What Are You Listening to Now?

[Haffner]

Originally posted by Geratlas:
Frequent Symphony listening yesterday!

Good Haffner You did wise to invest in that boxed edition. I have long since those recordings, all on singular disks, and I find them really pleasing. Have seen your posts the 3 last weeks (I was unable to use my computer before then), but take it you are an veteran member of this board. What are your general preferences in music, and composers? I myself like most genres, and most of the 'renowned' composers, 5 in actual thorough reveration (and I seriously mean that!): 1) BEETHOVEN, 2,3,4,5) Händel, Mozart, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky (I call him Tzaykovskiy). Further I continually grew indepted into works of following composers: Brahms, Dvorak, JS Bach, Mandelsohn (Schumann I was on good terms with from outset; not so much Chopin and Liszt, however both are of course fascinating), Berlioz (Refreshing, indeed), Berwald (Swedish composer of striking genuinity, and sometimes awkward effect), and most recent ones are Haydn (FJ - have never come across works by Michael), and Purcell...
If you got a more composer to add to this, or to dismiss from this listing (heaven forbid), feel free to do so.
Purcell. - Oh, also CPE Bach to be included.

I am no veteran of this board and only wish I had come across it sooner. Being 18 and having absolutely NO peers who share my interest in art music, to share opinion and insight concerning that which I love above all things is certainly very refreshing.

You have excellent taste and truly I would only differ with you on a couple of composers. I regret to say that my least favourite composer in the history of music is Handel, and I feel bad saying this since he is your second favourite. I don't know why, his music just rubs me the wrong way and I suppose I have always been more of a J.S. Bach man. Also, I'm not a big Dvorak fan, but I can see the cause for interest.

Other than those two composers (and maybe Mendelssohn as well), I admire the music of all the composers you listed (never heard of Berwald, will check it out). In terms of my top five, #1 must be Chopin (if you are not yet immersed in his music, look for his Ballade No. 4 in F minor, my favourite work) and as for #2 through #5, probably Mozart, Bartok, Debussy and Shostakovich. Of course I also adore Beethoven and deeply love the music of Berlioz (reading his memoirs currently), Wagner, and Mahler. As for the Baroque, Vivaldi has captured my heart but I also like, as I have already said, J. S. Bach. I also really like a lot of ancient music such as that of Josquin and Palestrina.

Currently I am listening to Brahms' Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel Op 24 played on the clavier by Daniel Barenboim (ironic since I was just discussing that I am not a big Handel fan). I am returning to Brahms after a long separation due to my growing interest in modern music and it is just as passionate, contrapuntal, lyrical and "Beethovenesce" as I remember. I want to get my hands on a set of his Lieder, I have been listening to the Lieder of Schubert lately and I want more German art song. I will also look for Hugo Wolf, he interests me greatly.

[Haffner]

Originally posted by Gurn Blanston:

For me, it is the Sonatas for Fortepiano of Mozart, Paul Badura-Skoda interpreting. I am only on my first hearing, but I am quite taken with his unusual accenting, he lends a whole different viewpoint. A terrible omission is the lack of any liner notes at all, it would be nice to at least know what sort of fortepiano is involved!

Have you heard the Mitsuko Uchida recordings of the Moazrt sonatas? They communicate exactly what I feel Mozart tried to communicate; grace, restraint and poetic lyricism, they are really great recordings.

[atserriotserri]

Originally posted by Gurn Blanston:
atserri,
Thanks for that information, it sounds intriguing, a different sort of concept. One wonders what B might have thought of that!? I have never heard Gould play the concertos, only the sonatas. Do you think that his performance is as individualistic with these as the sonatas are?

