What are you listening two?

[DonKC]

The always colorful and interesting Henry Cowell was a proponent of "world" music (along with Lou Harrison) before it became popular. Sadly long OOP Louisville Orchestra recording:

Symphony # 11 "Seven Rituals of Music"

Robert Whitney conducting

great stuff

I will see if I can track it down on YouTube Don as I would be interested to hear it.

Cowell is always worth a listen Fergus.

I know of only the Mahler 4 with Mengelberg, but I do have a disc of short works that contains an Adagietto from #5 with the Concertgebouw. Found that one in a discount/used book and record store. Must be some out there hiding.

[Seán]

Last night's and today's listening fare include but were not limited to:



Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 9
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Carlo Maria Giulini conducting.
I had almost forgotten what a pleasurable experience it is to sit through this performance of Mahler's Ninth. It really is special. I cannot help but smile almost all the way through the second movement: nobody does parody quite like Gustav Mahler and the CSO under Giulini's direction carry if off with glorious aplomb. This performance is a joy from start to finish. I LOVE it.

Franz Schubert
Symphony No. 8
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Carlo Maria Giulini conducting.
The Ninth is great, alas, the Eighth just ain't! I have found this particular performance of the great Eighth bland and uninspiring. Perhaps It's me? I shouldn't listen to it straight after Mahler's Ninth, I suppose, dunno! I know that there are other recordings that are far better than this. Am I being too harsh I wonder? I have never really taken to it.

[Seán]

And now this gets the blood flowing, the foot tapping and the spirits rising: it is music written by GOD and performed by angels:



Johann Sebastian Bach
Magnificat BWV 243
La Chapelle Royale
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe conducting.

Perfection!

[Seán]

Mahler 6, Solti....

I don't have that, I should have Solti's complete Mahler cycle.

[Seán]

Mengelberg is probably the conductor who give us the performances that must resemble the most those of the late XIX Century. Have you heard his Mahler Fergus/Seán? Fascinating!

I felt as though I was listening in on the past Pepe which, in fact, I was. My thoughts when listening to the Tchaikovsky were how much approaches and interpretations seem to have changed so much over the years; and one wondered how close to the original intentions of the composer these performances were given the relatively close time proximity [compared to now of course] of the Mengelberg recordings. Do we inevitably move further away from a composer's wishes as time moves on?

I only have Mahler 4 performed by Mengelberg Pepe and I have always found it a very different interpretation yet always liked it. I do not know if he has recorded any other Mahler other than M4. Perhaps Seán can enlighten me as I know that he bought a Mengelberg box set some time ago.

I do have a Mengelberg box set alas it only has the M4, I do like it.

[fergus]

And now this gets the blood flowing, the foot tapping and the spirits rising: it is music written by GOD and performed by angels:



Johann Sebastian Bach
Magnificat BWV 243
La Chapelle Royale
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe conducting.

Perfection!

You really do like the Bach Magnificat Seán!

[fergus]

Mahler 6, Solti....

I don't have that, I should have Solti's complete Mahler cycle.

That surprises me Seán; I thought that the ultimate Mahlerite would have the Solti set. I know, I know; does one need another Mahler cycle. In the case of Solti methinks so my friend; Georg does Gustav very well indeed!

[fergus]

Glass: Satyagraha....





....Wonderful!!

[DonKC]

I have the Solti Mahler cycle even though later performances have superseded some of Solti's. I cut my teeth on Solti's Mahler, so to speak, and thus have a soft spot for it. My first live symphony concert was Mahler 7 with Solti and Chicago and I can still anticipate the click from the old vinyl LP in the slow movement. :)

My favorites are the 6th and 7th.

[Seán]

Mahler 6, Solti....

I don't have that, I should have Solti's complete Mahler cycle.

That surprises me Seán; I thought that the ultimate Mahlerite would have the Solti set. I know, I know; does one need another Mahler cycle. In the case of Solti methinks so my friend; Georg does Gustav very well indeed!

I know Fergus, [says he hanging his head in acute embarrassment], I do have see several Solti recordings with the CSO, LSO and RCO but not the complete set with the CSO.