What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[eljr]

Enjoying a new release:



Donka Angatscheva
Dedication: Franz Liszt

Genre
Classical
Styles
Keyboard
Release date:
17 Nov 2017
Playtime
51:33

[bart]

Chausson - Ravel - Debussy - Poèmes de L'Amour
Susan Graham, soprano
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Yan Pascal Tortelier




One of my favourite albums (one of the 170 on my iPhone also).
Wonderful impressionist works, performed flawlessly, with the beautifully dark voice of Graham.

[bart]

Ravel - The Piano Concertos - Miroirs
The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano




The Piano Concerto for left hand is quite special.
We saw this same piano player performing it a couple of years ago.
Miroirs: I have better versions.

[bart]

Francis Poulenc - Concerto Pour 2 pianos et orchestre - Suite Française - Concert Champêtre
Anima Eterna Brugge
Jos van Immerseel, direction & piano
Claire Chevalier, piano
Katerina Chroboková, clavecin (harpsichord)




Splendid works.
I heard the Concerto for 2 pianos and orchestra with these forces and it was a joy.
And the Zig Zag label is a guarantee for good sound.

[cma29]

This evening...

Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
Gewandhausorchester, Riccardo Chailly



An outstanding version of one of my favorite symphonies. The fourth movement horn solo is sublime.

[tima]

Originally Posted by cma29

Arnold: English Dances Op. 27 & 33
Arnold: Four Cornish Dances, Op. 91
Arnold: Four Irish Dances Op. 126
Arnold: Four Scottish Dances, Op. 59
Arnold: From the Ballet 'Solitaire': Sarabande & Polka

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Malcolm Arnold



This is a recommendation from The Absolute Sound's Top 40 Best-Sounding Recordings. Colorful score captured by a vivid Lyrita recording. The disc is fine, but it does not strike me as a "best sounding recording" compared to some other discs I have.

Alas, most of the Lyrita CD/digital offerings do not come close to the originals, all on LP. You'll find this LP and several other Lyritas on the various Harry Pearson (HP, TAS) lists.

The LP is considered by many as one of the best sounding recordings. It's actually quite amazing, probably better than most of the RCA Living Stereo albums. And note, this is not an 'audiophile record'. Astonishing transparency.

[tima]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

What did you think of this? In the 2nd spin it became more apparent regarding the high points,...there are also moments in the recording where it could have been better...overall though, a fine disc.

You're most welcome to post your assessments in the Mahler thread.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by tima

Alas, most of the Lyrita CD/digital offerings do not come close to the originals, all on LP. You'll find this LP and several other Lyritas on the various Harry Pearson (HP, TAS) lists.

The LP is considered by many as one of the best sounding recordings. It's actually quite amazing, probably better than most of the RCA Living Stereo albums. And note, this is not an 'audiophile record'. Astonishing transparency.

Thanks for clarifying that, Tim. I just have to visit you in Wisconsin to hear the real thing.

[tima]

Originally Posted by cma29

Thanks for clarifying that, Tim. I just have to visit you in Wisconsin to hear the real thing.

Please do; my system is much better than it was last year. You are most welcome.

Since I mentioned HP and TAS, here is their (its) 2017 incarnation on "the TAS list" originally started by Harry Pearson. When originally posted he uncovered many great sounding records whose fame nowadays has broaden considerably because of that. We're talking updated audiophilery from 25-30 years ago. Julian knows these lists well. They're still good today.

[Antonmb]

Mendelssohn: The Complete Solo Piano Music, Vol. 4
Howard Shelley
Hyperion (2014)

On to the last volume. This whole set of 4 volumes is consistently good.