For the information, Gurn you're welcome!
Regarding what Beethoven might have thought... well, perhaps that 60%-70% of the arrangements are interesting, nice and well interpreted, and as for the remaining 30-40%... are nice, well interpreted, but would have been better to stick to the script; wink, wink, nudge, nudge...
Concerning Beethoven piano concertos, I have no other version to compare, but certainly is not as individualistic as piano sonatas; as an example, Gould just wrote his own cadenzas for the 1st concerto. The conductors are, for the 1st concerto, Vladimir Goldschmann, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Leonard Bernstein, and the 5th Leopold Stokowski. Bernstein was particularly satisfied of the 2nd. I'm delighted with them, honestly. I like Gould (as you can see for my comments and because I have many cds of him) but I recognize his mistakes; the concetos under my point of view are far away from being not just a mistake, but simply average.
A couple of details from the booklet to illustrate the contradictorial (demagogic) personality of Gould: He dropped out concerts in 1964, in 1969 he said in an interview: "Doctor, I have this incredible fixation. I want desperately to up on a stage, at the piano, in front of an orchestra, subduing the orchestra with my playing, having them copy my phrases, embroidering the phareses more delicately than they can and, at the end, be applauded for my efforts while my colleagues in the orchestra sit there subdued". Before, in 1966 he said "we exaggerate a sense of dualism as between the orchestra and the soloist, as between individual and mass... this is a great mistake".

Today I'll be enjoying even more Beethoven's piano concertos and Liszt Weimar Symphonic poems 1-4 (Masur cycle). Curious mixture of music, perhaps, but captivating after all!!

[Amalie]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gurn Blanston

Amalie,
Scheidt? Always a new thing that you introduce us to. This one sounds very interesting indeed! Can you give us some idea of what era this comes from? Sounds worth pursuing!



Indeed, an interesting composer!
Samuel Scheidt , 1587-1654, was a German composer and organist who was an important member of the first generation of Baroque composers in Germany.
He distinguished himself in both keyboard and sacred music, combining traditional counterpoint with the new Italian style.
He worked as court Kappelmeister in the City of Halle.

Early morning listening pieces:

Bach: Prelude & Fugue for
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier.
Bk,2 no. 5, BWV 874

Marjan: Mozetich:
Affairs of the Heart, A concerto.
Juliett Kang, (violin)
CBC Vancouver Orchestra.
A most appealing modern romantic piece.

Respighi: Vetrate di Chiesa, ( Church Windows). Orchestra of London, Canada.




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~ Unsterbliche Geliebte ~

[Vipercat]

I just got the MOST WONDERFUL ORGAN MUSIC EVER!!!! Oh man this is so cool. Today I listened to Medelssohn Sonata no.2 in C minor Op. 65 performed by Stephen Tharp (Naxos).
Also J.S Bach: Toccata and Fugue in d BWV 565, "Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Wachtet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" performed by Daleen Kruger of South Africa.

Then, the wonderful magnificent Symphony no.1 in d for organ and orchestra op.42 by A. Guilmant!! It's performed by organist Waclav Golonka of Poland. Man, it's good!!!!!

[Geratlas]

At present:
Schubert - Nachthelle (Male Chorus, pf.) etc.
Brahms - Teutsches Requiem

Good Haffner Alas, On reading your message I find you more than merely 'Good'. You seem really well tuned to the masters. "Being 18 and having absolutely NO peers who share my interest in art music, to share opinion and insight concerning that which I love above all things is certainly very refreshing." You did not have to tell me because I share this situation, however, I could not put it better! You accredit me to have "excellent taste", which surely means you have just as well. - Wow. A Berlioz inquisative! Great. I am so amazed by his music, that I so far heard: several (appr.10) overtures; Symph. fantast. of course; Harold en Italie; some minor works (which I do not know the names of by heart). I merged into the Handelian oeuvre only half a year ago, which I partly owe to our treasured Rod (who is an ardent Handel ambassador, if not of Noble birth). Though, you term him your "least favourite composer in the history of music". Might I convey you to explain this? I can honestly not believe it to true to the letter. - I promise you I will check up those Chopin favoris of yours (this is soon gratiously done!) and so you ought to get your chance at Herr Berwald. A Naxos recording would be the ideal thing, in your case, I think. The orchestral works being preferables, then. - Boarding Veteran or not - You are presently pleasantly pleasingly bringing interests and insights of value to others. / Wish you well, G.

