What classical music are you listening to?

[matt49]

Hiya folks. Sorry to butt in, but maybe someone can help. A few years back I heard (on the radio) a live recording of Hungarian Rhapsody. It sounded (at least) like a fairly recent recording, given the apparent sound quality. I've heard a few versions, but none compare. Any ideas?

I'll take that as a 'no' then...

Isn't Hungarian Rhapsody a Queen album?

But if you want Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies, the Cziffra EMI recording is a classic.

I've no iea what the live recording is that you're referring to.

Matt

 

[matt49]

Schoenberg, Verklaerte Nacht: Karajan, BPO, live at the Royal Festival Hall, 1988.

Debate rages as to whether the orchestral or chamber version of this piece is better. Both are brilliant. This recording of Karajan conducting the BPO is just stunning.

Matt

 

[Tear Drop]

Bruckner's 7th Symphony, the Karajan Gold edition. One of Karajan's best 80s recordings. Now if only I can find the vinyl version to compare it to...

 

[Tear Drop]

Carrying on with Bruckner, I am currently reading about a 'legendary' live Bruckner 8th conducted by Wand,

http://www.goodsoundclub.com/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PageIndex=1&postID=16037#16037

Have any of you fellow classical listeners come across this recording? I would love to hear any thoughts on it. It seems pretty hard to come by. I have just bought a 2nd hand copy of the 'standard' RCA release but I've been searching all day and can't find the Japanese release mentioned.

I'll probably pick up the 1988 Karajan recording too as I like a bit of Karajan (whe he's on form).

 

[Freddy58]

Well, not "listening to", but if I was, I'd be listening to Gorecki 'Symphony No3', tragic but awesome...

 

[Freddy58]

Well, not "listening to", but if I was, I'd be listening to Gorecki 'Symphony No3', tragic but awesome...

Actually, thought I'd have a listen on youtube. Anyone familiar with it?

 

[matt49]

Just finished this, which I come back to again and again:

Mahler 7 / Abbado / Chicago SO / DG

Utterly lovely, clear and profound. The master Abbado at his best.

:boohoo:

Matt

 

[Tear Drop]

This morning been listening to Wagner's Das Rheingold, Karajan & BPO. Exhilarating! Also recently lots of Bruckner symphonies, variety of conductors and orchestras, most notably Karajan/VPO, Bohm/VPO and Wand/NDR.

 

[Tear Drop]

I currently own six different Ring cycles on CD/download - Solti/VPO, Karajan/BPO, Böhm/Bayreuth, Levine/MET, Sawallisch/BS and Knappertsbusch/Bayreuth (and trying to piece together a complete Ring on LP - so far have Das Rheingold and Siegfried, both Solti/VPO). Which other Ring cycles are worth getting my hands on? I am currently listening through Karajan's again and, like every recorded Ring, has its flaws, but I am finding it sumptuous and thrilling. I can't imagine myself ever settling for one interpretation so I'll keep finding new ones. Any gems out there?

 

[Freddy58]

Well, not "listening to", but if I was, I'd be listening to Gorecki 'Symphony No3', tragic but awesome...

Actually, thought I'd have a listen on youtube. Anyone familiar with it?

I'll take that as a 'no' then...

 

[MrReaper182]

I'm listening to the Classic Fm Hall of fame great composers 4 CD box set. I'm on CD 3 track 4 which is an Opera piece called Requiem for my friend-lacrimosa by Preisner.

 

[MrReaper182]

The words to Gorecki Symphony no 3 were written on the walls of a prison by a Jewish girl who was locked up by the Nazis in the Second World War. It is a Opera piece and it never fails to bring a tear to my eyes.

 

[Freddy58]

The words to Gorecki Symphony no 3 were written on the walls of a prison by a Jewish girl who was locked up by the Nazis in the Second World War. It is a Opera piece and it never fails to bring a tear to my eyes.

Oh, I thought it was about a mothers account of the loss of a child. Anyway, I'm with you, a very moving piece. I have the version that features Dawn Upshaw, beautifully sung. I remember the first time I heard it, on the way home from work whilst listening to Classic FM. I had to sit in the drive to hear it out, I was totally spellbound...

 

[MrReaper182]

I'm listening to the Classic FM time to relax 3 CD box set. I'm on CD 2 track 6 which is called The Ashokan farewell by Ungar. Very lovely piece.

