What are YOU listening to today?

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:48 pm

Jared wrote:
Fergus wrote:Prompted by the recent discusssions on this work....

it's residing in my Amazon basket as I type; the only reason why it hasn't been purchased yet is the fact that complete sets of Mahler/ Schubert & Brahms symphonies all still sit on my 'to be listened to' shelf..

So what is keeping you

Seriously....go for it because it is a good version of the work

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:49 pm

Thank you to Jared and José for the recommendations on the Buxtehude Cantatas

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:53 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:J.S. Bach - Cantata BWV 205 'Der zufriedengestelle Aeolus' (Yvonne Kenny/Marjana Lipovsek/Kurt Equiluz/Robert Holl/Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Arnold-Schoenberg-Chor/Concentus musicus Wien, Teldec) below

How are you finding Harnoncourt's JSB Cantatas Darren....somewhat different from our friends Gardiner and Suzuki I presume....

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:53 pm

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:56 pm

Fergus wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:How are you finding Harnoncourt's JSB Cantatas Darren....somewhat different from our friends Gardiner and Suzuki I presume....

Indeed Fergus, rough and ready performances - but an invigorating contrast nonetheless

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 4:05 pm

Fergus wrote: So what is keeping you

Mahler 10, The Dream of Gerontius & some Trumpet concertos... since you ask!

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 5:43 pm

23 minutes of the most deliciously bombastic music ever written:

Khachaturian Symphony # 3 Symphony-Poem Stokowski/CSO
Coupled with a wonderful Rimsky-Korsakov Russian Easter Overture

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 6:22 pm

Beautiful chamber music by Georg Druschetzky, well above average and worth exploring. Gorgeous oboe playing by Alfredo Bernardini and superb support by the Zefiro Ensemble.
Warmly recommended.

val · Post by **val** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:51 am

J.S. BACH: The 6 Cello Suites / Pablo Casals

The absolute splendour of the cello's voice.

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:43 am

Barber - 'Adagio for Strings', 'Essay for Orchestra' No.1 & No.2 (Yoel Levi, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Telarc)

Beethoven - String Quartet No.12 (Busch Quartet, EMI) below

Schubert - Piano Sonata D.959 (Alfred Brendel, Philips)

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 7:23 am

Beethoven

Violin Sonata No.1 (Arthur Grumiaux/Clara Haskil, Decca)

Piano Concerto No.2 (Martha Argerich/Claudio Abbado, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, DG) below

Symphony No.8 (Arturo Toscanini, NBC Symphony Orchestra, RCA)

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 7:39 am

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 8:04 am

Schumann – Piano Concerto played by Friedrich Gulda, VPO/Andreae

ContrapunctusIX · Post by **ContrapunctusIX** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:01 am

Stravinsky: Rite of Spring
Paris Conservatoire Orchestra & Pierre Monteux
from the Decca boxset:

Bartok: Cantata Profana; Wooden Prince
Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Pierre Boulez
DGG

Schumann: Requiem for Mignon
Chamber Orchestra of Europe & Claudio Abbado
DGG

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:08 am

Pulled this off the shelf as I haven't listened to it in years: I like it more now, frankly.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:19 am

Grieg – Holberg Suite played by the BPO/Karajan....

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:50 pm

One thing I love about CMG, our various discussions make me raid my collection for discs I have not played in a while. Thus, a Dittersdorf Afternoon:

Sinfonias: in a, "Il delirio delli compositori" (The Delirium of Composers)", in D "Il combattimento delle passioni umani" (Battle of Human Passions)" and in A "Sinfonia nazionale nel gusto di 5 nazioni" (Flavor of 5 Nations)"

Uwe Grodd, Failoni Chamber Orchestra Naxos 8.553975

Followed by the 6 Ovid Sinfonias

Cantilena, Adrian Shepherd Chandos 8564-65

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:40 pm

maestrob wrote:

Pulled this off the shelf as I haven't listened to it in years: I like it more now, frankly.

I have not pulled that of my shelves for a while either, I have a number of his recordings, including some when he was a member of Soft Machine and Nucleus back in the seventies, his music sure has changed since then...