Good'U'R'giviN'
These days have been rough on me, I have hardly rested more than one, two hours at each time: and so I only commit myself, here, to say I have taken notion of your reply. It was real nice, as ever. There is Musical understanding and there is Mutual understanding. Sadly I never heard any LvB symphony by Hanover Band, however I have Schubert's Nos.1-6, 8, 9. which I do not esteem superiour, most due to the recording failing in discant. Goodman is their leader (for a time I had him confused for Hogwood!).
As for that Hogwood cycle, I came about the information, this adapts "the long version" of the Eroica scherzo, and that Hogwood formated the orchestra to give improven effects in for exemple the 7th. What can you say of this? "You have heard some things that I have not even heard of!" This goes for you too, you know. And as for me being knowledgabe, it is as yet dispensible to You. I am still preparing a compilation of LvB's operatic endeavors.
(Sunday Ritual I would gladly adapt to = If there were Sundays only - Where do you find all that listening time?)
Sincerely Your "GER"AtLast (Ps. I need to rest, hopefully I am able to make you justice tomorrow. Ds)

Later: Schubert - Wand'rers Nachtlied.



[This message has been edited by Geratlas (edited 10-06-2004).]

[Gurn Blanston]

Spacerl,
Well, ma'am, I am such a cosmopolitan fellow that I have access to great amounts of music ready to hand. I simply walk into my local Classical Music Superstore and choose from among all the great recordings. It is nice to live in the navel of culture! Alright, I'm lying. In fact I have a great many dear friends, most of them with consummate good taste, who see to it that my stock of music is brimful at all times. If you folks had to rely on MY taste, this would be a sorry thread indeed! Ah, Pastrl has rubbed off some of his good taste on YOU, I see. Great!

Haffner,
Yes indeed I have. I love Uchida, I also have her complete Schubert Sonatas. I got into a heated discussion recently with someone who said "well, they are played perfectly, the point is that they are too pretty, Schubert is not supposed to be pretty"! ???? Well, not sure where that came from, but in any case I not only laughed, but I also pointed, rude little thing that I am! If you like her Mozart, you'll love her Schubert.

atserri,
Curious indeed, the sort of thing that I do myself, which makes it already questionable. Interesting discussion though. For me, I have always had trouble coming to grips with Gould when one steps beyond Bach. And even there he makes some curious choices, like not playing any ornaments in some works if Bach didn't write them in, yet Bach himself would have played dozens of unwritten ornaments because that is what keyboardists did back then. But certainly I can't fault his Bach playing. Never heard that Liszt, sounds interesting. Hmmm...

Amalie,
Ah, Early Baroque. Thank goodness he is not Late Renaissance or heaven forbid "Restoration"!! But the description of his style sounds quite intriguing. Thanks!

VC,
Welcome back! Found yourself some more organ music too, I see. How is the Sunday ritual going? Still keeping it up, I trust? I have some of those Mendelssohn Organ Sonatas, most interesting works. Another oddity I ran across recently is a disk on SONY that you may be able to get, it is their Essential Classics which are available everywhere. Organ Concertos by Haydn and Handel! Cool!

Ger,
Ah yes, you are not the only one who has felt that Hanover Band suffers from poor recording. Even I can hear it, though not enough to bother me. If you can get past that, sort of mentally block it out, the performances are often superb. I bought my Hogwood used, and the book was missing from it, but certainly what you describe is exactly the way Hogwood treats all of the Mozart works in that set. He plays them as written in terms of every repeat, and as nearly to the original ms. as possible to get. If you haven't approached the end of your Beethoven/Opera treatise yet, I think you will be surprised at how much he took a swing at! What is truly amazing is that the only one he completed was Leonore/Fidelio, the odds are that at least one of the many others would have borne fruit. Pity
Well, I drive more than 30 minutes to work every day, play music both ways there, and then I work in an office so I play music all day, and at home in the evening I play music until bed, as I don't watch television except rarely, opting to read and compute instead. So that is a lot of hours per day! I suppose the only activity that doesn't bear up to musical accompaniment is golf, a solitary game which needs no enhancement.

