Just got the Bolet/Schubert song transcriptions. The recommendation was right on. The playing is splendid, and liltingly lyrical. I'm so involved the music that I'm barely listening to the sound...
Classical Music for Aficionados
I would like to start a thread, similar to Orpheus’ jazz site, for lovers of classical music.
I will list some of my favorite recordings, CDs as well as LP’s. While good sound is not a prime requisite, it will be a consideration.
Classical music lovers please feel free to add to my lists.
Discussion of musical and recording issues will be welcome.
I’ll start with a list of CDs. Records to follow in a later post.
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique. Chesky — Royal Phil. Orch. Freccia, conductor.
Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Vanguard Classics — Vienna Festival Orch. Prohaska, conductor.
Prokofiev: Scythian Suite et. al. DG — Chicago Symphony Abbado, conductor.
Brahms: Symphony #1. Chesky — London Symph. Orch. Horenstein, conductor.
Stravinsky: L’Histoire du Soldat. HDTT — Ars Nova. Mandell, conductor.
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances. Analogue Productions. — Dallas Symph Orch. Johanos, cond.
Respighi: Roman Festivals et. al. Chesky — Royal Phil. Orch. Freccia, conductor.
All of the above happen to be great sounding recordings, but, as I said, sonics is not a prerequisite.
I will list some of my favorite recordings, CDs as well as LP’s. While good sound is not a prime requisite, it will be a consideration.
Classical music lovers please feel free to add to my lists.
Discussion of musical and recording issues will be welcome.
I’ll start with a list of CDs. Records to follow in a later post.
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique. Chesky — Royal Phil. Orch. Freccia, conductor.
Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Vanguard Classics — Vienna Festival Orch. Prohaska, conductor.
Prokofiev: Scythian Suite et. al. DG — Chicago Symphony Abbado, conductor.
Brahms: Symphony #1. Chesky — London Symph. Orch. Horenstein, conductor.
Stravinsky: L’Histoire du Soldat. HDTT — Ars Nova. Mandell, conductor.
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances. Analogue Productions. — Dallas Symph Orch. Johanos, cond.
Respighi: Roman Festivals et. al. Chesky — Royal Phil. Orch. Freccia, conductor.
All of the above happen to be great sounding recordings, but, as I said, sonics is not a prerequisite.
Showing 50 responses by twoleftears
Listening to the second disc of Trifonov’s 2-CD "Transcendental" Liszt set. And it’s just as extraordinarily good as the first! I’ve listened to a lot of Liszt piano over the last few months, and I have to say that I find Trifonov the most convincing performer of music that did not move me all that often. On another note, I’ve become mildly obsessed with Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody #5 "Heroide-elegiaque". I have Howard’s version. Anybody have any particular favorite performance? |
Claus Peter Flor did a wonderful set of the Mendelssohn with the Bambergers.https://www.amazon.com/Mendelssohn-Symphonies-Overtures-Concertos-Felix/dp/B0009A1AJG Six discs for $30. |
In my concerto survey, Bortkiewicz's no. 1 on Hyperion struck me particularly favorably (probably more so than any of the other more or less obscure compositions on the CDs that I own of that series). So when I found out that he had composed two more, it was game on. The CD arrived today, label: Piano Classics, Stefan Doniga w/ Janacek Philharmonic conducted by David Porcelijn. Nearly through no. 2 (for the left hand), and it's also great. I don't see how anyone who likes Rachmaninov wouldn't also like these (though, obviously, they don't rise to the same level). A pleasant discovery. |
My system is the most revealing it's ever been--and I'm not always liking it. I've been immersed in Rachmaninov the last few days. Listened to Daniil Trifonov for no. 2, and Argerich for no. 3. Then I put on Boris Janis, on Mercury (2 & 3), which I thought was supposed to be a classic performance and recording. The contrast wasn't subtle. The piano was overly loud throughout in terms of the balance with the orchestra, and I wasn't getting a lot of shading of volume from the piano in "p" and "f" passages. The piano itself sounded kind of monotone: muscular and woody and lacking in air. Strong preference for the live Argerich in no. 3, where she wasn't as fierce, ferocious or aggressive as I'd thought she might be. And sound-wise it was no contest. Also preferred the Trifonov in no. 2, though I don't think he imbued it with all the lyricism that's possible. Any recommendations for a truly "romantic" rendition of no. 2? |
