Spinning Today (Classical version)

[jandl100]

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Oct11/Ciurlionis_piano1_8572659.jpg

Really enjoyable late romantic!

http://pixhost.me/avaxhome/2007-11-22/SntSns.jpg

That 2nd piano concerto is a mighty fine work - if you love Bach, you'll love the opening sequence! :drool: - but it's all good. An unusually fine performance for the BBC freebie CD series, too.

[MartinT]

Where can one get that BBC CD from, Jerry?

[jandl100]

Where can one get that BBC CD from, Jerry?

Charity shops!

-- as luck would have it, I think there is a copy at the Blue Cross (pet welfare) charity shop in Monmouth, where I do volunteer work!

I could see if it is still there and post it to you ...?

[MartinT]

Don't go out of your way, Jerry, but if you do see it please would you pick it up for me and I'll cover costs and postage?

Thank you!

By the way, Marin Alsop impressed me as a conductor when I saw her last year.

[jandl100]

OK! - I'll be passing the shop tomorrow so I'll pop in then. :)

[jandl100]

http://pixhost.me/avaxhome/2007-11-22/SntSns.jpg

The 3rd symphony this time.

Really very good - with excellent deep and controlled organ sound - even with my 300B amp!

[MartinT]

Ooh nice - there's nothing like proper trouser-flapping bass from a well recorded organ.

[jandl100]

Yep - I bet it will sound fab over your Big Ushers! You should have a copy for the weekend, sir! :)

_________

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6E8EkSILuzs/Tft-bf7n45I/AAAAAAAAAa4/ovfKDuSBMp0/s1600/Rontgen_7774372.jpg

.... or maybe I should have this version of the Rontgen violin concerto? .... :drool: :eyebrows:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MXuV%2BLxpL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Also ....

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61asZMKhtDL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Julius is related to the Rontgen of X-ray fame, and is a very fine late Romantic composer ... have a listen ...

kamvI4JFCw0

[jandl100]

Good day in the charity shops yesterday! :yay:

Here's a minty LP with a fab performance on ...

http://cdn102.iofferphoto.com/img/item/138/280/161/B7WV.jpg

and another ...

http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/9b1557a366fe161c541199e22f0f3f74/1837800.jpg

and another ...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EP2BEXY5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

and another ...

http://www.popsike.eu/pix/20120101/250964749372.jpg

:yay:

[MartinT]

Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No. 2, Symphony No. 3, BBC Music [cd]

http://pixhost.me/avaxhome/2007-11-22/SntSns.jpg

My heartfelt thanks to Jerry for finding me a copy of this. What a wonderful performance! The opening violins in the 3rd are just right, the pace taken by Marin Alsop perfect. That organ at Leeds Town Hall is wonderful (is it really there, or did they overlay it from somewhere else?) with plenty of power. The balance between orchestra and organ is good and the brass section rings out, perhaps without the incredible blaze of my all-time favourite 3rd by Enrique Batiz on ASV (worth finding). The whole feels greater than the sum of its parts, for a symphony I've known most of my life and heard many times live.

Simply fab!

[morris_minor]

Bach Organ music played by Hans Fagius on BIS.

http://www.eclassical.com/shop/thumbnails/shop/17115/art15/h4350/4744350-origpic-356c09.jpg_0_0_100_100_250_250_0.jpg

The Complete Organ works on offer as FLAC downloads for $39.95 (http://www.eclassical.com/composers/bach-johann-sebastian/bach-the-complete-organ-music.html). Couldn't resist at that price. :eyebrows:

[jandl100]

Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No. 2, Symphony No. 3, BBC Music [cd]

http://pixhost.me/avaxhome/2007-11-22/SntSns.jpg

My heartfelt thanks to Jerry for finding me a copy of this. .....

Simply fab!

My pleasure :) -- it's a good'un, isn't it.

Have you tried the piano concerto yet? - I reckon that's fab, too!

[MartinT]

Have you tried the piano concerto yet? - I reckon that's fab, too!

Yes I have and it's very good, too. I shall be listening to it some more as I'm somewhat unfamiliar with it.

[jandl100]

A rather strange cover for an excellent minty LP :)

http://www.audiophileusa.com/covers400water/41743.jpg

Kipnis was one of the great baroque maestros of the previous (pre-HIP) generation.
Fabulous playing & great sound quality. :)

[Gromit]

An RVW sort of day at Gromit Towers today...

Just finished:

Vaughan Williams Symphony No.5 (LSO/Hickox)

Now:

Symphony No.6 LSO/Hickox)

Next hmmm, let me think....

Possibly Symphony No.3 (LPO/Haitink)

[jandl100]

http://www.ikonarts.com/news/dodgson%20cd.jpg

Interesting and enjoyable. The flute piece is a bit light, the rest is intriguing.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/Jan07/rontgen_7771192.jpg

Again!

http://o.scdn.co/300/27e1fd951511076923041afb0e2b4a83181d3fcf

Katsaris gets off to a spongey start in Scherzo #1 --- then he settles down and :eek: :drool: Fantastic Chopin playing, shame he didn't do a retake on the start of the 1st Scherzo!
Ah - I see that I am not alone in my admiration! - some rave reviews here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Balladen-Scherzos-Katsaris-Cyprien/dp/B000024DU1/ref=sr_1_27?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1361176131&sr=1-27)!

[jandl100]

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2009/Aug09/Ryu_Requiem_8570599.jpg

Concerto #3 from this ....

http://c3.cduniverse.ws/resized/250x500/music/451/1517451.jpg

Concerto #4 from this ....

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2002/Aug02/SaintSaens_5PC_Entremont.jpg

[jandl100]

http://www.argerich.jp/Concer3.jpg

My god - what a pianist.
Her Bach is perfect, her Chopin sublime, her Scarlatti has a wonderful perky clarity.

Umm, I'm not too sure what to make the the Bartok and Prokofiev sonatas :scratch: ... not really my sort of music.

http://cdbanq.net/img/shop11/WPCS-22213.jpg

After hearing his revelatory Chopin Scherzos and Ballades (reported on previously) I thought I'd sample Katsaris on Schubert and Beethoven. The Beethoven is pretty good, although not a 'major' piece, but the sublime Schubert sonata is a real disappointment. Ah well, it's kind of gratifying to know that he doesn't excel at everything! :eyebrows:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/MAHLER-SYMPHONY-No-5-POLISH-NATIONAL-RADIO-SYMPHONY-ORCH-ANTONI-WIT-NAXOS-/00/$(KGrHqQOKj4E37cKKMWHBOG33LTC6Q~~_35.JPG

Hey, this is a bit of a surprise. A fine performance and (once the volume is turned up to realistic levels) a very fine recording.

I may well investigate more of this Naxos Mahler cycle.

[MartinT]

My god - what a pianist.
Her Bach is perfect, her Chopin sublime, her Scarlatti has a wonderful perky clarity.

...and her Rachmaninov, oh my!

[jandl100]

Yup! - I have Argerich in Rach's 3rd piano concerto.
Jaw dropping!

[MartinT]

That one really is - no-one else comes close to such dancing over the keys.

[jandl100]

This is interesting.
A recent review in Fanfare opined that the Gal concerto is so good it should join the Elgar and Dvorak in the core repertoire.

http://s.cdon.com/media-dynamic/images/product/music/album/image4/cello_concertos_import-galelgar-21034661-frnt.jpg

My CD copy arrived yesterday, and yup, it's a very fine concerto that is continuing to grow on me after a couple of listens. Ruminative and soulful for most of the first 2 mvts, with a (over, in parts?) perky finale.

The Elgar is said to be a revelatory performance as well, but I've not tried that yet.

[.mus]

This (http://www.amazon.com/Takemitsu-Riverrun-Water-Ways-Coming-Spell/dp/B00000DNUA)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61eDjNNfL7L.jpg

I enjoy all of the Takemitsu that I've heard, but I find these later works particularly engaging.

Here's a recording of one the key pieces from this collection.

LlP0air0zow

[MartinT]

I really must try some Takemitsu sometime. It's a real hole in my collection. Any hint on what to start with?

[.mus]

It depends what you like I guess.

Denon's 'Orchestral Works' collection, in four volumes, contains a good mix of pieces from throughout his career (nice recordings too).

Here are amazon links for I (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Takemitsu-Orchestral-Works-Toru/dp/B0000034YM/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1361711574&sr=1-4) and II (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Takemitsu-Orchestral-Works-II/dp/B00320W7GA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1361711687&sr=1-1-catcorr). These include some of the later works in which he introduces elements of traditional Japanese music - really interesting.

If you like more minimal arrangements, I heartily recommend this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Takemitsu-Between-Tides-Orion-Chamber/dp/B00005MGAO/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1361711928&sr=1-1) "chamber music" collection - it's the set that really switched me on to Takemitsu.

[MartinT]

Thanks, Tom.

[.mus]

Pleasure :)

[jandl100]

Takemitsu. Yes, there's a definite fascination to his music. I keep feeling that I almost get it - but never quite achieve oneness with the music!

Yesterday -- my fascination with the Saint Saens piano concertos continues with this well reviewed CD -->

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519GiK-gD1L._SL500_SS500_.jpg

Hmm.
As with many of Hough's recordings, the playing is spectacular, but he doesn't seem to be involved much at an emotional level. It's all kind of gee-whiz matter of fact.

And I picked up this double CD for £1 in a good ol' charity shop last week.
I'm very impressed - the Beethoven Pathetique sonata may well be perfect!
The Schubert and Liszt are wonderful, too. Not so sure about the Brahms sonata, but hey, you can't have everything!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EX5hPNw2L._SL500_SS500_.jpg

[Barry]

I really must try some Takemitsu sometime. It's a real hole in my collection. Any hint on what to start with?

Takemitsu's 'From me Flows What You Call Time' is well worth seeking out. It is available on the Sony label.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5115Lw35rxL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[MartinT]

Thanks, Barry.

[.mus]

Takemitsu. Yes, there's a definite fascination to his music. I keep feeling that I almost get it - but never quite achieve oneness with the music!


For myself, I find that I get the most out of Takemitsu's work when I'm not actively listening to it - it sets a certain mood, a reasonably comfortable space that, as a listener, you settle into, and then as you're on the point of forgetting that you're listening to it, there'll be a sudden shift, or jarring event, that makes your heart race. I like stuff that does this - gently accustoms you to a certain space, and then jolts you!

