What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by bart

Something "smoother" to end this evening:

Corelli - Concerti Grossi Op. 6 1-6
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, cond. by Nicholas McGegan



Often posted here, and a reference performance.
However, I will try the Linn SACD, to have these works in multichannel.

I'm listening to this amazing recording now and having heard many other versions of this music, I still feel that this one is the biggest crowd pleaser.

Recorded by Wilson Audio's Peter McGrath back in his salad days, I find this recording to be sheer perfection. I originally introduced this selection to this thread several years ago and I do stand behind all the acolades I've heaped upon it over the years.

Chosen by Harry Pearson/TAS as one of the best cd's ever. I also have this on LP and it is even better.

[AudioNut]

This is an interesting recording (to say the least)

Listening to . . . . A Recording First

Glenn Gould Plays Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
Transcribed for Piano by Franz Liszt

A Columbia Stereo LP - Recorded in 1966

I say interesting because I'm not sure I like it. Seems a little slow and lacking in the passion I'm accustomed to in full orchestral versions. Gould played a mean piano but I like him better on Bach.

To hear this symphony played on the piano is "different" and is pretty to listen to. Gould is, by the way, quite good.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by AudioNut

I'm listening to this amazing recording now and having heard many other versions of this music, I still feel that this one is the biggest crowd pleaser. Recorded by Wilson Audio's Peter McGrath back in his salad days, I find this recording to be sheer perfection. I originally introduced this selection to this thread several years ago and I do stand behind all the acolades I've heaped upon it over the years. Chosen by Harry Pearson/TAS as one of the best cd's ever. I also have this on LP and it is even better.

Thanks, Julian. I'll add this to my wish list. I already have the Linn version which is excellent.

[AudioNut]

Listening to . . .Joseph Haydn - Symphonies
No. 22 "The Philosopher"
No. 44. "Mourning"
No. 64 "Tempora Mutantur"

Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra - Amsterdam - Marco Boni - Conductor

A Pentatone SACD, recorded in 2003

Very nicely done. While very little of Haydn's music is exciting, most of it is beautiful and the music included on this SACD certainly is.

This is one of my "go to" recordings for gentle classical music and I enjoy it very much.

[bart]

Laudes - The voice of the Confraternities of the East and West
Doulce Mémoire, Denis Raisin Dadre
Zigzag Territoires



Cross-over between Sufi and Christian tradition of the renaissance, sung in old French and Arabic.
I heard this on the radio a week ago and decided to order it.
Very interesting and touching music. Intense!

[bart]

Anonymous 4 - Love's Illusion - Music from the Montpellier Codex 13th century



Enchantingly sung medieval music.
This was a recommendation long ago here.
I've played it quite a few times already.

This music was only discovered in 1847.
Montpellier Codex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[cma29]

Back from my business trip and enjoying the stereo while working from home...

Haydn:
Symphony No. 91 in E flat major
Berenice, che fai? (Scena di Berenice), Hob XXIVa:10
Bernarda Fink (mezzo-soprano)
Symphony No. 92 in G major 'Oxford'
Freiburger Barockorchester, René Jacobs



As Julian said, Haydn's music is not terribly exciting, but it is always elegant. These performances are exuberant and very well recorded. Bernarda Fink very dramatically sings the piece from Scena di Berenice. Good stuff.

[Toccata]

It's pretty hard to beat chamber music recordings on the Praga Digitals labels for both performances and sound. These Brahms Trios are just superb. I haven't heard the 3rd in ages--forgot how powerful its first movement is. Highly recommended.

[AudioNut]

I am actually listening to Sergei Rachmaninoff playing the piano . . . .

A Window in Time - Sergei Rachmaninoff Performs Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Others

"Rachmaninoff performs classic piano works in a spectacular new recording made on a Bosendorfer 290SE Reproducing Piano.

Taken from piano rolls actually performed by Rachmaninoff himself.

A Telarc CD, produced in 1999.

Excellent sound quality, although I think the later Zenph recordings, using essentially the same process, may be a little more dynamic.

[AudioNut]

Listening to another pretty good piano player . . . .

Prokofiev - Piano Concerto No. 3
Ravel - Piano Concerto in G
Gaspard de la Nuit

Martha Argerich - Piano
Berllin Philharmonic Orchestra - Claudio Abbado, Conductor

I've never been a great fan of the music of Prokofiev, but this CD could make me a believer. Argerich is a genius on the piano and this is one of the best of her recordings I've heard.