What classical music did you listen to today?

[White Knight]

Well David, I came across mention of Sessions via some of my fellow members on TC. The little I know of him is that he is a 20th century American composer born in Brooklyn {as was I, so I had to give him a try} who wrote 7 symphonies {I believe that's right} and numerous string quartets and piano concertos {not sure how many}. I'll be honest, I've listened to a couple of his symphonies on Spotify, and so far, none of them have really "grabbed me" as have some of the output of Hovhaness, Nielsen and Piston. Session's style is in the dissonant--perhaps atonal--school of the latter 2 composers, but for me, with the exception of a couple of sections here and there, overall his work just doesn't develop and coalesce {spelling?} as well. Therefore, the end result isn't quite as satisfying. I'll probably try and give some of his other work another "go" on Spotify at some point, but I'm not rushing to do it at this juncture.

[White Knight]

Sergei Prokofiev--Symphony No.4 in C Major, Op.47 {original 1930 version} and Symphony No.4 in C Major, Op.112 {revised 1947 version}. Both versions are performed by the Orchestre national de France under the baton of Mstislav Rostropovich.
Dmitri Shostakovich--Symphony No.5 in D Minor, Op.47 and Symphony No.9 in E-Flat Major, Op.70. The 5th is performed by the Concertgebouw Orchestra, whilst the 9th is rendered by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Both are conducted by Bernard Haitnik.
Vaughan Williams--The Wasps and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. Both works feature Sir Neville Marriner leading the Academy Of St.Martin In The Fields.

[Contratrombone64]

Steve - thank you for the tid-bit on Sessions. Have you listened to the wonderful second symphony of Edward Elgar? And, knowing you're a yank, there is a wonderful recording available by the Baltimore Symphony (though I much prefer a British orchestra playing this).

[JHC]

Sir Charles Villiers Stanford Nunc dimittis in C

Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral

[White Knight]

On Spotify:

Dmitri Shostakovich--Symphony No.6 in B Minor, Op.54, with Gennady Rozhdestvensky conducting the USSR Ministry of Culture Symphony Orchestra.
Howard Hanson--Symphony No.1 in E Minor, Op.21{"Nordic"} featuringthe Nashville Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Kenneth Schermerhorn. I was especially taken with the powerful majesty of its last movement: Howard Hanson – Symphony No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 21, "Nordic": III. Allegro Con Fuoco

[White Knight]

@ David, Re the Elgar 2nd, I have not yet listened to it; I've heard his Enigma Variations. However, as you seem to like it, I will definitely make it my business to hunt it down and listen to it on Spotify, hopefully with the LSO. Thanks for the recommendation!

[White Knight]

Serge Prokofiev--Symphony No.7 in C-Sharp Minor, Op.131 and Symphony No.5 in B-Flat Major, Op.100. Both pieces are performed by the Orchestre National de France under the direction of Mstislav Rostropovich.
Johannes Brahms--Symphony No.2 in D Major, Op.73 and Symphony No.4 in E Minor, Op.98. Both works feature the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

[White Knight]

On Spotify:
Dmitri Shostakovich--SQ # 7 in F-Sharp Minor, Op.108 and SQ # 8 in C Minor, Op.110. Both works are performed by the Rubio Quartet.

[Contratrombone64]

@Steve - love Brahm's fourth symphony - an amazing work.

I've been listening to the Sullivan's Utopia Limited (banal, I know, but I love his catchy tunes).

[White Knight]

On Spotify:

Sir Edward Elgar--Symphony No.2 in E-Flat, Op.63, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Edward Elgar {?}.
Ludwig Van Beethoven--Symphony No.8 in F Major, Op.93, featuring Osmo Vanska conducting the Minnesota Orchestra.

[Contratrombone64]

Steve!!??!! what did you think of the Elgar? I just the fiendishly difficult horn passages midway through the last movement especially.

[White Knight]

Yes David, I was really impressed with this work, as well as the Beethoven 8th, neither of which I had ever heard before. Tomorrow night--again thanks to Spotify--I'm going to try and listen to the 8th again, but this time done by the inimitable London Symphony Orchestra. I also intend to get around to listening to Elgar's 1st Symphony as well. Thanks again for the heads up!

[Contratrombone64]

Ah, Steve - Elgar's first symphony is a completely different beast though JUST as wonderful. Glad I put you onto something new. You've inspired me to listen to my recording of Beethoven's 8th with the incredible LSO, too.

[White Knight]

Peter Tchaikovsky--Symphony No.4 in F Minor, Op.36 and Symphony No.5 in E Minor, Op.64. Both works feature herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic.

[White Knight]

Ludwig Van Beethoven--Symphony No.8 in F Major, Op.93 with an unlisted conductor leading the London Symphony Orchestra.
Howard Hanson--Symphony No.2, Op.30, featuring Gerard Schwarz conducting the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. I love the beautiful lushness of its second movement: Seattle Symphony Orchestra – Symphony No. 2, Op. 30, "Romantic": II. Andante Con Tenerezza

Both on Spotify.