Many thanks, Fergus. I really feel so strongly that Der Rosenkavalier is one of the great works of art. So full of wisdom and so life-affirming. Musically speaking, it is more traditional in feel than some of Richard Strauss's other operas (such as Salome and Elektra), harking back musically not only to Johann Strauss's Die Fledermaus but also to Richard Wagner's Tristan und Isolde (the spirit of Wagner haunts a lot of Richard Strauss's work as it does Mahler and Bruckner as well). Perhaps my favourite recording is Karajan's (on EMI, with an incomparable Schwartzkopf), but other classic versions include Erich Kleiber (Sena Jurinac is one of the great Octavians) and Georg Solti (with the magnificent Regine Crespin), both of which are available on Decca. And, aside from Carlos Kleiber, the best modern interpretation is by Bernard Haitink on EMI (with Te Kanawa's sublime Marschallin and von Otter, who really had no equal as a modern Octavian).fergus wrote:What a wonderful review. When I eventually get around to plucking up the courage to watch and listen to (modern) opera I have clipped that one for special attention....how could one not after such a review!!!mcq wrote:Tonight I've been watching Carlos Kleiber's glorious 1994 version of Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier with Felicity Lott, Anne Sophie von Otter and Barbara Bonney in what are simply career-defining performances (available on a DG DVD). So much of human life is in this grandest of masterpieces - the ecstasies of love, the transitory nature of life's pleasures, the world-weariness of women viewing the inconstancies of men, the arrogance and shallowness of inherited wealth, the humorous farce that lies at the heart of much in life, and, finally, a great gesture of unimaginable self-sacrifice. Wonderful performances from all concerned....
What are you listening to?
Re: What are you listening to?
Gryphon Diablo 300, dCS Rossini (with matching clock), Kharma Exquisite Mini, Ansuz C2, Finite Elemente Master Reference.
Re: What are you listening to?
Now that combination has really caught my eye!!!mcq wrote:Many thanks, Fergus. I really feel so strongly that Der Rosenkavalier is one of the great works of art. So full of wisdom and so life-affirming. Musically speaking, it is more traditional in feel than some of Richard Strauss's other operas (such as Salome and Elektra), harking back musically not only to Johann Strauss's Die Fledermaus but also to Richard Wagner's Tristan und Isolde (the spirit of Wagner haunts a lot of Richard Strauss's work as it does Mahler and Bruckner as well). Perhaps my favourite recording is Karajan's (on EMI, with an incomparable Schwartzkopf), but other classic versions include Erich Kleiber (Sena Jurinac is one of the great Octavians) and Georg Solti (with the magnificent Regine Crespin), both of which are available on Decca. And, aside from Carlos Kleiber, the best modern interpretation is by Bernard Haitink on EMI (with Te Kanawa's sublime Marschallin and von Otter, who really had no equal as a modern Octavian).
To be is to do: Socrates
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Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: What are you listening to?
Bach – Magnificat....
Recorded in 1959 and very far removed from modern period performance practice this is a wonderful performance. The choral singing can be a bit chaotic but we also experience some absolutely beautiful singing from the soprano Agnes Giebel. The other soloists are also very fine but she is outstanding! The orchestra also provide excellent and sensitive accompaniment.
Recorded in 1959 and very far removed from modern period performance practice this is a wonderful performance. The choral singing can be a bit chaotic but we also experience some absolutely beautiful singing from the soprano Agnes Giebel. The other soloists are also very fine but she is outstanding! The orchestra also provide excellent and sensitive accompaniment.
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: What are you listening to?
Giebel also appears on Fritz Werner's excellent series of Bach cantatas (recorded between the late 1950s and the early 1970s for Erato). These are probably my favourite recordings on modern instruments and - to my mind - surpass Richter's cantatas recordings. Warner reissued them a few years back as two 10-CD boxes and are well worth investigating.fergus wrote:Bach – Magnificat....
Recorded in 1959 and very far removed from modern period performance practice this is a wonderful performance. The choral singing can be a bit chaotic but we also experience some absolutely beautiful singing from the soprano Agnes Giebel. The other soloists are also very fine but she is outstanding! The orchestra also provide excellent and sensitive accompaniment.
Gryphon Diablo 300, dCS Rossini (with matching clock), Kharma Exquisite Mini, Ansuz C2, Finite Elemente Master Reference.
Re: What are you listening to?
Thanks for that....she really has the most marvellous voice!mcq wrote:Giebel also appears on Fritz Werner's excellent series of Bach cantatas (recorded between the late 1950s and the early 1970s for Erato). These are probably my favourite recordings on modern instruments and - to my mind - surpass Richter's cantatas recordings. Warner reissued them a few years back as two 10-CD boxes and are well worth investigating.
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: What are you listening to?
Disc 4 contains the Toccata and Fugues which, once again, were a very enjoyable listen. The Toccata elements were wonderful but one has to confess to be struggling a bit with the detail in the Fugue elements (the untrained ear, you know) but the overall listening experience is wonderful!
The Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major BWV564 and the Toccata and Fugue in E major BWV566 were both particular successes....I loved them!
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: What are you listening to?
Did you get to the Dorian, BWV538? That's one of my particular favourites.
Nerdcave: ...is no more! 
Sitting Room: Wadia 581SE - Rega Planar 3/AT VM95ML & SH - Bluesound Node II - Copland CSA 100 - Audioplan Kontrast 3
Kitchen: WiiM Pro - Wadia 151 - B&W 685s2
Sitting Room: Wadia 581SE - Rega Planar 3/AT VM95ML & SH - Bluesound Node II - Copland CSA 100 - Audioplan Kontrast 3
Kitchen: WiiM Pro - Wadia 151 - B&W 685s2
Re: What are you listening to?
I spent yesteday afternoon with Ciaran listening to classical music and one of the pieces that we selected was the Adagio from Mahler's Ninth. So this evening I just had to listen to the entire symphony again and tonight I choose:
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 9
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Otto Klemperer conducting.
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 9
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Otto Klemperer conducting.
"To appreciate the greatness of the Masters is to keep faith in the greatness of humanity." - Wilhelm Furtwängler
Re: What are you listening to?
Yes I did. I have now listened to 7 of the 10 discs in this set Simon and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every single note of this music!!Diapason wrote:Did you get to the Dorian, BWV538? That's one of my particular favourites.
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: What are you listening to?
There is some wonderful music here and not a stringed instrument in sight.
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra