What classical music did you listen to today?

[Sybarite]

Dvorák's Slavonic Dances op46 and op72 – The Cleveland Orchestra under the baton of Christoph von Dohnányi; very light and enjoyable.

Beethoven's piano concerto nos 1 and 2 – Mitsuko Uchida, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, with Kurt Sanderling conducting. Lovely; Uchida's playing is delightful – so light.

Shaker Loops by John Adams and Façades by Philip Glass – London Chamber Orchestra under Christopher Warren-Green. Never imagined that I'd appreciate such modern 'classical' music, but I first encountered this (and the rest of the album Minimalist) in the summer and, having enjoyed some dance and house music in recent years, it felt like quite a natural progression. Haunting, quite soothing and almost hypnotic.

[rojo]

Speaking about modern classical music, I`ve just been listening to Schnittke`s Viola Concerto. This is the first work I`ve heard by him. Wow. Hmm. Interesting. I enjoyed it; in the allegro, about the middle, there`s a part that made me actually laugh- all of a sudden, after all this brutal dissonance, a clearly tonal reference to the classical era. Crazy, crazy Schnittke...

Anyone here know and/or like Schnittke? Any works in particular to be recommended?

[Sybarite]

String Quartet in G minor, op10 by Debussy and Ravel's String Quartet in F, both played by the Orlando Quartet. Very good – the Debussy seems much more 'angular' and strident, if you will, than many of the more familiar works.

Schubert's Sonata in B flat, D960, played by Alfred Brendel. Beautiful – what more can one say?

Tchaikovsky's fifth and sixth symphonies, played by the Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Herbert von Karajan. The Pathétique is wonderful – or at least the first, second and fourth movements are.For some reason, the third doesn't really seem to fit to my ears.

Handel's Messiah on BBC TV from the Barbican, with the London Symphonie Orchestra and Sir Colin Davis. Very good. I wasn't much of a fan of Baroque music until recently and have got much more interested in the past months. The purity of the voices is wonderful.

[Sybarite]

Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas by John Taverner – Taverner Choir, directed by Andrew Parrott. Absolutely beautiful; I think I’ve already mentioned that I am really just discovering early music and the purity of the choral works in particular is astonishing.

Concerto in D minor by Alessandro Marcello, Concerto in D by Giuseppe Sammartini, Concerto a cinque in G minor, Op9 No8 by Tomaso Albinoni, Concerto in A by Antonio Lotti and Concerto in C by Domenico Cimarosa – all played by I Musici, with Heinz Holliger.

La Mer by Debussy – Berlin Philharmonic and Herbert von Karajan. Something a little richer.

The Ring: highlights by Wagner. And something richer yet.

[rojo]

Hi Sybarite,

The second movement of the Marcello is so sad and moving, don`t you think? One of the very saddest in the repertoire. The Cimarosa is also a wonderful, beautiful work. Several of the Albinoni concertos are very good as well. I`ve played most of these works because I used to play the oboe. Can`t beat Heinz Holliger, imo. If you like oboe works, you may also like Poulenc`s Sonata for Oboe and Piano...

And of course, Debussy`s La Mer is my fave all-time piece of music, ever...

[Kromme]

Strauss Family Waltzes,Polkas,Marsches and Galops by Herbert von Karajan-Mariss Jansons-Wiener Philharmo****r and then Richard Strauss.Don Quixote,Symphonia Domestica,Ein Heldenleben,Metamorphosen by Herbert von Karajan-Berliner Philharmo****r,Also Sprach Zarathustra,Don Juan,Last Four Songs(sung by Lucia Popp) by Klaus Tennstedt-London Philharmonic and Tod Und Verklarung by Wilhelm Furtwangler-Wiener Philharmo****r

[Sybarite]

Hi Sybarite,

The second movement of the Marcello is so sad and moving, don`t you think? One of the very saddest in the repertoire. The Cimarosa is also a wonderful, beautiful work. Several of the Albinoni concertos are very good as well. I`ve played most of these works because I used to play the oboe. Can`t beat Heinz Holliger, imo. If you like oboe works, you may also like Poulenc`s Sonata for Oboe and Piano...

