What are YOU listening to today?

ContrapunctusIX · Post by **ContrapunctusIX** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 12:35 am

Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas Op. 120; Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano Op. 114
Martin Frost, clarinet
Roland Pontinen, piano
Torlief Thedeen, cello
BIS

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 2:18 am

ContrapunctusIX wrote:Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas Op. 120; Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano Op. 114
Martin Frost, clarinet
Roland Pontinen, piano
Torlief Thedeen, cello
BIS

Great disc, Martin Frost has never made a bad recording...

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:58 am

This is still the finest Paradies und die Peri in the catalogue. The Monteverdi Choir is beyond praise, and Barbara Bonney is so brilliantly assured in the difficult last pages of the score that she puts every other soprano who has recorded the part into the shade.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 10:43 am

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... dition=new

This complete set of Rachmaninov's solo piano music has been pricey up to now, but here it is for $36 NEW from a third party seller on Amazon: gorgeous sound, with highly individualized playing with great depth, these are excellent interpretations, including both versions of the Sonata #2.

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 10:49 am

Kraus - Overture to "Proserpine" (Westerberg/Sterling)
F.J. Haydn - Piano Sonata #32 (McCabe/London)
W.A. Mozart - Symphony #38 (Mackerras/Telarc)

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 12:55 pm

J.S. Bach - Cantata BWV 90 'Es reiBet euch ein schrecklich Ende' (William Towers/James Gilchrist/Peter Harvey/John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir/The English Baroque Soloists, Soli Deo Gloria)

Mendelssohn - String Quartet in E-flat major (Melos Quartet, DG) below

Rachmaninov - 'Symphonic Dances' (Vasily Petrenko, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Avie)

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:13 pm

Mahler - Symphony No.4 (Judith Blegen/James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, RCA)

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:14 pm

Fergus wrote:To me some versions of M4 are on the dark side while others are infused with a sense of joy. This version is, for me, somewhere in between which makes it interesting for me. The first movement has, I think, a large element of apprehension. The second movement is not nearly as eerie as others; it is almost reticent. The performance of the slow movement is a thing of beauty albeit on the darker side with a sense of hesitancy about it; it is ideal music for the strings of the BPO and those lush, lyrical passages are beautifully played. I like the voice of Edith Mathis in the final movement and she especially sounds wonderful in the higher registers.

Good listening Fergus

One of the jewels of the Karajan back catalogue I dare say

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 5:17 pm

Prometheus wrote:
Fergus wrote: I like what Rifkin does with Bach
Same here. I followed up with this set.

Bach-Actus Tragicus-Rifkin-Decca.

I have that set as well and I really like it

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 5:19 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:
Fergus wrote:To me some versions of M4 are on the dark side while others are infused with a sense of joy. This version is, for me, somewhere in between which makes it interesting for me. The first movement has, I think, a large element of apprehension. The second movement is not nearly as eerie as others; it is almost reticent. The performance of the slow movement is a thing of beauty albeit on the darker side with a sense of hesitancy about it; it is ideal music for the strings of the BPO and those lush, lyrical passages are beautifully played. I like the voice of Edith Mathis in the final movement and she especially sounds wonderful in the higher registers.
Good listening Fergus
One of the jewels of the Karajan back catalogue I dare say

How did you get on with the Levine Darren? I have not heard it and have not read any comments about it.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 5:20 pm

Brahms 1 – played by the NBSO/Toscanini....

The first thing that one notices about this 1951 recording, other than the mono sound, is the absolutely wonderful quality of the recording reissued here in this 1999 set; it really is very good. The playing from the NBCSO is great and the performance is energetic and full blooded with a very sensitively played slow movement. The speeds are brisk but not at break neck pace and there is a lovely flow to the music. The slow, introductory sections at the beginning of the final movement leading up to the “Beethoven” theme are particularly beautiful.

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:41 pm

Fergus wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:
Fergus wrote:To me some versions of M4 are on the dark side while others are infused with a sense of joy. This version is, for me, somewhere in between which makes it interesting for me. The first movement has, I think, a large element of apprehension. The second movement is not nearly as eerie as others; it is almost reticent. The performance of the slow movement is a thing of beauty albeit on the darker side with a sense of hesitancy about it; it is ideal music for the strings of the BPO and those lush, lyrical passages are beautifully played. I like the voice of Edith Mathis in the final movement and she especially sounds wonderful in the higher registers.
Good listening Fergus
One of the jewels of the Karajan back catalogue I dare say
How did you get on with the Levine Darren? I have not heard it and have not read any comments about it.

