What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[bart]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Puccini's "Tosca" with Jussi Bjorling. When Pavarotti was ask who he should be compared to he replied, "I want only to be compared to Jussi Bjorling. I want to sing like Jussi Bjorling." He was right. To my ears only Jussi Bjorling compares to Pavarotti.

Glenn, thank you for this recommendation.
I'm going to try this.

[bart]

Cindy McTee - Symphony No. 1: Ballet for Orchestra - Circuits - Einstein's Dream - Double Play
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin
Qobuz 24/96




Second listen to this quite fascinating album.

Cindy McTee’s compositions embody the musical and cultural energy of modern-day America. Circuits, ‘a boisterously jazzy sprint’ (Detroit Free Press), is followed by Symphony No. 1, a smartly assembled work whose diverse ideas ‘seemed to unfold naturally within an orchestral fabric that used the ensemble’s full coloristic range’ (The New York Times). The use of computer music in Einstein’s Dream lends sonic complexity to a piece that celebrates the scientist’s work on quantum theory. Double Play, commissioned by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, ‘hums with craftsmanship and a catholic array of influences across several centuries’ (The Washington Post).

[Audiofan1]

[bart]

Originally Posted by bart

This was playing in the practice today:

Georg Philipp Telemann - Concertos & Suites
La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken
Bart Coen, recorder
via Qobuz




Lovely works that I had heard already played by other ensembles.

I've been playing Kuijken a lot lately in the practice.
Every cent helps to survive for these musicians in Covid-times!

[bart]

Jean-Baptiste Lully - Ballet Royal de la Naissance de Vénus
Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset
Chœur de Chambre de Namur
Qobuz 24/96




Not for every day, but from time it's nice to imagine yourself in the royal castle or Versailles watching one of the big spectacles performed there on a regular basis.

[bart]

Originally Posted by bart

Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos
La Petite Bande - Sigiswald Kuijken

Sigiswald Kuijken lives in my region; he is dedicated to play with authentic instruments. On this sacd, music is played with natural brass instruments without pistons.




I never tire of hearing these concertos.
Especially when they are being played with such vigour and attention to historical detail.

I'm comparing this version with the one I played earlier this week.

The blu-ray sounds fuller, a bit livelier, but perhaps a bit bloated. Carmignola is excellent and the rest of Abbado's ensemble equally so.

Kuijken and his musicians are a bit less well recorded: most of the information comes from the center channel.
That being said, I think the way they sound here must lie closer to the way it sounded in Bach's time.
Pace is a little faster.

Conclusion: good to have options!

[bart]

Luis Cabrera
Justyna Maj
Sylvia Huang - Canto Inferno
Qobuz 24/88.2




Works from Bottesini, Koussevitzky, Schumann, Franck.
Cabrera makes his Landolfi sing like a cello, but it keeps the beautiful timbre of a high quality double bass.

[Antonmb]

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major Op. 130; Grosse fuge Op. 133
Ehnes Quartet
Onyx (2021), via Qobuz

Excellent recording. Includes both the Grosse Fuge and Beethoven’s revised finale. Very well played.

IMG_0956.jpg

[bart]

Originally Posted by bart

Bach: Cantatas through the Liturgical Year Vol. 2 - Sigiswald Kuijken
"Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten" BWV 93, "Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder" BWV 135, "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" BWV 177

Siri Thornhill (soprano)
Petra Noskaiova (alto)
Christoph Genz (tenor)
Jan van der Crabben (baritone)
La Petite Bande
Sigiswald Kuijken


Compared to the first volume, the strings are slightly expanded to eight players who are joined by four woodwind players & an organist/harpsichordist (as before) and two brass players. As before, the choral parts are sung one to a part.

The "choir" is superb with Siri Thornhill (soprano) radiant, Petra Noskaiová (alto) solid & assured, Christoph Genz (tenor) his usual excellent self and Jan Van der Crabben (bass) refined. Kuijken's pacing is wonderful, giving life to the more dancelike episodes and appropriate gravity by turns.

The recording is good too, having moved locations to 's Gravenwezel Castle (Belgium) and there is a clearer aspect, without the resonance that one might expect in a church. Rather, this is well nigh perfect with no hint of dryness.

I keep on playing Cantatas lately.
Well, Bach seldom bores me...
And these interpretations are very enjoyable.

A dose of Bach's Cantatas never hurts... and is even indispensable to keep good health. Said the wise doctor.

[bart]

Verona Quartet - Diffusion
Qobuz 24/96




Very enjoyable interpretation of these 3 masterpieces of chamber music.
Works of Janáček, Szymanowski and Ravel.

Through the intimate voice of the string quartet, "Diffusion" explores a mosaic of folk cultures in their unbridled journey across the globe. The often revelatory and always sublime voices of Janáček, Szymanowski and Ravel reveal a kaleidoscopic snapshot of cultural migration at the turn of the century. As an ensemble of four nations, the Verona Quartet celebrates this moment in time and the spirit of cross-cultural connection that lays at the heart of their musical message. Acclaimed for its reputation as an “outstanding ensemble… cohesive yet full of temperament” (The New York Times), the Verona Quartet has spellbound audiences worldwide with its delicate craftsmanship, luminous sound, and dramatic poise. In recognition of their distinction, the Verona Quartet is the recipient of one of chamber music’s most distinguished honors, Chamber Music America’s Cleveland Quartet Award. © Azica Records