What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[cma29]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Kunzel's original stereo version was better performed.

I think I have that one too. I'll dig it out to compare.

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[Toccata]

Originally Posted by bart

John, being a big fan of both Dowland and Savall, I ordered this when you posted it.
It is a fantastic album.
Over 70 minutes of sweet songs full of lament and sorrow...

I'm pleased that you like it. 70 minutes of such sorrow in one sitting is a bit much, though!

[Toccata]

Judging by the German-only text, which only appears to explain the wonders of SACD audio, this was not released in the US, nor the others in the series. Regardless, the remastering has produced superb results, even if the original mastertape was mostly likely stereo. The performances are masterful, too. Be aware: This disc contains only a m-ch SACD layer and a stereo RBCD layer--no stereo SACD, so you stereo SACD fans won't reap any benefit!

[cma29]

Originally Posted by Toccata

Judging by the German-only text, which only appears to explain the wonders of SACD audio, this was not released in the US, nor the others in the series. Regardless, the remastering has produced superb results, even if the original mastertape was mostly likely stereo. The performances are masterful, too. Be aware: This disc contains only a m-ch SACD layer and a stereo RBCD layer--no stereo SACD, so you stereo SACD fans won't reap any benefit!

I have the Cleveland/Dohnanyi Dvorak Symphony #9 from this eloquence series. Yes, the SACD layer is only multi-channel, but my player does a "down-mix" into SACD stereo and it seems to work well.

[AudioNut]

I played the Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture this afternoonon an RCA Living Stereo LP, performed by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Good sound, well played, but did not WOW me with the full potential for dynamic blockbuster sound, exhibited by several of the more recent releases. No cannons, no bombs, just really good music.

Also on this very good LP are:

Mendelssohn – Fingal's Cave, Op. 26 (The Hebrides Overture)
Liszt – Mephisto Waltz (Episode From Lenau's "Faust": Dance In The Village Inn)
Brahms – Tragic Overture, Op. 81

[cma29]

Originally Posted by AudioNut

I played the Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture this afternoonon an RCA Living Stereo LP, performed by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Good sound, well played, but did not WOW me with the full potential for dynamic blockbuster sound, exhibited by several of the more recent releases. No cannons, no bombs, just really good music.

Also on this very good LP are:

Mendelssohn – Fingal's Cave, Op. 26 (The Hebrides Overture)
Liszt – Mephisto Waltz (Episode From Lenau's "Faust": Dance In The Village Inn)
Brahms – Tragic Overture, Op. 81

Hi, Julian. Thanks for joining me in enjoying the 1812 overture today (and not truncated like they play it on the 4th of July at the Mall in DC )

I also have this other pretty good version which I'm sure you have as part of your Library of Congress-size collection.

Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture & Capriccio Italian
Beethoven: Wellington's Victory, Op. 91 (Battle Symphony), London Symphony Orchestra
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra & University of Minnesota Brass Band, Antal Dorati, Recorded - 1955-60

[AudioNut]

Listening to . . . . Schubert - Piano Quintet in A, D 667 - "The Trout"
Beaux Arts Trio

Mozart - Clarinet Quintet in A, KV 581
Grumiaux Quartet

A Pentatone SACD recording - Remastered from Philips Quadro Recordings made in the mid 1970's

Excellent Pentatone sound, superb performances. This is one that I really like.

[AudioNut]

Currently available on Amazon for $10.98 for a two disc set . . and if you don't already have too much Wagner, you will have a hard time getting more for your money than you will with this set.

Listening to . . . . Twilight of the Gods

The Essential Wagner Collection - Music of Terrifying Power and Transcending Beauty

Originally Recommended in this thread by Tima (Tim) back in 2011, this is an excellent compilation of the "best of Wagner" performed by the conductors and orchestras who know and do his music the best.

.

.

Originally Posted by tima

If you've uncertainty about Wagner, but are willing to try, I can tell you this two disc package did it for me.

The set is nicely split - if you've a mind for the ethereal, romantic, poetic side of Wagner you'll like disc 2. (I thought Strauss did upper octave string extension, but if you like the ether, wait till you hear the Prelude to Act 1 of Lohengrin!) For those in a mood for the heroic, sweeping grand scale of Wagner then its disc 1. As the cover says: Terrifying Power or Transcendent Beauty - you make the call. :-)

I'm not sure that its a greatest hits album, but it packs a lot of tunes about which you're likely to find yourself saying 'I didn't know that Wagner wrote that!'.

For a further treat you'll be introduced to conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli. Also selections with Böhm, Kubelik, Dorati - a great Ride of the Walkreyes, Böhm, and Vonk among others.

[cma29]

Enjoying some baroque music while I wait for a conference call to start...

Le Concert Spirituel
At the time of Louis XV
Corelli: Concerto grosso Op. 6 No. 4 in D major
Rameau: Les Indes Galantes
Telemann:
Overture (Suite) TWV 55: D6 in D major for viola da gamba, strings & b.c.
Concerto TWV 52:a1 in A minor for recorder, viola da gamba, strings & b.c.
Overture (Suite) TWV 55:e1 in E minor for 2 flutes, strings & b.c.
Jordi Savall (bass viola da gamba & direction)
Le Concert des Nations



According to Wikipedia, the Concert spirituel was one of the first public concert series in existence. The concerts began in Paris in 1725 and ended in 1790. The series was founded to provide entertainment during Lent and on religious holidays when the other spectacles (the Paris Opera, Comédie-Française, and Comédie-Italienne) were closed.

Well played by Savall and his great band, but to my ears the recording sounds a bit too dark for my taste. I prefer more sparkle with my baroque music

[AudioNut]

I don't have a lot of experience with Bruckner 9's and don't know what's best, but listening to this one, I'd guess it would be hard to beat by any wide margin.

And, I am listening to Anton Bruckner - Symphony No. 9 in D minor

Minnesota Orchestra - Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Conductor (Spelling that last name was pretty hard!)

A Reference Recordings HDCD, recorded by Prof. Keith Johnson

Gorgeous sound, huge dynamics, super wide soundstage, beautifully played and well recorded.
(And, yes, Kal, I know there are better renditions. Please tell me which ones they are.)
I've listened to several versions lately, and this one pleases me the most of the ones I've heard.

.