What are you listening two?

fergus
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by fergus »

Dvorak's Symphony No. 6 performed by the Czech Philharmonic under Karel Ancerl on Supraphon....


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....wonderful!!
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Seán
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by Seán »

fergus wrote:Dvorak's Symphony No. 6 performed by the Czech Philharmonic under Karel Ancerl on Supraphon....


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....wonderful!!
Do you know that I do not have recordings of all of Dvorak's Symphonies, I must get a set soon.
"To appreciate the greatness of the Masters is to keep faith in the greatness of humanity." - Wilhelm Furtwängler
mcq
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by mcq »

Thoroughly enjoying this recording of Telemann's Paris Quartets this evening.  Wonderful music in superb, invigorating performances.


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mcq
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by mcq »

And yet more Telemann.  A selection of the man's wonderful music for viola da gamba.  Graceful, serene and contemplative - this is deeply rewarding music.

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Jose Echenique
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by Jose Echenique »

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The last of the most eagerly awaited recordings of 2014 has finally arrived. As we all know Veracini is better known in our time for his orchestral music, especially his violin sonatas, but like most composers of his time he also wrote church music and of course, opera. We will never be able to thank Fabio Biondi enough for his efforts to get this opera recorded. Virgin/Erato was not interested, Agogique with whom he published his marvelous Alessandro Scarlatti´s Carlo Re d´Alemagna probably neither, so he found this little but enterprising label Fra Bernardo for this valuable project. The music is of course excellent, Biondi wouldn´t have taken the trouble with a lesser work, and the performance recorded live on January this year is spectacular, with some of the very greatest baroque opera stars around. Sonia Prina and Romina Basso have the deepest contralto voices, Ann Hallenberg´s is slightly higher, more mezzoish, the good thing is that all 3 are very distinctive and individual, and they sing like angels. Fabulous Roberta Invernizzi is as usual, to die for, these 4 ladies just can´t be bettered. Biondi and Europa Galante offer succulent, gourmet playing with the irresistible joy of discovery, the excitement is literally palpable.

Grazie maestro, it´s the best possible Christmas gift for 2014.
mcq
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by mcq »

Thanks for that, Jose.  I loved what Biondi did with the Scarlatti and it seems incredible that, given the critical success of that performance and the vocal cast of the new Veracini, he was unable to interest a major label in this new release.  The past year has seen world premiere recordings of previously unrecorded works by Hasse and Caldara on Decca and DG Archiv and one would think that, given Biondi's track record in baroque repertoire, these labels would love to release this work by Veracini.  But we are living in strange times. Fra Bernardo is an interesting label and there are some very nice items in their catalogue including this recording of a sacred cantata by Ferradini featuring Roberta Invernizzi which I intend to purchase as well as the Veracini.

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Jose Echenique
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by Jose Echenique »

mcq wrote:Thanks for that, Jose.  I loved what Biondi did with the Scarlatti and it seems incredible that, given the critical success of that performance and the vocal cast of the new Veracini, he was unable to interest a major label in this new release.  The past year has seen world premiere recordings of previously unrecorded works by Hasse and Caldara on Decca and DG Archiv and one would think that, given Biondi's track record in baroque repertoire, these labels would love to release this work by Veracini.  But we are living in strange times. Fra Bernardo is an interesting label and there are some very nice items in their catalogue including this recording of a sacred cantata by Ferradini featuring Roberta Invernizzi which I intend to purchase as well as the Veracini.

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The Ferrandini is also a treasure! Not to be missed. Fra Bernardo unearthed it somewhere because the recordings date from some 8 years ago. Maybe they were recorded by Swiss Radio for broadcast and then reached an agreement with FB for commercial release. No matter what the sound is excellent and Invernizzi is divine.
The Adriano in Siria is fascinating, very different from Vivaldi´s operas, but very, very nice, one can hear a distinctive and different composer, the vocal writing, super virtuoso but less "instrumental" than Vivaldi´s.
For Ann Hallenberg´s aria that ends CD 2 I would buy the recording, but there´s much that is gorgeous, and the playing of Biondi´s boys awesome!
fergus
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by fergus »

Seán wrote: Do you know that I do not have recordings of all of Dvorak's Symphonies, I must get a set soon.
I can readily recommend the Kertesz cycle Seán....


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....it is consistently well performed and in the works are well interpreted.

However, if it can be had I prefer the Valek cycle....


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....the Prague RSO under the baton of Vladimir Valek really have the measure of the music and the interpretations are very "Slavonic" with a certain bite to them.
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
mcq
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by mcq »

Wonderfully relaxing listening tonight.  It's been a long week and I can't wait for the weekend.


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fergus
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Re: What are you listening two?

Post by fergus »

Well I finally got around to completing the Bruggen [2] Beethoven Symphonic Cycle with a first listen to Symphony No. 9....


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For me there are two essential criteria for a successful performance of this work; the slow movement must be played with tenderness and the quality of the vocal soloists in the final movement must be right for my ear, particularly the soprano role. I have heard a few shrieking sopranos piercing the heart of this music. So how would Bruggen handle these two elements for me? Put simply....simply gloriously. The ninth was a fitting crown and culmination to a wonderful interpretation of this cycle and I now add my opinion to that of others that it is a must have for any Beethoven enthusiast.
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
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