What are you listening two?

[markof]

Minimalist chamber pieces, beautifully performed with great skill and vitality.

Mark

[markof]

I am trying this Concerto Italiano version of the Brandenburgs, the Cafe Zimmermann and the Harnoncourt recordings.
Any other favourites out there?

So far love the recording, not the cover so much.
Mark

[markof]

Here's today's Brandenburg Concertos performed by the Celine Frisch and the Cafe Zimmermann.

Another stunning performance - a bit more brash and lively sounding, maybe a tad less swing and more on the nose but do love the harpsichord.
The production on the record is really excellent - typical of the alpha label.

Mark

[Seán]

Hi Mark, I do not have many recordings of these Bach Concertos and I can honestly say that I can only recommend one of them.
I have performances led by Yehudi Menuhin, Neville Mariner with ASMF and Jordi Savall, all best avoided in my humble opinion.
I also have a performance by La Petite Bande led by Sigiswald Kuijken and it is very good indeed.
Your recording of the Cafe Zimmerman is high on my list of priorities, I must get their Bach box set I keep meaning to do so.

[Seán]

Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No. 9
WDR Sinfonieorchster
Rudolf Barshai conducting.

This recording was the first choice on this morning's BAL and very good it is too.

[markof]

Hi Mark, I do not have many recordings of these Bach Concertos and I can honestly say that I can only recommend one of them.
I have performances led by Yehudi Menuhin, Neville Mariner with ASMF and Jordi Savall, all best avoided in my humble opinion.
I also have a performance by La Petite Bande led by Sigiswald Kuijken and it is very good indeed.
Your recording of the Cafe Zimmerman is high on my list of priorities, I must get their Bach box set I keep meaning to do so.

Hey Seán. The Concerto Italiano is probably the more "musical" of the two.
I'll check out the petite bande version too - thanks.
Mark

[Seán]

Hi Mark, I do not have many recordings of these Bach Concertos and I can honestly say that I can only recommend one of them.
I have performances led by Yehudi Menuhin, Neville Mariner with ASMF and Jordi Savall, all best avoided in my humble opinion.
I also have a performance by La Petite Bande led by Sigiswald Kuijken and it is very good indeed.
Your recording of the Cafe Zimmerman is high on my list of priorities, I must get their Bach box set I keep meaning to do so.

Hey Seán. The Concerto Italiano is probably the more "musical" of the two.
I'll check out the petite bande version too - thanks.
Mark

Thanks Mark.

I have La Petite Bande recording in this marvellous box set:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Baroque-Masterp ... sterpieces

[Seán]

Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No. 9
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Leonard Bernstein conducting

This is a hugely enjoyable performance. Bernstein was a marvellous conductor of Shostakovich's music.

[Seán]

Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No. 9
Gürzenich-Orchester Köln,
Dmitrij Kitajenko - conducting.

Marvellous performance, I love it.

[Seán]

Still listening to and enjoying music.



Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathétique"
Wilhelm Kempff - piano

This is an extraordinary performance of my favourite sonata.