What are you listening to right now?
Sat, Apr 7 2012, 12:21AM
#2
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Just finished listening to Mignon a deliciously tuneful opera on Sony with Horne, Welting, Vanzo, Zaccaria and Von Stade recorded in London under de Almeida in the late seventies, I think.
No libretto, again!
Sat, Apr 7 2012, 7:40PM
#3
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Dvorak's piano quartet Op 87 by the Faure quartet on Radio 3's Wigmore Hall recital this afternoon. Quite delightful; I don't recall having heard it before. I would suggest the I-player if it weren't for the poor sound quality which is quite inadequate for Radio 3 and won't do it justice.
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 12:50AM
#4
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Try also the String Quintet (with Double Bass), op. 77. Another delightful and full of inventions and bright ideas chamber work of the great Dvorak. I'm enjoying the new staggering recording of Pentatone, in superb SACD sound, with the Berlin Philharmonic String Quintet.
In a similar vein, the new recording of Supraphon of the Piano Trios of Josef Foerster, with the Trio Janacek, is another amazing addition to the Slavic tradition of great Chamber Music from the countries of Central Europe. Try to explore it. It's more than worthwhile.
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 11:02AM
#5
RE: What are you listening to right now?
I am listening to Messiah, performed by the Dunedin Consort & Players on the Linn Label. What an engrossing performance, beautifully recorded and balanced. Am listening in SACD surround, which greatly enhances the listening experience, and thoroughly enjoying this glorious music. Handel knew how to write a good tune!
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 12:44PM
#6
RE: What are you listening to right now?
I am listening to Messiah, performed by the Dunedin Consort & Players on the Linn Label. What an engrossing performance ...
Handel knew how to write a good tune!
Fully agree on both counts. Wonderful!
Have just enjoyed an hour or so of Bach's Matthew Passion (Karl Richter on Archiv), probably prompted by the the same thoughts as yourself, Chris, it being that time of the year and all that. Though I must say, Janet Baker singing about grief and sin intruded somewhat on the holiday spirit of bonnets, bunnies and chocolate. Thank goodness for the ability to appreciate great art freed from mind-forged manacles, I say.
(Feeling a bit provocative after seeing a column of joyless medievalists parading their holier-than-thou values thorough my local shopping mall on Friday. Could hardly keep a straight face.)
Vic.
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 1:22PM
#7
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Great Post Vic, I think you summed it up nicely. Have been out and just come back and am now playing a BIS SACD, Bach's Easter Oratorio, Bach Collegium, Japan,really joyous and uplifting music. I think Bach like Handel has some great jolly moments. I love Janet Baker's singing and am sure that she was singing about grief and sin as only she can in her distinctive and moving voice. (Keep on being provocative, it's good!)
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 1:22PM
#8
RE: What are you listening to right now?
It is too early in the morning to be blasting the neighbors out of their beds on Sunday. The day awaits. What should I listen to on Easter Day if I am a non-believer?
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 2:07PM
#9
RE: What are you listening to right now?
I agree it is not a good thing to blast your neighbours out of their beds, considerate listening is always a must!
I guess you should listen to whatever you feel in the mood to listen to. I love Baroque and Early Music and adore choral works as well, which is why I am such a fan of Multichannel Surround, it brings the music to life. I have just moved on to Roi Danse, a DG SACD, great performance of music by J B Lully.
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 3:49PM
#10
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Easter? Humbug, or, rather, chocolate!
I shall quit the site to not blast the neighbours, who are deaf, anyway, with Ugo, Conte di Parigi.
Wasn't the Linn St. Matthew's Passion given the thumbs up by CD Review the other day?
Do not hesitate, start the long journey to the best tune in the whole work, now!
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 3:58PM
#11
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Great Post Vic, I think you summed it up nicely........ I think Bach like Handel has some great jolly moments.
One does have to look a bit harder for them, though. (Puts on tin helmet and retreats to bunker)
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 7:11PM
#12
RE: What are you listening to right now?
Great Post Vic, I think you summed it up nicely........ I think Bach like Handel has some great jolly moments.
One does have to look a bit harder for them, though. (Puts on tin helmet and retreats to bunker)
Aye, and particularly as interpreted by Richter. One of the glories of cd is you can just programme the Baker bits of his St. Matthew Passion.
Sun, Apr 8 2012, 7:26PM
#13
RE: What are you listening to right now?
I agree it is not a good thing to blast your neighbours out of their beds, considerate listening is always a must!
I guess you should listen to whatever you feel in the mood to listen to. I love Baroque and Early Music and adore choral works as well, which is why I am such a fan of Multichannel Surround, it brings the music to life. I have just moved on to Roi Danse, a DG SACD, great performance of music by J B Lully.
I've opted for the Brahms Piano Quintet, Opus no. 34. One of my favorites.
Who came up with the idea of chocolate bunnies and eggs for Easter anyway? Probably an American marketer (So ashamed!).
Mon, Apr 9 2012, 12:03AM
#14
RE: What are you listening to right now?
It was, probably, Prince Albert. He was, also, responsible for Xmas trees and cards.
Being German he loved chocalate.
Just about to start listening to Andrea Chenier. Pavorotti with a starry cast recorded in one of Decca's favourite venues in the mid-eighties under Chailly.
A real wallow!
Mon, Apr 9 2012, 12:15AM
#15
RE: What are you listening to right now?
It was, probably, Prince Albert. He was, also, responsible for Xmas trees and cards.
And inspirationally(though one can hardly blame the chap, in fairness) for the gruesome monstrosity that is the Albert Memorial. I yearn for the days when it was boarded up and looked like a prototype space rocket.
Just about to start listening to Andrea Chenier. Pavorotti with a starry cast recorded in one of Decca's favourite venues in the mid-eighties under Chailly.
A real wallow!
Just looking at the cast now almost makes one's eyes pop. Pavarotti, Caballe, Astrid Varnay, Christa Ludwig, Tom Krause, Hugues Cuenod, Piero de Palma. I wonder what they all made of Walthamstow. If only they'd swapped Neil Howlett for Leo Nucci!
Parla, you have good taste! HM produce some great SACDS. I'm now listening to the multichannel SACD 'Hear my words' on the Chandos label. Lovely performance throughout. The first track , Allegri Miserere' is a real revelation in surround hearing the full ambience of a chapel and responses from a choir behind you, as I believe it was intended to be heard.