What are you listening to?

[Jared]

^^ good to see you back round these 'ere parts Darren.... although I've been a bit quiet myself recently.

Bruckner 9: Rattle/ Berliner

now

Bruckner 3 (1889 version): Nelsons/ CBSO

[Jared]

Bruckner 4 'Romantic'

Ion Marin/ BBC Scottish

it's simply too long since I had a symphonic blast from the genius... :-)

[Jared]

Bruckner 7: Sakari/ BBC NOW

[Jose Echenique]

Every new recording of Semiramide is an event, even more when Rossini scholar Alberto Zedda is conducting. This live recording from Ghent is 100% complete, which now is a must considering how precious this opera is. It is hard to believe that the first critical edition of Semiramide only appeared in 1992 for Rossini´s bicentenary, and all previous editions were corrupted in one way or the other. In the famous Joan Sutherland 1964 recording, Mr. Sutherland went so far to completely change the ending to allow his wife to finish standing in triumph instead of lying dead in the floor as the Voltaire drama and the Rossini opera meant.
Alberto Zedda conducts expertly and lovingly this performance. The voices are competent enough, if not the greatest we have ever heard, but all the singers are observant and obedient to maestro Zedda and that ensures a stylish and accurate Rossini performance.
3 hours and a half of Rossini=Heaven.

[Jared]

Bruckner 9: Bernhard Klee/ BBC Phil

[Seán]

Bruckner 9: Bernhard Klee/ BBC Phil

You have gone mad on Bruckner lad.

[Seán]

Gioacchino Rossini
L'Italiana in Algeri
Agnes Baltsa (Mezzo Soprano), Ruggero Raimondi (Bass Baritone), Enzo Dara (Baritone), Alessandro Corbelli (Baritone), Anna Gonda (Mezzo Soprano), Patrizia Pace (Soprano) & Frank Lopardo (Tenor)
Vienna State Opera Chorus
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Claudio Abbado - conducting.

I am really surprised at how much I like this opera, it is so very easy on the ear and the sound of the VPO is simply GLORIOUS. I am not familiar with the singers and am enchanted by several of them,in particular Frank Lopardo and Agnes Baltsa to mention but two.

At times there is a Mozartian feel to this music or perhaps it's my ignorance showing through. What matter, I really like it.

[Jared]

Bruckner 9: Bernhard Klee/ BBC Phil

You have gone mad on Bruckner lad.

it's been a while since I gave him an airing, Sean... incidentally, I have the Glyndebourne 'La Cenerentola' sat on my Blu Ray in-pile...

[Jose Echenique]

<At times there is a Mozartian feel to this music or perhaps it's my ignorance showing through. What matter, I really like it.>

That´s the important thing Seán, that you enjoyed it, though, of course...how couldn´t you? he, he. Abbado´s Italiana is surely excellent, too bad that Teresa Berganza was no longer available to sing that role (she made her recording as far back as 1963), but Baltsa is never less than very good. L´Italiana was one of Rossini´s greatest hits when he was alive. It´s a sophisticated, anarchic and hilarious comedy, just like Il Barbiere, and the humor has not aged a bit since it was first seen in May 22 1813, exactly 200 years ago! Viva Rossini!!!!

[Jared]

Rachmaninov:

Symphony No. 2
Edward Downes/ BBC Phil

Isle of the Dead
Jerzy Maksymiuk/ BBC Scottish

Piano Concerto No.2
Michal Dworzynski/ Ulster Orch
Barry Douglas (Piano)

Symphonic Dances
Olari Elts/ BBC NOW