What are you listening to?

[Ciaran]

Finally a favourite CD:

Songs by Grieg, Anne-Sofie von Otter with Bengt Forsberg: one of the first CDs I ever bought and I keep listening to it, especially the Haugtussa cycle which starts the disc.

I think you played that for us during one of the classical meetups in your place a few years ago. I found it challenging at the time but made a note of it. My classical palette has advanced a bit since then so I might take the plunge and get this recording.

Worth the price for Haugtussa alone!

[Ciaran]

Finally a favourite CD:

Songs by Grieg, Anne-Sofie von Otter with Bengt Forsberg: one of the first CDs I ever bought and I keep listening to it, especially the Haugtussa cycle which starts the disc.

I have the two of them performing songs by Sibelius and they are very enjoyable, Ciaran, I think that I might have played a snippet for you when you paid me a visit?

I don't remember, but I also have a CD of them in Sibelius and one of various Swedish composers. But it's the Grieg that keeps jumping in the player!

[Seán]

Finally a favourite CD:

Songs by Grieg, Anne-Sofie von Otter with Bengt Forsberg: one of the first CDs I ever bought and I keep listening to it, especially the Haugtussa cycle which starts the disc.

I have the two of them performing songs by Sibelius and they are very enjoyable, Ciaran, I think that I might have played a snippet for you when you paid me a visit?

I don't remember, but I also have a CD of them in Sibelius and one of various Swedish composers. But it's the Grieg that keeps jumping in the player!

It was Svarta rosor (Black Roses), no? ah well!

[Ciaran]

Yes, I think you're right!

[fergus]

On vinyl; Gregorian Chant....



Side 1 contains 10 chants for the Proper of the Mass while Side 2 contains a complete Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
There is beautiful singing on this recording with a lovely warm and relaxed atmosphere.

[DaveF]

This recording disappointed me when I first got it so I parked it on the shelf and havent gone back to it until this weekend. I havent changed my opinion either. The harpsichord just sounds too weak in the background and at times the small orchestra still overpowers it. Nowhere near as good as the Hogwood/AAM version.

[DaveF]

Symphony No.6



With the recent talk of Beethoven's symphonies, I dug out this set as I havent listened to it in long time. Nice brisk tempi here from Abbado.

[cybot]

This recording disappointed me when I first got it so I parked it on the shelf and havent gone back to it until this weekend. I havent changed my opinion either. The harpsichord just sounds too weak in the background and at times the small orchestra still overpowers it. Nowhere near as good as the Hogwood/AAM version.

Love the cover painting :) But Harmonia Mundi did care of their sleeves, didn't they? I'm sure I have one HM album of Lute music....

[DaveF]

Love the cover painting :) But Harmonia Mundi did care of their sleeves, didn't they? I'm sure I have one HM album of Lute music....

Harmonia Mundi are a great label alright. The put a decent effort in the packaging, artwork and the sonics are always great too. Still though, as CD packaging goes nothing beats AllaVox. A lot of Jordi Savall recordings are on this label.

[fergus]

This recording disappointed me when I first got it so I parked it on the shelf and havent gone back to it until this weekend. I havent changed my opinion either. The harpsichord just sounds too weak in the background and at times the small orchestra still overpowers it. Nowhere near as good as the Hogwood/AAM version.

That is disappointing Dave....one would have said that those forces on that label would be a safe bet to produce something really good.