What are you listening to?

[fergus]

I don't get that album cover at all. Am I missing something?

Maybe Isabella Gardiner is looking after the money and didn´t want to spend in an expensive designer.

Funnily enough, I tend to prefer those esoteric covers. I don't know whether I'm the only one who feels this, but I feel the CM world has become far too 'personality driven' over the past decade or so; it's like you aren't capable of releasing an album containing two Violin Concertos unless you're in your early 20's, gorgeous and wearing an evening dress. What would have happened to Arthur Grumaiux's career if he was starting out now?

Very good point Jared and one where I totally agree with you.

[DaveF]

Symphonies 1 & 5

[Jared]

The very definition of Serendipity, I picked this up because quite frankly, you can never have too many versions of Luonnatar (Nature Spirit) in your collection. Here, Soile Isokoski's voice soars like the maiden of the air, over the divided waters of the newly created world. This is altogether a diverse collection of Finnish orchestral songs, beautifully performed and recorded; a real gem for this site's Sibelius lovers to explore.

[Jared]

well, if you include the Chopin and the Sibelius previously reported on, then I have to say that the rest of my present l;istening represent a real eclectic mix of styles:











further reports to follow, I'm sure... of course this lot are being played in between the first CDs from my Haydn SQ box set, which has been on for most of the day, and are thoroughly delightful...

[Jared]

This is exquisite too of course. The singing of the Monteverdi Choir superb in all departments, what one misses is a boy´s choir, what Bach heard and obviously expected. I´m sure he would have been impressed with Gardiner´s marvelous ensemble, but being the traditionalist that he was, I wouldn´t be too sure that he wouldn´t have still preferred the children sound.

Interestingly, this is BBC Music's Choral & Song Recording of the Month for August and you can hear a snippet from their new-look website:

http://www.classical-music.com/monthly-choice/js-bach

[fergus]

Very beautiful!

[Jared]

Very beautiful!

Fergus, I'm ashamed to say that I don't own any Munrow. How do his interpretations from 30 years ago, compare with more contemporary readings? How many voices does he use in the Dufay?

I must admit, after the 2nd listen, I'm rather loving this:

[fergus]

Very beautiful!

.... How do his interpretations from 30 years ago, compare with more contemporary readings? How many voices does he use in the Dufay?

Munrow's interpretation and presentation on this work Jared is simple and straightforward and not mannered in any way. The singing is heavenly from very good quality vocalists and therefore it holds it own very well with any contemporary readings that I have heard in this sound world. Unfortunately there are no credits in the liner notes so I am not in a position to tell you how many voices are actually used. All that I can do is offer the highest recommendation for the CD.

[mcq]

If you like Isokowski's voice, Jared, then I highly recommend her reading of Paul Hindemith's exquisite song cycle, Das Marienleben (available on Ondine), based on texts by the great Rainer Maria Rilke, and considered by Glenn Gould to be be the finest song cycle yet written.

[fergus]

This is exquisite too of course. The singing of the Monteverdi Choir superb in all departments, what one misses is a boy´s choir, what Bach heard and obviously expected. I´m sure he would have been impressed with Gardiner´s marvelous ensemble, but being the traditionalist that he was, I wouldn´t be too sure that he wouldn´t have still preferred the children sound.

Interestingly, this is BBC Music's Choral & Song Recording of the Month for August and you can hear a snippet from their new-look website:
http://www.classical-music.com/monthly-choice/js-bach

I gave this a listen and although it is only a very small snippet it does sound wonderful....but then it is the Monteverdi Choir singing JS Bach!