What are you listening to?

[Seán]

So far I have enjoyed each disc, the early Mahler is interesting to compare to his Bavarian Radio set. There is a 1954 Vienna Philharmonic M 1 too.

I already have two copies of it.

[DonKC]

The wonderful 1951 Chicago SO/Kubelik Dvorak "New World" was about all I had time for last evening.

[Jared]

I have to say a brief word for this delightfully unusual and interesting set... these 3 CDs contain all of Haydn's songs, sung by soprano Elly Ameling in 1980 and originally released on Decca. Forget Schubert; these are much lighter, joyous and life affirming than much from the Romantic era, and whilst I wouldn't say they were indispensable in a collection, if you enjoy song or are a Haydn lover, then I'd recommend them, especially at the Brilliant budget price.

[fergus]

Still in the ponder pouch: sounds good!

[Jared]

A brief moment recapping over some Mozart and Schubert chamber and piano works... before heading back to the LvB and Haydn Lieder, recently purchased. anyway, these disks are truly delightful.

[Jose Echenique]

Italian soprano Roberta Invernizzi is back with a delicious recital exploring operas composed in Naples for Faustina Bordoni, Johann Adolf Hasse´s wife and one of the most important sopranos of the first half of the XVIII Century.
The music is exquisite, and even though composers Leonardo Vinci, Nicola Porpora, Domenico Sarro and Francesco Mancini are no longer unknown, most of the music recorded here is new to the gramophone.
As in her previous Vivaldi recital, Invernizzi gives a master class in style, and her adorable personality shines through the varied arias. It is also great to see her working again with La Cappella de´Turchini.
Already one of the finest vocal discs of the year.

[Seán]

Franz Schubert
Octet in F major
Gaudier Ensemble



Franz Schubert
String Quintet in C major
Brandis Quartett with
Jörg Baumann - cello.

[fergus]

Double Shostakovich....

[Jose Echenique]

France must be the last European country that still supports the Arts, and it´s a treat that French labels keep recording obscure but interesting operas from the late XVIII Century and the early XIX Century.
In the past 2 years we have been able to hear for the first time things like Dauvergne´s Ercule Mourant, Johann Christian Bach´s Amadis de Gaule, Grétry´s Andromaque and now Sacchini´s Renaud.
After Gluck retired, the French staged was almost monopolized by Italian composers who wrote operas in French and in the peculiar French style. Piccinni and Sacchini were the most conspicuous.
Marie-Antoinette once declared "Renaud" her favourite opera. Is it that good? Perhaps not if you compare it with Gluck´s Iphigenies, let alone Mozart´s masterpieces, but it is very interesting and it does add to our knowledge of what went on in Paris between Rameau and Grétry.
The performance is excellent of course.

[fergus]

This afternoon, Dvorak's 9th Symphony....





I think that our Seán likes this work.