What are YOU listening to today?

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:35 pm

Fergus wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:
Fergus wrote:Schumann – Symphonies 1 & 2, BPO/von Karajan....

Are you enjoying this set Fergus?
Absolutely Darren....I find them to be strong, powerful performances and I would personally rate them highly. I came late to Schumann's music and I know that HvK is now somewhat out of fashion but I like him and I am only sorry that I did not purchase this set earlier

I have to admit I have never heard these performances. Among the sets of the Schumann symphonies that I own are: Szell/Cleveland, Kubelik/BRSO, Sawallisch/Staatskapelle Dresden, Haitink/Concertgebouw, Gardiner/ORR, Goodman/Hanover Band, Sinopoli/Staatskapelle Dresden, Sawallisch/Philadelphia Orchestra, Herreweghe/Orchestre des Champs Elysées, Chailly/Gewandhausorchester and Celibidache with the Munich Philharmonic. I wonder if the Karajan set is worth adding to the collection.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:24 pm

josé echenique wrote:I wonder if the Karajan set is worth adding to the collection.

You can certainly have mine...

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:00 am

^ Ahem, yeah... And mine, too!

This said, Karajan's recording of the Fourth Symphony from around 1960, which on EMI is paired with his Philharmonia recording of Brahms's Fourth, is well executed.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:52 am

Chalkperson wrote:
josé echenique wrote:I wonder if the Karajan set is worth adding to the collection.
You can certainly have mine...

I am enjoying them anyway

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:55 am

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:20 am

Haydn - Symphony No.63 'La Roxelane' (Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, DG) below

Ravel - Violin Sonata (Arthur Grumiaux/Maurice Gendron, Philips)

Schumann - Symphony No.2 (Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, DG)

val · Post by **val** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 6:25 am

VARÈSE: Octandre, Offrandes, Density 21,5, Intégrales

/ Ensemble Intercontemporain, Boulez

A different aspect of Varese's music, far from the violence of Amériques or Arcana. Octandre, Intégrales are elegant works, with a subtle poetry and as wonderful sense of instrumental color. Density 21,5 reminds Debussy's Syrinx. The two songs of Offrandes, with their deep lyricism, are among the most beautiful inspirations of the composer.
The interpreters are superlative.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 6:26 am

Ken wrote:^ Ahem, yeah... And mine, too!

This said, Karajan's recording of the Fourth Symphony from around 1960, which on EMI is paired with his Philharmonia recording of Brahms's Fourth, is well executed.

The Brahms 4th with the Philharmonia on that disc is one of the best on record. I prefer it to any of Karajan's commercial BPO recordings.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:50 am

bombasticDarren wrote:Schumann - Symphony No.2 (Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, DG)

Good for you

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:50 am

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:42 am

Chalkperson wrote:
josé echenique wrote:I wonder if the Karajan set is worth adding to the collection.
You can certainly have mine...

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:50 am

I think the 3 cds that Richard Hickox recorded of Hummel masses are his greatest legacy. The masses are extraordinary and the performances exemplary.

moldyoldie · Post by **moldyoldie** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:58 am

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 2 (A London Symphony); Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, cond.
EMI
Coming to Bernard Haitink's late '80s rendition of Ralph Vaughan Williams' circa WWI pictorial A London Symphony is like beholding a great city stupefied as to its post-Victorian destiny. While the soft tolling of Big Ben is barely perceived upon a peaceful daybreak, our anticipation that the capital of The Empire will eventually spring to life is quashed by a surfeit of soft legato phrasing throughout, all abetted by tempi and dynamics seemingly meant to draw us into this city's collective daylong reverie...or perhaps its living on the edge of a shattered dream filled with self-doubt.

To the novice listener, instead of exemplifying one of the world's diverse centers of culture and commerce as heard in fine recordings from the likes of Boult, Handley, and Previn; this is London on a solemn and sobering Sunday, perhaps too hungover from Saturday night to ever get out of bed and get dressed for church. It's probably best listened to in a like state -- don't worry, you won't wake the neighbors.

The appended Tallis Fantasia, a truly great and powerful piece for string orchestra, is given the same downy, yet downtrodden treatment. Is this supposed to be the antecedent of Britain's forthcoming place in the 20th century? Was the composer this calmly despondent at the state of the world? For that matter, was Haitink?

I'm thinking both these sleepy "new age" performances are more reflectively reactive to Thatcher's world than of Vaughan Williams to his.

