What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[bart]

Each time I hear this I'm deeply moved by the sheer beauty of the melodies and the performance. Fantastic sound too.
One of my desert island discs I guess.

[bart]

Lodewijk Mortelmans - Perels

Hendrickje Van Kerckhove, soprano
Christel Kessels, piano



Enchanting songs by a pupil of my uncle, Peter Benoit, and one of the founders of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.

Lodewijk Mortelmans

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by bart

Enchanting songs by a pupil of my uncle, Peter Benoit, and one of the founders of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.

Bart, This is your uncle Pete?

[Toccata]

No. 1 and 7 from this set--fabulous playing and sound:



And Beethoven's 32nd Sonata from this set--it's Sokolov, so of course it's great, and with quite decent sound.

[cma29]

This...

Lutoslawski:
Symphonic Variations
Symphony No. 4
Variations on a Theme by Paganini, for piano & orchestra, Louis Lortie (piano)
Piano Concerto, Louis Lortie (piano)
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Edward Gardner



...modern music is very invigorating and pleasant on the ear. Lots of piano incorporated into these pieces and it works well together. First-class playing from the BBC Symphony and Lortie. The recorded sound is state-of-the-art.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by bart

Lodewijk Mortelmans - Perels

Hendrickje Van Kerckhove, soprano
Christel Kessels, piano



Enchanting songs by a pupil of my uncle, Peter Benoit, and one of the founders of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.

Lodewijk Mortelmans

The soprano, Hendrickje Van Kerckhove, is beautiful

[tima]

Originally Posted by Yardbird

audionut/tima,

I have two or three of the SFO/TT Mahler SACD's and think the sonics are fabulous. I know there are different opinions about the performances, but I find these very satisfying, the 2nd in particular. AND, there is always much to be said for digital media that will not deteriorate, AND sounds as good or better than analogue! Ted.

For those who enjoy the San Francisco Symphony and MTT performing Mahler, I heartily recommend their video "Mahler - Origins and Legacy" on Blu-Ray or DVD. I'm not much into video but this is insightful, entertaining and very well done. It contains a complete performance of Titan, Mahler's 1st Symphony, other symphony snippets, and a lengthy program on Mahler's life and music as relayed by Michael Tilson Thomas and accompanied by musical excerpts.

The sound and video of the symphony performances are top notch. Also included is a complete rendition of Songs of a Wayfarer with baritone Thomas Hampson that was so compelling I bought the group's Mahler: Songs With Orchestra to hear more of his fabulous voice; well recommended.


<click>

[cma29]

Originally Posted by cma29

Now playing

Mozart Piano Concerti 15 & 16, Murray Perahia, English Chamber Orchestra from the Mozart – The Complete Piano Concertos set (DSD remaster)



This is magnificent music for late night enjoyment or any other time for that matter. An interpretation of the highest caliber with clear articulation. The 15th is light while the 16th is grander. The recordings are superb. Just listen to the Allegro for the 15th - amazing.

For some reason this DSD remastered set is hard to find now, but I'm glad I got mine while it was available. Sony has abandoned all DSD / SACD efforts it seems.

I'm up early this morning (early for me) and enjoying disc 9 of this set which includes the magnificent concerto # 21 in C major K467. Just gorgeous, particularly the slow Andante movement.

[Antonmb]

Headphones this morning"

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5
Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vanska conducting

Beautiful music, excellent performance and recording with good dynamic range and sense of space. It is reminding me how much I like Sibelius and how little of his work beyond the standards (Swan, Valse Triste, Violin Concerto in D, Finlandia) I have. Time to add to my Christmas list, suggestions welcome.

[bart]

Originally Posted by AudioNut

Bart, This is your uncle Pete?

Yes Julian, but of course some generations ago.
My grandfather told me he was a good composer, turning to booze to beat work pressure.