Tír Na HiFi

Lots of music listening over the last two days.

Firstly, from my newly wonderful box set:



All with Kudelik and the Symphonieochester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Schumann Symphonies 1,2 and 4 (You guys are absolutely right about this cycle. It rocks !!!!)

Mozart Symphony no. 36 One of my favorite symphonies by Mozart. Again, very nicely played

Brucker Symphony no. 4 Now that was quite a happy surprise. I was not really buying the box set for the two symphonies by Brucker by this 4th is very good indeed. A very clear sound a lots of precision

From the other great cycle that I recently purchased



Haydn Symphony no. 88 Szell/Cleveland Symphony Orchestra

Here is a symphony that I did not previously owned but heard on the first concert that I ever went to back in 2000. If Haydn is as amazing each time then I think that I am up for many beautiful discoveries. Ideal music to listen to while relaxing on my couch

This afternoon:

Brahms Symphony no. 1 BSO/Hannoncourt Live recording can be so great with such an orchestra and a great conductor




Gershwin Piano Concerto MTT/MTT/San Fransisco Symphony orchestra



This piece is so full of imagination. I only know the usual Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris and this concerto by Gershwin. I always wondered if there is nothing else worthy from him to listen too.

And lastly,

Nielsen Symphony no. 3 Michael Schonwandt/Danish National Symphony Orchestra



Rapidly becoming my favorite version of that work. I don't know if that is because I listened to it on my IPOD but the sound was amazing and full of clarity. The last time I listened to that version was in last August when I was in Reykjavik for my honeymoon. Great memories

fergus wrote:

Sounds beautiful and relaxing.

ravel30 wrote:Lots of music listening over the last two days.

Firstly, from my newly wonderful box set:



All with Kudelik and the Symphonieochester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Schumann Symphonies 1,2 and 4 (You guys are absolutely right about this cycle. It rocks !!!!)

Mozart Symphony no. 36 One of my favorite symphonies by Mozart. Again, very nicely played

Brucker Symphony no. 4 Now that was quite a happy surprise. I was not really buying the box set for the two symphonies by Brucker by this 4th is very good indeed. A very clear sound a lots of precision

From the other great cycle that I recently purchased



Haydn Symphony no. 88 Szell/Cleveland Symphony Orchestra

Here is a symphony that I did not previously owned but heard on the first concert that I ever went to back in 2000. If Haydn is as amazing each time then I think that I am up for many beautiful discoveries. Ideal music to listen to while relaxing on my couch

This afternoon:

Brahms Symphony no. 1 BSO/Hannoncourt Live recording can be so great with such an orchestra and a great conductor




Gershwin Piano Concerto MTT/MTT/San Fransisco Symphony orchestra



This piece is so full of imagination. I only know the usual Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris and this concerto by Gershwin. I always wondered if there is nothing else worthy from him to listen too.

And lastly,

Nielsen Symphony no. 3 Michael Schonwandt/Danish National Symphony Orchestra



Rapidly becoming my favorite version of that work. I don't know if that is because I listened to it on my IPOD but the sound was amazing and full of clarity. The last time I listened to that version was in last August when I was in Reykjavik for my honeymoon. Great memories

I love the enthusiasm that is coming through in your comments Matt; you seem to have really enjoyed your recent listening.

Lovely post, well done Matt.



Bedřich Smetana
Má Vlast (My Country)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Rafael Kubelík - conducting.

I bought this CD for my older brother for Christmas and he loves it, he sent me a long email last night describing his thoughts on it, so I had to give it another spin this evening, it's wonderful, it is an extraordinary performance.

Walton - Cello Concerto (Yo-Yo Ma/Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra, Sony Classical)

fergus wrote:I love the enthusiasm that is coming through in your comments Matt; you seem to have really enjoyed your recent listening.

I agree Fergus. Matt, you have such a lot of good music there on your current listening pile. I am so pleased to hear that you are enjoying yourself so much!

ravel30 wrote: Gershwin Piano Concerto MTT/MTT/San Fransisco Symphony orchestra



This piece is so full of imagination. I only know the usual Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris and this concerto by Gershwin. I always wondered if there is nothing else worthy from him to listen too.

Looking back, Gershwin was the first 'classical' composer I took an interest in. I love all those pieces you mention Matt; I would also suggest that you add Porgy and Bess at some point, preferrably the Simon Rattle recording...

bombasticDarren wrote:Looking back, Gershwin was the first 'classical' composer I took an interest in. I love all those pieces you mention Matt; I would also suggest that you add Porgy and Bess at some point, preferrably the Simon Rattle recording...

Ah for George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess think beyond classial orchestras and consider the beautiful orchestrations by Gil Evans and the performance by the Evans Orchestra and the GREAT Miles Davis, this is magnificent music-making:

Here is a sample, it's Summertime:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N090STPx-2M

I have loved this ALL my life:

Bartok - Piano Concerto No.1 (Peter Donohoe/Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, EMI)

bombasticDarren wrote:Britten - Symphony for Cello and Orchestra (Paul Watkins/Edward Gardner, BBC Philharmonic, Chandos)

I read some very good comments on that performance a while back Darren... do you concur?