And tonight, Bartok! String quartets.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nhiZ1F3KL._SL500_.jpg

[jandl100]

And, for the umpteenth time, the very best of the many G&S Mikados me and the missus have watched ...

http://gasdisc.oakapplepress.com/images/mikndocv.jpg

Sadly only available on VHS video tape. I'm seeking out an excellent condition copy so I can have it transferred to DVD. :)

[jandl100]

Received this CD in the post yesterday, to go with the CD of PCs 3 & 5 already owned.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2002/Sept02/sspiano.jpg

These is probably my fave versions of these fine concertos.

Early / mid 1960s recordings, but they don't sound half bad!

[royzak]

After a day listening to vinyl, and reading the great digital v analog debate on here.

Poulenc - Gloria. Stabat Mater by Hickox on Virgin CD truly delicious.

[royzak]

OK seemingly logical continuation from my last post.

Szymanowski - Stabat Mater. Litany to the Virgin Mary and Symph. No 3.
Simon Rattle.
A really nice CD from 1994.

[MartinT]

Poulenc - Gloria. Stabat Mater by Hickox on Virgin CD truly delicious.

I love his Stabat Mater. The Gloria is fab too.

[.mus]

Now, does this belong here? I'm not sure, but in any case:

John Adams - 'The Dharma at Big Sur'

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/52/ea/f7cc1363ada05ffc50d8e010.L.jpg

Not to everyone's taste, but I find it rather lovely.

[Ian Walker]

Saw Stephen on Saturday night supporting Ian Mculloch.

Hell of a fine voice he's got.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colours/dp/B008862FLU/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1362005018&sr=8-8

Check him out on spotify too.

Ian.

oops put this in classical by mistake........

[morris_minor]

Last night - Martinu Symphonies 3, 4 & 5. Fine performances from the Czech Phil under Neumann, and surprisingly good sound from SQ-encoded LPs . . .

http://www.ambergreen-classical.co.uk/ekmps/shops/padmagupta/images/neumann.martinu-symphonies-1410-2771-2-3966-p.jpg

[.mus]

Schubert Piano Trios - Trio Wanderer

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oTh1PmK3L._SL500_.jpg

[royzak]

What a nice record this is. Stravinsky - Dumbarton Oaks. Danses Concertantes and the Concerto in D. played by the ECO with Colin Davis on L'Oiseau-Lyre from 1962.
Excellent recording and performance, a winner.

[.mus]

Last night - Martinu Symphonies 3, 4 & 5.

Unfamiliar with Martinu's Symphonies, but like the String Quartets, so having a punt - 3rd Symphony, enjoying so far!

This edition.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q1cbRYNCL._SL500_.jpg

[morris_minor]

Unfamiliar with Martinu's Symphonies, but like the String Quartets, so having a punt - 3rd Symphony, enjoying so far!

. . and I'll have to check out the string quartets! I don't know a lot about Martinu. When I used to sing (lip-sync :lol:) with the Guildford Phil choir in the 1970s Tod Handley programmed Martinu's "Epic of Gilgamesh". To my shame I can now remember nothing about it, but it did prompt my purchase of the Symphony 3-5 set . . .

[jandl100]

http://www.cdbiblio.com/eingang/cdimages/img_brahms/brahms0063.jpg

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/067/MI0001067937.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Both from the excellent boxset ...

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/067/MI0001067871.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

The clarinet trio is particularly wonderful. :)

Also great are the performances of the piano quartets in this set.

[jandl100]

Martinu symphonies.
This is a good set - recorded by BIS, so excellent quality, now on Brilliant so nice and cheap!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Martinu-Complete-Symphonies-Neeme-Jarvi/dp/B0017HFRFI/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1362212970&sr=1-2

But this is music very much influenced by the interpreters - it's amazing how different recordings can sound! - so there are other approaches than Jarvi's, but he is a good in a somewhat bold and forthright kind of way, and the sonics are great.

Oh - and it's all marvellous music, btw - and the symphonies are very varied. :)

[morris_minor]

Thanks for the Martinu link, Jerry.

I bought Brilliant's Prokofiev Symphonies set a while back which were Decca recordings. Fantastic value for great quality recordings.

Edit: Brilliant Classics website has some really interesting releases - this one (http://www.brilliantclassics.com/release.aspx?id=FM00430843), of Shostakovich Choral Music, looks well worth seeking out . . .

http://api.1.esh-partner.net/GetThumbnail.ashx?ID=65cf269d-8d3c-44f1-aead-f22b9761b039

[royzak]

. . and I'll have to check out the string quartets! I don't know a lot about Martinu. When I used to sing (lip-sync :lol:) with the Guildford Phil choir in the 1970s Tod Handley programmed Martinu's "Epic of Gilgamesh". To my shame I can now remember nothing about it, but it did prompt my purchase of the Symphony 3-5 set . . .

Also try the three Cello Sonatas and the Nocturnes, beautiful pieces. Thy can be found on Supraphon on LP and CD, the CD mite still be out there.

[.mus]

Schubert - Symphonies 5 & 6 - bliss!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61dI%2BRWLDDL.jpg

[MartinT]

Wagner - Gotterdammerung, Solti, VPO, Decca [cd]

http://cdn.7static.com/static/img/sleeveart/00/009/109/0000910977_350.jpg

This is the only recording I have, primarily for the Funeral March. Can anyone suggest a more up to date, but still orgasmic, version? I must say the dynamics on the Decca recording are knockout but the perspective very flattened.

[MartinT]

No-one? Oh well, I'm looking at the Maazel / BPO / Telarc Ring orchestral highlights as a possible purchase.

[jandl100]

Edit: Brilliant Classics website has some really interesting releases - this one (http://www.brilliantclassics.com/release.aspx?id=FM00430843), of Shostakovich Choral Music, looks well worth seeking out . . .

http://api.1.esh-partner.net/GetThumbnail.ashx?ID=65cf269d-8d3c-44f1-aead-f22b9761b039

Ah - very interesting indeed, but Amazon has this to say ...

This title will be released on March 25, 2013.
Pre-order now.

Which means I cannot yet get it cheap on Amazon Market Place. :(

[.mus]

Sergio Fiorentino - 'Fiorentino Edition IX' (works by Cesar Franck)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519QTkGbNML._SL500_.jpg

Possibly my favourite pianist.

[jandl100]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fmkYaQrwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[morris_minor]

Ah - very interesting indeed, but Amazon has this to say ...

This title will be released on March 25, 2013.
Pre-order now.

Which means I cannot yet get it cheap on Amazon Market Place. :(
:) Good things come to those who wait. (Maybe a long wait in this case, tho' :eyebrows:)

[morris_minor]

Sergio Fiorentino . . . Possibly my favourite pianist.
Wasn't he a prime target for Barrington Coupe's Joyce Hatto "repertoire"?

[.mus]

Wasn't he a prime target for Barrington Coupe's Joyce Hatto "repertoire"?

Yes I believe so - it somewhat complicates the task of acquiring an authentic back catalogue :/

[morris_minor]

Yes I believe so - it somewhat complicates the task of acquiring an authentic back catalogue :/
As far as I know the last "real" Joyce Hatto recordings were those of the Bax Sonatas and the Bax Symphonic Variations with Vernon Handley. I can personally vouch for the later as I attended the concert before the recording, and unless she had a body double who could play the piano . . . :eyebrows:

[.mus]

I can personally vouch for the later as I attended the concert before the recording, and unless she had a body double who could play the piano . . . :eyebrows:

Well, I don't think we should rule it out... ;)

The situation with Fiorentino is further complicated by the fact that various early recordings were issued under pseudonyms, such as 'Paul Procopolis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Procopolis)' :scratch:

[morris_minor]

Oh yes - Paul Procopolis!

All this reminds me - there was a BBC drama about Joyce Hatto, written, if I recall, by Victoria Wood . . .

It makes you wonder what else goes on behind the closed doors of the record industry . . . :scratch:

Edit: reading the Wikipedia entry on the Hatto fraud, it seems that Concert Artists released some "Fiorentino" discs that weren't by him, so his discs weren't being passed off as Hatto's.

[keiths]

All this reminds me - there was a BBC drama about Joyce Hatto, written, if I recall, by Victoria Wood . . .


...which I thought was very good. A very audacious thing for Barrington-Coupe to try and pull off.

[morris_minor]

Yes, it was a good drama, Keith - even knowing how it ended.

I have an intense dislike of iTunes, but it can take the credit for revealing the scam . . :eyebrows:

[.mus]

Apple finally come in handy, eh? ;)

Thanks for the tip re. Hatto and Fiorentino - good to know that there aren't any needles in those haystacks.

Back on topic...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F78C8UvUL._SL500_.jpg

[.mus]

Mahler - Symphony No. 8, Valery Gergiev

Gah! Not keen on this one. Trying the Rattle instead.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Utch7mISL._SL500_.jpg

[jandl100]

Ah - the Gergiev Mahler 8 - hmm, I bought his Mahler 6th a few weeks back - performance is flaccid the SACD sound quality vague and boring. It's on eBay sale at the moment if anyone is interested! :eyebrows:

:zzz:

These pieces by Tor Aulin are not bad, the violin & orch pieces are quite good, the purely orchestral dance pieces are trite and nauseating - doubt I'll be listening again for a while. Doesn't really set my world on fire.

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/069/MI0001069158.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

[.mus]

It seems the Gergiev 8th is similar, then. The Rattle was certainly better.


...trite and nauseating

:lol:

[MartinT]

Re: Mahler 8, can the Solti/CSO/Decca really be beaten? I simply can't listen to another version, so stunning is this one. I have the vinyl boxed set.

[.mus]

Re: Mahler 8, can the Solti/CSO/Decca really be beaten?

Ah, now this is exciting - not heard this one! I have the Sinopoli, and Tennstedt, but want to hear some other recordings, so thanks for the tip :)

[MartinT]

The Tennstedt 8th is good, his 2nd is magnificent (I saw him perform it live, too).