For me now, it is the Nonet in F major for Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn & Bassoon - Op 31 - Ludwig Spohr. No doubt many more of you have heard Schubert's Octet than this piece, so if you liked that (didn't everyone?) then you will undoubtedly like this. Written in 1814 in Vienna, it is a simply wonderful early Romantic work with the joie de vivre that Spohr infused in all his works until his wife's death. Splendid!

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Regards,
Gurn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's my opinion, I may be wrong.
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[Amalie]

Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, K581,
Reinier Hogerheijdi (clarinet)

Finzi: 5 Bagatelles, 0p.23
Soloist, Robert Plane
Northern Sinfonia Orchestra

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~ Unsterbliche Geliebte ~

[atserriotserri]

Originally posted by Gurn Blanston:

atserri,
Curious indeed, the sort of thing that I do myself, which makes it already questionable. Interesting discussion though. For me, I have always had trouble coming to grips with Gould when one steps beyond Bach. And even there he makes some curious choices, like not playing any ornaments in some works if Bach didn't write them in, yet Bach himself would have played dozens of unwritten ornaments because that is what keyboardists did back then. But certainly I can't fault his Bach playing. Never heard that Liszt, sounds interesting. Hmmm...

you're right, slightly questionable
As a matter of fact, I'd like to mention that for me is curious the feedback I receive from you, Gentlemen, regarding Gould. I look forward to be able to rest this weekend at last and relisten some Bach's Gould Cds because I find some (OK, few ) of his playing at least questionable and I'd like to share with you. On the other hand, as you say the immense majority of his Bach playing is magnific.

Very, very interesting that Liszt Weimar symphonic poems.

Yesterday night I listened at the Beethoven string quartets 7 & 12; I have the Quatuor Talich version (calliope) and I felt bittersweet, I mean, beautiful music, but not the kind of recording or performing I like, don't know how to express it properly, perhaps a mixture of excessive warmth and histrionism?? Have you listened this quartet perform or have any of his recordings?
After that experience, the Beethoven cello sonata no.1 (rostropovich / richter), this time both music and performance eased me so much I'm still listening to it, and of course, the other 4 .

[Hollywood]

Vivaldi's Concerto in G major for Oboe and Bassoon, RV 545".

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There are far worse things awaiting man than death.

[King Stephen]

Originally posted by Gurn Blanston:
Spacerl,
Well, ma'am, I am such a cosmopolitan fellow that I have access to great amounts of music ready to hand. I simply walk into my local Classical Music Superstore and choose from among all the great recordings. It is nice to live in the navel of culture! Alright, I'm lying. In fact I have a great many dear friends, most of them with consummate good taste, who see to it that my stock of music is brimful at all times. If you folks had to rely on MY taste, this would be a sorry thread indeed! Ah, Pastrl has rubbed off some of his good taste on YOU, I see. Great!

Haffner,
Yes indeed I have. I love Uchida, I also have her complete Schubert Sonatas. I got into a heated discussion recently with someone who said "well, they are played perfectly, the point is that they are too pretty, Schubert is not supposed to be pretty"! ???? Well, not sure where that came from, but in any case I not only laughed, but I also pointed, rude little thing that I am! If you like her Mozart, you'll love her Schubert.

atserri,
Curious indeed, the sort of thing that I do myself, which makes it already questionable. Interesting discussion though. For me, I have always had trouble coming to grips with Gould when one steps beyond Bach. And even there he makes some curious choices, like not playing any ornaments in some works if Bach didn't write them in, yet Bach himself would have played dozens of unwritten ornaments because that is what keyboardists did back then. But certainly I can't fault his Bach playing. Never heard that Liszt, sounds interesting. Hmmm...

