What are you listening 2 now?

[Traverso]

Bach

CD 5

[pjme]

Another interesting name is that of Dutch-Javanese composer Constant van de Wall (1871-1945) who positioned himself as the 'only representative of the oriental element in music' (1917) and as 'compositeur javanais' (1921), and received favourable reviews in the Dutch, Indonesian, and French press alike. Yet he felt unappreciated by his colleagues, because they often failed to notice or to value 'the work of Indisch composers.' After his death, Van de Wall was soon consigned to oblivion. Yet there exists a small English-language biography of this pioneer: https://athenaeumscheltema.nl/a/henk-mak-van-dijk/constant-van-de-wall--a-european-javanese-composer/500340047?#paperback-9789082063592

Not the best video, alas, but the music is definitely  fine.

[Traverso]

Beethoven



Symphony No.7



Usually I post a message here and then go listen. This time I would like to do it the other way around.
This seventh symphony is a lifelong beloved piece for me. Once again Jansons proves to have a great grip on Beethoven's musical intentions. Great drive but not forced. The strings follow the conductor's instructions like a identical twin.
What a great orchestra is the orchestra of the Bavarian radio. Sweeping and subtle at the same time. Inviting in character, join me in this musical adventure of rhythmic brilliance. No Wagnerian heaviness but with a degree of lightness, arm in arm with our friend Beethoven as it were. Beethoven performed by Jansons with a clear eye for a tight structure that characterizes all his interpretations of this set. In Beethoven's time there was initially a rather peevish reaction because the music had something compelling about it that forced one to listen. Well, that is also present here, more through joy than pushiness.


Jansons has something to tell us in these Beethoven recordings, a refreshing Beethoven,maybe not as hot as some others but  definitely  with a warm inner glow.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I heard Köçekçe for the first time earlier today via this CD

The Erkin is the only one in which the written score is not supplemented with Levantine percussion instruments (although I didn't hear that much of a difference), a ney flute is used in the Caucasian Sketches, and short (17 and 47 seconds respectively) interludes for oud and qanun are placed between some of the movements in Scheherazade.

Nice orchestra!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Thanks for this post. I suppose that a better recording might do more justice to this "quaint" composition. I had never heard of Eichheim - a most interesting and intriguing figure.
http://www.music.ucsb.edu/projects/eichheim/main.html
I don't know if he knew or met Colin McPhee or Walter Spies - other singular musicians who studied and collected Balinese/indonesian music.

It's only one recording compiled in the nice album below. Stokowski, who loved Bali music, requested Eicheim to compose a modern music based on Gamelan music. I think Stoki was happy about the composition.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Etenraku, 11th century Japanese court music from the album above.

[

[Traverso]

Brahms

4 Balladen Op.10

[pjme]

Etenraku, 11th century Japanese court music from the album above.

[

is this the same work ? I think so....
Konoye, who was also a conductor and had been a pupil of Vincent d'Indy in Paris, made his arrangement of old Japanese gagaku tunes Etenraku in 1931.

It is also on this disc ( Konoye is not mentioned on the cover) - I do like this ! 

[Traverso]

Richard Strauss
[
 

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

I agree - and generally Solti-bashing (fast, superficial and crude) is an easy option these days.  Truth is I'd rather have some Solti fire over the anonymous bland efficiency of so many current conductors.  How many conductors today can you identify by ear alone from the style of their music-making? (HIP doesn't count!)

Very true. There really aren't that many interesting conductors working today. I actually am quite a fan of Solti's conducting. I love his Mahler --- his first recording of Das Lied von der Erde with Minton and Kollo is one of my favorite performances of this work.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

That's a fine old CD!

Absolutely, Jeffrey!

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Mahler 2nd



This French edition of Klemperer's Mahler recordings, for my money, are the best sounding remasters of them all. The more recent remasters are rather harsh to my ears.

[vandermolen]

Historic Britten recordings.
I really enjoy the programme on this CD:

[Brian]

First ever listen to this collection:



I am streaming while working, and decided to make notes of which pieces really caught my ear and made me look to see who wrote 'em.

Up first is the Karelia overture by Sibelius, which includes a brief quote of the much more famous Karelia Suite.

Next is the lively, comic, unusually colorful overture Nummisuutarit by Uuno Klami. This really made my ears perk up.

Then we head through a succession of somewhat more conservative works, most of all the dramatic and Bruch/Mendelssohn-ish overture by Ernst Mielck. Unfortunately, I'd have to say the next piece that really caught my attention was the famous-ish Praeludium by Jarnefelt.

Klami wins!

[Linz]

Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThe Symponies CD 15
Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K.543*
Symphony No. 4o in G minor (first version), K. 550*
The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Elgar The Spirit of England, Op. 80



A superb performance of one of Elgar's finest works, IMHO.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Bartók Violin Concerto No. 1, BB 48a, Sz. 36

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

is this the same work ? I think so....
Konoye, who was also a conductor and had been a pupil of Vincent d'Indy in Paris, made his arrangement of old Japanese gagaku tunes Etenraku in 1931.

It is also on this disc ( Konoye is not mentioned on the cover) - I do like this !

Yes, it is the same work. Nice performance.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Now playing Walton Symphony No. 2

[Spotted Horses]

Annie Fischer, Beethoven Sonata No 10 (Op 14, No 2), Annie Fischer



The main attraction of this succinct work in the middle "andante," a charming movement with lots of off-beat accents, which I imaging would have been bracing in Beethoven's day.