What are you listening two?

[Jose Echenique]

I was wondering if the Sixteen´s recording was worth adding to my collection. I love Jephtha dearly, and already have several recordings including the old ARGO version with Neville Marriner, still in modern instruments but very well sung, the Harnoncourt, first HIP recording, the singers and the chorus are not very idiomatic but it carries it´s own weight, The Marcus Creed with the Akademie für Alte Music, some fine things there, but overall not a first choice, the Biondi with his Norwegian orchestra, good conducting, but the sound of the orchestra despite Biondi´s efforts to make it sound HIP, still is very modern, then of course the Gardiner which has been the benchmark for many, many years and for many reasons, and last but not least the fine, live McGegan from the Göttingen Festival with the English Concert. I love them all, but I won´t be able to resist the temptation of the Christophers for long.

Just buy it Pepe; you know that you will buy it eventually as you cannot seem to resist a Handel opera or oratorio.

Of course I will Fergus, the flesh is weak.

[fergus]

Of course I will Fergus, the flesh is weak.

LOL!! I would expect nothing less Pepe. Enjoy it when you eventually get it.

[fergus]

Earlier, Ravel's two piano concertos....





....two very fine works, and I especially like the Concerto in G.

[fergus]

Some solo piano music from Rachmaninov....

[fergus]

Rossini's Ermione....

[mcq]

Five discs of quite glorious Renaissance vocal polyphony this evening.  Every time I return to this music I wonder why I ever listen to anything else, so utterly enrapturing is the experience.  The sense of continual forward momentum on an onward rushing river of sound is palpable and grippingly immediate.  Perhaps it is the terracing of the interweaving vocal textures that so grips me, constantly shifting and yet retaining dramatic impetus, or perhaps it is a cumulative sense of overwhelming tranquil beauty, born of an intense and rapt spiritual enquiry that is exultant and radiant to its core, that so transports me.  Whatever it is, this is incredible music.

[Jose Echenique]

Rossini's Ermione....

What a surprise dear Fergus!!! A Rossini opera seria, and a great one. Ermione is a very fine tragedy, and though there´s a newer version in Opera Rara, ERATO´s is still the best. Cecilia Gasdia was an excellent soprano, in her early 20´s she was already singing La Traviata with Carlos Kleiber and Il Viaggio Reims with Abbado, by her mid 40´s she started having vocal problems that cut her career short, but considering that she was already an opera star by the time she was 21, I don´t think we can say her career was too short.
I think she is just splendid in that ERMIONE, so I hope you enjoy it too.

[Jose Echenique]

To celebrate beautiful Scotland in this very important day. May they take the right decision.

[fergus]

Five discs of quite glorious Renaissance vocal polyphony this evening.  Every time I return to this music I wonder why I ever listen to anything else, so utterly enrapturing is the experience.  The sense of continual forward momentum on an onward rushing river of sound is palpable and grippingly immediate.  Perhaps it is the terracing of the interweaving vocal textures that so grips me, constantly shifting and yet retaining dramatic impetus, or perhaps it is a cumulative sense of overwhelming tranquil beauty, born of an intense and rapt spiritual enquiry that is exultant and radiant to its core, that so transports me.  Whatever it is, this is incredible music.

I would have all of those composers listed on your CDs above in my collection and would agree with every word that you said. I personally would place Palestrina at the top of the pile.
However, in all of my time here I have only managed to convert one member to Early Music but he subsequently left us unfortunately. I don't know what that says about the music, me or both!!

[fergus]

Rossini's Ermione....

What a surprise dear Fergus!!! A Rossini opera seria, and a great one. Ermione is a very fine tragedy, and though there´s a newer version in Opera Rara, ERATO´s is still the best. Cecilia Gasdia was an excellent soprano, in her early 20´s she was already singing La Traviata with Carlos Kleiber and Il Viaggio Reims with Abbado, by her mid 40´s she started having vocal problems that cut her career short, but considering that she was already an opera star by the time she was 21, I don´t think we can say her career was too short.
I think she is just splendid in that ERMIONE, so I hope you enjoy it too.

Yes indeed Pepe; I do try!! That double vinyl was a recent purchase and yes I did enjoy it, particularly the singing of Cecilia Gasdia as mentioned above by you. It is also nice to know that this version is a well respected one.