Just as the novel went all the way to Finnegans Wake and then came back to chronologically organized coherent narrative, so I think we're well back from the atonal period. Look at the popularity of Arvo Part or Goreki. My own favorite from the youngest generation is Dobrinka Tabakova. Check out her album String Paths on ECM. |
Which brings us neatly back to De gustibus……. Ireland's piano concerto. These Chandos recordings from the 1980s are really excellent. Often I feel I prefer them to more recent efforts. The layering of the soundstage and non-spotlighting of the piano are to be commended. Do anybody listen to this swathe of "other" British composers who were near contemporaries, between Elgar and Vaughan Williams? |
Bach's exceptionally wide span. https://www.classicfm.com/composers/bach/js-hands-anatomy-study/ |
Next up: Europa Galante (Fabio Biondi), "Invenzione e stravaganze", with pieces by Farina, Uccellini, Legrenzi, Mazzaferrata, Vitali, Falconieri, Marini and Rossi. Europa Galante is one of my favorite ensembles specializing in this period, and there is some wonderfully different music here (including several surprises and some humor), beautifully played. |
Here's another winner from Andrew Manze and Romanesca: Biagio Marini "Curiose & Moderne Inventioni". And that's not really bragging on Marini's part: it's with him that the exploration and risk-taking starts that makes the stylus phantasticus as appealing as it is. Also: both of these Romanesca discs have really excellent recording quality. |
I don't know if anyone shares my liking for 17C music composed largely prior to the likes of Corelli, Purcell, Telemann, Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, et al., but here's another excellent disc from an ensemble new to me: Ensemble Clematis, made up apparently of Spanish, Italian and French young players. Carlo Farina, Capriccio stravagante & Sonata, is delightful. Also, if you want to hear what an innovative violinist/composer was up to as to 1626, try the somewhat famous Capriccio stravagante--ear and eye opening. |
A breathtakingly beautiful recording of various Bertali sonatas, superbly performed by a youngish US based early music ensemble, ACRONYM. They were new to me, but no longer, and I have four more of their CDs in my sights. BTW, the recording is excellent too. As good as the previous recommendation was, this leaves it in the dust--and there is little overlap in the pieces recorded. |
Here's another CD I really have to recommend. I don't know if it's available over streaming, as it appears to be one those more cottage-industry, limited edition, independent types of production. It's titled Phantasia Musica. Violin Music of the 17th Century, and contains works from around the time of Biber (though not Biber himself). All of them are extraordinary, some culled from unique manuscript sources. The leader, Antoinette Lohmann, plays superbly, the rest of the consort is just as good, and the recording is splendid. This is that kind of achingly beautiful chamber music, gorgeously dissonant at moments, here performed with extraordinary expressivity. If you're into Biber's mystery sonatas, this is a must-have. |
After being blown away by the first disc I heard by ACRONYM, of Bertali's sonatas, I immediately ordered some more of their recordings, and the first in, of Valentini (entitled Oddities and Trifles) in no way disappoints. This is lively, exuberant playing in a full, sonorous space. Thoroughly enjoyable. |
Having played through a few recordings that were pleasant but unexceptional, here's another one more than worth mentioning: Ignazio Albertini's Sonatas, performed by Helene Schmitt et al. Albertini is right up there with Schmelzer, Uccelini, Pandolfi, Walther, Viviani and Biber. Excellent recording, with nice variation between sonatas of violin + theorbo and organ and violin + harpsichord. On another of these "small" labels, Alpha. |