 

[matt49]

I currently own six different Ring cycles on CD/download - Solti/VPO, Karajan/BPO, Böhm/Bayreuth, Levine/MET, Sawallisch/BS and Knappertsbusch/Bayreuth (and trying to piece together a complete Ring on LP - so far have Das Rheingold and Siegfried, both Solti/VPO). Which other Ring cycles are worth getting my hands on? I am currently listening through Karajan's again and, like every recorded Ring, has its flaws, but I am finding it sumptuous and thrilling. I can't imagine myself ever settling for one interpretation so I'll keep finding new ones. Any gems out there?

I've listened to some of the Keilberth 1955 Bayreuth production, which is very atmospheric. Some say the recent Janowski Dresden version is good, though I've not heard it.

Matt

 

[Tear Drop]

I've listened to some of the Keilberth 1955 Bayreuth production, which is very atmospheric. Some say the recent Janowski Dresden version is good, though I've not heard it.

Matt

Thanks Matt, Keilberth added to wishlist, I'll do some reading up on the Janowski.

 

[matthewpiano]

Unlike Rattle in his later EMI recording, Abbado stops the orchestral textures from becoming too overly heavy and maintains a real sense of the musical flow in this symphony. A wonderful recording of this great work.

 

[matthewpiano]

Pollini's later recording of Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto, sensitively accompanied by Abbado at the helm of the Berlin Phil. Glorious DG sound too.

 

[matthewpiano]

More Abbado. This time Beethoven Symphonies.

 

[matt49]

Yes, lovely performances, all of them. Maestro Abbado is sorely missed.

The Alto Rhapsody is a setting of part of a great Goethe poem, 'Harzreise im Winter'. Next year Princeton University Press are publishing a big single-volume selection of Goethe's works in English translation. Well worth looking out for.

And in five years or so there'll be a big new intellectual biography of Goethe, also published by PUP.

:read:

Matt

 

[matthewpiano]

11am start at work today so treating myself to a calm beginning, listening to one of my favourite piano recordings. Had the privilege of seeing Brendel play D960 live and it was a totally unforgettable evening of musical and pianistic mastery.

 

[matthewpiano]

Time for a bit more piano paradise before I set ou for the day - CD2 of this lovely set, including Beethoven Op.79 played with real eloquence.

 

[matthewpiano]

Lovely part singing by Cantabile with typically sensitive accompaniments by Martineau.

 

[matthewpiano]

The number of times I've accompanied clarinettists playing the Lutoslawski Dance Preludes, yet until now I've never had a recording of them! Emma Johnson saves the day with her new recital disc which also includes a lovely transcription of Prokofiev's Flute Sonata amongst other things. Great playing by John Lenehan as well.

 

[matthewpiano]

Denis Matsuev's recordings of the Tchaikovsky 1st and 2nd Piano Concertos under Gergiev.

I've read some rave reviews of this release so, having not come across Matsuev's playing before, I decided it was one I needed to purchase. I love the Tchaikovsky Concertos and they've certainly been recorded countless times, particularly No.1.

From the opening of No.1 it is clear that this isn't going to be a wallowing, indulgent interpretation like that recorded by Ivo Pogorelich on DG. Everything is clearly de-marcated and there is real incision to Matsuev's crashing chords in the opening. Initially I had concerns from the playing in these opening bars that these might be clinical performances focused on dexterity over musicality but as the first movement progresses it becomes increasingly apparent that this Russian has a massive range in his playing, from bravura virtuosity to some really quite beautifully phrased moments of intimacy. This is often in spite of the piano which is slightly spot-lit by the recording and which sounds like a particularly aggressive modern Steinway.

The slow movement really brings out the poetry of which Matsuev is capable and whereas some recordings can sound like 'the famous first movement' followed by two tacked on extra movements, somehow he brings an overall cohesiveness to the concerto. The clarity of the orchestral playing under Gergiev also helps and Tchaikovsky's often unfairly criticised orchestration is given chance to have its full effect with excellent balance and interplay between the different sonoroties. The picture is the same with the recording of the 2nd concerto which is more persuasive and, again, more structurally cohesive than the famous EMI recording by Peter Donohoe.

Well worth adding to the collection.