What are you listening two?

[Seán]

and now on the Clearaudio Champion LE turntable:



Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 41
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Karl Böhm conducting.

Lovely performance.

[Seán]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 41
Mozart Akademie Amsterdam
Jaap Ter Linden conducting.

As indicated previously I am not fond of Ter Linden's Mozart cycle butI am delighted to say that the performance of the 41st by the Amsterdam Akademie iis exceptional, it's a joy from start to finish.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 40
Mozart Akademie Amsterdam
Jaap Ter Linden conducting.

[Seán]

Thank you Seán, yes the Dvorak Violin Concerto is lovely. Perhaps not quite up there with the Beethoven and Brahms concertos, but definitely one that should be played more often. In the many years I have attended concerts I can´t recall EVER having heard it live!!!!

What a pity!

[Jose Echenique]

Thank you Seán, yes the Dvorak Violin Concerto is lovely. Perhaps not quite up there with the Beethoven and Brahms concertos, but definitely one that should be played more often. In the many years I have attended concerts I can´t recall EVER having heard it live!!!!

What a pity!

Oh yes, and I´m afraid it still is seldom performed.

[Jose Echenique]

BR Klassik has released so far some Baroque works with the glorious Bayerischen Rundfunks Chor, including the Bach Christmas Oratorio, Handel´s Israel in Egypt and the Bach Magnificat plus the Handel Dixit Dominus.
One is happy that for these projects they have hired the wonderful Concerto Köln instead of their own marvelous but very modern Bayerischen Rundfunks Symphonieorchester.
The St. Matthew Passion obviously has overwhelming competition, but this live recording from the Herkulessaal more than holds it´s own. The choir is large by today standards, some 50 or 60 strong, but it sings splendidly, with crystal clear diction and vibrato-less period fashion. After the minimalist recordings of McCreesh, Butt and Kuijken, it´s reassuring to hear a real choir in the Great Passion whether Bach used it or not [in spite of the beautiful results of one to a part, I can´t be convinced that 12 singers could fill St. Thomas].
But most important, Peter Dijkstra [the chorus master of the Bayerischen Rundfunks], understands the score, knows how to pace it, and renders a very spiritual and satisfying performance. Of the soloists only Karina Gauvin is well known, but they all sing splendidly. Young tenor Julian Prégardien, son of Christoph who recorded the Evangelist for Leonhardt in 1990 and Harnoncourt in 2000, essays the daunting part with admirable success, no doubt prepared by his own daddy.
Of course there are many glorious recordings of the St. Matthew´s Passion, including the Harnoncourt 2000 and the more recent René Jacobs, and why not the beautiful McCreesh too, but this one is a real performance, in which the message is convincingly delivered. I loved it.

[Seán]

Speaking of René Jacobs: this is where this morning's Mozart journey has taken me:



Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 41
Freiburger Barackorchester
René Jacobs conducting.

[Seán]

and further back to 1938:



Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 41
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Bruno Walter conducting.

[mcq]

First listen this morning to a recent purchase, Viola de Hoog's traversal of the Bach cello suites on the Vivat label.  This is a deeply affecting performance, one that is notable for its intimacy and warmth and sense of grace and also its understated, contemplative, very private approach to this most spiritual of music which takes on a devotional aspect in Ms. De Hoog's hands.  Very, very impressive and perhaps the best I have heard since my modern references of Anne Gastinel, Jean-Guihen Queyras and Ophélie Gaillard.  

[fergus]

and now on the Clearaudio Champion LE turntable:



Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 41
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Karl Böhm conducting.

Lovely performance.

I like Bohm conducting Mozart's music.

[fergus]

BR Klassik has released so far some Baroque works with the glorious Bayerischen Rundfunks Chor, including the Bach Christmas Oratorio, Handel´s Israel in Egypt and the Bach Magnificat plus the Handel Dixit Dominus.
One is happy that for these projects they have hired the wonderful Concerto Köln instead of their own marvelous but very modern Bayerischen Rundfunks Symphonieorchester.
The St. Matthew Passion obviously has overwhelming competition, but this live recording from the Herkulessaal more than holds it´s own. The choir is large by today standards, some 50 or 60 strong, but it sings splendidly, with crystal clear diction and vibrato-less period fashion. After the minimalist recordings of McCreesh, Butt and Kuijken, it´s reassuring to hear a real choir in the Great Passion whether Bach used it or not [in spite of the beautiful results of one to a part, I can´t be convinced that 12 singers could fill St. Thomas].
But most important, Peter Dijkstra [the chorus master of the Bayerischen Rundfunks], understands the score, knows how to pace it, and renders a very spiritual and satisfying performance. Of the soloists only Karina Gauvin is well known, but they all sing splendidly. Young tenor Julian Prégardien, son of Christoph who recorded the Evangelist for Leonhardt in 1990 and Harnoncourt in 2000, essays the daunting part with admirable success, no doubt prepared by his own daddy.
Of course there are many glorious recordings of the St. Matthew´s Passion, including the Harnoncourt 2000 and the more recent René Jacobs, and why not the beautiful McCreesh too, but this one is a real performance, in which the message is convincingly delivered. I loved it.

That looks like a strong recommendation indeed Pepe!