Amalie,
Ah, Early Baroque. Thank goodness he is not Late Renaissance or heaven forbid "Restoration"!! But the description of his style sounds quite intriguing. Thanks!

VC,
Welcome back! Found yourself some more organ music too, I see. How is the Sunday ritual going? Still keeping it up, I trust? I have some of those Mendelssohn Organ Sonatas, most interesting works. Another oddity I ran across recently is a disk on SONY that you may be able to get, it is their Essential Classics which are available everywhere. Organ Concertos by Haydn and Handel! Cool!

Ger,
Ah yes, you are not the only one who has felt that Hanover Band suffers from poor recording. Even I can hear it, though not enough to bother me. If you can get past that, sort of mentally block it out, the performances are often superb. I bought my Hogwood used, and the book was missing from it, but certainly what you describe is exactly the way Hogwood treats all of the Mozart works in that set. He plays them as written in terms of every repeat, and as nearly to the original ms. as possible to get. If you haven't approached the end of your Beethoven/Opera treatise yet, I think you will be surprised at how much he took a swing at! What is truly amazing is that the only one he completed was Leonore/Fidelio, the odds are that at least one of the many others would have borne fruit. Pity
Well, I drive more than 30 minutes to work every day, play music both ways there, and then I work in an office so I play music all day, and at home in the evening I play music until bed, as I don't watch television except rarely, opting to read and compute instead. So that is a lot of hours per day! I suppose the only activity that doesn't bear up to musical accompaniment is golf, a solitary game which needs no enhancement.

For me now, it is the Nonet in F major for Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn & Bassoon - Op 31 - Ludwig Spohr. No doubt many more of you have heard Schubert's Octet than this piece, so if you liked that (didn't everyone?) then you will undoubtedly like this. Written in 1814 in Vienna, it is a simply wonderful early Romantic work with the joie de vivre that Spohr infused in all his works until his wife's death. Splendid!

Alas, other music lovers who share my thoughts on the Hanover Band recordings. My complaint is that there is to much reverberation in the recordings and it lacks the ambience of a 'full' hall. I have found this to be,in my opinion, a problem when listening to the Hanover band and unfortunatly can not get beyond it, as Gern has sugested. So.... in the finale analisis I avoid buy Hanover Band recordings. Good performances, bad recordings.

[King Stephen]

Originally posted by Gurn Blanston:
Ger,
Ah yes, you are not the only one who has felt that Hanover Band suffers from poor recording. Even I can hear it, though not enough to bother me. If you can get past that, sort of mentally block it out, the performances are often superb. I bought my Hogwood used, and the book was missing from it, but certainly what you describe is exactly the way Hogwood treats all of the Mozart works in that set. He plays them as written in terms of every repeat, and as nearly to the original ms. as possible to get. If you haven't approached the end of your Beethoven/Opera treatise yet, I think you will be surprised at how much he took a swing at! What is truly amazing is that the only one he completed was Leonore/Fidelio, the odds are that at least one of the many others would have borne fruit. Pity
Well, I drive more than 30 minutes to work every day, play music both ways there, and then I work in an office so I play music all day, and at home in the evening I play music until bed, as I don't watch television except rarely, opting to read and compute instead. So that is a lot of hours per day! I suppose the only activity that doesn't bear up to musical accompaniment is golf, a solitary game which needs no enhancement.
[/B]

Alas, other music lovers who don't like the Hanover band recordings. I have long said the the reverberation in the Hanover Band CD's is much to long giving it the effect the the music is being played in an empty have. It lacks the ambience of a hall with an audience. Gurn, it seems, is able to get by what I consider a 'sound' recording problem, I am,unfortunatly,unable to hear past it. Good performances, bad recordings.

This morning Brahms Symphony No.3 with Sir Charles Mackerras conducting the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Johannes said that he perferred his symphonies performed with a orchestra numbering around fifty musicians. In these recordings by Mackerras we have around sixty. We have recordings where the strings do not dominate the winds, giving better overall balance. Very nice performance, Mackerras captures the warmth and sound coloration of Brahms work with the smaller orchestra.

