Tír Na HiFi

What a great evening of music.

First up were two of Benjamin Britten's greatest masterpieces and - for me - two of the greats of the twentieth century, both in their definitive versions as conducted by the composer and available on Decca. To begin with, I played his great operatic masterpiece, the searingly intense Peter Grimes with Peter Pears in the title role (only Jon Vickers ever came close to Pears' characterisation). One of the most challenging and intelligent works of opera I have ever heard. Following that was the mighty War Requiem, a pacifist's response to war, and is original in its combination of the Latin Mass with settings of poems by Wilfred Owen. An immensely powerful piece of work with committed work from the soloists - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Galina Vishnevskaya and Peter Pears.

And finally, my favourite rendition of one of my favourite pieces of solo piano music - Debussy's Preludes - as played by Walter Gieseking (EMI). Over 50 years old and still the most insightful version.

mcq wrote:That's a beautiful recording, Fergus. Jacobs's version is unlikely to be bettered. Wonderful contributions from Rosemary Joshua and Gerald Finley (who doesn't record this reportoire too often). Fine choral singing as well. I often listen to this right after Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.

Two nice works that offer lovely listening all right. I like to visit this type of work regularly....my comfort zone as Seán puts it! I must admit that I certainly would not be brave enough to venture into the world that you have listed above....especially Peter Grimes etc. I just do not have the ear for it I am afraid!

This morning....




The disc includes a septet for strings and wind, a piano quartet and a lovely Serenade for tenor, clarinet, horn, viola, cello, double bass and piano.

fergus wrote:This morning....




The disc includes a septet for strings and wind, a piano quartet and a lovely Serenade for tenor, clarinet, horn, viola, cello, double bass and piano.

Fergus, are you familiar with Berwald's Symphonies? If not, the symphony cycle on Brilliant Classics is well worth having.

Seán wrote:Fergus, are you familiar with Berwald's Symphonies? If not, the symphony cycle on Brilliant Classics is well worth having.

Not at all Seán. I really like the music on that disc and if the symphonies are up to that standard then they certainly would be worth following up!

de Falla: Concerto for Harpsichord, a wonderfully intriguing work....




....followed by Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1, absolutely wonderful music....

fergus wrote:....followed by Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1, absolutely wonderful music....

I still dont have any of Bruch in my collection(I think..). I've been meaning to get that Violin Concerto for a while now.

I don't have much Bruck myself Dave but the little that I have is wonderfull....especially that Violin Concerto. I don't know if that is the best recording or recommendation but it is a great disc as it has the Mendelssohn violin concerto as well.

some more sublime cello playing from Jean-Guihen Queyras, this time Haydn's 2 Cello Concertos.

Symphony No.9