What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[JohnK]

OK, prompted by Bluechiaro's request for help with Haydn and my own desire to listen to music in the "small" (quartets and the like instead of orchestras), I dug into an old set I acquired when I was just out of college. I've been casually comparing it to the Kodaly renditions mentioned in Bluechiaro's thread, and I give the nod to Kodaly, barely, but the recording quality to what is shown here.

But that might be due to vinyl vs streaming via MOG.

[chessman]

Julian, missed you. I think Handel's Messiah is a gorgeous work.

[Toccata]

This is a superb SACD set of Handel's Op.6. The sound is quite a bit richer and warmer than on the BIS SACD recording. Combattimento Consort Amsterdam's performances are livelier, too.

[AudioNut]

Remembering Dave Brubeck and all he gave to the world of music, I am listening to, quite appropriate for this day, I think . . . the "Classical" Brubeck.

Dave Brubeck, the quintessential musician, wrote a lot of classical music - mostly choral and orchestral in nature.

The CD I'm listening to, as I type this, is representative of some of his best choral music.

Listening to . . . . . Brubeck in Chattanooga

A recording of Sacred Choral Music

Choral Arts of Chattanooga, Philip Rice, Music Director

Dave Brubeck - Composer, arranger, and Piano Soloist
Jim Wilson - Accompanist
Terry Sanford - Accompanist

"Dave Brubeck has barely scratched the surface when it comes to recording his considerable catalog of sacred works. Because he was so pleased with the performance of Choral Arts of Chattanooga during a concert in 2000, he returned to the city to record this CD with them two years later. Philip Rice, who studied under the brilliant conductor Robert Shaw, works magic with this choir, which handles Brubeck's demanding works in a mostly a cappella setting. Accompanists Jim Wilson ("Psalm 30") and Terry Sanford (heard on "Allelulia") play all the written passages at the composer's request; Brubeck's instrumental role is strictly as a soloist.

Brubeck's swinging polytonal arrangement of the Christmas carol "We Three Kings" will be obvious to anyone familiar with his jazz recordings. "Though I Speak With the Tongues of Men and of Angels" is from Brubeck's oratorio "The Voice of the Holy Spirit," and the choir's performance is nothing less than stunning. A brief chorale introduces his "Power Chorale and Fugue," followed by Brubeck's dramatic piano improvisation, segueing into an intricate a cappella fugue.

"Yes, We All Have Our Cross to Bear" is a moving work heard in two separate recordings, one straight-ahead, the other in a swing interpretation, though both versions were incorporated into the composer's original conception. "Alleluia," from Brubeck's Roman Catholic Mass "To Hope! A Celebration", tests the skills of the choir and especially accompanist Sanford; both pass with flying colors. The haunting "Regret" was initially scored for strings, but this adaptation for a cappella choir, which sings only the word "regret" along with open vowels, is every bit as powerful. "Psalm 30" is a joyful celebration of the composer's faith, with accompanist Wilson playing the written score and Brubeck taking over midway for yet another brilliant improvisation. This CD is available exclusively through www.choralartsofchattanooga.org."

[AudioNut]

Listening to . . . Handel - Water Music

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra - Nicholas McGegan, Conductor

Probably my favorite recording of Water Music - Absolutely stunning performance - beautiful music made even more so because of excellent playing and super recording.

Recorded by Peter McGrath for Harmonia Mundi

[GaryProtein]

Tonight was an opera night for me.

Puccini's Turandot.

Sutherland, Pavarotti, Caballe, London Symphony.

[bart]

Originally Posted by AudioNut

Remembering Dave Brubeck and all he gave to the world of music, I am listening to, quite appropriate for this day, I think . . . the "Classical" Brubeck.

Dave Brubeck, the quintessential musician, wrote a lot of classical music - mostly choral and orchestral in nature.

The CD I'm listening to, as I type this, is representative of some of his best choral music.

Listening to . . . . . Brubeck in Chattanooga

A recording of Sacred Choral Music

Choral Arts of Chattanooga, Philip Rice, Music Director

Dave Brubeck - Composer, arranger, and Piano Soloist
Jim Wilson - Accompanist
Terry Sanford - Accompanist

Julian, wasn't Brubeck also in close contact with Darius Milhaud, the French composer?

[bart]

Arvo Pärt - Spiegel in Spiegel



Just what I need after a (very) long day of work: very peaceful and quiet music, meditative even.
Piano solo, piano with violin/viola and or cello.
Brilliant classics SACD.

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by bart

Julian, wasn't Brubeck also in close contact with Darius Milhaud, the French composer?

You are so right (as usual, Bart) Brubeck was a student of Milhaud's in the late 1940's at Mills College. The two were very close and Brubeck named his first son Darius in honor of his friend Darius Milhaud.

[AudioNut]

I am now listening to a very fine recording - an SACD by Channel Classics (so, what else is new?)

Brahms - Sonatas - Opus 35, Opus 78

Pieter Wispelwey - Cello
Dejan Lazié - Piano

This is a gorgeous recording, great cello sound and great cello playing by a true master.

And, the piano playing is excellent also.

Sound quality is superb!