What classical music did you listen to today?

[rojo]

It`s the second time this happens to me; I turn on the radio in the car, and the music that is playing is lovely. I`m wondering who the composer is; 'hmm, sounds like Dvorak, but I don`t think it`s him'. So, guess who it was... Josef Suk! Again. This time, his Fairy Tale Suite for Orchestra. I continue to be impressed by Suk.

Manuel- How does Pryce 'measure up' as Tosca? ( I know Callas is amazing as Manon L.)

[Contratrombone64]

The invisible city of Kitezh (Rimsky-Korsakov) on my iPod (of all things).

[rojo]

Pergolesi - Stabat Mater. With Les Violons Du Roy.

[Caddis]

Hi Today I listened to Rinck:Works for Organ,Naxos 8.553925.Excellent recording,firstclass performance by Ludger Lohmann.Concertstuck,Six variations on a theme by Corelli,Flute Concerto in F major,Theme and variations in C major on 'God save The king'.I also listened to Evocation by Dupre-Mary Preston,C.B.Fisk,Naxos 8.554211.Although the C.B.Fisk organ does'nt come close to the C.C.organ at St. Ouen,Mary Preston presents the music very well,good technique.I was surprised by the acoustics of the Meyerson Symphonic Center,U.S. venues have been citicised for lack of acoustics,the acoustics of this recording were impresive.

[ses]

Now I am listen to Vagn Holmboe Sinfonias. It is a lovely recording by Danish Radio Sinfonietta on Dacapo.
Before that it was Janacek quartet no 2 with Talich Quartet on Calliope.

[ses]

Noon: John Kruse (Danish) plays Nielsen’s clarinet concert. I am in love with Kruse’s clarinet playing. 2 month ago I heard him in a concert with Beethoven and Brahms chamber works. I can still hear his sound.
Afternoon: Celibidache conducts Debussy (Nocturnes, La Mer). For me this Nocturnes is the finest on record.
Evening: On DVD Tilson Thomas and San Francisco Symphony, talks and plays Rite of Spring. An fabulous introduction to Stravinsky and the famous story from the premiere in Paris 1913.
Now: Vengerov plays the Stravinsky violin concerto with Rostropovich as conductor.

[rojo]

Have to ask, ses.; how was La Mer? (And what do you think of Vengerov?)

[ses]

I love Celibidache in French music. La Mer is very fine too, he always take the time it takes to play and tell the story. It is from radio concerts in Stuttgart. The sound is not so fine as on the Nocturnes. Celididache is concentration, total control and very true to the composer.
Maybe my 1. choice for “La Mer” still is Haitink and Concertgebauw on Philips vinyl. This sounds very very good, and on vinyl you have the wonderful acoustic of this concert hall.

Vengerov is a fantastic player, and I like his way. It is I think a little romantic and warm, but why not? There is of course the Russian sound there should in Stravinsky. I am looking forward to hear Julia Fischer and Isabelle Faust (2 favos) when they come to record this concerto. In the next concert season in Odense Daniel Hope will play it. His recording of Alban Berg’s concerto is wonderful, it was the key for me to this concerto.

[rojo]

I like the Boston Symphony and Munch for La Mer, but I`d love (almost) any version, really.

Oddly, I haven`t been overly impressed by Vengerov so far. Not that I`ve heard that much. Maybe I just prefer others, or maybe I haven`t heard him playing the 'right' work. Of course he plays extremely well, I just haven`t been 'swept away' by his playing as I have been by others. Any suggestions on what Vengerov plays best?

[ses]

Well, this is the only record I have with Vengerov, so I am not the one to ask for fine recordings with him.
Perlman, Chung and Mullova is other version of Strav I enjoy.


In the coming weekend I will find my copy of the Munch recording of La Mer.

This morning started with Bartok’s violaconcerto with Kim Kashkashian, Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra / Eotvos. I love all Bartok, and this concerti is very beautiful.
Other pieces on the record is: EOTVOS Replica KURTAG Movement for Viola & Orchestra

Now it’s time for cycling 30km in the beauty springtime in Funen.

[rojo]

I recently heard part of Bartok`s Miraculous Mandarin on the radio; enjoyed it very much. I`m trying to think of a Bartok work that I don`t like, and I can`t think of one. So I probably love all Bartok as well. I think my fav is Concerto For Orchestra.

Have a good time doing the 30km, ses.

[ses]

One of the finest Nielsen recordings I have heard for years. It is a journey in Nielsen’s life from 1893 (Snefrid) to his last orchestral work Cupid and the poet in 1930.
The recording is good too with realistic sound and natural acoustics.

Masquerade
Hr. Oluf Han Rider
Snefrid (Suite for Orchestra)
Saul and David
Rhapsody Overture
Willemoes
Pan and Syrinx
Cupid and the Poet Op. 54
Helios Overture
Danish National Symphony Orchestra, DR / Thomas Dausgaard

Dacapo 6220518

[rojo]

Mahler Symphony No.9, Finale - Barenboim, Staatsckapelle Berlin.

[ses]

Pure pleasure, wonderful singing and playing, as always when Gardiner leads.



Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)

Cantatas for the Feast of St. John the Baptist (CD1)
Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe BWV 167; Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam BWV 7; Freue dich, erlöste Schar BWV 30
soloists: Joanne Lunne, Wilke te Brummelstroete, Paul Agnew, Dietrich Henschel
The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner
Monteverdi production SDG101

If I could afford it I would buy all cd's from Gardiners pilgrim travels.

[ses]

A wonderful period performance, I can’t choose between this and the old Heifetz/Primrose version, so I have both. Music making in this class is breathless.


JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

Concerto in D minor for 2 violins BWV 1043
Concerto in A minor for violin BWV 1041
Concerto in E major for violin BWV 1042
Concerto in D minor for 2 violins BWV 1060

Andrew Manze
Rachel Podger
The Academy of Ancient Music