What are you listening two?

[markof]

[Diapason]

Via Spotify:

[Ciaran]

Via Spotify:

Excellent recording! I got it in 2007 when it came out after a very positive "Gramophone" review, it was their disc of the month.

I went to a lovely performance of the Xmas Oratorio in Munich a few years ago. I remember being especially impressed by the high brass instruments, every note sweet and pure, not the cracked notes we hear all the time in Dublin. It just seemed effortless.

[Ciaran]

This morning it's the Biber "Rosary Sonatas" - fantastic recording.

I've been enjoying that too! Even though I have too many recordings of the Rosary Sonatas already!

[Diapason]

I remember being especially impressed by the high brass instruments, every note sweet and pure, not the cracked notes we hear all the time in Dublin. It just seemed effortless.

Funny you should say that, I was thinking only recently how seldom it is we (or more accurately I) get to hear really good brass playing up close and personal. Wonder why that is.

[markof]

I really like this version - the choir are terrific.

[markof]

First listen this morning - really nice.

[mcq]

I spent the day listening to Francois-Frederic Guy's traversal of the Beethoven sonata cycle.  I bought the complete set on its original release in 2013 and have enjoyed it immensely over the course of many, many listening sessions in the intervening years.  It is recorded live and the performances are remarkably consistent throughout exuding a natural sense of exuberance and warmth that is intoxicating and simply a pleasure to listen to.  Guy is a very fine Beethoven interpreter and I strongly recommend his performances of the piano concertos and cello sonatas (his first set, with Anne Gastinel) as well.

[mcq]

Listening tonight to Rachel Barton Pine's beautiful performances of Bach's immortal Unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas for Violin.  There is a simplicity and directness to Barton Pine's reading that I find very moving, a musician eager only to communicate her personal responses to this most private of music.  The pace is unhurried, yet never languid; the mood is calm, but not glacial ; it is a reflective and gracefully mature set of performances that I find emotionally complete and deeply satisfying.

[mcq]

This is glorious.  The Belcea Quartet in dramatically powerful readings of the Brahms string quartets, which must be counted among the best performances available of these masterpieces.  There is also an excellent coupling in the form of the wonderful Piano Quintet with Till Fellner, a former student of Alfred Brendel who has recorded some very fine Bach for ECM but has been very quiet of late.

All in all, this is an supremely rewarding listening experience and is very highly recommended.