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:50 pm

Elgar – String Quartet in A minor played by the Maggini String Quartet....

....wonderful and exciting music!!

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:28 am

JSB – Two Cantatas, BWV55 and BWV89 for the Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity....

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:02 am

^^ I'm please you've enjoyed the Elgar chamber music Fergus, as it doesn't seem to get a lot of exposure. It's been on my wishlist for some time, so I may have to purchase in due course.

This has recieved a 2nd complete run through now; I must admit I do like it:

This has just been on its final play (for the time being):

I must admit, I don't like the Britten here as much as on the Richter; not quite as coherent; but the coupling with the Khachaturian is an interesting one, and it'll be worth a revisit in due course.

Now I'm back onto the excellent Richter & Lubotsky disk for one final time before moving on:

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:58 am

difficult to believe maybe, but this is my first excursion into the wonderful world of Chopin... it shan't be my last..

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:57 am

I'm in a bit of a quandry over this one...

Firstly, I have to say that I'm on my 3rd listen, and I enjoy this performance very much, probably more than Rattle's. The textures do seem to be 'thinner' but that makes the individual parts of the orchestra clearer and more defined, with the consequence that I feel I can better appreciate the piece's constituent parts, and interplay between the individual instruments in a way that isn't quite as evident with the heralded Rattle performance...

and yet, the PG gives this performance a bit of a panning as 'lacking the finer Mahlerian colouring of later recordings' with the finale 'particularly lacking a sense of tragic weight'... whilst Gramophone don't even mention this recording at all

would anyone care to make comment?

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 8:26 am

Beethoven - String Quartet No.13 (Busch Quartet, EMI) & 'Grosse Fugue' (Adolf Busch, Busch Chamber Players, EMI)

Mahler - Symphony No.9 (Carlo Maria Giulini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, DG) below

Schubert - Piano Sonata D.960 (Alfred Brendel, Philips)

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 8:53 am

Jared wrote:

I'm in a bit of a quandry over this one...

would anyone care to make comment?

I am not....it is known that I never liked this version as I find it too velvety and syrupy for my taste....but that is just me

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 8:54 am

JSB –Cantata BWV80 for the Feast of the Reformation....

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:00 am

Jared wrote:^^ I'm please you've enjoyed the Elgar chamber music Fergus, as it doesn't seem to get a lot of exposure. It's been on my wishlist for some time, so I may have to purchase in due course.

I would not be a big fan of Elgar's orchestral music Jared to be honest but I have that disc for some years now and I really enjoy both of the works that are on it.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:08 am

Fergus wrote:
Jared wrote:^^ I'm please you've enjoyed the Elgar chamber music Fergus, as it doesn't seem to get a lot of exposure. It's been on my wishlist for some time, so I may have to purchase in due course.

I would not be a big fan of Elgar's orchestral music Jared to be honest but I have that disc for some years now and I really enjoy both of the works that are on it.

tbh, I was a little surprised (although pleasantly) that you possessed it, Fergus..

I do appreciate that Elgar's Orchestral works aren't to everyone's taste (indeed there are some that aren't to mine, either) but if you ever wish to dip your toe into these murky waters, please try his Violin Concerto with Kennedy/ Handley... it's quite accessible, and Kennedy really nails it..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elgar-Concerto- ... 034&sr=1-4

(and for £1.74, I don't think you complain at being ripped off...

)

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:11 am

Fergus wrote: I am not....it is known that I never liked this version as I find it too velvety and syrupy for my taste....but that is just me

I'd have gone for the adjective 'silky' rather than 'syrupy' myself, but thanks for your comments..

The Ormandy doesn't come across as being especially 'Late Romantic', does it? That said, I do really like the textures, and am pleased I now own it to compliment the others...

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:28 am

Fergus wrote:Elgar – String Quartet in A minor played by the Maggini String Quartet....

....wonderful and exciting music!!

Fergus:

That is one of my favorite recordings of all time, as is the reading of the Piano Quintet! I play it often: the Maggini Quartet surely have the measure of this music. The slow movement of the Piano Quintet is so finely nuanced.....a great recording!

