What are you listening to now?

[EdgeleyRob]

More chamber music heaven fron TTN.

Fauré Quartet for strings (Op.121) in E minor.
Brahms Trio in A minor (Op.114)
Franck Sonata for violin and piano.
Schumann Piano Quintet.

[Suffolkcoastal]

The latest episode in the journey through my symphonic collection:

1887 (conclusion)
Lyapunov: Symphony No 1 in B minor
G Schumann: Symphony in B minor
Stanford: Symphony No 3 in F minor 'Irish'

1888 (beginning)
Foerster: Symphony No 1 in D minor
Franck: Symphony in D minor
Mahler: Symphony No 1 in D
Stanford: Symphony No 4 in F major
Strong: Symphony No 2 in G minor 'Sintram'

The Lyapunov 1st Symphony I find to be a fairly strong work, well written and it makes a most satisfying whole. Thoroughly Russian in feeling, Lyapunov still has a certain individuality that reveals itself the more one gets acquainted with the work.
Georg Schumann is probably a name that will be unfamiliar to many MBs. The 45 minute work is nicely crafted, but without real individuality leaning heavily of his namesake Robert as times and Raff at other times. However there is some inventive writing especially in the finale.
The 3rd is the best known of Stanford's symphonies and one can see why, as the work is most inventive and attractive. There is of course the Brahmsian controversy discussed recently on the boards, however there is much in this work that points the way to his pupil Vaughan Williams, and while there are also many Brahmsian features there is enough individuality in Stanfords work to ride above this IMO.
Josef Foerster's 1st Symphony really needs a CD release, this is a most striking and individual work. From its very opening it is clear that here is a composer whose music rarely sounds like that of any of his contemporaries, which some quite ear catching sonorities and harmonic touches.
Cesar Franck's engaging D minor Symphony seems to have fallen from favour in recent years for some inexplicable reason. This is a pity as it is one of the few important French symphonies. The departure from standard symphonic form, having three movements and using cyclic form are very notable. The orchestration may be a little clumsy in places, but the clarity of the thematic writing makes this a very straightforward and gratifying symphony to follow.
My antipathy towards Mahler is of course well known on these boards, but I still treat listening to Mahler with the same respect I do any composer. His 1st Symphony does indeed mark quite a startling entry on to the symphonic stage and his individuality is in no doubt from the start. I have some problems with the outer movements on a personal level, the 1st movement I find to static at times and the finale far too long and overblown, but the harmonic palette and orchestration are still most striking.
Stanford's 4th Symphony followed closely on the heels of its predecessor, though it like the charm and appeal of that work. It is still though a most competent and charming work, with a moving slow movement and an attractive finale and dsereves more exposure.
Finally the American born George Templeton Strong's 2nd Symphony. He spent most of his long life in Europe and this large hour long programmatic work is steeped in European romanticism. One can hear elements of Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Wagner & Liszt in the work. He knew and was helped by Liszt earlier in his career. In one place one idea is strikingly Elgarian. The work is rather long winded at times, however there is enough of interest in his writing and very interesting orchestration to keep one's attantion and this work is worth seeking out.

[John Skelton]

Another listen to the four volumes (so far) of Neos' complete orchestral music of Bruno Maderna (conducted by Arturo Tamayo: and wonderfully so). Maderna was such a distinctive composer, with such a remarkable imagination for sound as structure. I think these are great scores, sadly neglected (something the Neos recordings will hopefully remedy).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-kPZgWL83g (not Tamayo's recording).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNx7B...feature=relmfu

[Petrushka]

Thought I'd pre-empt Rattle's BPO Prom in September.

Brahms: Piano Concerto No 1
Emil Gilels (piano)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Eugen Jochum

Lutoslawski: Symphony No 3
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Witold Lutoslawski

[EdgeleyRob]

Many thanks SC for post #5082, a fascinating read as usual.

[Beef Oven]

Mahler 6, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Glorious John, EMI.

[Roehre]

Many thanks SC for post #5082, a fascinating read as usual.

Seconded

[Roehre]

Today:

Katzer:
Concerto for Orchestra no.1 (1973/’74)
Empfindsame Musik (58 strings and 3 percussionists; 1976)
Dialog imaginär (Flute and Tape; 1983)

Zechlin:
Music for orchestra (1980)

[MrGongGong]

Florence Foster Jenkins: Queen of the night aria
(I found it on youtube it to send to my daughter to use in an essay for her degree but loving how dreadful it is )

[AmpH]

Finzi Cello concerto. (on a portable cd player with some decent headphones, sounds FAB !!)

Glad to see someone else still uses a portable cd ! I regularly take and use one on train journeys. I use it with a small battery powered headphone amp which allows me to use a variety of good quality headphones with excellent results, but you should see the strange looks when I produce it from my bag ! " Wot.....no ipod !! "