Prometheus · Post by **Prometheus** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:59 am

Vaughan Williams-Mass in G-Edison-Naxos.

In addition to the Mass the disc includes a few Motets.

Stravinsky-Piano Works-Beroff-EMI.

This 2 disc set contains solo works as well pieces for piano and orchestra.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:47 pm

josé echenique wrote:

I think the 3 cds that Richard Hickox recorded of Hummel masses are his greatest legacy. The masses are extraordinary and the performances exemplary.

So is his Recording of Schubert's Mass No.6 in E Major, it's certainly the equal of Robert Shaw's Telarc disc...

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:31 pm

Franz Schubert,
Symphony 1 & 9,
Eighteen Century Orchestra,
Franz Brüggen conducting

I listened to the First and to the Ninth symphony. On the strength of listening to both of them on one occasion only I must say that I loved the First and found the Ninth hugely disappointing. When it was finished I listened to the Bohm/BPO version as a release. I will revist Brüggen's Ninth but I fear that I prefer the Big Band approach as I feel that the 18 Century's approach is lacking in warmth, depth and emotion, perhaps I'm wrong.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:34 pm

Seán wrote:I listened to the First and to the Ninth symphony. On the strength of listening to both of them on one occasion only I must say that I loved the First and found the Ninth hugely disappointing. When it was finished I listened to the Bohm/BPO version as a release. I will revist Brüggen's Ninth but I fear that I prefer the Big Band approach as I feel that the 18 Century's approach is lacking in warmth, depth and emotion, perhaps I'm wrong.

I felt exactly the same way, and said so a while ago, I don't think that you can do the Mighty Ninth with small forces, try Wand/Munich, Szell/Cleveland, Mackerras/Philharmonia or Munch/Boston...

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:44 pm

Kern - Overture to "Show Boat" (McGlinn/EMI)
Carpenter - Skyscrapers (Klein/EMI)
J. Hofmann - Kaleidoskop (Hamelin/Hyperion)
Ives - Central Park in the Dark (Bernstein/DG)
Antheil - Suite from "Capital of the World" (Wolff/cpo)

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:40 pm

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:26 pm

On a gloomy, misty afternoon, some bouncy, sunny Haydn:

Symphony # 101 and 102

Bernstein NY Philharmonic

from the Sony 12 disc Haydn set

moldyoldie · Post by **moldyoldie** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:16 pm

Chalkperson wrote:
Seán wrote:I listened to the First and to the Ninth symphony. On the strength of listening to both of them on one occasion only I must say that I loved the First and found the Ninth hugely disappointing. When it was finished I listened to the Bohm/BPO version as a release. I will revist Brüggen's Ninth but I fear that I prefer the Big Band approach as I feel that the 18 Century's approach is lacking in warmth, depth and emotion, perhaps I'm wrong.
I felt exactly the same way, and said so a while ago, I don't think that you can do the Mighty Ninth with small forces, try Wand/Munich, Szell/Cleveland, Mackerras/Philharmonia or Munch/Boston...

After hearing Szell, Mackerras, Walter, Böhm, and probably a few others; no Schubert Ninth "did it" for me like the famous Furtwängler/Berlin on DG, a "Great C Major" that's really great! The tunes still sound wonderful, momentum is never lost, and most importantly, monotony is never allowed to settle in. For the first time in my experience with it, I was hearing this often unwieldy work performed with some desperately needed interpretive panache. Still, I rarely listen to it.

Listening to...

ContrapunctusIX · Post by **ContrapunctusIX** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:39 pm

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Roman Carnival Overture
Berlin Philharmonic (Symphony); Vienna Philharmonic (Overture) & Rudolf Kempe - Testament

Schubert: Symphony No. 9
Munich Philharmonic & Rudolf Kempe - Sony

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:35 am

ContrapunctusIX wrote:Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Roman Carnival Overture
Berlin Philharmonic (Symphony); Vienna Philharmonic (Overture) & Rudolf Kempe - Testament

I have been contemplating that one for a while now....how do you find it?

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:37 am

JSB - Mass in Gm BWV235....

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:44 am

Chalkperson wrote:
Seán wrote:I will revist Brüggen's Ninth but I fear that I prefer the Big Band approach as I feel that the 18 Century's approach is lacking in warmth, depth and emotion, perhaps I'm wrong.
I felt exactly the same way, and said so a while ago, I don't think that you can do the Mighty Ninth with small forces

I like the Bruggen set but those criticisms of the 9th are spot on...I prefer Szell and Wand

Prometheus · Post by **Prometheus** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:40 am

Beethoven-Symphony No. 7-Klemperer-EMI.