Hi Rojo,

Yes, I thought that the Marcello was lovely, but the Cimarosa was the revelation – absolutely beautiful.

I shall bear in mind your recommendation of the Poulenc – thank you.

[rojo]

I played the Cimarosa for my oboe exam at uni. Loved the work. Haven`t listened to it in a while; must dig it out one of these days...

I don`t think you`d be dissapointed with the Poulenc; you`re welcome!

[Sybarite]

... I don`t think you`d be dissapointed with the Poulenc...

Thanks again; I haven't actually heard any Poulenc, so it's a good way to try something new – indeed, such recommendations and pointers were part of the reason that I joined this forum.

I listened to loads of carols yesterday – traditional, no orchestra or even organ; quite beautiful and an appropriate accompaniment to preparing wild boar and créme brûlèe.

Later, some of Cosi fan tutti on the TV – the BBC were screening a performance from last summer's Glyndebourne; lovely.

[Kromme]

Listened to 2 different versions of Holst's The Planets,Simon Rattle's new account and the account i admired as definitive by Adrian Boult.Of course Sir Simon was nowhere near Sir Adrian's understanding.I hope one day i can proudly post that Rattle's account of some work is the best around otherwise i am going to doubt the collective musical wisdom of Berliner Philharmo****r very seriously.(I already doubt it but not seriously)

[Sybarite]

Mahler's Symphony No1 in D, played by the Berlin Philharmonic under Bernard Haitink. Lovely – much of this feels fairly traditionally Romantic, with tunes that are reminiscent of the Russian nationalist composers of the era; until the third movement, that is, with its jocular funeral march and hints of Jewish music, suddenly brings us so much closer to the 20th century.

Jazz Suite No1, Jazz Suite No2, Tahiti Trot and Piano Concerto No1 in C minor, op35 (Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings by Shostakovich, played by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. Wonderful – music to put a smile on your face and set your feet tapping. Some of the waltzes have an eerie quality that is haunting and sensual at the same time, like an echo of beautiful decadence. Irresistable and intoxicating.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Yuri Simonov, playing excerpts from Khachaturian’s Gayane, Spartacus and Masquerade; more of the sounds of Russian nationalist music from the 19th century. Full of vibrancy and completely fascinating.

And whilst in Russian mode: Prokofiev’s L'Amour des 3 Oranges by Opera de Lyon, conducted by Kent Nagano.

[Kromme]

Handel's Messiah by Charles Mackerras-English Chamber Orchestra and Water Music by Riccardo Muti-Berliner Philharmo****r.Muti's Handel is fine Mackerras' is even finer.Orchestras are first-class

[rojo]

Jazz Suite No1, Jazz Suite No2, Tahiti Trot and Piano Concerto No1 in C minor, op35 (Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings by Shostakovich, played by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. Wonderful – music to put a smile on your face and set your feet tapping. Some of the waltzes have an eerie quality that is haunting and sensual at the same time, like an echo of beautiful decadence. Irresistable and intoxicating.

Funny, I was just listening to Shostakovich`s Waltz No.2, which is from his Suite for Variety Stage Orchestra No1. It has some of those qualities as well.

Currently listening to Franz Schubert - Violin, Viola and Cello Trio. Nice.

[rojo]

Ok, this just came on the radio- Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique; un bal (second movement.) I was under the impression that I was not crazy about this work. But now it comes on, and I am enchanted! I think something got mixed up in my brain there...

[giovannimusica]

Dear Ms. RoJo,

I seriously doubt that something got mixed up in your brain. Berlioz only started to *reveal* himself to me five years ago. I really enjoy the conductor who lets the brass be highlighted when performing Berlioz's larger works. Berlioz's music is *cool.*

Cheers!

Giovanni