I bought the Levine in the times of the L.P. and it´s basically OK. Let´s say it´s unexceptional, it´s well played as would be expected from the Chicago Symphony, and Levine conducts a safe performance without Bernstein eccentricities. At the time it was well received, but many reviewers preferred the Reiner and the Szell versions.

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 11:05 am

Reynolds - Overture to "Much Ado about Nothing" (Sutherland/Naxos)
Moeran - Sinfonietta (De Mar/Chandos)
Finzi - Eclogue (Donohoe/Naxos)
Bridge - Allegro moderato for Strings (Hickox/Chandos)
Holst - Short Festival Te Deum (Groves/EMI)

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 1:30 pm

Britten War Requiem

Gerald Finley, Christine Brewer, Anthony Dean Griffey, LPO Mazur

Fitting work for Veteran's Day

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 1:32 pm

J.S. Bach - Cantata BWV 56 'Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen' (Peter Harvey/John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir/The English Baroque Soloists, Soli Deo Gloria)

Dvorak - Piano Quintet No.2 (Rudolf Firkusny/Juilliard String Quartet, Sony Classical) below

Stravinsky - 'The Rite of Spring' (Yoel Levi, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Telarc)

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 1:37 pm

Fergus wrote:How did you get on with the Levine Darren? I have not heard it and have not read any comments about it.

I enjoyed it Fergus. Not a conductor I am overly familiar with but one who has some very pleasing recordings within my collection

Clean recording, great orchestra and an interpretation which, although not dazzling, has some really attractive qualities and gets some moments just...right

ContrapunctusIX · Post by **ContrapunctusIX** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 4:01 pm

Nielsen: String Quartets 2 & 4; String Quintet
Kontra quartet
BIS

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 4:23 pm

josé echenique wrote: I bought the Levine in the times of the L.P. and it´s basically OK. Let´s say it´s unexceptional, it´s well played as would be expected from the Chicago Symphony, and Levine conducts a safe performance without Bernstein eccentricities. At the time it was well received, but many reviewers preferred the Reiner and the Szell versions.

Thank you for that José. I have the Reiner and I also think that it is a wonderful interpretation

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 4:25 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:
Fergus wrote:How did you get on with the Levine Darren? I have not heard it and have not read any comments about it.
I enjoyed it Fergus. Not a conductor I am overly familiar with but one who has some very pleasing recordings within my collection
Clean recording, great orchestra and an interpretation which, although not dazzling, has some really attractive qualities and gets some moments just...right

Thank you for your comments Darren....it is always interesting to read different views from people on the same recording

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 4:26 pm

Vivaldi – 14 Concertos....

The interpretations were very good on this set if just a little on the restrained side for my taste. I preferred the Hogwood interpretations over those of Pickett. I like Vivaldi played with lots of bite! However that is not to take away from a really very good set. The recorded sound was top quality and the soloists were excellent throughout.

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 4:40 pm

J.S. Bach - Violin Concerto No.1 (David Oistrakh/Eugene Goossens, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, DG)

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

Liszt - 'Mazeppa' (Bernard Haitink, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philips)

StephenSutton · Post by **StephenSutton** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 5:18 pm

Handel: Harpsichord Suites, vol. 1 (Gilbert Rowland)

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 7:33 pm

I love this woman´s voice, so sexy.

val · Post by **val** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 5:00 am

LISZT: Dante Symphonie / Staatskapelle Dresden, Sinopoli

A superb version, with a beautiful orchestra. The Choir, in the Magnificat, was also very good.

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:01 am

Arne - Overture to "Artaxerses" (Terey-Smith/Dorian)
A. Bassano - Pavan & Galliard (His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts/Hyperion)
Albinoni - Sinfonia in G (Scimone/Erato)
Vivaldi - Concerto #2 from "L'estro armonico" (I Musici/Philips)
Bertali - Sonata a 4 (Musica Fiata/cpo)
J.S. Bach - Prelude & Fugue in D from "WTC, Book 1" (Cummings/Signum)
Graun - Trio a due viola da gamba e basso (Coin/Astree)

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:35 am

This got a rave review in the NY Times when it was released, and I'd say the playing on this disc lives up to the review. Outstanding!

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 3:21 pm

J.S. Bach - Violin Concerto No.2 (David Oistrakh/Eugene Goossens, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, DG)

Beethoven - Violin Sonata No.5 'Spring' (Arthur Grumiaux/Clara Haskil, Decca)

Brahms - 'Ein deutsches Requiem' (Genia Kuhmeier/Thomas Hampson/Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Arnold Schoenberg Choir/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, RCA) below

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 6:04 pm

Telemann – Tafelmusik: 1st Production performed by Musica Antiqua Koln/Goebel....