[jandl100]

Tennstedt's EMI Mahler 3rd is my benchmark for interpretation and sonics. Wowzer! :eek:
-- get the individual double CD album, if you are interested, not the budget boxset of the complete symphonies, tempting though that is. The boxset sonics are way below par compared to the original release - EMI really b*ggered up the remastering or whatever they did.
I tried the LPs as well, nope, the original CDs are way better. Surprising, but true, ime.

_____________

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41sDxWOcDfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Sigh.
I've had this for a few years, and every now and then I try some symphonies again.
Tried again last night.
I've finally given up - beloved by many, but I just don't enjoy Simpson's 'soundworld'.
Now on fleaBay if anyone is interested.

[.mus]

The Tennstedt 8th is good, his 2nd is magnificent (I saw him perform it live, too).

Nice! I'll have to try to make it to a decent classical concert one of these days.


-- get the individual double CD album, if you are interested, not the budget boxset of the complete symphonies, tempting though that is. The boxset sonics are way below par compared to the original release - EMI really b*ggered up the remastering or whatever they did.


Ah, alas I went for the boxset. Now it seems I'm missing out! :doh: Will keep an eye out for the individual versions.

[jandl100]

Ah, alas I went for the boxset. Now it seems I'm missing out! :doh: Will keep an eye out for the individual versions.

Yep, missing out in a big way, sadly.

Having loved my CD double of Tennsedt's Mahler 3 I thought I'd get the budget boxset to get his whole cycle and sell the original on.
Luckily I listened first -- oh my, the budget version doesn't come close to capturing the dynamic power of the original CDs. :(

[MartinT]

Some of the recordings in that cycle were analogue, Jerry. Certainly the Mahler 2 on vinyl that I have. Are they all consistently poor, or just the AADs?

[jandl100]

The 3rd was the only original symphony I had from the cycle, so I cannot answer that, Martin.
The 3rd was digital.

[.mus]

Tennstedt's EMI Mahler 3rd is my benchmark for interpretation and sonics. Wowzer! :eek:

Is this the one Jerry?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oJdc%2B1XhL._SL500_.jpg

[MartinT]

That should be it, Tom. The Abbado Mahler 3rd is also very good.

[.mus]

Marvelous! Cheers :)

[jandl100]

Hi Tom

Well, I think that's a re-issue as well, but it may well be different from the 'pressing' in the budget boxset.

This is the cover on mine --

http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/e9f5bc8a33fbcbdc970976ffb38a42c6/140659.jpg

-- only it's a CD set, of course.

[.mus]

Ah ha. It wouldn't surprise me, then, if it turned out to be the same as the box-set edition - from what I can tell, the box-set was issued before the reissue, so it may well be that any adjustments to the sound that were made for the box-set turn up on the reissue, although of course not certain. I'll see if there's any way that I can compare them, otherwise I'll make do with the box-set for now :/

[jandl100]

Today (so far) --

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/July03/Teleman_99521.jpg

Very Bach-like. And there's nowt wrong with that! :)

[jandl100]

... and ...

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/022/MI0001022119.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

On LP - marvellous, and a fab recording, too.

[MartinT]

Guys, I've had a look at what I have and this is the data gleaned:

Symphony No. 2, digital recording 1982 [double vinyl, also on double CD]
Symphony No. 5 & 10 (Adagio), analogue recording 1979 [double vinyl]
Symphony No. 6, digital recording 1983 [double DMM vinyl]

According to the list on the back, Nos. 3 & 7 are recorded digitally. Nos. 4 and 8 are not mentioned so may be digital as they came later.

This may account for some of the variation in sound quality. I must say all mine sound good on vinyl, and the 2nd on vinyl is appreciably better than the CD.

[jandl100]

My Tennstedt Mahler 3 CDs ---

---- Oops. :oops:

I don't have the standard original issues at all. :nono:

Here's what I have ...

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF8674_zpscae7470a.jpg

A Japanese re-issue using NRD - New Remastered Digital - on the "Angel Best 100" series.

So - is this the same as the original? I have no idea!! :lol:

It does sound stunning, though, imo.
.mus / Tom may be able to present some views on this in the near future.;)

[.mus]

Indeed, I shall be sure to report back ;)

Up today, this...

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/28198906/AoS/P3070378.JPG

A friend gave this to me, as he'd inherited it from a great-uncle - who'd been an opera singer - but he didn't have the means to play it :eek:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/28198906/AoS/P3070387.JPG

They're in pristine condition though :)

[jandl100]

This evening.

Symphony 9 then 10 from this set

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dsj700LNWyg/ThhdJXCNScI/AAAAAAAAKXM/MaG45De9RdQ/s400/levine%2Bmahler.jpg

The 9th especially is fabulous.

[MartinT]

Which orchestra is that, Jerry?

[jandl100]

The set's a mixture of the Chicago SO, Philadelphia and London SO.

The 9th and 10th are with the Phillies, recorded 1979 and 1978/80, resp - my guess is that the Adagio from the 10th was recorded first.

[.mus]

The 9th especially is fabulous.

Thanks for the tip Jerry, enjoying it now :)

[Marco]

Popped into Oxfam in Liverpool today and purloined the following on minty second-hand vinyl:

Ravel – 'Daphnis & Chloe'. The Complete Ballet with The New York Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Pierre Boulez and Abraham Kaplan (chorus master), on CBS Masterworks, from 1975.


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2483/ravels.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/ravels.jpg/)


Mahler – Symphony No.4 in G Major, with Emmy Loose (soprano) and The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Paul Kletski, on HMV Concerts Classics Series, from 1958 (Stereo).


http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/7829/mahler4ss7.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/mahler4ss7.jpg/)


Purcell, Henry – 'Dido & Aeneas', with The St Anthony Singers English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Lewis, on London Records (Editions de L’Oiseau-Lyre), from 1962 (Stereo).


http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/9311/purcell.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/801/purcell.jpg/)


Dvořák – Concerto in A Minor for Violin and Orchestra/Romance in F Minor, with Isaac Stern (violin) and The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy, on CBS Classics Records, from 1977.


http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7040/dvorak.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/dvorak.jpg/)


Shostakovich – Symphony No.12 'The Year 1917' Festival Overture, with The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Georges Prêtre, on EMI Records, from 1963. I could only find an image for the mono version:


http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8334/shostakovichsymphonyno1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/62/shostakovichsymphonyno1.jpg/)


Off to clean them now, and then listen! :)

Marco.

[jandl100]

Nice haul, Marco! - but I think you'll find it's Mahler's 4th symphony, not the fifth. :)

[Marco]

Hi Jerry,

Yup - now edited :)

I'm trying to get images of the album covers, to post, but some of them are quite difficult to find...

Marco.

[MartinT]

Shossy 12th, eh? I rather like it, will be interested to know what you think.

[Marco]

I'll let you know :)

Marco.

[MartinT]

Holst - The Planets, Previn, LSO, EMI [DMM vinyl]

Superb performance, of the 'controlled fury' kind that Previn is so good at (see his Shostakovich cycle). The sonics are less good, a little distant and with that EMI brightness.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31h%2BP631nyL.jpg


Holst - The Planets, Rattle, Philharmonia, EMI [vinyl]

The performance is a little more measured, but the sound is bigger and more dynamic. Still a little glare, but undoubtedly exciting.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VdwhMIRFL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[MartinT]

Holst - The Planets, Sargent, LSO, Decca [vinyl]

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/ECS-600-HOLST-The-Planets-SARGENT-LONDON-SYMPHONY-ORCH-Ex-Con-LP-Record-/00/s/MTAyNFg5Njc=/$(KGrHqZ,!roE+mh2UUrqBQ!!J,Ipog~~60_35.JPG

One more (I still have a few to go)! This old 1958 recording shows what Decca could do and is so much better balanced than the EMIs above. The only problem is this issue's electronic reprocessing into stereo. I didn't know that at first and was scratching my head at the odd sonics. However, it's an interesting performance (slightly highlighting the woodwind compared with a modern interpretation) and has great organ presence and orchestral climaxes.

[.mus]

Holst - The Planets, Previn, LSO, EMI [DMM vinyl]

Holst - The Planets, Rattle, Philharmonia, EMI [vinyl]

Holst - The Planets, Sargent, LSO, Decca [vinyl]



Crikey Martin! That's a whole lotta planets you got there :) I have the Previn - what would you recommend as an 'upgrade'?

Just spent 1h30 faffing around with speakers; now rewarding myself with a pint (of camomile tea) and some Takemitsu.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ojjdpjOyL._SL500_.jpg

[MartinT]

I'll play the rest of mine on Sunday and will let you know :)

[.mus]

Marvelous! :)

[Andrei]

This is so sad



now rewarding myself with a pint [ yay !! ] :champagne:
of camomile tea:zzz:

[.mus]

Don't be sad Andrei - I like camomile tea :)

This morning...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bkOw5al8L._SL500_.jpg

[jandl100]

Nowt wrong with camomile tea - you have more brain cells left after it than if you open the booze. ;)

___

Last night --

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Schmidt-Isserstedt-Hans-Beethoven-Symphonies-No-5-8-/11/!B9j!LJ!!2k~$(KGrHqIOKjwEzkQNZjdPBM6In0kSbg~~0_35. JPG

Listened to the 8th on LP -- Ooooo, I do like Schmidt-Isserstedt's Beethoven - great 'golden age' Decca recording, too - I'm slowly getting a minty LP set together. Now have this one and the Eroica from charity shop hauls! :)

And also this LP --

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODk5WDEyODA=/$(KGrHqV,!oEE63WY-o7sBO8Jjbsd+g~~60_35.JPG

Bach and Franck organ works - very cerebral - I need all the brain cells I can get for this! :lol:

[MartinT]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bkOw5al8L._SL500_.jpg

Wonderful, Tom. The Requiem is a piece that really gets to me, one of my favourite late 20th century works. Almost terrifying if you listen at a good volume with the lights off. Kubrick couldn't have chosen anything else for the finale of 2001.

[.mus]

Nowt wrong with camomile tea - you have more brain cells left after it than if you open the booze. ;)

Indeed, and I need to be kind to the ones that stuck with me through my, er, headier years ;)


The Requiem is a piece that really gets to me ... Almost terrifying if you listen at a good volume with the lights off. Kubrick couldn't have chosen anything else for the finale of 2001.

Absolutely. I do rather enjoy terrifying music :)

[MartinT]

Holst - The Planets, Karajan, BPO, DG [vinyl]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82ulL6cuqtY/Tc2iaLTukDI/AAAAAAAAAN8/_zny_Ko2JOg/s400/Cover.jpg

I just had time for one more this morning, and I'm so glad I did. Karajan gets it perfect, impossibly sweet strings mixed with incredibly raspy brass (but the organ is almost missing in action). Stereo perspective is very wide but depth a little lacking, in keeping with other 1980s DG digital recordings. The performance and sonics have huge impact and it goes right to the top of my list.

Can any of my remaining recordings topple it?

[jandl100]

Time to fess up, Martin.

Exactly how many recordings of The Planets have you got? :scratch: :lol:

Have you got this one? --> :eyebrows:

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/021/MI0001021167.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

[jandl100]

And have you heard the earlier Karajan on Decca?

[MartinT]

I found the Tomita on vinyl in Japan and it's winging its way to me right now!

I have another 2 on vinyl, 1 on CD, 1 on SACD and 1 on DVD-A to go :eyebrows:

EDIT: no, I haven't heard the earlier Karajan.

[jandl100]

Lessee --

I've got Levine / Chicago / DG and Karajan / Vienna Phil / Decca and the Tomita on CD.

I'll see if I can get the Karajan DG - Yup! - just picked it up for 1p plus P&P from Amazon Market Place. :yay:

Have you tried other music by Holst, Martin?

I can thoroughly recommend this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Holst-Royal-Scottish-National-Orchestra/dp/B000007N5X/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1362826286&sr=1-1) - some wonderful music and great sq!

http://i.prs.to/t_200/naxos8553696.jpg

[MartinT]

I have his Choral Symphony and Fugal Concerto with various other pieces which I haven't played in a while. Will dig them out after the Planets-fest.

[.mus]

I have another 2 on vinyl, 1 on CD, 1 on SACD and 1 on DVD-A to go :eyebrows:

Planets-fest indeed!

This afternoon, some recently salvaged Schubert LPs.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/28198906/AoS/Franz-Schubert-Trout-Quintet-538923.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/28198906/AoS/16GB_044.jpg

[Rare Bird]

Time to fess up, Martin.

Exactly how many recordings of The Planets have you got? :scratch: :lol:

Have you got this one? --> :eyebrows:



Have you got Tomita's 'Pictures At An Exhibition' ? it's amusing especially the ''Chickens Hatching'' bit :eyebrows:

[morris_minor]

And have you heard the earlier Karajan on Decca?
I can't resist joining in the Planet-fest :eyebrows:

Jerry, do you mean Karajan's 1962 Vienna recording? I'm not a great HvK fan, but this one is quite special. Then there's Bernard Haitink on Philips, and for the masochists Bernard Hermann on Phase4.

One of my favourite Holst records is the Lyrita recording of Imogen Holst with the ECO - Fugal Concerto, St Pauls Suite, Brooke Green Suite etc. (SRCS34)

[.mus]

Oh go on then!

I'd not heard of the Tomita, and on reading up it sounded like it should be my sort of thing, so giving it a whirl.

Hmmm... :scratch:

[jandl100]

I can't resist joining in the Planet-fest :eyebrows:

Jerry, do you mean Karajan's 1962 Vienna recording? I'm not a great HvK fan, but this one is quite special.

Yup, that's the one - I have the Decca Ovation CD - and yup, it's very good. I'll do a comparison with the later DG one when it turns up here. :)

This evening -->

http://images.ariama.com/amg/class/cov200/cm800/m833/m83339e1zn3.jpg

A contemporary of Beethoven - although obviously (?) without his adventurousness! - defo post-Haydn, though. Very enjoyable, in fact. And on the cheapo Brilliant Classics label now, after coming out on DG/Arkiv:)

[MartinT]

Have you got Tomita's 'Pictures At An Exhibition' ? it's amusing especially the ''Chickens Hatching'' bit :eyebrows:

It's on its way, Andr'e.

[jandl100]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YbQgwR3lL._SY300_.jpg

Yum!

[MartinT]

Holst - The Planets, Eliot Gardiner, Philharmonia, DG [sacd]

http://www.cdbiblio.com/eingang/cdimages/classics/holst0002.jpg

A beautifully presented performance with masses of detail, big and spacious but still incisive. The organ and bass drum are very much present and correct and overall impact is appropriate. Perhaps the pace is just a touch too measured but there's not much to criticise here. Sound is SACD demo class.

[.mus]

Good to see you're still going Martin! How many left in the pile?

Tonight...

Borodin Quartet - Shostakovich, String Quartets 4, 5, 6 (disc 2 of this set)

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/28198906/AoS/Borodin%20Quartet%20-%20Shostakovich%20-%20String%20Quartets%20%5B1%5D.jpg

[MartinT]

I found another Planets to add to the pile, Tom! I'll probably only review a couple more worthy ones :)

The Shossy 8th Quartet is a bit special, haven't played it in a while.

[.mus]

Triffic! Look forward to it :) I have already cast out my feelers for the above SACD.

Agreed re. the 8th - spellbinding.

[jandl100]

Ah, now that is a truly wonderful set of the Shosty SQs :thumbsup: -- 14 & 15 are missing from it as they hadn't been composed when the set was recorded. To me, that's just amazing. :)

Last night -->

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Oct11/Ciurlionis_piano1_8572659.jpg

I've mentioned this one before, and liked it then. But it's a grower as well, and I have now ordered Vol 2. :)

[Gromit]

Been working (would hardly call it working!) my way through Ashkenazy's Rachmaninov piano catalogue over the last couple of days. These Decca recordings still sound fabulous, and thankfully the CD mastering is out of the top drawer.

Yesterday...

Preludes (both Op23 & 32) Etudes-Tableaux, Suites I & II for 2 pianos (with André Previn).

I have several sets of these by various performers, including those by John Lill which are quite different in sound - I'd almost swear he's using a Blüthner piano as opposed to the usual Steinway; it's warmer, less brash, and with a rare sweetness of sound. The Nimbus recording helps too, being more realistic than some, more front row audience than sat inside the piano.

[jandl100]

You make Lill sound like an interesting Rachmaninov interpreter, Richard - and I do love his Beethoven sonatas - so I've just invested in this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rachmaninov-Piano-Music-John-Lill/dp/B00561D32K/ref=sr_1_9?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1363087487&sr=1-9)

[Gromit]

You make Lill sound like an interesting Rachmaninov interpreter, Richard - and I do love his Beethoven sonatas - so I've just invested in this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rachmaninov-Piano-Music-John-Lill/dp/B00561D32K/ref=sr_1_9?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1363087487&sr=1-9)

Jerry - will be interested to hear what you think of Lill's Corelli Variations etc as I don't have those. :)

[julesd68]

Been working (would hardly call it working!) my way through Ashkenazy's Rachmaninov piano catalogue over the last couple of days. These Decca recordings still sound fabulous, and thankfully the CD mastering is out of the top drawer.

I have lots of Ash-Rach Decca vinyl and it is just sublime ...

[.mus]

14 & 15 are missing from it as they hadn't been composed when the set was recorded. To me, that's just amazing. :)

Huh. I must confess I'd stupidly wondered why they'd been omitted :doh: I guess though, in this case, the ommission is forgivable.

Tonight...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D36E5BK6L._SL500_.jpg

[MartinT]

Wagner - The Ring Highlights, Maazel, BPO, Telarc [cd]

http://www.mvdaily.com/articles/2006/05/ringwithoutwords.jpg

Nice typically clean Telarc recording, but the performance doesn't have the sheer visceral impact of the Solti/VPO 1965 onwards Decca cycle.

[.mus]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61LPbbgV%2BYL._SL500_.jpg

Thanks for the tip, Martin.

[MartinT]

Glad you like it, Tom.

[MartinT]

Holst - The Planets, Isao Tomita [vinyl]

http://store.acousticsounds.com/images/large/URCA_ARL11919__37939__04142010114058-8691.jpg

Well, it's certainly a different experience. I think I prefer Tomita's Debussy but it's a fun listen.

[.mus]

I think the parts I enjoyed the most were the bits where he deviated completely from the script, and just offered some interesting electronic atmospherics.

But for the most part, I found that the 'instruments' or midi voices that he'd selected were either too similar sounding to the instruments that they were supposed to be replacing, and so it wasn't so interesting to listen to, or they weren't similar sounding, but in any case I didn't like the sound of them (odd for me, since in general I really like distinctively electronic timbres). So some odd choices then, in that department, I thought.

Still, as you say, a fun listen - it made me smile a few times, and the music box intro is nice. I'll have to check out the Debussy.

[jandl100]

http://pixhost.me/avaxhome/df/69/000d69df_medium.jpeg

Far from my fave piece of music - I find it relentlessly and irritatingly ecstatic, even though I know it does vary quite a lot! - but Solti's is the best version I have heard. And it fits on a single CD!

One of those once-every-couple-of-years pieces of music for me. :)

[MartinT]

Try this, Tom, for an idea of the Snowflakes are Dancing (Debussy) album:

spotify:album:3sEaNDWalDcRIvmxc9iULR

[MartinT]

I find it relentlessly and irritatingly ecstatic, even though I know it does vary quite a lot!

Don't you find the finale simply wonderful, Jerry? And that single organ pedal that shakes the room creates quite an effect. The Solti is the best performance I've heard.

[.mus]

Hmmm... I like what he's doing with the sound stage - playing with the space - but I'm still unsure about the voicing. If I think of, say, Wendy Carlos's electronic versions of Bach or Beethoven, while the midi voices that she uses certainly sound unlike the instruments that they're replacing, they nevertheless seem - to me at least - to suit the pieces really well, but I don't get this sense with the Tomita. Thanks for the pointer though :)

I'll explore more, as it's certainly the sort of thing that I should like, given my fondness for both electronic and classical music.

[jandl100]

Don't you find the finale simply wonderful, Jerry? And that single organ pedal that shakes the room creates quite an effect. The Solti is the best performance I've heard.

