What are you listening to?

[Seán]

Beethoven – Missa Soemnis....



This was a really wonderful performance from beginning to end!

Oh yes, I'd like to get that.

[Seán]

Courtesy of my good friend Jared:


Johannes Brahms
Piano Quintet in F minor
Jorja Fleezanis, Ian Swensen violin
Cynthia Phelps viola
Ralph Kirshbaum cello
Wu Han piano

I listened to this piece twice today, it is sparkling, fresh and joyous music, it's a real treat. At times it sounds as though there are more than five musicans playing, the multi-layered arrangement is gorgeous.

[Jared]

^^ not heard the Karajan Missa, although I have a real soft spot for the Klemperer... generally though, I prefer HIP in these pieces..

[Jared]

At times it sounds as though there are more than five musicans playing the multi-layered arrangement is gorgeous.

It really does, doesn't it, Sean? The outer movements of the Brahms are driven by a frantic electricity, which you wouldn't associate with Early Romanticism... really pleased you like it..

[Seán]

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No's 4 & 5
Philharmonia Orchestra
Emil Gilels piano
Leopold Ludwig - conducting.
[Recorded in 1957]

[Seán]

At times it sounds as though there are more than five musicans playing the multi-layered arrangement is gorgeous.

It really does, doesn't it, Sean? The outer movements of the Brahms are driven by a frantic electricity, which you wouldn't associate with Early Romanticism... really pleased you like it..

Thanks Jared, yes I love it.
As I was saying before I want to get more chamber music recordings....I have the Melos Ensemble on order too, I had hoped to have it before the weekend.

[Jared]

Well done Jared, you won't be disappointed. Fergus, have you got a copy of the set?

absolutely, Sean... a budget price re-release of a classic set, at a time when I wanted a 2nd set to compare with the Alban Berg... it was a no-brainer for me, really...

[Jared]

As I was saying before I want to get more chamber music recordings....I have the Melos Ensemble on order too, I had hoped to have it before the weekend.

Well, please do yourself a favour and order this in the near future:



the sparkling radiance of the Brahms is very nearly matched by the Schumann Piano Quintet, which is also a complete delight, and this recording on original instruments, would be very difficult to beat...

[Seán]

Well done Jared, you won't be disappointed. Fergus, have you got a copy of the set?

absolutely, Sean... a budget price re-release of a classic set, at a time when I wanted a 2nd set to compare with the Alban Berg... it was a no-brainer for me, really...

and now I want to get the Quartetto Italiano set.......it never ends.

[Seán]

As I was saying before I want to get more chamber music recordings....I have the Melos Ensemble on order too, I had hoped to have it before the weekend.

Well, please do yourself a favour and order this in the near future:



the sparkling radiance of the Brahms is very nearly matched by the Schumann Piano Quintet, which is also a complete delight, and this recording on original instruments, would be very difficult to beat...

Thanks, I must put it in the infamous basket.