The musicianship is exemplary and the production and recording quality is of the highest quality which manifests itself in the wonderful sound of the textures of the instruments. This is refined and sophisticated music making which has a very easy flow to it. The cantabile in the “Solo” section was a standout track.

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 7:02 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:J.S. Bach - Violin Concerto No.2 (David Oistrakh/Eugene Goossens, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, DG)

Beethoven - Violin Sonata No.5 'Spring' (Arthur Grumiaux/Clara Haskil, Decca)

Brahms - 'Ein deutsches Requiem' (Genia Kuhmeier/Thomas Hampson/Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Arnold Schoenberg Choir/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, RCA) below

How did you like the Harnoncourt Deutsches Requiem Darren?

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 7:42 pm

maestrob wrote: This got a rave review in the NY Times when it was released, and I'd say the playing on this disc lives up to the review. Outstanding!

I agree, the best modern interpretation, it even beats Jenny Lin's recent disc on Hanssler...

val · Post by **val** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:57 am

BUSONI: Sarabande & Cortège / Staatskapelle Dresden, Sinopoli

I am not an enthusiast of this works, but the interpretation is good, in special the orchestra.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:33 am

Elgar - Piano Quintet in A minor....

This is a wonderful piece with a beautiful slow movement.

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:40 am

J.S. Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No.1-No.3 (Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan, BIS)

Sounds like a winner so far

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:42 am

josé echenique wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:J.S. Bach - Violin Concerto No.2 (David Oistrakh/Eugene Goossens, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, DG)

Beethoven - Violin Sonata No.5 'Spring' (Arthur Grumiaux/Clara Haskil, Decca)

Brahms - 'Ein deutsches Requiem' (Genia Kuhmeier/Thomas Hampson/Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Arnold Schoenberg Choir/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, RCA) below

How did you like the Harnoncourt Deutsches Requiem Darren?

Really enjoyed it Jose. I thought the recording had a great sense of space and the 2nd movement was hair raising

josé echenique · Post by **josé echenique** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:31 am

bombasticDarren wrote:
josé echenique wrote:
bombasticDarren wrote:J.S. Bach - Violin Concerto No.2 (David Oistrakh/Eugene Goossens, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, DG)

Beethoven - Violin Sonata No.5 'Spring' (Arthur Grumiaux/Clara Haskil, Decca)

Brahms - 'Ein deutsches Requiem' (Genia Kuhmeier/Thomas Hampson/Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Arnold Schoenberg Choir/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, RCA) below

How did you like the Harnoncourt Deutsches Requiem Darren?
Really enjoyed it Jose. I thought the recording had a great sense of space and the 2nd movement was hair raising

Glad to know you liked it. I think it´s a very honest and accomplished reading.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 10:24 am

Fergus wrote:Elgar - Piano Quintet in A minor....

This is a wonderful piece with a beautiful slow movement.

Fergus, you're a man after my own heart: that recording of the Quintet is one of my favorite recordings of all time

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 2:28 pm

Actually over the last few weeks:

Buchbinder's cycle, now about 30 years old, was probably the first digitally recorded set and remains excellent sounding. This is really an excellent, under-the-radar cycle, much like Eric Heidsieck's on EMI. Interpretively, it differs from Heidsieck, who can be passionate and explosive. Buchbinder's cycle sounds sunny to me and ripples with confidence. Details abound, ornaments aren't smeared and rhythms are firm. From a technical standpoint, Buchbinder is strong. The evenness in his chords and fluidity in his passagework are impressive and he seems to have a responsive instrument (not identified in the booklet). Some of the named sonatas stood out ("Pastoral", "Tempest", "Waldstein" "Appassionata" and "Hammerklavier") as well as the Op. 111, which at times is rapt and others jaunty (a unique reading).

Hopefully, Warner will re-issue this cycle.

John

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:31 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:J.S. Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No.1-No.3 (Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan, BIS)

Sounds like a winner so far

Delighted to hear it

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:31 pm

maestrob wrote:
Fergus wrote:Elgar - Piano Quintet in A minor....

This is a wonderful piece with a beautiful slow movement.
Fergus, you're a man after my own heart: that recording of the Quintet is one of my favorite recordings of all time

Yes, there is something special about it all right

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:33 pm

Brahms – Symphony No. 2 [Toscanini]....