Hmm. The best bit's right at the end, the closing couple of minutes are indeed aweinspiring - but that's after about 77 minutes of over-ecstatic tedium and maunderingly pointless vocal lines! - and I've more than had enough by then. :doh:

Perhaps I should just skip along to the 'good bits' - that wouldn't take long at all with Mahler's 8th. :lol:

I guess the piece just isn't for me, is it. :)

[MartinT]

It's certainly not up to the magnificence of the 2nd, for sure.

[jandl100]

My ratings for the Mahler's symphonies ...
1 -- 3/10
2 -- 9/10
3 -- 8/10
4 -- 3/10
5 -- 8/10
6 -- 10/10
7 -- 3/10
8 -- 1/10
9 -- 5/10

[Gromit]

My ratings for the Mahler's symphonies ...
1 -- 3/10
2 -- 9/10
3 -- 8/10
4 -- 3/10
5 -- 8/10
6 -- 10/10
7 -- 3/10
8 -- 1/10
9 -- 5/10

Weirdly (or not) I'd tend to agree with the above, although my favourite is the 5th by some margin.

I've never been a great Mahler fan, although do enjoy his songs, and Das Lied von der Erde which I've played in a couple of times.

As the *Bluffer's Guide to Music states:

'Mahler - the sort of music that you could get up and leave, then return to 20 mins later, not feeling you've missed anything'.

*A great book - not to be taken seriously of course; the more you know music, the funnier it is. :)

[MartinT]

I'd generally agree with those ratings, Jerry, except that the 2nd is my favourite and I think you've been a bit hard on the 7th and the 9th.

[jandl100]

tbh, I think ol' Gustav rather lost the plot after the magnificent 6th. He was beginning to get it back with the 9th, and the 10th looks like it might have been interesting but still a huge distance back from the awe-inspiring magnificence of the 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 6th symphonies.

Just my opinion. :)

[Marco]

Right now on CD: Shostakovich 'Piano Concertos: Jazz Suite No1 'The Gadfly''. Piano Concerto No1, for piano trumpet and strings, with Ronald Brautigam (piano), Peter Masseurs (trumpet) and The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly.

Piano Concerto No2, with Cristina Ortiz (piano), with the above conductor/orchestra and also The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy, and The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly, on Decca, from 2008.

This is rather good and a little less foreboding than Shossy's normal material, but still suitably dense and dramatic in parts!

Martin, I listened to his 10th symphony, as mentioned before, on vinyl, and really enjoyed it. Rather dark and sombre, as one would expect, and utterly thunderous in parts. Definitely one to listen to loudly through very large speakers!! :eyebrows:

Marco.

[MartinT]

I think all of Shossy's symphonies are suitable for 'big rig' reproduction with the possible exception of the 14th!

The two Piano Concertos are superb but quite different from each other. I don't know Brautigam but I would think Ortiz is well suited to the 2nd.

The 10th is simply wonderful :)

If you want to listen to a beyond-mad symphony, full of cryptic quotes and peculiar funny bits, try the 15th. I have a mad recording of it (the engineer is all over the faders) which strangely suits the mad music:
Symphony No. 15, Rozhdestvensky, USSR MoC SSO, JVC/Melodiya.

[daytona600]

Playing a bit of Shossy myself today
Sacd - preludes & fugues michael ras on organ 5.0 multichannel
24bit MW Cd sym No7 lennigrad concertgebouw
both good window rattlers , rare versions of these i think

[Marco]

Nice one, Scott. Great minds think alike (or daftees never differ)! ;)

Marco.

[Marco]

I think all of Shossy's symphonies are suitable for 'big rig' reproduction with the possible exception of the 14th!


Interesting... I'll check to see if I have his 14th.


The two Piano Concertos are superb but quite different from each other. I don't know Brautigam but I would think Ortiz is well suited to the 2nd.

The 10th is simply wonderful :)


Agreed! I also rather like his 11th. For Brautigam, check out his website: http://www.ronaldbrautigam.com/ Quite interesting...


If you want to listen to a beyond-mad symphony, full of cryptic quotes and peculiar funny bits, try the 15th. I have a mad recording of it (the engineer is all over the faders) which strangely suits the mad music:
Symphony No. 15, Rozhdestvensky, USSR MoC SSO, JVC/Melodiya.

Noted. I think I've got it on vinyl. I'll check!

Btw, on Saturday, Del and I are going to see the BBC National Orchestra of Wales perform Sibelius' 'Scènes Historiques, Suite No1', Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto and Beethoven's fifth symphony. Conductor for the evening will be Thomas Søndergård. Basset Clarinet will be played by Robert Plane.

Looking forward to it! :cool:

Marco.

[MartinT]

That should be a good programme, Marco.

[.mus]

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/28198906/AoS/UANG_DSB3902__76704__07282011101031-8024.jpg

With thanks to Jerry ;)

[jandl100]

With thanks to Jerry ;)

What do you think? - how does it compare to the version in the boxed set you have?

[Marco]

That should be a good programme, Marco.

I'll let you know how it goes - may even manage a few pics! ;)

Marco.

[.mus]

What do you think? - how does it compare to the version in the boxed set you have?

It's rather lovely :) Very open, and well-scaled stereo image (if that makes sense) - easy to forget that it's actually coming out of the speakers, it's amazing the difference that proper mastering can make. For now I'm just enjoying it while I catch up on some reading. But I'll do a more direct comparison with box set version over the weekend and report back.

[jandl100]

Surely some of the most perfect music ever written .....

http://www.discorder.com/images/covers/b/1/4/147705.jpg
http://www.discorder.com/images/covers/b/1/4/146969.jpg

Nice full bodied recordings, if a little reverberant.
-- and happily now available on the budget Brilliant label.
Bliss.

[morris_minor]

More BIS recordings . . . .

I'm a bit of a sucker for eClassical's bargain "box" downloads, and took a punt recently on the 13 Symphonies of Vagn Holmboe (http://www.eclassical.com/composers/holmboe-vagn/holmboe-complete-symphonies.html).

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2000/mar00/holmboe.jpg

What a revelation! :eek:

Why do we never hear this music? Why aren't there more recordings of it? :scratch:

Muscular, cogently argued, exciting, approachable 20th Century music. There's more to Danish music than Nielsen - and given the exposure Holmboe could be as popular as Nielsen, I'm sure.

The recordings are typically BIS in their excellence, and the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra play like they've known this music all their lives (which of course, they have).

After getting this music I found this page about Holmboe (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2000/mar00/holmboe.htm), and these recordings, so anything I could say has been said much better here . . .

[jandl100]

What a revelation! :eek:

Why do we never hear this music?

I do, quite often. I have many CDs of his music. Yup, mighty fine! :)

[morris_minor]

Jerry - what other, obscure, 20th Cent symphonists can you recommend? :scratch:

[jandl100]

Jerry - what other, obscure, 20th Cent symphonists can you recommend? :scratch:

Oooo - quite a few, Bob!

Lessee ....

Joly Braga Santos
Luis de Freitas Branco
Stanley Bate
Richard Arnell
John Fernstrom
Erkki-Sven Tuur
Gloria Coates
Malcolm Arnold
Alfredo Casella
Ronald Corp
Kamran Ince
Marcel Tyberg
Mieczyslaw Vainberg / Weinberg (different spelling used!)
Douglas Lilburn
Alan Rawsthorne
Ned Rorem
Edmund Rubbra
Reinhard Schwarz-Schilling

Lots of different musical flavours in there!
That enough to be going on with? :)

[MartinT]

What about Ligeti and Gorecki?

[Marco]

Just back from the concert with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, which was utterly superb! A truly mesmerising and heroic performance. It's always a pleasure going to hear live music, and getting the opportunity to experience the sound of real instruments and a talented orchestra in full flow! :)

Anyway, the BBC representative was selling some classical CDs, from their discography, so I picked up the following, all performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales:

Frédéric d'Erlanger - violin concerto in D minor. Poeme in D Major. Frederic Cliffe - violin concerto in D minor, with Phillippe Graffin (violin), conducted by David Lloyd-Jones, on Hyperion, from 2010.

Shostakovich (double CD) - Symphonies No5, 6 and 10, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, on BIS, from 1999.

Shostakovich - Symphony No14, with Joan Rodgers (soprano) and John Tomlinson (bass), conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, on BIS, from 2001.

Off to listen to them now! :cool:

Marco.

[jandl100]

Bloody hell, that's a superb collection of CDs, Marco! :eek:

I'm madly, insanely jealous! :lol:

[Marco]

Lol... That's praise indeed from a discerning chap like you. I didn't realise they were *that* good...

That was until I listened myself! :eyebrows:

Incidentally, all those titles are available directly from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales discography. The Shossy 14th is £12, the double Shossy CD of his 5th, 6th and 10th is £20, and the D'Erlanger/Cliffe violin concertos is £12.

Simply phone the BBC 'call now' line free on: 0800 052 1812. They've got loads of other stuff, too! :)

Marco.

[jandl100]

Yesterday ....

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0000/979/MI0000979104.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Rather fine! - defo on the 'keep' pile!

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0003/377/MI0003377087.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Def the most listenable M-D I have come across - I'm not usually a fan but this got a rave review in Fanfare so I thought I'd give him another go. CD arrived yesterday and I played it twice on the trot. Hmm, the symphony is nearly an hour long and is very interesting, surprisingly not overlong (!), and worthy of further investigation.

The filler is much lighter fare and features a very impressively recorded bass (Irish) drum and Northumbrian pipes - I loved it!

[jandl100]

Lol... That's praise indeed from a discerning chap like you. I didn't realise they were *that* good...



Yep - I've had my eye on Wiggles' Shosty on BIS for some time but they don't come cheap and I have never quite plucked up the courage to spend the necessary spondoolies, tight-fisted git that I am! :eyebrows:

Hmmm ..... :hmm:

[Marco]

Just bag it, dude. Ya only lives once! :cool:

Marco.

[jandl100]

Doh! -- OK - I've just invested £5.60 in Shosty's 7th symphony as conducted by the Wiggling One on BIS. :) All the others are more expensive, so I'll see how I get on with Numero 7 and I'll see if I fancy investing the necessaries for more of them -- it's not as if I'm short of recordings of Shosty symphonies! :doh:

[Marco]

Lol... Bet you've got tons! I fancy this, from Hyperion (any thoughts on its musical merit?):

http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67865&vw=dc

That site is a veritable hive of temptation!!