Well, having worked through several CDs of worthy but unexceptional music and/or performance, I'm back today with the group ACRONYM and their Biber CD entitled The Battle, The Bethel & the Ball. Music by Biber or (mainly) anonymous but attributed to him. Based on the one I already heard by them, I figured their other recordings would be something special, and I was right. Exceptional music, exceptional playing, and an exceptional playing. You only have to hear 5 second to know you're going to enjoy the whole disc. This is the first of several Biber CDs lined up for the coming days, and I'm hoping for a veritable cordillera of highlights. |
No doubt Noriega would have surrendered in minutes if he'd been subjected to a few bars of Bach or Mozart... Today, the ensemble that decided to call itself The Rare Fruits Council, performing Biber's Harmonia Artificioso-Ariosa. Delightful music. But geez, when you achieve a revealing system, you start noticing little faults in the recording engineering. This CD is excessively panned left and right, and doesn't convey a lot of stage depth. Enjoyable nonetheless. |
Wow! Just wow! John Holloway, Biber, Unam Ceylum. ECM. Playing is fantastic, recording is fantastic, sound picture with just 1 violin, 1 harpsichord, and 1 organ is amazing. This is likely to become one of my audition discs for visits to audio stores. BTW, to explain the title, he gathers some of the more adventurous pieces from Sonatae a violino solo (1681) together with several unpublished sonatas. Pure joy! |
Holloway's recording referenced above collects several of the sonatas from that collection; Romanesca's (Andrew Manze) much-awarded set on 2 CDs records the entire book. If forced to choose, I'd go with Holloway, but there is much to enjoy here, and really, the continuo in the two versions sounds so different that you'd be excused for thinking they were difference compositions. Great musicianship any way you slice it. |
Holloway and Tragicomedia performing Biber's Mystery Sonatas. These have got to be the pinnacle of this genre of music. That the recording is available on a bargain Virgin Veritas 2CD is an added bonus. Podger's competing version is winging its way to me right now; looking forward to making the comparison. |
Yet another absolute winner from ACRONYM, this time music from the rather obscure 17C Polish/German composer Pezel, his 24 "alphabet sonatas" for a larger than usual string band with continue. Superb playing and recording. If cottage industry operations can produce this kind of quality, I wonder why the big boys sometimes can't. |
For a change from the 17C, I’ve started an Elgar survey. Kind of fascinating to go back and see what CDs I bought years and years ago, when I was guided primarily by the successive editions of the Penguin Stereo Guide and reviews in Gramophone (before it got dumbed down). Starting with Symphony #1. Surprised to find I own Handley, Judd and Marriner, rather than what I’d expected (i.e. Boult, Barbirolli or Solti). |
Finally getting around to listening to the Currentzis Mahler 6. After the overwhelming Tchaikovsky Pathetique it was a must-listen. So, not as transformative, but interesting nevertheless.. Tempos are generally brisk in movements 1 and 2, with just occasional moments of noticeable rubato. His orchestra is incredibly together, and the Sony recording is very fine. There are a number of details of the score that come through more clearly here than any other recording I know. The slow movement is superlative (but then I'm a sucker for Mahler's slow movements). It's different to Bernstein, but I'll definitely want to listen to it again. Here the tempo is "just right", and the slow ebb and flow and ultimate build to the climax perfectly judged--definitely not just a long sentimental bonbon--more truly emotionally draining. (Barbirolli: remember, each piece of music only has one climax.) Has anyone else heard it? I'd be curious to get your impressions. |
On maturer reflection: it's clear that there's some compression going on in the Sony recording. This is a bad thing and a good thing. I initially warmed to it, because I was able to set one volume at the opening of the first movement, and didn't have to fiddle with the remote again. On the other hand, it certainly takes away from some of the more massive dynamic contrasts. The problem is that with other recordings I often find myself riding the volume on the remote control, effectively providing my own spur-of-the-moment compression. When then loudest fff are set not to break the speakers, the pp passages aren't as audible as I'd like. Hmmm. |