Tír Na HiFi

Boccherini – Symphonies....



These are inventive and melodic works and are very ably presented by Ensemble 415.

Last nights listening.......



Quite a disappointing recording. I had high hopes for this one but it didnt really deliver for me at all. One big gripe I had was the recording dynamics. They are huge. Not normally a problem for me but I dont live in a feckin concert hall!
This symphony should feel like a journey for me and end with a thrilling climax full of emotion and joy. The first few movements are half decent, the Ulrich quite nice, but the finale falls apart for me. The whole pacing just felt too stop start and didnt build at all. There was too much prominent brass in end of the finale that drew too much attention to itself and was blaring out in front of the soundstage. It spoilt the chorus which itself was pretty good.

Alkan's Concerto for piano Solo... extraordinary. Overwhelming performance from Marc-André Hamelin!

I seem to be coming round to Schönberg's Pierrot Lunaire


here wonderfully performed by Salome Kammer and Ensemble Avantgarde conducted by Hans Zender. Strong nerves required!

Berwald – Symphonies 1 & 2....



I really liked these works and I was particularly taken with No. 2.

fergus wrote:Berwald – Symphonies 1 & 2....



I really liked these works and I was particularly taken with No. 2.

I'm delighted. I think that is a very fine set.

Symphony No.6



The comments made by Fergus on this set of late made me go dig it out again.

And I am still at it Dave; Mahler – Symphony No. 8 [Bernstein]....



Part 1 had very impressive vocalisation in a work where this aspect of the performance can sometimes be hectic and disjointed. Part 2 was a beautiful, sensitive and compelling performance.

Beethoven – “Archduke” & “Kreutzer”....



These recordings (1927-1929) are not necessarily for the feint-hearted (in terms of recording quality) as they have a lot of surface noise but the performances more than compensate, especially that of the “Kreutzer” which is wonderful!