Marco.

[jandl100]

Hmm, interesting. But most of it is not 'pukka' Shosty - it's his music arranged for viola and piano by other composers. The viola sonata is original Shosty, though.

Could be good .... but ....

Do you have a recording of his violin concerto #1? -- if not, I'd go there first if it were me.
This recording is so awesome that words fail me.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hartmann-Concerto-Funebre-Shostakovich-Violin/dp/B00008XVJO/ref=sr_1_34?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1363512028&sr=1-34

[Marco]

Nice one, Jerry. I shall purloin that later :eyebrows:

Currently waiting on this arriving from the States:


http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/2877/picturesatexhib.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/picturesatexhib.jpg/)


Yum, yum! :)

Marco.

[MartinT]

The Shossy Violin Concerto is wonderful.

That Moussorgsky Pictures is the original piano version, not the orchestration by Ravel.

[Marco]

Yup, I know. It's lauded as a superb recording! :)

All the vintage Mercury Living Presence classical releases I have on vinyl sound utterly stunning.

Marco.

[jandl100]

That Moussorgsky Pictures is the original piano version, not the orchestration by Ravel.

From the cover in Marco's post, it looks like it's got both versions.

[Marco]

Indeed:


Also includes Moussorgsky-Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition. Antal Dorati, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra.


:)

Marco.

[morris_minor]

Oooo - quite a few, Bob!

Lessee ....

Joly Braga Santos
Luis de Freitas Branco
Stanley Bate
Richard Arnell
John Fernstrom
Erkki-Sven Tuur
Gloria Coates
Malcolm Arnold
Alfredo Casella
Ronald Corp
Kamran Ince
Marcel Tyberg
Mieczyslaw Vainberg / Weinberg (different spelling used!)
Douglas Lilburn
Alan Rawsthorne
Ned Rorem
Edmund Rubbra
Reinhard Schwarz-Schilling

Lots of different musical flavours in there!
That enough to be going on with? :)

I've got most of the Brits covered, but the rest will keep me off the streets for a bit :eyebrows:. Thanks, Jerry.

[MartinT]

Ah, good stuff. The Dorati is an excellent version.

[Marco]

I'm looking forward to receiving the CD, as it was highly recommended. I've been playing the D'Erlanger violin concerto today, which is fantastic. If you don't have that, Martin, check it out :)

Marco.

[MartinT]

Will do!

[MartinT]

Howard Hanson - Symphony No. 2, Gerhardt, National PO, RCA [vinyl]

http://991.com/newGallery/Howard-Hanson-Symphony-No-2-Rom-528424.jpg

Here's a fairly obscure one. Nice other-worldly opening and a romantic sweep that sounds vaguely familiar throughout. Finishes sounding much more American (could be Gershwin) than its opening. Rather enjoyable.

[jandl100]

http://c3.cduniverse.ws/resized/250x500/music/600/1042600.jpg

Mmm -- yum!

I reckon if you love Bach's preludes and fugues, you'll like this, too!

[MartinT]

Shostakovich - Symphony No. 15, Rozhdestvensky, USSR MoCSSO, JVC/Melodiya [cd]

Where to start? This is unlike any of Shossy's other symphonies and perhaps shows the direction he would have taken had he lived longer. Quite bizarre but compelling with odd references to Rossini and others. The first movement is an experience! Performed with incredible gusto by the players and recorded by a mad engineer (one Severin Pazukhin) who must have been having a right laugh (or perhaps had never recorded classical music before). Trying to work out the layout of the orchestra requires a warp field, what with the glockenspiel appearing to be in front of the first violins, brass appearing from everywhere and the most ENORMOUS bass drum this side of a Telarc recording.

Great fun, but I don't know what Shostakovich was trying to say.

http://www.cdbiblio.com/eingang/cdimages/img_shostakovich/shostakovich0006.jpg

[jandl100]

Inspired by Martin's Shosty sym15 post, I had a listen to the recording in my box set conducted by Barshai. I've not listened to the 15th in ages, kind of put off by the Rossini William Tell / Lone Ranger weirdness.

I think it's the Lone Ranger connection that does our collective heads in (the famous theme from Rossini's William Tell opera was used as the main theme for the Lone Ranger TV series way back when).

Trying to ignore that connection, I think what we have is a first movement that is "variations on a theme by Rossini", which is not that unusual a thing for a composer to do - followed by 3 movements of fairly normal late Shostakovich.
It's actually quite good when viewed in that light! :)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/6110Ipi39iL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

By the way, for bargain hunting Shosty fans, this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich-Complete-Symphonies-Barshai/dp/B00005UW2D/ref=sr_1_18?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1363851619&sr=1-18) is a very fine and well recorded cheap set of all the symphonies.

__________

Anyhoo -- following the morning listen to Shosty 15, this was to be heard Chez-Jerry last night -->

http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/media/ProductImage/largeImage/ProductImage-7548895.jpg

Good stuff, especially the Partita, which is a 30 minute+ multi mvt symphony, in effect.
The violin concerto is also growing on me.

[MartinT]

Thanks for the boxed set recommendation, Jerry. You should really try to listen to the Rozhdestvensky if you ever get a chance, it's a hoot!

[.mus]

This evening...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51uEOHd2H1L._SL500_.jpg

A while ago picked up, more or less randomly, a good selection from Naxos's 'Japanese Classics' series - some nice stuff, this included.

[jandl100]

http://classicalmuzic.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Holst-The-Planets-Herbert-von-Karajan-Berliner-Philharmoniker-FLAC-300x300.jpg

Woo-Hoo! Martin is right - this is splendid! :thumbsup:

[MartinT]

:)

[jandl100]

:) indeed.

Karajan comes in for some flak (including from me!) -- but by gum, he has the structure of the Planets nailed - and so taut and exciting. And the recording is so good - not what one normally expects from DG of this era, imo.

Criticisms? - well, the big, extended melody in Jupiter lacks the last edge of soul stirring jingoistic nobility, the choral fade out to Neptune is a little wanting in in etherealness.

But this is certainly a keeper.

I'll give Herbie's earlier Decca Planets a hearing later today.

[jandl100]

Over the years, every now and then I have another go at 'organ symphonies' (no sniggering at the back!). Just an organ playing; no orchestra. I can't normally get into them (I said no sniggering), but this recently acquired BBC magazine freebie CD may well have gained me entry (stop it!).

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/165/MI0001165552.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Very nicely recorded - deep vibrant bass when required (which is quite a lot!), a very immediate sound which isn't swamped by its own reverberation. I've played the CD through 3 times now, with ever increasing enjoyment.

___

I'm not a great fan of Bartok's music, overall. But a few pieces hit the spot for me - the 3rd piano concerto is one, as is the music for strings, percussion & celesta, and this one heard last night after a gap of a couple of years is another. Lovely music ....

http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/media/ProductImage/largeImage/ProductImage-34885.jpg

-- although I think you have to be a real connoisseur of the viola concerto for the differences between the 2 versions recorded here to be very noticeable!

[MartinT]

The Widor is top rank, Jerry. My fave is the Widor 3rd.

[Marco]

Right now on minty vintage vinyl:


http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6396/berlioz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/715/berlioz.jpg/)


Berlioz - Requiem (Grande Messe des Morts Op.5), with Peter Schreier (tenor), the Bavarian Radio Orchestra and Chorus (Chorus Master: Wolfgang Schubert), conducted by Charles Munch, on Deutsche Grammophon Privilege, from 1968.

Fabulous music and a truly sensational recording on this classic masterpiece! :)

Marco.

[Barry]

Stravinsky – ‘The Rite of Spring’

LSO, cond. Sir Eugene Gossens. Everest Stereo SDBR 3047, US import. (Recorded on 35mm tape)

Played because it is the 100th anniversary of the Diaghilev première in Paris 1913.

and

Stravinsky – ‘The Firebird’ (1919 Version)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Icv05U1SL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, cond. Robert Shaw. Telarc DG-10039. (Being a US import, there is no date).


Takemitsu – ‘From Me Flows What You Call Time’

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5115Lw35rxL._SL500_AA300_.jpg




Not sure if this is the correct place to list, but anyway:

Morton Subotnick – ‘Silver Apples of the Moon’

Nonesuch H-71174 (1968). A Nonesuch Records commission.

Could be dismissively classed as belonging to the ‘bleeps and bloops’ school of electronic composition.


Terry Riley – ‘In C’

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D3GWS20ZL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

A somewhat mesmeric development of rhythmic patterns all based on a single note.

[Gromit]

This afternoon (amongst some other non-orchestral stuff)...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RpQLxceCL.jpg

I've played in this a couple of times, and apart from his 5th it's just about the only Mahler I've really enjoyed (there are some good Clarinet bits in it basically). :)

[jandl100]

http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/media/ProductImage/largeImage/ProductImage-148050.jpg

Hmm. Kind of limp, without that Shosty neurotic 'edge'.

By gum, this is how it should go! :eek: :drool: -->

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/008/MI0001008687.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Surprisingly, it's a better recording than the BIS, too. More alive, more presence, more definition, more detail.
I need no other recording of this symphony, it's got it all. :thumbsup:
-- and I can very seldom say that about a recording!

;) I'll send you a copy, Marco!
___________

Followed by --

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/139/MI0001139288.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Really quite adventurous and challenging music, not at all what I was expecting!

[jandl100]

..... (there are some good Clarinet bits in it basically). :)

What you need is a huge Brilliant Classics boxset of "the Compleat Clarinet music" :lol:

Lessee, I also listened to this CD for the 1st time yesterday ....

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/135/MI0001135817.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Interesting, and well worth a re-visit. I suspect it doesn't yield all at the first listen, to say the least. The slow mvt of the clarinet concerto is definitely yummy.

[Marco]

;) I'll send you a copy, Marco!


Lol - by all means! :)

Where did you get yours from?

Marco.

[.mus]

Takemitsu – ‘From Me Flows What You Call Time’

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5115Lw35rxL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Terry Riley – ‘In C’

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D3GWS20ZL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


:thumbsup: Love these.

