What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[bart]

W.A. Mozart - Complete sonatas for keyboard and violin - Volume 5



When you look at the picture on the SACD, you see that these musicians enjoyed themselves (almost) as much as we do when we listen to this series.

[rbbert]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

This morning listening to: Dvorak Complete Symphonies and Concertos Czech Philharmonic Jiri Belohlavek conducting Decca 2014, 24/192 files via Qobuz Disk 2: Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, Op 4 B12 Violin Concerto in A minor, op.53 B96 Excellent lively performances, recording is good but dynamics not exceptional - needs volume to make it come alive.

I agree about the performances, but your comment about the sound is confusing. Generally speaking, if you have to (or want to) turn the volume up it means there is more dynamic range, not less. One of the most annoying things about modern mastering practices (to me) is that the music usually sounds worse when you turn up the volume.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by rbbert

I agree about the performances, but your comment about the sound is confusing. Generally speaking, if you have to (or want to) turn the volume up it means there is more dynamic range, not less. One of the most annoying things about modern mastering practices (to me) is that the music usually sounds worse when you turn up the volume.

I understand your comment, perhaps I wasn't clear. When I said I had to turn the volume up it was because I felt that, when I had the volume set at an appropriate level for the quieter passages, the louder passages didn't really come alive and I found myself turning the volume up. Hence my comment about the dynamic range. I'll give a listen to another volume tomorrow. I played the first volume a couple of weeks ago and don't remember having the same reaction, in fact just the opposite, I was impressed with the dynamics.

[tima]

Originally Posted by Toccata

Maybe not his finest composition, but a vibrant performance and knock-out audio quality certainly make it sound good!

For me Kitayenko is approaching Dorati status - from what I have heard he is consistently excellent. His Shostakovitch cycle with the Gürzenich-Orchestra Köln should be in everyone's collection (if I may be so bold.) His Moscow Philharmonic performances on the 3 LP "Moscow Sessions" in joint effort with American conductor Lawrence Leighton Smith recorded by Sheffield Records (1988 still during the Cold War) is wonderful and I'll let slip my surprise there to find a Russian conducting my favorite issuance of Copland's Appalachian Suite. Also a top-notch Festive Overture - another Shosty piece - a real challenger for clarinet.

So it is a delight to learn here from Toccata about this Tchaikovsky - on SACD no less. And digging a bit to find it is part of a cycle, the full set of which I found only at Presto where I nabbed 1-6. Too often SACDs have short availability.

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by AudioNut

And, I'm now playing a "newish" excellent Channel Classics SACD.

Listening to . . . Antonio Vivaldi - La Stravaganza - 12 Violin Concertos

Rachel Podger - Violin
Arte dei Suonatori Baroque Orchestra

This is a very good recording of a few of Vivaldi's Violin Concertos (he wrote over 200 of the things)
played by a terrific, period instrument, baroque chamber orchestra and Rachel Podger,
who is rapidly becoming a household name. She is good !

And, the Channel Classics two disc SACD recording is marvelous.

And, I like it so much, I'm playing it again - nice way to start the day - and its only been a year since I heard it the last time.

[Toccata]

Tima, I'm happy to have alerted you to the Kitajenko Tchaikovsky series. I have only the 4th and 6th numbered symphonies, but they are superb, so I imagine the others are, too. He also just released the 7th coupled with the 3rd Piano Concerto--not sure two incomplete works make a terribly compelling purchase, though.

[bart]

Prokofiev - Piano Concertos 2 & 3 - Sonata No. 2
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton
Freddy Kempf, piano



Prokofiev's piano music is challenging for the listener as well as the performer.
This is a brilliant rendering.
BIS quality recording, so it is

[bart]

Playing and posting this again.
Just like Jordi Savall and Hille Perl, these 2 ladies do a good job with the French Composer's music.



Volume III of 4.

[AndyPandy]

Thanks for posting everyone: I have been very busy with work, so not much time to listen or post, but I certainly enjoy this thread each morning and evening.

I learn so much by the generous contributions you all make.

Thanks

[cma29]

Originally Posted by AndyPandy

Thanks for posting everyone: I have been very busy with work, so not much time to listen or post, but I certainly enjoy this thread each morning and evening. I learn so much by the generous contributions you all make. Thanks

Same here. I've been traveling this week but will be home this evening with my family, stereo and some new music I ordered.