What are you listening 2 now?

[AnotherSpin]

It seems neither Diaghilev nor the author of the Wikipedia article liked Hahn and his music.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Dieu_bleu

Their loss, honestly. I mean, Danse des Yoghis alone is basically a joke in motion — no way that thing isn't hilarious.

[Daverz]

I still have a problem with liking his music, and do not really have a valid reason for it. Maybe I do not listen to the pieces that would ease my way in, so to say.

For me it helped to listen to his earlier more accessible works -- such as the Concerto for Orchestra or the Symphony No. 1 -- before listening to the later works.  Then the later works were easier to listen to because I could still hear the personality of the composer of the earlier works.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Last work for the night: Ives Orchestral Set No. 2

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

For me it helped to listen to his earlier more accessible works -- such as the Concerto for Orchestra or the Symphony No. 1 -- before listening to the later works.  Then the later works were easier to listen to because I could still hear the personality of the composer of the earlier works.

Those two works are good suggestions. I'd also recommend Silesian Triptych and Little Suite. The fragment Lacrimosa (from a projected Requiem which was lost in a fire) is also a fine introduction. Lutosławski's later works have an almost French feel to them in that there's always a clarity and transparency in the music. I think a couple of listens to say the Piano Concerto or Les Espaces du sommeil will open up his sound-world considerably.

[Que]

A very nice recording but a bit of false advertisement: Tallis' two part lamentations clock over just 20 minutes and are on this recording accompanied by the Mass for four voices. The entire recording from the LP era leaves the listener with 54 mins playing time rather short handed...

EDIT: followed up with this, in a slightly different approach though still with a small ensemble and lower pitch.

   

Those Brilliant licensed recordings were incredible bargains!    The entire set for the price of just a single original volume in the series...

PS I see that on Amazon the Dixon set has resurfaced at acceptable prices. Those who'd like to burden their shelves with more weight, needn't hesitate!

[AnotherSpin]

[Florestan]

Armenian Chamber Instrumental Music.

The cover is completely at odds with the title. Seventeen players (including a tympanist) performing under a conductor in what appears to be a concert hall (organ included) hardly qualify as chamber music. 

[steve ridgway]

Birtwistle - The Shadow Of Night

[Irons]

Jacques Ibert - Bostoniana, etc.

Deserves more then a "like". Outstanding in all respects.

[Florestan]

I've loved these. concertos ever since I first heard them. Superbly crafted, supremely elegant, classically balanced between turbulence and serenity, gaiety and melancholy, amiable and mellifluous throughout, decidedly life-affirming --- what's not to like? Civilized music for civilized listeners.

[Christo]

The cover is completely at odds with the title. Seventeen players (including a tympanist) performing under a conductor in what appears to be a concert hall (organ included) hardly qualify as chamber music. 

Except when they play only one by one. 

[foxandpeng]

I'm finding this composer to be arresting more and more. These are tremendous quartets. They often remind me of Simpson in the forward momentum and organic development that impregnate them. The 5th is inspired by aquatints about bees and it's very imaginative to say the least. I think that foxandpeng might find this music of his interest.

I think you might be right! Thank you 😁

Some great works in this thread over the last few days. Great prompts and reminders. Thanks for this one!

[AnotherSpin]

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 4, 3

Roger Woodward
Georg Tintner, Queensland Theatre Orchestra

There's something genuinely satisfying about hearing familiar, long-loved works given a fresh interpretation.

[foxandpeng]

Now playing Guarnieri Symphony No. 1



Not long after this Guarnieri symphony cycle from Neschling was released on BIS, I was wondering if there was going to be another label who would record these works, but it never happened. I find these symphonies absolutely first-rate and, dare I say, this is an even finer cycle than Villa-Lobos' or Chávez's (to name two more well-known Latin American composers). For me, what makes these symphonies work is their directness and overall structural tautness. And, most importantly, they have the musical ideas to propel them.

For those who haven't checked out Guarnieri's six symphonies, then please do so. You're in for a real treat.

OK. I'm in. I prodded these a while ago and then completely forgot about their existence, despite adding a Guarnieri playlist to Spotify and being very impressed.

Hearing this last night and again this morning, I remain impressed!

[Harry]

Nikolai Yakovlevich Myaskovsky.
Symphony No.11 in B flat minor, Op.34 (1931)
Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra, Evgeni Svetlanov.

Since I play this set on a continuous basis, I stopped by to listen to No. 11. And boy is that a blast. An impressive work of proportion. The energy and contemplation, the strength and emotional insight is impressive. The first movement, "I. Lento – Allegro agitato" has all these things in a balanced proportion, the sheer breadth and width has a impact that keeps your ears busy as well as the mind, the second movement "II. Andante – Adagio, ma non tanto" is concentrated contemplation with small peaks of passion bursting out of its seams, but never outside the context, the third movement " III. Precipitato – Allegro" gives one access to all the elements in this work, and makes sense to the whole composition. What a lot of details one gets, especially in the woodwinds. For me this signifies greatness when Myaskovsky incorporates all this music in the available notes and gets the maximum of effect.
The sound is quite decent, and as to the performance Svetlanov is the conductor to choose.

[Florestan]

The Antretter is my favorite early serenade by Mozart.

[Traverso]

Beethoven

Symhony No.4

I have few recordings on CD with Mariss Jansons namely the Shostakovich and now this Beethoven set.
As for the Beethoven symphonies I still prefer the "Old School" interpretations where the music can still breathe and is not sacrificed in a compulsive urge for innovation more in favor of the conductor than the composer.
As a symphonist Beethoven still comes first for me.

[AnotherSpin]

[Cato]

Erich Leinsdorf and The Boston Symphony had a lock on Prokofiev!

I just skimmed a few other performances (Gergiev, Tilson-Thomas, et al.) of The Scythian Suite (via YouTube) and they sounded like slow, arthritic dirges in comparison!

And...

Piano Concerto #5 with the great John Browning!

[ChamberNut]

The Antretter is my favorite early serenade by Mozart.

Same!