What Are You Listening To Now?

[atserriotserri]

I'm afraid I've never warmed to Schiff but I know a lot of people like him - personally I'd stick with Brendel.

I haven't listened much to Schiff, so I'm quite curious about this series of new recordings for ECM label.

Concerning Brendel, I still have to listen to his Philips recordings, which are waiting for me to have enough time to have a serious listening (next weekend hopefully). That's why I'm asking, since my sources for the sonatas have been Ashkenazy, Rubinstein, and... Gould!

I'm looking for Schnabel, too.

[Joy]

Bernard Roberts Complete Beethoven Sonatas is also a good listen.

[Michael]

Also Wilhelm Kempff - his early sixties stereo recordings. A bit bass-light and clattery, with some background hiss, but they do sound more like a fortepiano.

[Peter]

Listening to two glorious quintets by Brahms, the piano quintet and the Clarinet quintet, both have wonderful slow movements.

[Peter]

Clement's Violin concerto - one of six and I wonder if the other 5 will be re-discovered at some point? This piece really deserves to become part of the standard repertoire.

[Sorrano]

Chance placed a complete set of Mozart's music into my hands (it wasn't free, though!), so I've been listening to the symphonies for a starter. This is the set I have:

http://music.brilliantclassics.com/e...uct/View/92540

[Sorrano]

Tonight it was Sibelius' 4th Symphony. I have them all and am quite familiar with them except for the 4th and the 6th, so I will be working on those when I can.

[Peter]

Tonight it was Sibelius' 4th Symphony. I have them all and am quite familiar with them except for the 4th and the 6th, so I will be working on those when I can.

The 6th I love but the 4th is very difficult although considered by many his finest. Do you know the Nielsen symphonies?

[Hofrat]

I highly recommend the symphonies of Joachim Raff.

[Sorrano]

The 6th I love but the 4th is very difficult although considered by many his finest. Do you know the Nielsen symphonies?

I have a couple of them in my collection and like what I've heard a lot. I did find I really enjoyed the Sibelius 4th this last listen. I'll listen to the 6th next and the 5th and 7th. Then it's time to take a look at the Nielsen.

[Sorrano]

I highly recommend the symphonies of Joachim Raff.

Which one would you recommend first? Are they sold together in a single collection?

[Hofrat]

Sorrano;

I have never seen a single collection of the Raff symphonies; however, his symphonic cycle "The Seasons" which comprises his 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th symphonies is often sold as a 2-CD set.

Start anywhere. My personal favorite is the 9th "In the Summer."

[Sorrano]

Sorrano;

I have never seen a single collection of the Raff symphonies; however, his symphonic cycle "The Seasons" which comprises his 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th symphonies is often sold as a 2-CD set.

Start anywhere. My personal favorite is the 9th "In the Summer."

I am considering the Raff Seasons set while I check my budget.

Currently I am listening to Sibelius' 6th Symphony. To me, while it is unique among the seven, it still maintains that lyricism that belongs to Sibelius. This is very enjoyable!

Have to add that I did listen to the 5th Symphony, next. I think of all of them I prefer the 2nd.

[Hofrat]

The Raff Seasons set is well worth your money. They are well written and you will find yourself humming the tunes long after the CD player stopped. From one of them, Tschaikovsky stole a theme for his 5th symphony.

[Peter]

The Raff Seasons set is well worth your money. They are well written and you will find yourself humming the tunes long after the CD player stopped. From one of them, Tschaikovsky stole a theme for his 5th symphony.

Again I think you might have made another sale Hofrat (any commission?!!) - I know we discussed these before and I've been toying for a while with getting them and maybe with Christmas coming up I'll put them on my wish list! As for the Tchaikovsky 'theft' are we sure that a) he knew the Raff symphony or b) it wasn't a popular folk tune? It's strange that no one criticises Beethoven for stealing from Mozart for the Eroica theme - but again I wonder if that wasn't coincidence?