What are you listening to?

[mcq]

You've persuaded me to do the same, Fergus. Truthfully, I'm not getting much out of it, for some reason this music just doesn't float my boat. Strange really, you'd think it would be right up my street.

are you referring to the Gesualdo, Simon?

Yes indeed, talking about that Gesualdo disc. Turned it off and put on some Simon and Garfunkel instead!

Philppe Herreweghe's recording of the Sabbato Sancto Responoria (on Harmonia Mundi) are superior to the Tallis performances, which, whilst good, are a little dry in comparison.



I also love La Venexiana's performances of the Fourth and Fifth Books of the madrigals (available on Glossa) which maintain the high standards they set in their Monteverdi recordings.



William Christie has also recorded a selection of the madrigals for HM but he - unwisely in my opinion - added musical accompaniments which strip the music somewhat of the pared-down intensity of a truly accapella setting.



For the past few weeks I've been totally absorbed in Volumes 2 and 3 of Harry van der Kamp's career-defining Sweelinck Monument (recorded with his Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam and available on Glossa). Volume 2 (a 2-CD set ) concentrates on the 1619 collection of motets entitled Cantiones Sacrae and Volume 3 (a 12-CD set) concentrates on what was Sweelinck's magnum opus of the musical rendering of the Psalms from the Book of David. This is immensely rewarding music, beautifully performed by a dedicated set of musicians and very highly recommended.

[fergus]

I heard Faure's requiem as part of the soundtrack to the 'One Day' drama series on BBC recently and really liked it. Can somebody reccommend specific recordings of this and other works of Faure to a virtual newcomer to the classical? Thanks.

I have four different versions of that work and I really like it. Coincidentally I had planned to re-listen to them soon so if you are interested I will review my versions over the next week or so for you and you can see how you get on from there if you wish.

[fergus]

[Jared]

I have four different versions of that work and I really like it. Coincidentally I had planned to re-listen to them soon so if you are interested I will review my versions over the next week or so for you and you can see how you get on from there if you wish.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm just about the only person in the world who remains untterly underwhelmed by Faure's Requiem.. which of course is a cue for someone to pick it as their monthly project, so they can convince me that it isn't the musical version of a three day old lettuce leaf...

anyhooo, today:





disk 7... Music for Queen Elizabeth I.... and she was a lucky girl.... ;-)



played for my customers this evening, and dedicated to our good friend Fergus who I believe has recently purchased this little gem

[fergus]

played for my customers this evening, and dedicated to our good friend Fergus who I believe has recently purchased this little gem

You are quite correct Mister Butcher and thank you for the thought.

[fergus]

Some "Old School" Bach this morning....





BWV4 for Easter Sunday.

[bombasticDarren]

I heard Faure's requiem as part of the soundtrack to the 'One Day' drama series on BBC recently and really liked it. Can somebody reccommend specific recordings of this and other works of Faure to a virtual newcomer to the classical? Thanks.

I have four different versions of that work and I really like it. Coincidentally I had planned to re-listen to them soon so if you are interested I will review my versions over the next week or so for you and you can see how you get on from there if you wish.

What versions do you have Fergus?

I really like the piece and am considering making a modestly priced additional purchase...any help gratefully received :-)

[bombasticDarren]

Schubert - Symphony No.9 Great (Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker, Deutsche Grammophon)

I would be interested in your opinion of that particular recording Darren.

The tempi are, at times, pushed to the extreme but I really enjoyed this by way of contrast to others in my collection. The BPO sound is less slick than it was prone to be in the 70's-80's under HvK (1969 recording) so the textures are pleasingly light for an orchestra of it's size.

[bombasticDarren]

Schubert - Symphony No.8 Unfinished (Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker, Deutsche Grammophon)

[fergus]

Schubert - Symphony No.9 Great (Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker, Deutsche Grammophon)

I would be interested in your opinion of that particular recording Darren.

The tempi are, at times, pushed to the extreme but I really enjoyed this by way of contrast to others in my collection. The BPO sound is less slick than it was prone to be in the 70's-80's under HvK (1969 recording) so the textures are pleasingly light for an orchestra of it's size.

Thanks for that Darren....it is one that I have considered.