Working my way through this today...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51z9-YREFwL.jpg

[MartinT]

Morton Subotnick – ‘Silver Apples of the Moon’

Nonesuch H-71174 (1968). A Nonesuch Records commission.

Could be dismissively classed as belonging to the ‘bleeps and bloops’ school of electronic composition.

I have a Morton Subotnik recording and I happily dismiss it with extreme prejudice. I am not yet at v2.0 where I can enjoy it :rolleyes:

[MartinT]

By gum, this is how it should go! :eek: :drool: -->

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/008/MI0001008687.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Agreed, Jerry, the Nanut is excellent.

[guyhayton]

Both the artist and the piece were new to me.
At the Manchester Hifi Show yesterday I was in the Brodmann (http://www.brodmannacoustics.com/index.php?id=19) room in front of their extremely handsome VC7 speakers. The Austrian chap asked us all if we were okay to listen to some classical music and put on this...

Bruch: Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 as played by Friedrich Kleinhapl on Cello

Well I considered it not only a beautiful piece of music but also an excellent demo.
Tonight I have just downloaded two Kleinhapl CDs from Presto Classical (http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/search.php?searchString=kleinhapl) - including this. Lovely and a well spent £20

http://i.prs.to/t_200/arsproduktionars38090.jpg

[WOStantonCS100]

Dvorak: New World Symphony
Smetana: The Moldau
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Karajan
(vinyl)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TToDFgJxL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[jandl100]

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/images/arnold2.jpg

I listened to the 1st symphony last night. What a fine piece. :) ... it continues to grow and grow on me.
And excellent sq, too.

_____

Mahler 5 - the search for a truly great recording continues. I have over a dozen in my collection, but somehow none are excellent in all ways.

This is surprisingly good, Wit was a very fine conductor --

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0000/985/MI0000985843.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Shame there isn't a bit more bite to the bass.

followed by the 5th from this set --

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517BdKwf85L._SY300_.jpg

Hmm. This may be my fave of those I have heard.
The 1970s sq is a little bit forward and unsubtle, but loads of oomph and definition.
And Levine is a wonderful Mahlerian.

Any suggestions for a great Mahler 5?

(I have Boulez, Abbado (Chicago), Abbado (DVD, Lucerne), Abravanel, Litton (live off radio), Barenboim, Inoue, Zander, Nanut, Morris, Rattle plus the above mentioned two).

[MartinT]

Hmm, I have the Abbado and Rattle plus at least a couple more. I'll check them out.

[Marco]

Where did you get yours from?

Marco.

Ahem!! ;)

Oi wants this:
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/008/MI0001008687.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

:)

Marco.

[MartinT]

I'm pretty sure I got mine from Amazon, Marco.

<hunts around>
Here you go:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Symphony-7-Leningrad-Shostakovich/dp/B00008FV9B/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1364210571&sr=8-2

[Marco]

Cheers, Martin. There was only one left, so I've just nabbed it! :)

Marco.

[jandl100]

Where did you get yours from?

Marco.

A street stall just off Oxford Street, London, about 15-20 years ago for £2. :)

I see Martin has helped you out properly. :eyebrows:

[Marco]

Not really, I still had to pay for it! :lol:

Only joking - cheers, Martinio :cool:

Marco.

[jandl100]

Well, you'll have that disc on the way tomorrow, as promised. ;) ... along with other interesting Shosty. :)

[Marco]

Wow - superbo! Nice one, Jezza!! :yay:

Marco.

[jandl100]

A leetle packet is on its way Wrexhamward. :)
____

Yesterday ....

http://www.renaud-bray.com/ImagesEditeurs/PG/1327/1327889-gf.jpg

Interesting cover for connoisseurs of the female and male form divine.

The 3 orchestral fantasies are really rather good :thumbsup: but the "heroic symphony" must be among the most embarrassingly trite and superficial pieces of music I have ever heard this side of Jimmy Osmond's Long haired lover from Liverpool. :doh:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61XKrKF4zkL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Ah, this is rather more interesting and challenging. :)

[Marco]

A leetle packet is on its way Wrexhamward. :)


Ganja, baby? Yeah, man! :peace:

Rumour has it that Shossy had a nice stash.... :eyebrows:

Marco.

[Barry]

I have a Morton Subotnik recording and I happily dismiss it with extreme prejudice. I am not yet at v2.0 where I can enjoy it :rolleyes:

:lol: I went through a phase where I would buy work that was "challenging" - the Subotnick was one such. I have a couple of Stockhausen records; again I'm still trying to 'get into them'!

Other composers have been more successful: Liegeti, Berg and Schoenberg amongst others. Still trying with Webern though.

Mind you, I'm still trying to 'get into' my late father's opera collection. :rolleyes:

[Barry]

Whilst re-cataloguing my Classical record collection, I came across this:

Lutosłwski – ‘Mi-Parti, for Symphonic Orchestra’
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518YRUzcU2L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, cond. Jacek Kasprzyk. Supraphon 140 2734 (1981).


With reference to my last post - this is, errmm, "interesting", as is the Penderecki - 'The Awakening of Jacob' and 'Anaklasis for String Orchestra and Percussion'.

[MartinT]

I have a couple of Stockhausen records; again I'm still trying to 'get into them'!

I've heard some stunningly ugly music in my time but that of Wolfgang Rihm and Harrison Birtwistle takes some beating. I'm certainly not trying to get into it, in fact life will be just spiffy if I never hear their dreadful noise ever again. Oh, and agree about Webern too.

[jandl100]

How about this for a new thread -- "weird ugly classical music that I actually quite like". :)

Of course, Tom/.mus probably listens to this sort of stuff for enjoyment anyway. :eyebrows:

[jandl100]

Yesterday ....

Watched on DVD with the missus -->

http://store.stratfordfestival.ca/images/P/Iolanthe_dvd_cbc.jpg

Following the surprising (to me) success of Karajan's The Planets Suite, I thought I'd reinvestigate the man in other repertoire.

It's common these days, I think, to dismiss Karajan / Berlin Phil as too smooth and superficial. The DG Planets strongly challenges this view, as does the previously mentioned Shosty 10th.

So does this -- received in t'post yesterday -->

http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/28943764520_p0_v1_s260x420.jpg

A truly stunning Brahms 3rd. :eek:
Taut, vigorous, exciting - but beautifully moulded and opulently played.
The sq is pretty darn good, too - only the bass is a little lacking in definition, but it goes plenty deep.
I had a quick shufty at the 1st mvt of the 4th, as well --- whoa! - That'll be up for a listen today!

I've got Karajan's Brahms 1 & 2 on order from Amazon now, as well. :)

[MartinT]

"weird ugly classical music that I actually quite like"

It won't be a very busy thread... ;)

[.mus]

Of course, Tom/.mus probably listens to this sort of stuff for enjoyment anyway. :eyebrows:

:lol:

I certainly am partial to both Stockhausen and Webern :eyebrows:

Now googling Wolfgang Rihm and Harrison Birtwistle...

[MartinT]

Now googling Wolfgang Rihm and Harrison Birtwistle...

Good luck with that, Tom.

<runs away>

[.mus]

Yes well... On looking him up, I realised I have listened to some Birtwistle before - and that I didn't like it at all, so scratch that :)

Rihm though is certainly new to me, but the wiki write up didn't fill me with hope - I'll try something though, once you're at safe distance, of course ;)

[.mus]

In the mean time, this exchange has inspired me to play some Webern, so disc 6 of this set...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RJjAG07DL._SL500_.jpg

[Eremite]

For the season...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51N7EQQ5PTL.jpg

This is Rilling's later recording of the St John Passion, providing a third disc with variations allowing for the reconstruction of the different performing versions of the passion.

I find Rilling a bit hit and miss in Bach, but this one is a definite hit.

[jandl100]

Interesting! - Rilling's first recording of the St John is my fave of all I have heard; there's a wonderful feeling of tension and momentum in the opening orchestral sequence especially, and his soloists are great. I'll have to keep a lookout for his new one. :)
He's a bit 'old fashioned' and some find him ploddy - which he can be! But sometimes he just hits the perfect tempo - not too fast! -and for me everything kind of falls into place around that.
His B-minor mass is also fab.

[morris_minor]

This morning it's back to Bach (as it were):

The Art of Fugue/Hans Fagius/BIS

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_500/MI0001/035/MI0001035592.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Of all of Fagius' Bach volumes this is the one I come back to most often.

Does anyone have recommendations for other versions, with different instruments . . . ?

[jandl100]

Art of Fugue reccies?

Oh yes!

Here's my fave (don't smirk, it is fabulous!)

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0000/982/MI0000982974.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

also wonderful ...

http://c3.cduniverse.ws/resized/250x500/music/166/1491166.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61O2mrR9opL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/036/MI0001036861.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

http://ml.naxos.jp/sharedfiles/images/cds/ABCD151.gif

I've owned and heard many others, but the above are my faves and are permanently in my collection. :)

[morris_minor]

Thanks Jerry! I knew I could rely on you to come up with the goods :eyebrows: . . .

[Mika K]

http://www.collegiummusicum.org/userfiles/MozartRequiem-Vienna-big.jpg

[MartinT]

The Karajan is a fine Requiem, Mika. Have you also tried the Fruhbeck de Burgos? It's an awesome performance.

Also, did you know there is a Classical Spinning Today thread here. Come and join us!

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13134&page=123

[jandl100]

http://c3.cduniverse.ws/resized/250x500/music/503/8574503.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518nZXSDRbL._SL500_SS500_.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqKk2gPm3lo/TC7XGrTkd4I/AAAAAAAABN0/KsbTnZuxozA/s1600/front.jpg

[MartinT]

Liszt - A Faust Symphony, Bernstein, NYO, Sony [cd]

A fine piece of music, perhaps Listz's best? Great performance and recording.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FfYni5DPL._SY300_.jpg

[MartinT]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqKk2gPm3lo/TC7XGrTkd4I/AAAAAAAABN0/KsbTnZuxozA/s1600/front.jpg

Is that what we would call Widor's Symphony No. 6, Jerry? Very nice, that one.

[jandl100]

Is that what we would call Widor's Symphony No. 6, Jerry? Very nice, that one.

Ummm -- I dunno! It's for organ & orchestra.

