

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:40 am

Madetoja - Comedy Overture (Panula/Finlandia)
Sallinen - Sunrise Serenade (Kamu/Naxos)
Kaipainen - Symphony #3 (Lintu/Ondine)

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 12:11 pm

karlhenning wrote:
Seán wrote:Stravinsky's version is well worth having too, and can be had for a song on amazon:

That box is practically an obligatory purchase : )

Cheers,
~Karl

I wholeheartedly agree Karl

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:26 pm

Beethoven - Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Osmo Vanska, Minnesota Orchestra, BIS)

Schubert - Piano Trio No.1 (Frank Braley/Renaud Capucon/Gautier Capucon, Virgin Classics) below

Wolf - 'Italienische Serenade' & 'Scherzo und Finale' (Daniel Barenboim, Orchestre de Paris, Warner Apex)

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:12 pm

Franz Schubert
Symphony No. 1
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Nikolaus Harnoncourt

I listened to this recording last night and tonight. The performance of the Franz Bruggen and the Orchestra of the 18th Century in Schubert's First Symphony is my favourite rendition of this lovely work. On this recording Harnoncourt resisted the temptation to go for an over-bearing Big Band approach it is light and the strings of the Concergebouw sound wonderful throughout. This is a fine performance, is beautifully recorded, it is very enjoyable indeed, that said , it will not replace Bruggen in my affections.
Once again I find that Harnoncourt is ALWAYS interesting.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:24 pm

Seán wrote:

I am interested

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:25 pm

Who is online