[Gurn Blanston]

Amalie,
Isn't that quintet super!? It was one of the first pieces that I heard that got me listening to woodwind music. Don't know Finzi at all, so it goes.

atserri,
I have the Talich doing the early Mozart quartets. They really do a nice job, although I have no other performances to compare to like I would in Beethoven! As for the cello sonatas, Rostropovich is hard to beat, as though you took Casals and recorded him on real equipment!

Hollywood,
Howdy, ma'am! Vivaldi does Vienna, eh? I have some of his oboe concertos, and some of his bassoon concertos, but none of his double concertos for them . Sounds good!

King,
Well, the odd thing is that I haven't really heard other sonic issues in Nimbus recordings, so it is peculiar to the Hanovers I guess. Pity though, because as performers go they are first rate. I guess I am just lucky to be losing my hearing in high ranges, yes?

Right now for me, it is the Symphony in Eb - #4 - "Romantic" - Anton Bruckner - BPO/Barenboim. Having made my way through much of Bruckner's oeuvre, I always come back to this one, my favorite of his so far.


------------------
Regards,
Gurn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's my opinion, I may be wrong.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[This message has been edited by Gurn Blanston (edited 10-07-2004).]

[King Stephen]

Originally posted by Gurn Blanston:
Amalie,
Isn't that quintet super!? It was one of the first pieces that I heard that got me listening to woodwind music. Don't know Finzi at all, so it goes.

atserri,
I have the Talich doing the early Mozart quartets. They really do a nice job, although I have no other performances to compare to like I would in Beethoven! As for the cello sonatas, Rostropovich is hard to beat, as though you took Casals and recorded him on real equipment!

Hollywood,
Howdy, ma'am! Vivaldi does Vienna, eh? I have some of his oboe concertos, and some of his bassoon concertos, but none of his double concertos for them . Sounds good!

King,
Well, the odd thing is that I haven't really heard other sonic issues in Nimbus recordings, so it is peculiar to the Hanovers I guess. Pity though, because as performers go they are first rate. I guess I am just lucky to be losing my hearing in high ranges, yes?

Right now for me, it is the Symphony in Eb - #4 - "Romantic" - Anton Bruckner - BPO/Barenboim. Having made my way through much of Bruckner's oeuvre, I always come back to this one, my favorite of his so far.

Gurn,
You are right when you say the 'problem' does not appear in other Nibus recordings. It seems to be only the Hanover Band that this is prevalent to. They record in the All Saints Church in Tooting England. (My dear English friends, please correct me if I am wrong on the address.)

[spaceray]

I'm listening to a nice disc of the Smithson String Quartet playing Mozart K387,K421(417b)
I bought this recording for the violins,one is a Jacob Stainer from 1665 ,the other is a Gioffredo Cappo 1684 ,the viola was made by J Michael Alban in Graz circa 1710 and the violincello made in 1748 in Paris by Paul Francois Grosset.

Here's a cello story...
The great cellist Jean Louis Duport owned a
Stradivari instrument made in 1711,one day while he was playing a solo at a party at the Tuileries,Napoleon suddenly appeared in the drawing room ,booted and spurred. He listened with pleasure,and as soon as the piece was over he approached Duport,complimented him ,and, snatching the bass from him with his usual vivacity ,he asked,'How the devil do you hold this ,Monsieur Duport?' and sitting down ,he squeezed the poor violincello between his spurred boots . The unfortunate artiste,who mingled respect and surprise had stricken dumb for a moment ,could not master his fright at seeing his precious bass treated like a war horse,and made a hurried step forward uttering the word 'Sire!'
in such a very pathetic tone that the instrument was immediately returned to him ,and he was thus able to give his demostration without again letting it out of his hands'.
This from Vidal's'Les Instruments de Musique'