What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[AudioNut]

And I'm listening to . . . . Rossini - Famous Overtures

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields - Sir Neville Marriner, Conductor

A Pentatone SACD remaster of a 1970's Quadro recording.

Well played, excellent sound - even in two channel.

[AudioNut]

Listening to . . . . Scottish Overtures

Malcolm Arnold: Tam O'Shanter, Op. 51
Hector Berlioz: Waverley Overture Op. 1
Hamish MacCunn: The Land of the Mountain and the Flood - Concert Overture, Op. 3
Felix Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture, Op. 26
Giuseppe Verdi: Macbeth: Ballet Music

The Scottish National Orchestra - Sir Alexander Gibson, Conductor

Gorgeous music, well played - A Chandos LP, recorded in 1981

[McPlanar]

If you like Baroque choral + brass + big sounds then you've got to add this to your collection. A warning, don't set your volume level using track 1 or you will be very much surprised when the Missa begins. I really like BIG choral works and this gives it to you in plenty. I know I will be buying different recordings of this for comparisons.

1. Riedl: Ein langer und schöner Aufzug (Ein schöner Aufzug By Pater Ignatius Augustiner) - Fanfare I (Riedl) + Fanfare II (Augustiner) Gabrieli Players 2:41

Biber: Missa Salisburgensis
2. Kyrie 5:51
3. Gloria 9:43
4. Sonatae tam aris quam aulis servientes: Sonata XII 5:20
5. Credo 15:04
6. Sonatae tam aris quam aulis servientes: Sonata V 6:02
7. Sanctus - Benedictus 8:04
8. Agnus Dei 8:25
9. Sonata Sancti Polycarpi 4:34
10. "Plaudite tympana" 6:02

The Missa Salisburgensis for 53 parts in eight separate choirs, often called "the Mahler 8th of the baroque," is by far the most grandiose work composed before the 18th century. Written (by an unnamed composer generally presumed to be Biber) for the 1,100th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Salzburg, it has extravagant scoring reflecting that city's enormous self-regard. This Mass is rarely performed or recorded, and probably not just because of logistical and financial constraints--the work can often seem tedious and overblown. The large number of parts and the reverberant acoustic of Salzburg Cathedral allowed for very little harmonic variety (virtually the entire Mass is in C major) or virtuoso fireworks; the music can make its effects only through variety of instrumental color and sheer massive sound. It is very much to the credit of Paul McCreesh, Reinhard Goebel, and their musicians that the Missa Salisburgensis sounds so engaging here: the grandeur is leavened with plenty of rhythmic snap, and some lighter moments sound tender and almost delicate. Unusually for McCreesh, there are no chants, prayers, or other trappings of a liturgical reconstruction; there are, however, three sumptuous instrumental sonatas and a motet included with the Mass. This may not be the most profound music of the 17th century, but it is surely among the most jubilant. --Matthew Westphal

[Toccata]

Op. 131 today. It's a pity that Philips didn't record this in quad, as I would love to hear Pentatone work their RQR (Remastered Quadro Recordings) magic and have this recording on SACD.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by McPlanar

If you like Baroque choral + brass + big sounds then you've got to add this to your collection. A warning, don't set your volume level using track 1 or you will be very much surprised when the Missa begins. I really like BIG choral works and this gives it to you in plenty. I know I will be buying different recordings of this for comparisons.

1. Riedl: Ein langer und schöner Aufzug (Ein schöner Aufzug By Pater Ignatius Augustiner) - Fanfare I (Riedl) + Fanfare II (Augustiner) Gabrieli Players 2:41

Biber: Missa Salisburgensis
2. Kyrie 5:51
3. Gloria 9:43
4. Sonatae tam aris quam aulis servientes: Sonata XII 5:20
5. Credo 15:04
6. Sonatae tam aris quam aulis servientes: Sonata V 6:02
7. Sanctus - Benedictus 8:04
8. Agnus Dei 8:25
9. Sonata Sancti Polycarpi 4:34
10. "Plaudite tympana" 6:02

The Missa Salisburgensis for 53 parts in eight separate choirs, often called "the Mahler 8th of the baroque," is by far the most grandiose work composed before the 18th century. Written (by an unnamed composer generally presumed to be Biber) for the 1,100th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Salzburg, it has extravagant scoring reflecting that city's enormous self-regard. This Mass is rarely performed or recorded, and probably not just because of logistical and financial constraints--the work can often seem tedious and overblown. The large number of parts and the reverberant acoustic of Salzburg Cathedral allowed for very little harmonic variety (virtually the entire Mass is in C major) or virtuoso fireworks; the music can make its effects only through variety of instrumental color and sheer massive sound. It is very much to the credit of Paul McCreesh, Reinhard Goebel, and their musicians that the Missa Salisburgensis sounds so engaging here: the grandeur is leavened with plenty of rhythmic snap, and some lighter moments sound tender and almost delicate. Unusually for McCreesh, there are no chants, prayers, or other trappings of a liturgical reconstruction; there are, however, three sumptuous instrumental sonatas and a motet included with the Mass. This may not be the most profound music of the 17th century, but it is surely among the most jubilant. --Matthew Westphal

Dale - check this one out too...

Biber: Missa Bruxellensis
La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Le Concert des Nations, Jordi Savall

[AudioNut]

Listening to . . . Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (1644-1704) - Missa Christi Resurgentis

The English Concert and the Choir of the English Concert - Andrew Manze. Director

A Harmonia Mundi SACD

Before I became interested in this thread I'd never heard of Biber and thanks to you guys, he has become a household treasure around here. This recording is one of the most beautiful and engaging sacred music choral/orchestral known to me and I play it every couple of months.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by AudioNut

Listening to . . . Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (1644-1704) - Missa Christi Resurgentis

The English Concert and the Choir of the English Concert - Andrew Manze. Director

A Harmonia Mundi SACD

Before I became interested in this thread I'd never heard of Biber and thanks to you guys, he has become a household treasure around here. This recording is one of the most beautiful and engaging sacred music choral/orchestral known to me and I play it every couple of months.

+1 on this one, Julian. I got it because of your recommendation. Thanks.

[Robert_Anderson]

An old favorite to put me in the proper frame of mind for upcoming trip.

[AudioNut]

Listening to . . . Schubert - Piano Quintet in A, D667 "The Trout"
Beaux Arts Trio

Mozart - Clarinet Quintet in A, KV 581
Grumiaux Quartet

A Pentatone Remastered SACD, from Philips Quadro recordings made in the early 1970's

This recording is the bomb! Amazing virtuosity, excellent sound. A superb recording.

[Robert_Anderson]

And another one to put me in the mood. 10 days and counting until I go to Moscow!