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:34 am

Jared wrote:

I'm in a bit of a quandry over this one...

Firstly, I have to say that I'm on my 3rd listen, and I enjoy this performance very much, probably more than Rattle's. The textures do seem to be 'thinner' but that makes the individual parts of the orchestra clearer and more defined, with the consequence that I feel I can better appreciate the piece's constituent parts, and interplay between the individual instruments in a way that isn't quite as evident with the heralded Rattle performance...

and yet, the PG gives this performance a bit of a panning as 'lacking the finer Mahlerian colouring of later recordings' with the finale 'particularly lacking a sense of tragic weight'... whilst Gramophone don't even mention this recording at all

would anyone care to make comment?

Jared:

That is still my favorite recording of Mahler X: I have an autographed copy of the LP set in green marker by Ormandy himself.

PG is editorially biased against American recordings: it's as simple as that. Gramaphone may not have reviewed the disc as it was unavailable for decades and has only recently been reissued.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:56 am

maestrob wrote: Jared:

That is still my favorite recording of Mahler X: I have an autographed copy of the LP set in green marker by Ormandy himself.

PG is editorially biased against American recordings: it's as simple as that. Gramaphone may not have reviewed the disc as it was unavailable for decades and has only recently been reissued.

well, you can see that I also favour this recording as a distinctive compliment to Rattle's ... I've played it through 3 times now, and I'm sure it will have a few more spins in the near future.. thank you for the recommendation, mb..

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:58 am

maestrob wrote: Fergus:

That is one of my favorite recordings of all time, as is the reading of the Piano Quintet! I play it often: the Maggini Quartet surely have the measure of this music. The slow movement of the Piano Quintet is so finely nuanced.....a great recording!

Interesting comments; this more recent disk has also come highly praised, mb... do you own it?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elgar-String-Qu ... 678&sr=1-4

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 11:01 am

maestrob wrote:PG is editorially biased against American recordings: it's as simple as that.

Agreed maestrob. It works both ways though - which is why I have recording guides from both sides of the atlantic

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:24 pm

Cheers for that one Jared....I will certainly look it up

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:27 pm

maestrob wrote: Fergus:

That is one of my favorite recordings of all time, as is the reading of the Piano Quintet! I play it often: the Maggini Quartet surely have the measure of this music. The slow movement of the Piano Quintet is so finely nuanced.....a great recording!

They really are wonderful performances aren't they....a highly recommended disc to all concerned

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:36 pm

J.S. Bach - Cantata BWV 105 'Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht' (Miah Persson/Robin Blaze/Makoto Sakurada/Peter Kooij/Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan, BIS)

Beethoven - Violin Sonata No.2 & No.3 (Arthur Grumiaux/Clara Haskil, Decca)

R. Strauss - 'Tod und Verklarung' (Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, DG) below

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:38 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:Mahler - Symphony No.9 (Carlo Maria Giulini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, DG) below

and one of my favourite Ninth's.

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:39 pm

Seán wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:Mahler - Symphony No.9 (Carlo Maria Giulini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, DG) below

and one of my favourite Ninth's.

It was a glorious listen this afternoon Sean

I am thinking of getting Rattle's 9th next....do you have a view on it?

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:46 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:
Seán wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:Mahler - Symphony No.9 (Carlo Maria Giulini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, DG) below

and one of my favourite Ninth's.
It was a glorious listen this afternoon Sean

I am thinking of getting Rattle's 9th next....do you have a view on it?

I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, I would prefer to consider any or all of the HvK, Solti, Klemperer, Barbirolli and Abbado recordings instead.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 2:50 pm

bombasticDarren wrote: I am thinking of getting Rattle's 9th next....do you have a view on it?

If its the version from the boxset Darren, then I don't think I'd bother; it's certainly not one of his more memorable works and I think there (must be) many more better versions to spend your hard-earned on...

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 3:32 pm

well, I'm presently on my 1st listen to Symphs 1 & 4... and really liking what I'm hearing...

