What Classical Music Are You Listening To Tonight?

[AudioNut]

Now listening to . . .

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by bart

I don't remember from whom I've got this recommendation, but it's good!
Very good orchestral performance and wonderful voices in the cantatas.
Good recording.

The Marcello Oboe Concerto is possibly the most beautiful piece of music for that instrument I've ever encountered. I agree with Bart that this recording is outstanding. A keeper!

[AudioNut]

The Classical Thread has reached another real milestone.

4,000 Excellent Posts


Congratulations to all who post here

[AudioNut]

And, now, For Post Number 4,001 in this thread. . .

I'm listening to . . . . Music for a Time of War

The Oregon Symphony - Carlos Kalmar, Conductor

A Pentatone SACD, recorded in 2011



SA-CD NET gives this recording a solid five stars on both performance and sound quality, and the reviews from other sources are uniformly good.

Performance: - Sonics:

"A vivid, often wrenching program." - New York Times

Music for a Time of War, a PentaTone Classics album featuring the Oregon Symphony under Carlos Kalmar, brings together four powerful, moving compositions that in some way were inspired by war, conflict, and strife. While many albums bring together the wealth of music written during or immediately following the Second World War, Kalmar's program is more varied and is made quite successful because of it. The disc opens with Ives' solitary, isolating Unanswered Question, which, though not directly brought about by a war, nevertheless addresses conflict within the score. Walt Whitman's wrenching account of his medical duties during the Civil War is set to great effect by John Adams. Baritone Sanford Sylvan's performance here is as gripping as Whitman's words: deep, resonant tone, clear diction, and a seamless blend with the orchestra characterize Sylvan's singing. More directly inspired by specific military events is militaristic and evocative Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem. The program closes with Vaughan Williams Fourth Symphony which, though completed in 1931, the composer denied it being any sort of depiction of military buildup. Perhaps in retrospect we find things in the sometimes savage, frenzied score that remind us of the events of the time. Throughout the disc, Kalmar and the Oregon Symphony prove they can easily stand alongside the world's great orchestras. Their sound is powerful and engaging, their technique is polished and effortless, and the intricate control of balance makes listening quite enjoyable. This is certainly a disc worth investigating.

- Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide

As for myself, While the sound quality, dynamics, deep powerful bass, excellent orchestra, playing beautifully, Wide deep soundstage, great imaging etc. etc. etc.

But with all these great attributes, I'm not sure I really like the music. Maybe a couple more playings will win me over.

I bought the SACD because of a recommendation in this thread, so I will give it a chance to grow on me.

[kfr01]

This was my first listen to this newest album from Julia Fischer. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of Julia's albums that I have bought, and this one was no exception. The music is wonderfully poetic and romantic. Although four different composers are represented, this program works. The last piece in particular, "The Lark Ascending" by Ralph Vaughan William, is light and sweet; much lighter and slower than the first three pieces. I find this to be the opposite of most classical programs, where the energy continues to build. Especially at the end of a long day, feeling relaxed and peaceful at the end of the program worked tonight. It goes without saying that Julia's playing is sublime, but the orchestra kept up perfectly. I never felt that the soloist or orchestra was leaving the other behind.

Sonics and performance are both "5 stars" here. I will listen to this album in its entirety again.

Oh, and she's beautiful.

[AudioNut]

Listening to . . . Keisuke Wakao - Oboe
Plays Mozart, (Johann Christian & Johann Sebastian) Bach. Britten, Prokofiev

Keisuke Wakao - Oboe
With Friends of the Boston Symphony Orchestra



For at least a hundred years, Heinz Holliger has been my favorite Oboist and maybe he still is, but this young man is certainly right up there with Heinz in both technique and in the expression of feel for the music. As usual, Pentatone's sound quality is near perfection. The oboe is a difficult instrument to "get right" in tonality, many recordings fail completely, but Pentatone does it perfectly.

[bart]

Originally Posted by tima

Wow coincidence - I ordered this last week, good to have your review. I have the 'Great' from Krips & LSO on vinyl but I'm gradually trying to acquire some of my favorite works and composers on silver disc. Julian, you seem to be an inexhaustible supply of Great music (npi)!

Hi Tim, it is indeed a great performance.
I also purchased it a couple of months ago.
One of my patients is a musician - music teacher.
And he invited me to listen together to this symphony to learn about the finesses of it.
So I compared it to different other versions I have, and this one is the best. Sonics and performance.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by jprice

And, now, For Post Number 4,001 in this thread. . .

I'm listening to . . . . Music for a Time of War

The Oregon Symphony - Carlos Kalmar, Conductor

A Pentatone SACD, recorded in 2011

Excellent. One of the best SACDs of the past year.

[AudioNut]

Listening to . . . Something really old made new (and possibly better)

Hector Berlioz - Requiem Op. 5 "Grand Messe des Morts"

London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor
Ronald Dowd - Tenor
Wandsworth School Boy's Choir

Recorded in 1969, This recording won a Grammy in 1971

A Pentatone SACD Remaster of the original QUADRO recording. Two Disc Set



I own all of the original Philips recordings in the Colin Davis - Berlioz Cycle on LP and have played all of them numerous times over the past 40 years. I am so glad that Pentatone has chosen to do this recording which is an incredible Requiem Mass. The performance is amazingly beautiful. The Sound Quality, Soundstage, Imaging, dynamics, etc. are extremely good. Since I love the music of Berlioz, and this recording is so good, I think this is a perfect example of what a five star recording should be. I've read some reviews that nit-pick this SACD, and some feel that the Norrington recording is better, but for me - this is the one!

Highly Recommended!

[AudioNut]

Another Pentatone Berlioz SACD - this time a new recording.

Hector Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique; Le Roi Lear, Op. 4 (King Lear)

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra - Marek Janowski, Conductor



Pentatone's usual incredible sound quality, coupled with a "quite good" performance of this, the most exciting of Berlioz's work.

I prefer the Colin Davis/LSO version from the 1960's, (also available as a Pentatone SACD) but this one doesn't lag far behind.