Tír Na HiFi

We haven't had any 'light and fluffy' topics recently, so I'm starting one.

I'd like everyone to post a few images of classical music with which you have through the years bonded a an emotional attachment, yet is perhaps not considered to be 'core' repertoire, and you kind of wish it was better known. Let us know the disks you keep returning to, and something of the reason for the personal attachment?

My postings will come as no surprise to any of you...





I heard the 'Red' cover disk, a few months before Richard Hickox died, and upon the news of his death purchased the 'Blue' and 'Green' cover disks, in a fit of emotion. The 'Red' cover disk containing Hummel's Mass in E flat was the very first disk of sacred religious choral music I ever owned, and other than Mozart's Requiem, was just about the first I'd ever heard.

Critics may say that Hummel's Masses (still rarely performed) are not at the very apex of religious choral repertoire from the Classical era, but for me, even if that were the case, it misses the point. For me, these pieces are well structured, layered with lush harmonies and contain such a heavenly, joyous optimism that I found them to be immediately enticing and beguiling, feeling that despite my lack of knowledge of such things, that this was music I would be happy to listen to for the most part, for the rest of my life.

That was over 5 years ago, and although I have subsequently traversed from the Renaissance era through to the 20th century, I have proven to myself that this was no error of judgement. The music is luminous, the orchestra and choir near the top of their game and the recording quality exceptional... 5 years ago, I felt that this was magnificent music; now I feel that along with the religious choral works of Handel, Haydn and Mozart, these disks will always have a prominent place.... there to be listen to and cherished throughout my journey forward...

So, which disks have a personal place in your heart, that you'd like to share?

Jared wrote:
I'd like everyone to post a few images of classical music with which you have through the years bonded a an emotional attachment, yet is perhaps not considered to be 'core' repertoire, and you kind of wish it was better known. Let us know the disks you keep returning to, and something of the reason for the personal attachment?

Nice idea Jared. There are of couse many such discs that we all possess but sticking to your guideline of not being exactly core repetoire one that springs to my mind immediately and indeed I only had it out for an airing recently is thic CD....





It is one of the first CDs that I had in my collection. I love it because it is high baroque music; it is wonderful music played in bite sized concertos which are ideal for relaxation because they are not very taxing. They are still very inventive and charming works and contain some beautiful music. Indeed one of the reasons that it continues to find its way onto my playlist is that it contains one of the most beautiful pieces of music that I know; Oboe concerto Op. 9, No. 2, slow movement....simply hauntingly beautiful.

I like the sound of the oboe and prefer the sound of the more mellow period instrument. This CD however is played on modern instruments but with a small ensemble and with a period performance lightness of touch to it. I have a number of CDs of Albinoni's Oboe concerti played on period instruments but this is such a joyful set of performances that it is the one that I instinctively reach for again and again.

Another CD set that I often pull out is this one....





From the very start of my listening career I have been fascinated by instruments of all shapes and sizes and what composers through the ages have done with them. I love the music in this work and in particular I love the instrumentation. Christie was famous for his attention to detail and it really shows through in works like this. The wonderful textures and sonoroties are fascinating to my ear. There is no over sophistication just simplicity itself; I just love the presentation.

thanks for your comments and thoughts Fergus... they make very interesting reading. anyone else?

Okay here a a few CDs that are very important to me and are presented here in alphabetical order rather than in order of importance:



I am particularly fond of this recording of Mili Balakirev's First Symphony performed by the RSSO. I bought this cd way back in 2008 after reading an article on Balakirev and was greatly impressed with his music and in particular with this performance. I used to regularly listen to it but haven't done so for several months as I try to acquaint myself with other recordings in my collection. It is resplendent with one gorgeous melody after another.



I do like Glazunov's orchestral output, I know that it is not to everyone's taste, but that doesn't bother me. I regularly listen to the Seventh Symphony performed here by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted here by Tadakki Otaka, I love it.
It always brings me back to my nine week stint of unemployment in 2010 when I was looking for work, that was from mid-August until mid-October; in the evenings and before going for interviews I used to listen to it, it is heart warming stuff




And YES, I ADORE this 2 cd set of music by Albert Roussel. You will recall my raving about it in the past; each performance is a joy but if I was forced to pick one in particular I would select the recording of the 3rd Symphony, the sound of the orchestral woodwinds is just wonderful it reminds me of the CPO at their best, the performers are Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire and they were conducted by André Cluytens

Read more: http://www.musicweb-international.com/c ... z2byzQL5oR.


That's it for now.

I would like to add one more to this discussion namely Rodrigo: Concierto De Aranjuez....





Of all of the music that I have ever listened to this is the work that, if I had to choose, is the one that I wish that I could have written. I have been listening to it now for over forty years and I still love every note of it; it has never failed to delight me. I have listened to many a version of it over the years but the Carlos Bonell is the one that is top of the pile for me due to its lyricism and the poetic beauty of both its interpretation and solo playing.

fergus wrote:From the very start of my listening career I have been fascinated by instruments of all shapes and sizes and what composers through the ages have done with them. I love the music in this work and in particular I love the instrumentation. Christie was famous for his attention to detail and it really shows through in works like this. The wonderful textures and sonorities are fascinating to my ear. There is no over sophistication just simplicity itself; I just love the presentation.

Fergus, am I right in thinking this is Charpentier's only opera, because he didn't get a look in because of Lully? I've never heard it, but I do like the limited Charpentier I have heard... about a year ago I treated myself to this beautifully recorded disk:



I also don't know whether you are in the market, but I recently came across a Christie 4 disk set at a bargain price, which would appear to ideally compliment the set you love so much??

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marc-Antoine-Ch ... 8VBC27PME8

Seán wrote:Okay here a a few CDs that are very important to me and are presented here in alphabetical order rather than in order of importance:



I am particularly fond of this recording of Mili Balakirev's First Symphony performed by the RSSO. I bought this cd way back in 2008 after reading an article on Balakirev and was greatly impressed with his music and in particular with this performance. I used to regularly listen to it but haven't done so for several months as I try to acquaint myself with other recordings in my collection. It is resplendent with one gorgeous melody after another.



I do like Glazunov's orchestral output, I know that it is not to everyone's taste, but that doesn't bother me. I regularly listen to the Seventh Symphony performed here by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted here by Tadakki Otaka, I love it.
It always brings me back to my nine week stint of unemployment in 2010 when I was looking for work, that was from mid-August until mid-October; in the evenings and before going for interviews I used to listen to it, it is heart warming stuff

some interesting Russian selections there Sean, and music I am only slightly familiar with... I only have Balakirev's 'Tamara' and Glasunov's Symph No.5, both of which are very enjoyable... I think their music might be the focus of future explorations...

Jared wrote: Fergus, am I right in thinking this is Charpentier's only opera, because he didn't get a look in because of Lully? I've never heard it, but I do like the limited Charpentier I have heard... about a year ago I treated myself to this beautifully recorded disk:



I also don't know whether you are in the market, but I recently came across a Christie 4 disk set at a bargain price, which would appear to ideally compliment the set you love so much??

Yes indeed Jared Lully did in fact control all of the rights to Opera publication at the time....a very shrewd operator was Lully.

I have long enjoyed that Christie set that you are talking about Jared; it is quie magnificent!

Jared wrote: some interesting Russian selections there Sean, and music I am only slightly familiar with... I only have Balakirev's 'Tamara' and Glasunov's Symph No.5, both of which are very enjoyable... I think their music might be the focus of future explorations...

Thanks Jared. Our French friend's music is marvellous too: