What are you listening to?

[Jared]

I bought this CD for my older brother for Christmas and he loves it, he sent me a long email last night describing his thoughts on it, so I had to give it another spin this evening, it's wonderful, it is an extraordinary performance.

I would imagine this to be a very good place for a newbie to start... so much drama, passion and lyricism... especially in that recording. a very good move on your part, Sean...

[bombasticDarren]

Britten - Symphony for Cello and Orchestra (Paul Watkins/Edward Gardner, BBC Philharmonic, Chandos)

I read some very good comments on that performance a while back Darren... do you concur?

Yes, the whole disc was of a high quality. The Cello Symphony is not a piece that I find easy to comprehend or enjoy, but this recording comes closest to helping me do that. The Four Sea Interludes were energetically performed, and the Gloriana Suite sounded promising (first time I've heard it)

[Jared]

Rapidly becoming my favorite version of that work. I don't know if that is because I listened to it on my IPOD but the sound was amazing and full of clarity. The last time I listened to that version was in last August when I was in Reykjavik for my honeymoon. Great memories

Hi Matt,

Just wanted to say that although I won't comment on any particular remark of yours, that your enthusiasm is shining through, and we're all very pleased you've joined us on TN!

Jared

[Seán]

Bartok - Piano Concerto No.1 (Peter Donohoe/Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, EMI)

I have that too, but I don't like it, many years ago Ciaran put me on to the Pollini/Abbado/CSO recordings, they are astonishing performances, it's really mind blowing stuff, the way Bartok should be played.

[bombasticDarren]

Bartok - Piano Concerto No.1 (Peter Donohoe/Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, EMI)

I have that too, but I don't like it, many years ago Ciaran put me on to the Pollini/Abbado/CSO performances, they are astonishing performances, it's really mind blowing stuff, the way Bartok should be played.

I actually like these performances (I didn't necessarily expect to in all honesty). I agree about the Pollini set, and also like what Boulez & Co. do with them. I find them instantly engaging pieces personally :-)

[Seán]

I bought this CD for my older brother for Christmas and he loves it, he sent me a long email last night describing his thoughts on it, so I had to give it another spin this evening, it's wonderful, it is an extraordinary performance.

I would imagine this to be a very good place for a newbie to start... so much drama, passion and lyricism... especially in that recording. a very good move on your part, Sean...

Thanks Jared. He plays music so he studies it very carefully indeed, he has played along to music all his life, but he "can't" do that with classical music -- well he can actually, but he won't -- so he LISTENS instead.

[bombasticDarren]

Mozart - Piano Concerto No.18 (Richard Goode, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Nonesuch)

[Jared]

Bach: Easter Cantatas... from the album whose cover I've been banned from posting... :-(

[bombasticDarren]

Brahms - Cello Sonata No.1 (Steven Isserlis/Stephen Hough, Hyperion)

[ravel30]

Rapidly becoming my favorite version of that work. I don't know if that is because I listened to it on my IPOD but the sound was amazing and full of clarity. The last time I listened to that version was in last August when I was in Reykjavik for my honeymoon. Great memories

Hi Matt,

Just wanted to say that although I won't comment on any particular remark of yours, that your enthusiasm is shining through, and we're all very pleased you've joined us on TN!

Jared

Thank you Jared. I feel comfortable here and I am very thankful to all of you.

Matt.