Tír Na HiFi

Tonight I've been listening to an absolutely stunning version of Bach's Partitas, as played by Pascal Dubreuil on the harpsichord and available on the Ramée label. Wonderfully passionate performances that really burst free from the speakers and crackle with life. Perhaps the best version I've yet heard of these masterpieces.

Last night I listened to an utterly absorbing performance of Bach's Cello Suites as performed by Dmitry Badiarov on the violoncello da spalla (available on Ramée). As well as being an experienced violinist, Badiarov is also a noted instrument maker and is Sigiswald Kujiken's preferred luthier. These performances are particularly intriguing with the violoncello da spalla's lighter timbre casting a new light on these extraordinary works. Badiarov favours a subtle, cerebral approach that I find particularly rewarding. I really must investigate Kujiken's recent performances of these suites on Accent as well.

And, on Wednesday night, I was utterly captivated by Pygmalion's readings of two of Bach's underrated Missae Breves on the excellent Alpha label. Warm, passionate, lively and utterly engaging performances that really draw you in. If they don't quite surpass my personal benchmark for the Missae Breves - Konrad Junghanel's classic versions with his Cantus Cölln ensemble on Harmonia Mundi - they come very close. And the relative youth of the recently formed Pygmalion must be counted against the vastly more experienced Junghanel/Cantus Cölln combination. I look forward to picking up Pygmalion's recording of the remaining Missae Breves which is due to be released very shortly.

mcq wrote:Last night I listened to an utterly absorbing performance of Bach's Cello Suites as performed by Dmitry Badiarov on the violoncello da spalla (available on Ramée). As well as being an experienced violinist, Badiarov is also a noted instrument maker and is Sigiswald Kujiken's preferred luthier. These performances are particularly intriguing with the violoncello da spalla's lighter timbre casting a new light on these extraordinary works. Badiarov favours a subtle, cerebral approach that I find particularly rewarding. I really must investigate Kujiken's recent performances of these suites on Accent as well.

Thank you for that most interesting post....that may well be one for the future for me.

Haydn – String Quartets Op. 76 played by the Quatuor Mosaiques....



....Disc 2 from this set which includes No. 3 “Emperor”.

This morning I've been listening to a recent purchase, The Nash Ensemble's quite superb performances of Mozart's string quintets (available on a 3-CD set on Hyperion). These quintets are some of Mozart's subtlest and most refined creations - so subtle, in fact, that they have taken me quite a while to fully appreciate. For many years, I've been enjoying The Grumiaux Trio's fine readings of these pieces (on DG) but these new performances set a new benchmark. The Nash Ensemble seem, to me, to be much more alive to the subtlest of nuances inherent to this music and their ever-so-slightly lean tone makes the listening experience just that bit more involving. This is wonderful music, played with the utmost sensitivity and tenderness, that is immensely rewarding. However, it is music to be taken slowly and savoured over time, rather than gulped down. There is a beautiful quote (attributed to the French writer, André Gide) which seems particularly relevant to this music: “Of all musicians Mozart is the one from whom our epoch has taken us farthest away; he speaks only in a whisper, and the public has ceased to hear anything but shouts.”

Well, this great music represent's Mozart's most softly uttered whispers to us, couched in his subtlest musical language.

Brahms:
Cello Sonata No.1 in E Minor Op38
Cello Sonata No.2 in F major Op99

also on the disc which I have not listened to yet:

Dvorak:
Waldesruhe Op68 No 5
Rondo in G minor Op 94

and a pupil of Dvorak's:
Josef Suk
Ballade in D minor Op3 No.1
Serenade in A major Op3 No.2


Tower Records have a lot of these new Hyperion releases for 9.99 each.

JS Bach – Brandenburg Concertos....




This set was bought on the basis of the names of the performers. Needless to say the standard of playing is excellent. The sound quality of the recording is also top quality. The size of the ensemble for each concerto is small so the textures and voices are quite crisp and clear. The overall result is wonderful music making.

Whilst in Tower yesterday, I finally picked up the complete Tokyo Quartet cycle of the Beethoven string quartets (four separate releases on Harmonia Mundi). Today I listened to Ops.18 and 59. Incredible, just incredible. I thought the Takacs had set an unsurpassable benchmark a few years back with their magnificent cycle on Decca but, so far, this sounds just as good. It's too early to say which is best but initial impressions are that the Tokyo group play with a hint more brio and panache without sacrificing one iota of subtlety. I'm certainly looking forward to hearing Ops. 74 and 95 tomorrow as well as the mighty Late Quartets. We really are being spoiled by the sheer quality of music that's being released at the moment. Life is good.

mcq wrote:Whilst in Tower yesterday, I finally picked up the complete Tokyo Quartet cycle of the Beethoven string quartets (four separate releases on Harmonia Mundi). Today I listened to Ops.18 and 59. Incredible, just incredible. I thought the Takacs had set an unsurpassable benchmark a few years back with their magnificent cycle on Decca but, so far, this sounds just as good. It's too early to say which is best but initial impressions are that the Tokyo group play with a hint more brio and panache without sacrificing one iota of subtlety. I'm certainly looking forward to hearing Ops. 74 and 95 tomorrow as well as the mighty Late Quartets. We really are being spoiled by the sheer quality of music that's being released at the moment. Life is good.

Oh mcq, I echo that statement indeed: life is good. Your's is a timely post because I am considering getting a second box set of the Beethoven Quartets and I am at a loss as to what I should get and your comments have just introduced another box set onto the mix. ??? So far I have considered the Takacs, the Veigh, the Budapest Quartet and others too. I have to confess that now I'm completely lost.