What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[Toccata]

Richter playing Beethoven...gotta love it.

[Toccata]

This is a highly enjoyable disc, and my first from the artist. He alternates original sonatas by Scarlatti with elaborated ones by Tausig, Friedman, and Gieseking. Not for purists, but it is a lot of fun and contains some jaw-dropping piano playing. Excellent sound.

[Antonmb]

More C.P.E. Bach this morning:
Hamburg Symphonies WQ.182
Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Hanssler Classic

A very nice recording and performance.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by cma29

I'm listening to selections from a 5-disc set...

Bach, J S:
Keyboard Concertos Nos. 1-7 BWV1052-1058
Concerto for Flute, Violin & Harpsichord in A minor, BWV1044
Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV1041
Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major, BWV1042
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV1043
Concerto for Two Keyboards in C minor, BWV1060
Concerto for Two Keyboards in C major, BWV1061
Concerto for Two Keyboards in C minor, BWV1062
Concerto for Three Keyboards in D minor, BWV1063
Concerto for Three Keyboards in C major, BWV1064
Concerto for Four Keyboards in A minor (after Vivaldi), BWV1065
Concerto for Oboe & Violin in C minor, BWV1060
Oboe d'amore Concerto in A major, BWV1055
The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord & direction)



I really enjoy these baroque masterpieces, particularly because Pinnock uses a harpsichord instead of a piano or fortepiano. The sharp sound of the harpsichord works well for these pieces and that was the instrument for which these scores were composed.

By the way, these Collectors Edition boxes from DG/Archiv are an outstanding way to obtain basic repertoire performed by top notch artists at a great price. The recordings on this set are very good.

Listening to disc 3 this morning which includes the concerti for multiple harpsichords (BWV 1061-1065). Very nice.

[cma29]

Here is a new acquisition...

Mussorgsky / Ravel: Pictures From An Exhibition
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite. 1919
Riccardo Muti, The Philadelphia Orchestra



I've been looking for a spectacular version of this work and I've seen this recommended. It's hard to find, but it just became available in Japan and got a copy from CD Japan. Here is what they say: "Reissue. Newly produced with a master from outside Japan." Not an SACD or SHM-CD. It's a good performance from 1979 and the sonics are good, but not the audiophile, huge dynamic range spectacle I was hoping for.

[ehoove]

Copland -
Billy the Kid
Rodeo
Grofe
Grand Canyon Suite
Morton Gould and his Orchestra (1957 and 1960)
RCA Living Stereo (SACD Reissue)
Wonderful performance, Stellar mix, and amazing dynamics. Highly Recommended!
Regards,
Jim

[Toccata]

This disc arrived today--wow! I've never heard of the composer (1582-1649), performers, or the label, but after reading a rave review, I took a chance on it, and I'm so glad I did. The music is fantastic--weirdly chromatic at times, often combined with complex rhythms. ACRONYM (Altmusic Camerata Resurrecting Old-but New to You--Music) plays with considerable flair and virtuosity, all captured in stunning clear, present sound.

[tima]

Originally Posted by cma29

Here is a new acquisition...

Mussorgsky / Ravel: Pictures From An Exhibition
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite. 1919
Riccardo Muti, The Philadelphia Orchestra



I've been looking for a spectacular version of this work and I've seen this recommended. It's hard to find, but it just became available in Japan and got a copy from CD Japan. Here is what they say: "Reissue. Newly produced with a master from outside Japan." Not an SACD or SHM-CD. It's a good performance from 1979 and the sonics are good, but not the audiophile, huge dynamic range spectacle I was hoping for.

That's kinda disappointing to hear. Not sure where that expectation was set, but the MFSL version on vinyl of "Pictures" is amazing and may be that dynamic spectacular you are seeking. (The angel on your shoulder whispers "Carlos, come to the vinyl side." - heh)



Being kind, I've been unsure what to make of Arthur Salvatore (scroll down), but I do give him credit for pointing out this record to me. Among the things he says (hyperbolizes?) about it is this: "This is the finest record to ever originate from Mercury and one of the greatest records of all time. It is a contender for the title (and award) of "finest orchestral LP" and its dynamic qualities are even comparable to The Rite of Spring/Mobile (see "The Demi-Gods" below)."

[Antonmb]

I came across this while browsing, I'd never heard of this composer before:

Charles-Valentin Alkan: Ressouvenir
Laurent Martin, piano
Harmonia Mundi

If you're new to Alkan, as I was, he was a French composer and pianist, and a contemporary of Liszt and Chopin. These pieces are for the most part very interesting, and some quite inventive. Others can seem a little derivative and did't always hold my attention. Martin's playing is beautiful, as are the tone and timbre of the piano in this very good recording. The only mild complaint is that pedal thumping is occasionally a little intrusive.

[Toccata]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

I came across this while browsing, I'd never heard of this composer before:

Charles-Valentin Alkan: Ressouvenir
Laurent Martin, piano
Harmonia Mundi

If you're new to Alkan, as I was, he was a French composer and pianist, and a contemporary of Liszt and Chopin. These pieces are for the most part very interesting, and some quite inventive. Others can seem a little derivative and did't always hold my attention. Martin's playing is beautiful, as are the tone and timbre of the piano in this very good recording. The only mild complaint is that pedal thumping is occasionally a little intrusive.

Check out his Symphony for Solo Piano, the Concerto for Solo Piano, and the The Grande Sonata--all are massive, virtuoso workouts and musically very interesting. Marc-Andre Hamelin has definitive recordings of each on Hyperion.