What are you listening to?

[Ciaran]

Absolutely superb!

I don't see how I can put off getting that for very long!

[DaveF]

It really is superb Ciaran. As far as Harpsichord recordings go, this has gone straight to the top spot for me. I was absolutlely mesmerized this morning while listening to it. The package also comes with a DVD too although I havent checked the content of that yet.

[DaveF]

The music on this disc is an anthology of pieces written for ensembles of viols in France during the period that begins at the end of the 16th century. Some wonderful music here from the likes of Charpentier, Couperin and Mouline. I havent heard these pieces before but initial impressions are really good. Some of it is a 'little' challenging but that's all the more reason to come back to it a few more times.

[Seán]

On the last few Sunday mornings I have listened to the Weil/Tafelmusik recording of Haydn's Paukenmesse. It's simply gorgeous and Ann Monoyios.........ah what a beautiful voice!

WOW....two big surprises in one Seán....
a) listening to and enjoying "Religious" music
b) complimenting a specimen of the human voice

Seriously though, it is a great disc. I also have the companion disc to that of Haydn's Heiligmesse which I also like.

Fergus you know me only too well. Perhaps it comes from my bearing my soul (too often) in public. I have Bach Cantatas sung by Ann Monoyios and they are ..eh...heavenly.

[Seán]

Haydn
Symphonies 82, 83 & 84
Tafelmusik
Bruno Weil conducting

Wonderful playing by the Tafelmusik and beautifully recorded too. Perhaps I was a tad hasty in relegatiing them to second place behind the OAE in these three symphonies. Does it matter? No!

[Jared]

It really is superb Ciaran. As far as Harpsichord recordings go, this has gone straight to the top spot for me. I was absolutlely mesmerized this morning while listening to it.

how does it compare with the very highly regarded Pinnock version, Dave?

[DaveF]

It really is superb Ciaran. As far as Harpsichord recordings go, this has gone straight to the top spot for me. I was absolutlely mesmerized this morning while listening to it.

how does it compare with the very highly regarded Pinnock version, Dave?

I dont have the Pinnock version Jared so I cannot compare. I was a big fan of Andreas Staier's playing before I got this disc anyway, and together with the amazing sound quality makes this disc one of my favorite classical recordings.

The package also comes with a DVD where Staier talks about the Goldberg Variations and gives a few demos on his harpsichord. Its about 25 mins long.

[fergus]

I am sitting at home in front of the PC this morning struggling with a bad head cold and trying hard to recover enough to drag myself off this afternoon to the performance in St. Annes of JSB's The Musical Offering.

No sneezing or coughing!

I did manage to drag myself to the recital in the end and I did spot you there; you were in company and with my red-rimmed, bloodshot and streaming eyes I did not feel that it was appropriate to introduce myself for fear of scaring your friends!!!

[fergus]

Wonderful playing by the Tafelmusik and beautifully recorded too. Perhaps I was a tad hasty in relegatiing them to second place behind the OAE in these three symphonies. Does it matter? No!

Correct and right my friend....just enjoy!!

[fergus]

Beethoven – Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 (Wand)...



No. 5 was a performance of drive and energy; it was not “too heavy” and the music was brisk, clear and clean and the slow movement was full of grandeur. There was also something wonderful about that magnificent final movement. One was caught up and swept along by the performance.
No. 6’s demeanour is that of the grand and stately as opposed to the exuberant....but yet never serious or “heavy”....very pastoral (gentle even)!