What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[bart]

Ravel - Orchestral Works 6
François Dumont, piano
Jennifer Gilbert, violin
Orchestre National de Lyon, Leonard Slatkin
Qobuz 24/96




I found also this volume certainly worth hearing!

Composed between 1929 and 1931, Ravel’s two piano concertos reflect his enthusiasm for jazz, though one that was thoroughly absorbed into his own idiom. The Concerto in G major, originally conceived as a Basque rhapsody, is lightly scored but sports a vivacious percussion section, galvanising motor rhythms and a slow movement of astonishing beauty. The Concerto for the Left Hand, commissioned by Paul Wittgenstein who had lost his right arm in the First World War, is a single movement tour de force, as is Tzigane, a gypsy violin showpiece of dazzling virtuosity. © Naxos

[bart]

And also this volume shows the immense skills of the composer!

Ravel - Orchestral Works 4 - Daphnis et Chloé - Une barque sur l'océan
Orchestre National de Lyon, Leonard Slatkin
via Qobuz



The fourth installment in Leonard Slatkin's series on Naxos of the orchestral works of Maurice Ravel features the complete 1912 ballet Daphnis et Chloé and the tone poem Une barque sur l'océan in spectacular performances by the Orchestre National de Lyon. Daphnis et Chloé is widely regarded as Ravel's masterpiece, and the shimmering orchestration and lush harmonies that epitomize impressionism are lovingly rendered by Slatkin and the French orchestra. While Daphnis et Chloé is most often presented as two suites for orchestra, this 2015 performance also includes the atmospheric choral parts, sung by Spirito, a body consisting of the Choruses and Soloists of Lyon and the Britten Chorus. The sumptuous scoring and seductive melodies that made Daphnis et Chloé one of Ravel's most beloved works are also at play in Une barque sur l'océan, Ravel's dazzling orchestral version of the third piece in his piano suite, Miroirs. The depiction of a small boat riding the surging waves is brilliantly captured, and the glistening timbres of woodwinds, harp, and strings convey the sea spray quite effectively. Naxos provides remarkably clear and deep sound, so the finer points of Ravel's scores are easily heard.

© TiVo

[bart]

Originally Posted by bart

Johann Sebastian Bach - The Cello Suites
Sigiswald Kuijken, violoncello da spalla



I heard some of these pieces live this afternoon, and was sitting 8 feet from Kuijken!
I will post my impressions in a separate thread.
I had heard other shoulder-cello concerts, but this experience was unique.
Especially because it was Kuijken himself who reintroduced the instrument into the classical world.

These 2 CDs are very well recorded, and after Kuijken's explanation, I honestly believe Bach wrote the works for this kind of instrument.

This goes right into my top choices for the Cello Suites!

Playing into the practice...

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by crwilli

I was introduced to it by Mark aka SCAudiophile. He’s a walking Wikipedia of music.

(Blush)

Thanks Craig [emoji2]

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by bart

Craig, your post inspired me to listen to some great organ music. [emoji106]





This is really a great album!

That is a great disc! If you like that rendering of the Organ Symphony and are also a fan of The Philadelphians, try to find a copy of this....

https://www.discogs.com/Camille-Sain...lease/13885055

[SCAudiophile]

Three other great renderings of the Organ Symphony...51owOh8wn8L._SL1500_.jpeg3esosa90188-large__68452.1619817246.jpeg6apsamr2341-large__44464.1620277604.jpeg

[bart]

The Great Organ at St. Mary's Cathedral San Francisco
John Balka, organist
via Qobuz




As per Craig's suggestion.
Great sound!

[bart]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Three other great renderings of the Organ Symphony...Attachment 65474Attachment 65475Attachment 65476

Thank you Mark!
I'm going to try to find your suggestions on Qobuz first.

[bart]

Alfonso Ferrabosco 1 & 2 - The Soule Of Heaven - Pavans and Almaines
B-Five Recorder Consort
Sofie Vanden Eynde, lute
Qobuz 24/96




Vanden Eynde was on the radio today.
She went through a severe burnout.
She wrote about it, and there is a project now, with her on the scene with her lute, and her words brought in an artistic way through a multichannel system in the concert hall. English, Dutch and French version.

This is a nice album. Very quiet music.

[bart]

Mark, I found this recording:

Saint-Saëns - Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78
The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy
E. Power Biggs, organist
Qobuz 24/96




This remastered '57 recording sounds surprisingly full and clear!
Thanks for the suggestion!