What are you listening two?

[fergus]

Another interesting new release from Glossa. Of course there´s some Boccherini, but also some less explored repertoire.

That looks interesting Pepe; I am very fond of the cello.

[Seán]

The tigress is back with yet another thrilling recording of Mozart´s Piano Concerto #20. She has recorded at least twice this concerto before, but that´s Argerich, she goes back to the same music all the time, the wondrous thing is that each time is as fresh and brilliant as the last time. There´s also a lovely violin sonata by Mieczyslav Weinberg that I have never heard before, exquisitely played by she and Gidon Kremer.

She is a gorgeous musician.

[Seán]

Wilhelm Stenhammer
Serenade Op. 31
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Davis conducting.

Splendid.

[Seán]

Johann Sebastian Bach
Magnificat in D major BWV 243
Bach Collegium Japan
Masaaki Suzuki conducting.

This performance of Magnificat is on one CD in a beautifully recorded, presented and packaged set of CDs from BIS and Suzuki. This performance of JSB's incomparable Magnificat though is sadly lacking. I find it mechanical, totally devoid of emotion and feeling, it is sterile. Now I am no conneseuer of performances of Bach's music, far from it in fact, but I do LOVE the Magnificat and this performance leaves me cold, it is an effort to listen to it. I heaved a sigh of relief at the conclusion of the last movement, how sad is that? Now I need a dose of Herreweghe or Gardiner to cleanse my soul.

[Seán]

Johann Sebastian Bach
Magnificat in D major, BWV 243
Monteverdi Choir
English Baroque Soloists
John Eliot Gardiner conducting

Wonderful!

[Seán]

Earlier today and again this evening:



Igor Stravinsky
Pulcinella Ballet with song in one act
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Igor Stravinsky conducting.

This is a fabulous performance of a wonderful piece of music.

[fergus]

Johann Sebastian Bach
Magnificat in D major BWV 243
Bach Collegium Japan
Masaaki Suzuki conducting.

This performance of Magnificat is on one CD in a beautifully recorded, presented and packaged set of CDs from BIS and Suzuki. This performance of JSB's incomparable Magnificat though is sadly lacking. I find it mechanical, totally devoid of emotion and feeling, it is sterile. Now I am no conneseuer of performances of Bach's music, far from it in fact, but I do LOVE the Magnificat and this performance leaves me cold, it is an effort to listen to it. I heaved a sigh of relief at the conclusion of the last movement, how sad is that? Now I need a dose of Herreweghe or Gardiner to cleanse my soul.

I have a number of versions of the JSB Magnificat but I have not listened to the Suzuki version for a long time. I must revisit it again soon to see if your comments would reflect mine. I would tend to reach for the Gardiner if I was going to listen to this work although my recent purchase of the Pierlot version on the Mirare label would also be a big contender now.

[fergus]

[Jose Echenique]

Another interesting new release from Glossa. Of course there´s some Boccherini, but also some less explored repertoire.

That looks interesting Pepe; I am very fond of the cello.

And I´m sure you will enjoy it Fergus. Very nice music beautifully played, so it can be recommended.

[Jose Echenique]

Johann Sebastian Bach
Magnificat in D major BWV 243
Bach Collegium Japan
Masaaki Suzuki conducting.

This performance of Magnificat is on one CD in a beautifully recorded, presented and packaged set of CDs from BIS and Suzuki. This performance of JSB's incomparable Magnificat though is sadly lacking. I find it mechanical, totally devoid of emotion and feeling, it is sterile. Now I am no conneseuer of performances of Bach's music, far from it in fact, but I do LOVE the Magnificat and this performance leaves me cold, it is an effort to listen to it. I heaved a sigh of relief at the conclusion of the last movement, how sad is that? Now I need a dose of Herreweghe or Gardiner to cleanse my soul.

I have a number of versions of the JSB Magnificat but I have not listened to the Suzuki version for a long time. I must revisit it again soon to see if your comments would reflect mine. I would tend to reach for the Gardiner if I was going to listen to this work although my recent purchase of the Pierlot version on the Mirare label would also be a big contender now.

The one recording of the Magnificat I don´t like a lot is McCreesh´s. I can take even the St. Matthew Passion one-voice-per-part, but in the Magnificat with trumpets and timpani 4 singers sound ludicrous. Among recent recordings the Peter Dijkstra is also excellent, and the Bernius is extremely nice. But I have a thing for Herreweghe´s with the Christmas chorales.