Tír Na HiFi

Symphony 41 "Jupiter"

..followed by Maher's Symphony 6

What a lovely way to start my weekend....

This mornings listening....

The polar opposite of the Solti version that I bought a few weeks ago. The Solti recording was too bright, too brash for my liking and I dont think the overall balance of that recording suits this symphony IMHO. Haitink's slower tempi works perfectly in the more gentler passages and invokes a great sense of wonder and beauty. When called for, Haitink isnt afraid to hold back either and the use of percussion during the thunderstorm passage is fantastic. My only gripe with this recording is the sound quality and I've noticed pretty much the same thing with many discs from the LSO Live label. It's not that it's bad, it just cannot hold a candle next to the recording quality from the likes of Harmoni Mundi or Naive. They certainly pull out all the stops.

^^ Dave, I'd also suggest you consider the version in my Avatar... ;-))

Jared wrote:^^ Dave, I'd also suggest you consider the version in my Avatar... ;-))

I second that!

I was very interested in your comments above Dave....I can see where you are coming from on the pacing in this symphony....I would be interested if it does not get too syrupy or sentimental....not what one wants with Herr Strauss.

Schumann Konzertstuck for 4 Horns & Orchestra and Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”....



The Konzertstuck for 4 Horns & Orchestra was a sunny, joyous piece of music with a lovely slow movement which was beautifully played.
Symphony No. 3 was a jubiliant, assertive and even bold performance (but beautifully gentle in the third movement); an excellent performance!

A Hungarian composer that I havent paid much attention to until now. Some very interesting music here.