Despite the boxed in sound of the mono recording the strings sound wonderful in the first movement. They play with great lyricism and drama where required. There is a nice bit of tension built up in the second movement. There is more wonderful playing in the third movement and Toscanini unleashes the orchestra with power in places in the fourth movement with the movement underlined with brisk speeds. The music is kept taught and controlled, however, culminating in a triumphant conclusion.

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:50 pm

Fergus wrote:Brahms – Symphony No. 2 [Toscanini]....

Despite the boxed in sound of the mono recording the strings sound wonderful in the first movement. They play with great lyricism and drama where required. There is a nice bit of tension built up in the second movement. There is more wonderful playing in the third movement and Toscanini unleashes the orchestra with power in places in the fourth movement with the movement underlined with brisk speeds. The music is kept taught and controlled, however, culminating in a triumphant conclusion.

BMG did a nice job digitally re-mastering the sound from the master tapes for The Immortal Toscanini series. Veteran Toscanini collectors know there is a long history with the sound of these recordings even with LPs having the same catalog numbers.

Amazon.com in the U.S. is also offering his Beethoven cycle at an unbelieveble price-$13.99 U.S.

http://www.amazon.com/Ludwig-van-Beetho ... 857&sr=1-1

This set included the 1949 performance of the Eroica instead of the later 1953 live performance included in the earlier Immortal issue. These performances have never sounded better than they do here.

John

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 5:56 pm

Fergus wrote:
maestrob wrote:
Fergus wrote:Elgar - Piano Quintet in A minor....

This is a wonderful piece with a beautiful slow movement.
Fergus, you're a man after my own heart: that recording of the Quintet is one of my favorite recordings of all time
Yes, there is something special about it all right

I might have to invest in this disc very soon

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:17 pm

Kusser - Ouverture de theatre #6 (Zajicek/K617)
W.F. Bach - Sinfonia to "Wo geht doe Lebensreise hin" (Haenchen/Berlin Classics)
Beethoven - String Trio in c minor, Op. 9, No. 3 (Grumiaux Tr/Philips)
Hummel - Introduction theme and variations, Op. 102 (Hauwe/Eufoda)

StephenSutton · Post by **StephenSutton** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 6:58 pm

Mendelssohn music for cello: (Move)
Zoe Kighton, cello
Amir Farid, piano

Super sound and playing; it wasnt until today that I realised I had never heard the Second Cello Sonata; what a sumptious slow movement piano intro....gorgeous..

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:02 am

CharmNewton wrote: BMG did a nice job digitally re-mastering the sound from the master tapes for The Immortal Toscanini series. Veteran Toscanini collectors know there is a long history with the sound of these recordings even with LPs having the same catalog numbers.

Amazon.com in the U.S. is also offering his Beethoven cycle at an unbelieveble price-$13.99 U.S.

http://www.amazon.com/Ludwig-van-Beetho ... 857&sr=1-1

This set included the 1949 performance of the Eroica instead of the later 1953 live performance included in the earlier Immortal issue. These performances have never sounded better than they do here.

John

I also have that Beethoven set John and now that I have heard the Brahms symphonies I am a convert to maestro Toscanini. I had not heard anything by Toscanini before I had bought the Beethoven set fairly recently as I was somewhat reluctant to invest for fear og the sound quality but, as you say, a really good job has been done here and both sets are well worth having. I will go in search of more performances by Toscanni soon

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:03 am

bombasticDarren wrote:
Fergus wrote:
maestrob wrote:
Fergus wrote:Elgar - Piano Quintet in A minor....

This is a wonderful piece with a beautiful slow movement.
Fergus, you're a man after my own heart: that recording of the Quintet is one of my favorite recordings of all time
Yes, there is something special about it all right
I might have to invest in this disc very soon

It is worth every one of the few pennies that you will spend on it Darren

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:05 am

JSB – Cantata BWV26 for the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity....

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 6:05 am

J.S. Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No.4-No.6 (Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan, BIS)

Beethoven - Violin Sonata No.6 (Arthur Grumiaux/Clara Haskil, Decca)

Ravel - Piano Concerto in G major & Piano Concerto 'for the left hand' (Pierre-Laurent Aimard/Pierre Boulez, The Cleveland Orchestra, DG) below

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 6:06 am

Fergus wrote:
It is worth every one of the few pennies that you will spend on it Darren

Let's hope so...it's now on it's way

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:09 am

Somehow, this great recording keeps sitting by my computer: impossible to put away.

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