What are you listening to now?

[al1432]

I turned to Chopin's Barcarole to get the first mvmt. of LvB's "Pastoral" Sonata # 15 out of my head, where it's been for nearly a week now. On route, I noticed a "heartbeat" sound in the bass beginning in measure #39 of the Barcarole. I've heard the notes before, but never associated them with the sound of a heartbeat till today. Very cool.

[Quijote]

Cage

Three beautiful pieces by John Cage in fact, as follows :

'First Construction (in metal)', (1939);
'Second Construction', (1940);
Third Construction (1941).

Performed by the Quatuor Hêlios (1989). Well worth listening to. Not as melodic as some of you would like, but all you need is a pair of good ears (and hopefully an open inquiring mind).

[PDG]

Metal Guru - T. Rex (metal not by Cage).

[Sorrano]

Just been listening to Berlioz' Scenes from Faust. My favorite Cage piece is 4.33.

[Quijote]

Just been listening to Berlioz' Scenes from Faust. My favorite Cage piece is 4.33.

Interesting comment by Sorrano, as Cage's 4'33" was never intended as a "piece". An explanation, please, Sorrano.

[al1432]

More formally

Op. 47, Adagio on Hebrew Melodies for Violoncello and Orchestra.

Apparently, it is suggested that 'In the first bars of Beethoven's C# minor quartet, the opening theme of Kol Nidrei is recognizable.'
does anyone have any info regarding the possibility that lvb plunked kol nidrei into the C# minor qt (ie. qt 14 - most probably mvt 7)?

I found this of interest:
from http://reformjudaismmag.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1274
"The main theme in the sixth movement of Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 131 also appears to be based on the Kol Nidre melody. Beethoven was apparently approached by leaders of the Jewish community in Vienna to compose music for the inauguration of a new synagogue. Since they were looking for music of a "Jewish character," they supplied the composer with what they considered important examples of Jewish music, among them Kol Nidre. The commission was never completed, but since this is the only formal connection that can be established between Beethoven and the Jewish community, this brief contact is the likely source of the composer's inspiration."

[DavidO]

I found this of interest:
from http://reformjudaismmag.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1274
"The main theme in the sixth movement of Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 131 also appears to be based on the Kol Nidre melody. Beethoven was apparently approached by leaders of the Jewish community in Vienna to compose music for the inauguration of a new synagogue. Since they were looking for music of a "Jewish character," they supplied the composer with what they considered important examples of Jewish music, among them Kol Nidre. The commission was never completed, but since this is the only formal connection that can be established between Beethoven and the Jewish community, this brief contact is the likely source of the composer's inspiration."

It's a fascinating alleged link, but personally I've never been able to hear the melody in that quartet (& I know the melody very well).

I'm listening to:

1. Brahms, Ein Deutsches Requiem, Rattle & the Berliner Philharmoniker
2. Mahler, Resurrection, Klemperer
3. Brahms Clarinet Sonatas & Beethoven Clarinet Trio, Peyer, du Pré & Barenboim

I had hoped that the Internat'l Music Score online score site (the one we talked about a few weeks ago) had a piano reduction of the Mahler, but ... no luck.

[al1432]

It's a fascinating alleged link, but personally I've never been able to hear the melody in that quartet (& I know the melody very well).

Frankly, I don't hear it either, David. To my ears the two sound fairly distinct from each other, and yet there are many references to their connection on the web.

This link contains "Ten Kol Nidre Tracks", including the opening to the Beethoven string quartet. In my opinion, any connection between the two melodies is tenuous, at best.
http://reformjudaismmag.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1286

[Peter]

Mahler's 6th symphony.
Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin
Schoenberg's chamber symphonies

[Peter]

Bartok's Concerto for orchestra.
Messiaen's Turanglila symphony (with the interesting electronic ondes martenot).
Haydn's symphonies - I'm working through the early and middle ones - some outstanding gems here.

[Sorrano]

Bartok's Concerto for orchestra.
Messiaen's Turanglila symphony (with the interesting electronic ondes martenot).
Haydn's symphonies - I'm working through the early and middle ones - some outstanding gems here.

Great listening, there! I'm a big fan of Messiaen and Bartok! This morning I was able to catch the first movement of Schumann's Piano Quintet.

[Fidelio]

Just took delivery of the new 100CD boxset of Beethoven's Complete Works from Brilliant Classics.

[Michael]

Just took delivery of the new 100CD boxset of Beethoven's Complete Works from Brilliant Classics.

Just got the same about six weeks ago and am enjoying it immensely. Let us know what you think of it.

[Michael]

On the listening front, I have been alternating Mozart's Prague Symphony (English Chamber Orchestra cond. Daniel Barenboim) and Brahms 2 (Bernstein, N.Y. Phil.) over the weekend. Chalk and cheese.

[Fidelio]

Sure, happy too. Do you have the 87 disc set edition containing 748 works following the well known "Beethoven Compendium" by Barry Cooper? Had this a while........