What are you listening to now?

[DublinJimbo]

Kalevi Aho

Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra (Piano Concerto No. 2, 2001-02)
Antti Siirala, Lahti Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä

Symphony No. 11 for Six Percussionists and Orchestra
Kroumata Percussion Ensemble, Lahti Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä

[EnemyoftheStoat]

I had a little chat with the man himself earlier this evening at the Barbican bar, DublinJimbo, just after hearing his Trombone Concerto.

[Beef Oven]

Brahms Requiem - Celibidache, 2 versions - Munich (Arleen Auger et al.), Milan (live, Agnes Giebel et al.)

How do they compare? I have the Munich version - pretty broad!

[DublinJimbo]

I had a little chat with the man himself earlier this evening at the Barbican bar, DublinJimbo, just after hearing his Trombone Concerto.

Lucky you. Some years ago while on a visit to Germany, I went back-stage to meet and shake hands with Erkki-Sven Tüür after a performance of one of his works. Jokingly, I convinced friends that I didn't wash that hand for several days afterwards. Chatting with Kalevi Aho would now outrank that encounter with Erkki-Sven Tüür.

[Suffolkcoastal]

The latest installment of my symphonic journey:

1893 (concluded)
Dvorak: Symphony No 9 in E minor 'From the New World'
Fibich: Symphony No 2 in E flat
Foerster: Symphony No 2 in F major
German: Symphony No 2 in A minor 'Norwich'
Glazunov: Symphony No 4 in E flat major
Grechaninov: Symphony No 1 in B minor
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6 in B minor 'Pathetique'

1894 (beginning)
Chadwick: Symphony No 3 in F major
Foerster: Symphony No 3 in D major
Louis Glass: Symphony No 1 in E major
Magnard: Symphony No 2 in E major
Mahler: Symphony No 2 in C minor 'Resurrection'

No introduction needed of course for Dvorak's 9th. I'm actually quite fond of it but over exposure lessens its impact. It is a very fine symphony only the finale slightly lets it down. With the famous slow movement I've always preferred the c sharp minor idea, one of Dvorak's most haunting ideas.
Fibich's 2nd Symphony is well worth exploring. The 1st movement is not as memorable as the that of his 1st symphony, however the middle movements are excellent, especially the exceptionally beautiful slow movement which never fails to move me.
The 3rd Czech symphony in a row, Foerster's 2nd Symphony is stylistically like his 1st very individual, in fact Foerster really doesn't sound like anyone else. I believe only the 4th Symphony is currently available on CD, this really needs amending as Foerster is certainly a composer worth investigating.
Edward German's 2nd Symphony is quite attractive, the outer movements are perhaps a lacking in real inspiration but the slow movement is most appealing and it is followed by a rather catchy lightweight scherzo.
The opening movement of Glazunov's 4th Symphony is among his finest and most expansive creations, while the other two movements aren't quite up to the standard of this glorious 1st movement this is still a work that should merit more broadcasts and performances.
Grechaninov's 1st Symphony is also a work worth investigating, completed at the end of his studies with Rimsky-Korsakov. The outer movements are solid workmanlike affairs with touches of Russian Nationalism and Tchaikovsky. The slow movement is lovely and the scherzo absolutely delightful. The orchestration as one would expect from a Rimsky pupil is excellent throughout.
Tchaikovsky's final symphony also needs no introduction. Personally I adore the work and think one of the great symphonic masterpieces and love following the score as I seem to find something new each time.
Chadwick's 3rd Symphony is IMO not quite as memorable as his 2nd. But it is an expertly written symphony well worth exploring and Chadwick's style which though very European still has an individual feel to it, and at the same time there is something American about it.
Like its predecessors Foerster's 3rd Symphony is a fascinatingly individual work. At times in the 1st movement it reminds me of Nielsen's 1st Symphony and there are distinct modal touches in the work displaying an interest perhaps in earlier church modes.
Louis Glass's 1st Symphony I found a little disappointing. It struggles to maintain interest during its 40 or so minutes. There are some quirky individual touches but is doesn't stay in one's memory.
Magnard's 2nd Symphony is a much better work. Again often quirky but highly individual and quite fascinating. Harmonically he is quite adventurous and there is an energy which propels the work.
Well I'm no fan of Mahler's 2nd Symphony but this is purely personal and nothing to do with the quality of the work. I did find the 1st movement more interesting this time and there is absolutely no doubting the sheer individuality of Mahler's writing and harmonic daring.

[EdgeleyRob]

Many thanks as usual SC.

[Roehre]

Many Thanks again for your symphonic review, SC.

Btw, AFAIK all Foerster symphonies are available on CD at the present (of which I personally prefer the Easter-night-symphony [no.4 that is])

[Roehre]

Today:

Delius:
Sea Drift
Piano concerto (1897)
Poem of Life and Love (1918/’19)
The latest BBCMM CD. AFAIK the Poem is a premiere-recording; a pity that the brass in the piano concerto is not at its best (listen e.g. between 3m10 and 4m20 for what I mean, especially the horns)

I’m off abroad again, I’ll be back Sunday May 20th.

[Suffolkcoastal]

Thanks for the Foerster info Roehre, yes I see MDG have issued them. I hope MB's who don't know these symphonies will be encouraged to investigate.

[PJPJ]

Stravinsky : The Firebird

Monte Carlo OO
Yakov Kreizberg

What an excellent set of CDs this is. (Opinion)