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 3:41 pm

Jared wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote: I am thinking of getting Rattle's 9th next....do you have a view on it?

If its the version from the boxset Darren, then I don't think I'd bother; it's certainly not one of his more memorable works and I think there (must be) many more better versions to spend your hard-earned on...

It might be academic now but I was planning on the VPO version, not BPO. Which is on the box set?

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 4:56 pm

maestrob wrote:
Jared wrote:

I'm in a bit of a quandry over this one...

Firstly, I have to say that I'm on my 3rd listen, and I enjoy this performance very much, probably more than Rattle's. The textures do seem to be 'thinner' but that makes the individual parts of the orchestra clearer and more defined, with the consequence that I feel I can better appreciate the piece's constituent parts, and interplay between the individual instruments in a way that isn't quite as evident with the heralded Rattle performance...

and yet, the PG gives this performance a bit of a panning as 'lacking the finer Mahlerian colouring of later recordings' with the finale 'particularly lacking a sense of tragic weight'... whilst Gramophone don't even mention this recording at all

would anyone care to make comment?
Jared:

That is still my favorite recording of Mahler X: I have an autographed copy of the LP set in green marker by Ormandy himself.

PG is editorially biased against American recordings: it's as simple as that. Gramaphone may not have reviewed the disc as it was unavailable for decades and has only recently been reissued.

You are so correct in feeling that the texture is thinner. Ormandy's was the first commercially available recording of the 10th and thus used Cooke's earliest version. Cooke himself revised his edition twice (Rattle uses Cooke III with some of Rattle's own changes) plus others joined in the act with their own versions. Along with the Wheeler, Cooke I is the "purest", most austere of the versions and thus I am not surprised some think it is "lacking the finer Mahlerian colouring of later recordings". Sanderling's on Berlin Classics and Chailly's Cooke II and Gielen's Cooke III are the best of the later editions. I find Rattle's disappointing frankly.

What also makes Ormandy's recording so special is that I think it vividly documents the thrill of the discovery of what fabulous music lies within the "ruins" of this incredible work.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:23 pm

Donaldopato wrote: You are so correct in feeling that the texture is thinner. Ormandy's was the first commercially available recording of the 10th and thus used Cooke's earliest version. Cooke himself revised his edition twice (Rattle uses Cooke III with some of Rattle's own changes) plus others joined in the act with their own versions. Along with the Wheeler, Cooke I is the "purest", most austere of the versions and thus I am not surprised some think it is "lacking the finer Mahlerian colouring of later recordings". Sanderling's on Berlin Classics and Chailly's Cooke II and Gielen's Cooke III are the best of the later editions. I find Rattle's disappointing frankly.

What also makes Ormandy's recording so special is that I think it vividly documents the thrill of the discovery of what fabulous music lies within the "ruins" of this incredible work.

Don, that's really interesting and well explained; thanks a lot!

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:25 pm

bombasticDarren wrote: It might be academic now but I was planning on the VPO version, not BPO. Which is on the box set?

9 is the only one in the boxset with the VPO...

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:58 pm

Jared wrote:

well, I'm presently on my 1st listen to Symphs 1 & 4... and really liking what I'm hearing...

I think that my favourite would be No. 5 from that set.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:59 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:R. Strauss - 'Tod und Verklarung' (Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, DG) below

Ahh....R Strauss, HvK and the BPO....I must listen again, soon

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:02 pm

Jared wrote:

Firstly, I have to say that I'm on my 3rd listen, and I enjoy this performance very much, probably more than Rattle's.

I meant to inquire Jared....which Rattle version do you have, the later BPO version or the earlier Bournmouth SO version?

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:04 pm

Buxtehude – Complete Organ Works....

I have now listened to the full complement of discs in the set and my initial impression was that it was not quite what I expected; I do not know exactly what I expected – perhaps music that was more overtly melodious. However, I did not dislike what I heard; it was just different than what I expected and I quite liked a number of the works. I will now go back and listen more attentively and pay more detailed attention to what I hear in the hope that I will gain a greater appreciation of the music in this set. Incidentally, the sound and the playing I found to be fine so that for me was not an issue.

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