Yesterday ....

http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-NonVocal-BIG/Boyd-L-S01-1a[Boot-LP].jpg

Big pic, but she's kinda cute, so that's OK! :eyebrows:

Minty LP from charity shop. Spanish classical geetar on side 1 - and some Bach, Scarlatti on t'other. Very nice. :)

Then ---

As part of my Karajan Resurrection I thought I'd invest in this.

http://www.classicalarchives.com/images/coverart/6/c/a/f/028947771623_300.jpg

I've not heard Herbie's 9th before, always being put off by the Penguin Guide's dismissal - "a tour of a chromium plated heaven".

Hmm. Actually, it's well worth a listen. Yes, it's fast. No, he doesn't at all luxuriate in the gorgeous Schubertian glowing melodies. But it's exciting and dynamic and well, a bit different. Yep, it joins the 20 or so other recordings of the 9th on my shelves!

Then, some Big Stuff - a real Resurrection! :eek:

http://c3.cduniverse.ws/resized/250x500/music/563/1456563.jpg

Very nice indeed!
Having enjoyed Wit's Mahler 5th I thought I'd give this a go - just a few £ on Amazon!
sq 7.5/10. Very good - just lacking those last few ounces of oomph and dynamic scale - but lovely clarity and imaging. And the performance is top notch, wonderful articulation and attention to detail, but he catches the big picture, too.

Wit's Mahler 6 is now on order. :) -- and for £2.10 del, I've just ordered his Mahler 3 as well!

[Eremite]

More seasonal stuff:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510jXPo7BkL.jpg

The Easter Oratorio is one of Bach's "super cantatas" - certainly worth exploring for those looking for what's next after the big name works. There are quite a few good performances of this work (Herreweghe, for example) but I've chosen Suzuki today.

[jandl100]

I've been playing with my big organ again :eek:

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/165/MI0001165552.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqKk2gPm3lo/TC7XGrTkd4I/AAAAAAAABN0/KsbTnZuxozA/s1600/front.jpg[/QUOTE]

Turn the wick up ---- ooooo, lovely! :D

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2002/Mar02/Salzedo_quartets.jpg

Foreign name, but he's a Brit! 1921 - 2000. Modern, but defo tonal and Romantic - no Birtwhistle-like weird noises :nono: - just lovely music, beautifully recorded. :thumbsup: Available from Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chamber-Music-Archaeus-Quartet/dp/B00005RT5M/ref=sr_1_19?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1364799834&sr=1-19) for 6 squid or so ;)

[morris_minor]

The opening bars of Salzedo's Divertimento Op.49 provided the Open University's TV ident music back in the day. Having done quite a few OU modules, mainly for interest, the music is etched into my brain . . :eyebrows:

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Open_University.html

[jandl100]

The opening bars of Salzedo's Divertimento Op.49 provided the Open University's TV ident music back in the day. Having done quite a few OU modules, mainly for interest, the music is etched into my brain . . :eyebrows:

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Open_University.html

Ha, yes, I remember that! -- playing that tune now - the opening is a very good intro to anything, really.

Check out that string quartet disc, Bob - I played it again this morning - t'is very good. :)

[MartinT]

That OU ident music is seared in my brain, too. Never knew who composed it - thanks!

[jandl100]

So far on this cold and damp day, tucked up nice & warm in my music room :) ---

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2002/Mar02/Salzedo_quartets.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61D8UQcVsYL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/May05/Sallinen8_violin_9999722.jpg

[jandl100]

Edit: Brilliant Classics website has some really interesting releases - this one (http://www.brilliantclassics.com/release.aspx?id=FM00430843), of Shostakovich Choral Music, looks well worth seeking out . . .

http://api.1.esh-partner.net/GetThumbnail.ashx?ID=65cf269d-8d3c-44f1-aead-f22b9761b039

Now available! - and not at full price, either! ;)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B7U5I6S/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

[jandl100]

More from yesterday --

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/10143369/RAWSTHORNE+Cello+Concerto++Oboe+Concerto++Symphoni .jpg

The oboe concerto is wonderful, tuneful and accessible :thumbsup:, the cello concerto is a bit more of a challenge :scratch: !

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FVC0A652L.jpg

:eek: this Poulenc CD is totally yummy! Stunningly beautiful music and great sq, too. :)

[jandl100]

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF8778_zps74f48c84.jpg

There are many very fine recordings of this symphony, but this one is laugh-out-loud exhilarating. After a very slow and portentous intro to the 1st mvt, the performance explodes into life! :eek:
Fantastic (mid-70s) recording by the legendary Aubort/Nickrenz duo. Very dynamic and fast, very transparent - it suits the performance to a T!
This really is a must-have for any fan of Schubert 9th, imo.
A long-time fave of mine - desert island fare - only can I have Krips/LSO as well? :eyebrows:

[MartinT]

Thanks, Jerry. I found a used copy in Amazon, it's in my basket now!

[jandl100]

http://pixhost.me/avaxhome/b6/fc/0010fcb6_medium.jpeg

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/29100225/YoYo+Ma+Plays+Ennio+Morricone+Yo_Yo_Ma_plays_Morri cone_SK934.jpg

http://i43.tower.com/images/mm111810892/gilbert-sullivan-patience-anthony-warlow-dvd-cover-art.jpg

[MartinT]

Bach - Mass in B Minor, Gardiner, Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, Archiv [2 cd]

A gorgeous work and performance. Everything that you know about Bach, all his tell-tale signature moments, are present and correct. Lovely.

http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/imgs/s300x300/4779984.jpg

[morris_minor]

Now available! - and not at full price, either! ;)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B7U5I6S/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=
Well spotted! Duly ordered from the marketplace . .

And Canadian Brass's Art of Fugue turned up this morning - sounds great, thanks for the tip off, Jerry. :thumbsup:

[morris_minor]

Ha, yes, I remember that! -- playing that tune now - the opening is a very good intro to anything, really.

Check out that string quartet disc, Bob - I played it again this morning - t'is very good. :)
I will Jerry, thanks . . :)

[jandl100]

http://www.t2entertainment.nl/upload/producten/thumb/5029365941426.jpg

Yummy! - great sq, too. :thumbsup:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z7GEP84DL._SL500_SS500_.jpg

... always a pleasure. :)

http://cdn.7static.com/static/img/sleeveart/00/014/371/0001437146_350.jpg

Interesting and rewarding works for piano and/or solo cello.

[jandl100]

http://c3.cduniverse.ws/resized/250x500/music/205/1057205.jpg
http://i.prs.to/t_200/naxos8555266.jpg
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0000/984/MI0000984551.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

... all :thumbsup:


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ecnayGRWL._SY300_.jpg

O M G ! -- :doh: - unlike the other excellent recordings in Wit's Mahler series that I have heard (2, 5, 6, 8), this recording is muffled and blurred. :scratch: I didn't get beyond the first 3 minutes!

[morris_minor]

The Shostakovich choral disc arrived this morning - dead pleased with it. As you said Jerry, great sq and I really like the choral tone. Only on the first playing at the moment . . .

What I have played a lot more is a recent (rare) SACD purchase. "This England" with the Oregon Symphony and Carlos Kalmar on Pentatone.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gBCHkXVYL._SX300_.jpg

A good programme consisting of Elgar's Cockaigne Overture, RVW Symphony 5 and Britten Sea Interludes. Taken from live performances these are splendid performances superbly played. The Portland audience must be very fit and disciplined (or else editing is very good) as there is minimal noise.

The recording is also top notch - other than, for me, being a trifle close (maybe a constraint of the live recording?). This was a bit disconcerting in the RVW, where the sublime music shouldn't have a forensic microscope on it (I exaggerate greatly of course!). In reality the woodwind and brass are a little more forward than you'd find in, say, Boult's EMI recording. The Britten has a slightly more distant perspective, but overall I'm nitpicking.

The CD layer is very good, and the surround (4.1) superbly natural.

The RVW is the star of the show for me, with the ebb and flow of the music presented with great sensitivity and a feeling for the structure conveyed really convincingly. Highly recommended . . .

[WOStantonCS100]

The Mrs. told me things were half off today at the thrifts. Yup, for 49p, I'll take a punt.

In collaborazione con l'ente autonomo del
Teatro alla Scala
Vincenzo Bellini
Norma

Maria Meneghini Callas (Norma)

Tullio Serafin
Vitore Veneziani

(3 LPs)

[jandl100]

Mega charity CD haul yesterday.

200+ CDs, mainly Naxos, all classical.
Actually, I'll be trying to shift them on behalf of the Blue Cross (pet welfare) charity. :)
I'll list them - well, take a few photos! - in the next day or so.
Some really good stuff! - including some excellent Shosty on Naxos and others. ;)

Some, of course, will be purchased and staying at Jerry Towers. :eyebrows:

Some played last night .....

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417cJmuxOzL._SY300_.jpg
-- wow, fab sq - fab music. The only 1 from this series, and I'm buying it!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BNJVQFFEL._SX300_.jpg
-- Wow!! - superb. A 2-CD set. I'll be selling this one. I can't seem to find what it's worth - maybe it's rare? Offers? ;)

http://i.prs.to/t_200/naxos8554207.jpg
-- interesting, and very good sq, but not really my thing.

http://www.hancockandmonks.com/shop/images/27108.jpg
-- legendary! These go for a £fiver - anyone?

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/10145437/PISTON+Violin+Concertos+Nos+1+and+2++Fantasia+for. jpg
-- hmm. Interesting. This may well be staying.

http://boxset.ru/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/rattle_mahler_symphonies.jpg
-- I'm not a big fan of Rattle - but these seem to go for circa £20.

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/111/MI0001111962.jpg?partner=allrovi.com
-- lovely collection of classical guitar music, good sq, too.

[morris_minor]

Looks a great haul, Jerry!

The Mercury 1812 is a classic - but the guy doing the commentary bit about the recording must be a candidate for having the world's most boring voice ...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[jandl100]

Yep, lots of good stuff!

I've started a FS thread here http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=431607#post431607 :)

[Marco]

Listening to this now on CD, which is rather fabulous, picked up in a charity shop in Scotland for £1....


http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/1969/schumann0003.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/schumann0003.jpg/)


Beautifully captivating and emotive performance, and a stunning recording, to boot... Highly recommended! :)

Marco.