What are you listening two?

[Seán]

Richard Strauss
Also sprach Zarathustra
Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich
David Zinman conducting.

This is a very enjoyable performance, to be honest though, it is a work that is unfamiliar to me.

[Seán]

This is, in a word, glorious.  The complete Haydn string quartets as performed by the Festetics Quartet and recently collected in a box set by the Arcana label.  I began my traversal of these performances on Thursday night and am now about halfway through.  I do not think it an exaggeration to say that these works are, collectively, not only among the greatest works that Haydn ever penned but also belong in the pantheon of the most profoundly intelligent music ever composed.  The refined urbaneity of the wisdom of this music personifies the thought patterns of a man entirely at ease within within his milieu.  Perhaps what is most staggering about Haydn's achievement is the level of consistency he maintained, in his creative output in general and specifically in his work for string quartet.  When you sit and listen to these works, you become acutely aware of a creative arc that is gradually being traced, that mirrors Haydn's ever-increasing mastery of form, texture and dynamics but also the increasingly cerebral nature of the music which is sometimes obscured by its sheer refined elegance.  More than most music, these quartets repay the closest of listening.  At times, I am reminded of the meditative qualities of an organ chorale, and, at others, of a frenzied intellectual discourse, but always there remains a sense of the most extraordinary intelligence that guides this marvellous music, the rewards of which remain limitless.

The Festetics Quartet's performances are quite breathtaking, in my opinion.  There is a pungency and vibrancy to their playing which brings out the music's inherently human qualities and also lends a sense of compulsion to the listening experience.  Also, you get the sense of four separate musical personalities, whose musical strands of thought sometimes intersect and sometimes veer off in their own direction, as befits the music.  Listening to the Festetics play this music, you hear sweetness that is never cloying, sharpness that never grates.  They communicate fully the breadth of human emotions that Haydn instilled into this music, but at all times remain keenly alive to its inherently thoughtful nature.  A wonderful, profoundly life-affirming listening experience.

A wonderful, insightful write up Paul, well done.

[mcq]

Thanks, Sean.

[fergus]

Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 2
Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich
David Zinman conducting.

I would be interested in your thoughts when you have listened to all four symphonies Seán.

[fergus]

.... The refined urbaneity of the wisdom of this music personifies the thought patterns of a man entirely at ease within his milieu.  Perhaps what is most staggering about Haydn's achievement is the level of consistency he maintained, in his creative output in general and specifically in his work for string quartet.  When you sit and listen to these works, you become acutely aware of a creative arc that is gradually being traced, that mirrors Haydn's ever-increasing mastery of form, texture and dynamics but also the increasingly cerebral nature of the music which is sometimes obscured by its sheer refined elegance.  More than most music, these quartets repay the closest of listening.  At times, I am reminded of the meditative qualities of an organ chorale, and, at others, of a frenzied intellectual discourse, but always there remains a sense of the most extraordinary intelligence that guides this marvellous music, the rewards of which remain limitless.

I thoroughly agree with all of your sentiments Paul but I could never have portrayed them so eloquently.

[fergus]

Richard Strauss
Also sprach Zarathustra
Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich
David Zinman conducting.

This is a very enjoyable performance, to be honest though, it is a work that is unfamiliar to me.

Listen to von Karajan's version Seán.

In fact listen to von Karajan in all of Strauss!

[fergus]

Recent listening - Beethoven Symphonies 5, 6, 7, 8....





No. 5 was another strong, assertive performance. The outer movements were urgently paced, the inner ones somewhat reflective. This was a performance on a Grand scale!
No. 6 was a fine, noble rendition. This can be a difficult work to pull off but it is done great justice here. I was a little disappointed with the storm scene but everything else was wonderful.
No. 7 is another fine rendition which jaunts along at pace but never breathlessly. The timpani are striking in the first movement and the final movement is a powerful conclusion and wonderfully performed.
No. 8 is yet another fine performance; the outer movements lilt along while the inner movements are steady and sure.

[fergus]

Motets by JS Bach....





....performed "old school" but sung with a children's choir which is always interesting to hear.

[Seán]

Recent listening - Beethoven Symphonies 5, 6, 7, 8....





No. 5 was another strong, assertive performance. The outer movements were urgently paced, the inner ones somewhat reflective. This was a performance on a Grand scale!
No. 6 was a fine, noble rendition. This can be a difficult work to pull off but it is done great justice here. I was a little disappointed with the storm scene but everything else was wonderful.
No. 7 is another fine rendition which jaunts along at pace but never breathlessly. The timpani are striking in the first movement and the final movement is a powerful conclusion and wonderfully performed.
No. 8 is yet another fine performance; the outer movements lilt along while the inner movements are steady and sure.

You have whet my appetite and Xmas is nigh.

[mcq]

.... The refined urbaneity of the wisdom of this music personifies the thought patterns of a man entirely at ease within his milieu.  Perhaps what is most staggering about Haydn's achievement is the level of consistency he maintained, in his creative output in general and specifically in his work for string quartet.  When you sit and listen to these works, you become acutely aware of a creative arc that is gradually being traced, that mirrors Haydn's ever-increasing mastery of form, texture and dynamics but also the increasingly cerebral nature of the music which is sometimes obscured by its sheer refined elegance.  More than most music, these quartets repay the closest of listening.  At times, I am reminded of the meditative qualities of an organ chorale, and, at others, of a frenzied intellectual discourse, but always there remains a sense of the most extraordinary intelligence that guides this marvellous music, the rewards of which remain limitless.

I thoroughly agree with all of your sentiments Paul but I could never have portrayed them so eloquently.

Many thanks, Fergus, that's very kind. So happy that you're enjoying the Brüggen cycle of Beethoven symphonies as well. It really is a remarkable achievement.