Glazunov-Le Chant du Destin-Golovschin-Naxos.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:20 am

Manfredini – Concerti Grossi, Op. 3....

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:29 pm

Seán wrote:

Franz Schubert,
Symphony 1 & 9,
Eighteen Century Orchestra,
Franz Brüggen conducting

I listened to the First and to the Ninth symphony. On the strength of listening to both of them on one occasion only I must say that I loved the First and found the Ninth hugely disappointing. When it was finished I listened to the Bohm/BPO version as a release. I will revist Brüggen's Ninth but I fear that I prefer the Big Band approach as I feel that the 18 Century's approach is lacking in warmth, depth and emotion, perhaps I'm wrong.

Though I wouldn´t describe Brüggen´s Ninth as hugely disappointing, it is true that it´s not as good as the rest of his cycle. Perhaps Furtwangler´s unique rubato looms large even in period conductors. Mackerras with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was more successful than Brüggen in a "period" performance of the Ninth, especially with the tricky coda of the first movement: Mackerras shows that it CAN be played "a tempo" as Schubert would have expected. But the period performance I would recommend is Jos van Immerseel¨s with his Anima Eterna Orchestra. It´s very musical and more emotional than Brüggen´s, and shows that a Classical orchestra can certainly handle this awesome masterpiece. This excellent set is unfortunately only available in Europe (SONY) but it´s sold at budget price.

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 1:54 pm

josé echenique wrote:Mackerras with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was more successful than Brüggen in a "period" performance of the Ninth, especially with the tricky coda of the first movement: Mackerras shows that it CAN be played "a tempo" as Schubert would have expected

Yes, I forgot about that Mackerras performance...it is very good indeed (as is Solti who I also forgot

)

Today:-

Bruckner - Symphony No.8 (Pierre Boulez, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, DG) below

Debussy - String Quartet (Alban Berg Quartet, EMI)

Haydn - Symphony No.100 'Military' (Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Warner Classics)

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 2:14 pm

Joyce DiDonato jumps triumphantly to the soprano fach in this recording. What a sexy, diabolical and seductive Alcina. I just love her

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 2:19 pm

Mainly Mozart this weekend.

This morning:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Church Sonatas
Sonata in E flat major, KV 67
Sonata in B flat major, KV 68
Sonata in D major KV 69
Sonata in D major KV 144
Sonata in F major KV 145
Sonata in B flat major KV 212
Sonata in G major KV 241
Sonata in F major KV 224
Sonata in A major KV 225
Sonata in F major KV 244
Bohuslav Mtousek (violin)
Collegium Jaroslav Tuma

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 2:20 pm

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Divertimento for 2 Horns,
2 Violins, Viola & Double Bass
in F Major KV 247
Camerata Bern
Thomas Füri

Lovely music. I should spend more time listening to Mozart!

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 2:21 pm

josé echenique wrote: This excellent set is unfortunately only available in Europe (SONY) but it´s sold at budget price.

Thanks José, I hadn't intended on getting another Schubert cycle but now you have sparked my interest.

Edited to tidy up post.

ContrapunctusIX · Post by **ContrapunctusIX** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 2:30 pm

Fergus wrote:
ContrapunctusIX wrote:Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Roman Carnival Overture
Berlin Philharmonic (Symphony); Vienna Philharmonic (Overture) & Rudolf Kempe - Testament

I have been contemplating that one for a while now....how do you find it?

I enjoyed it quite a bit, though I wouldn't say it's my favorite. I still prefer Ansermet, Argenta and a few others. But if you're a fan of Kempe, it's worth checking out for his very particular way with this repertoire. He was really great with the hyper-Romantic warhorses. I'd also suggest looking into his Tchaikovsky 5th & Scherazade discs, also on Testament.

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:24 pm

Mahler - Symphony No.7 (Pierre Boulez, The Cleveland Orchestra, DG) below

Mozart - Horn Concerto No.3 (Anthony Halstead/Christopher Hogwood, The Academy of Ancient Music, Decca)

Schubert - Piano Trio No.2 (Beaux Arts Trio, Philips)

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 4:12 pm

Seán wrote:....I should spend more time listening to Mozart!

Never a waste of time

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 4:33 pm

ContrapunctusIX wrote:....if you're a fan of Kempe, it's worth checking out for his very particular way with this repertoire. He was really great with the hyper-Romantic warhorses. I'd also suggest looking into his Tchaikovsky 5th & Scherazade discs, also on Testament.

Thank you for the recommendations....I have Kempe's R Strauss cycle and enjoy what he did with that so I would be interested in exploring more of his work.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 4:34 pm

Beethoven – Symphonies 1-4 Cluytens....

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 4:47 pm

Scheherazade.....done by Jean Fournet, leading the Wiener Symphoniker.

This was from just before Wolfgang Sawallisch rebuilt the orchestra, over a good, arduous decade. You should just witness the scrappy ensemble & hideous intonation! Even so, the French conductor's finesse shines through, and just as importantly, the concertmaster essays his role exceptionally well.

**********

ALSO: these historic Boston Symphony Orch. live performances:

Vaughan Williams' Symphony #4, Haydn's 84th, & Berlioz' Te deum (C.Davis, w/Riegel & Tanglewood Fest. Chorus & Choir)
Mussorgsky-Ravel's Pictures & Stravinsky's Fireworks (Burgin)
Stravinsky's Symphony in 3 Movements, Brahms' Serenade #2 & J.C. Bach's Sinfonia in E-flat (Tilson Thomas)
Elgar's Enigma Variations (Kunzel)
Roussell's Bacchus et Ariane Suite #2 (Lombard)

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 5:52 pm

Two discs of the colorful, fascinating, neo-classical works of Alexandre Tansman 1897-1986

Symphony # 4, 5 and 6
Caetani Melbourne SO Chandos 5041

Symphony # 2, # 3 and 4 Movements
Caetani Melbourne SO Chandos 5065

# 3, subtitled Symphonie Concertante is imaginatively scored for Piano Quintet and Orchestra, with a jazzy 3rd movement composed in honor and the style of Gershwin.

Prometheus · Post by **Prometheus** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 10:59 pm

This evening:

Prokofiev-Romeo and Juliet-Maazel-Decca.

Bought this a while back due to its great praise and it is indeed worthy of it.

Elgar-Wand of Youth-Judd-Naxos.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:13 pm

I just listened (twice) to Gergiev's new LSO Live set on SACD, it's just about perfect and even the full version of the Ballet seems just right under his Baton, no more copies of the suites for me...

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:23 am

Chalkperson wrote:I just listened (twice) to Gergiev's new LSO Live set on SACD, it's just about perfect and even the full version of the Ballet seems just right under his Baton, no more copies of the suites for me...

Have you heard Myung Whun-Chung´s selection with the Concertgebouw in DG? I think it´s the finest Romeo and Juliet I have ever heard, really, an outstanding disc.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:10 pm

Schumann – Symphonies 3 & 4, BPO/von Karajan....

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:24 pm

josé echenique wrote:
Chalkperson wrote:I just listened (twice) to Gergiev's new LSO Live set on SACD, it's just about perfect and even the full version of the Ballet seems just right under his Baton, no more copies of the suites for me...
Have you heard Myung Whun-Chung´s selection with the Concertgebouw in DG? I think it´s the finest Romeo and Juliet I have ever heard, really, an outstanding disc.

I meant that after Gergiev's recording of the entire Ballet that I would no longer be listening to the Suites, I don't have Whun-Chung's disc but I have a number of his other Recordings and enjoy them greatly...

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:58 pm

Beethoven - Piano Concerto No.5 'Emperor' (Mitsuko Uchida/Kurt Sanderling, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Philips)

Mozart - Horn Concerto No.1 & No.2 (Anthony Halstead/Christopher Hogwood, The Academy of Ancient Music, Decca)

Ravel - String Quartet (Alban Berg Quartet, EMI) below

Vaughn Williams - 'The Lark Ascending' (Hugh Bean/Adrian Boult, New Philharmonia Orchestra, EMI)

Thomas J · Post by **Thomas J** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:46 pm

Disc 5 - Symphonies 17 - 20

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:01 pm

Haydn - String Quartet No.48 & No.49 (The Angeles Quartet, Philips)

Schubert - Symphony No.9 'Great' (Josef Krips, London Symphony Orchestra, Decca) below

Vaughan Williams - Symphony No.2 'A London Symphony' (Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra, RCA)

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:40 pm

Beethoven – Symphonies 5 & 6 Cluytens....

ContrapunctusIX · Post by **ContrapunctusIX** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:42 pm

Fergus wrote:Beethoven – Symphonies 5 & 6 Cluytens....

what are your initial impressions Fergus?

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