WAYLTL December

[Lawrence Chalmers]

Wozzeck live performance by Theo Adams and cast with the Bavarian State Opera conducted by Carlos Kleiber from 1970. Live notwithstanding stage noises,
the cast is terrific. For a (pirated?) recording the sound is really fine in stereo. Kleiber brings out details I haven't heard in the numerous other recordings, dvds I already have. I guess I'll explore his few other recordings
of Beethoven, Wagner.

Also on Exton, the De Waart Rachmaninoff First symphony, cd 1 of a complete set.
A poster recommended this after my rave comment on his Rotterdam recordings
on Eloquence. (Pardon my syntax, misplaced phrases, please.)

[HT]

Dvorak on YT. Requiem, Stabat Mater, some symphonies, chamber music with and without piano, songs, and only a few pieces for piano solo (not Dvorak's forte imo).

More than one commentator asked him/herself if Dvorak is underrated. I don't know. Among what I heard there was much I hadn't heard before and very little I didn't like.

My favorite after a long weekend listening to Dvorak is the piano quintet 2, as some call it. Is there a must-have version?

Henk

[wkasimer]

Post by HT
My favorite after a long weekend listening to Dvorak is the piano quintet 2, as some call it. Is there a must-have version?

Quite a few - Smetana Quartet with Panenka, Borodin with Richter, Budapest with Curzon. I also like the Hyperion disc with the Gaudier Ensemble.

[c***@gmail.com]

Post by wkasimer

Post by HT
My favorite after a long weekend listening to Dvorak is the piano quintet 2, as some call it. Is there a must-have version?

Quite a few - Smetana Quartet with Panenka, Borodin with Richter, Budapest with Curzon. I also like the Hyperion disc with the Gaudier Ensemble.

Yeah, there are many "must-have" versions, including the first two above. Among recordings of yore, definitely the Janáček Quartet w/Eva Bernáthová. An outstanding one that seems to have passed under the radar is the Orion Quartet with Peter Serkin. Among the more recent issues, the recordings by Andsnes, Chang et al. and the Pavel Haas Quartet with Boris Giltburg respectively. One that I've been enjoying on my ipod recently is an exciting live performance by the Arcanto w/Silke Avenhaus from a BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert of about a decade ago. It seems not to have led to a commercial recording, which is too bad.

AC

[HT]

Post by c***@gmail.com
Yeah, there are many "must-have" versions, including the first two above. Among recordings of yore, definitely the Janáček Quartet w/Eva Bernáthová. An outstanding one that seems to have passed under the radar is the Orion Quartet with Peter Serkin. Among the more recent issues, the recordings by Andsnes, Chang et al. and the Pavel Haas Quartet with Boris Giltburg respectively. One that I've been enjoying on my ipod recently is an exciting live performance by the Arcanto w/Silke Avenhaus from a BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert of about a decade ago. It seems not to have led to a commercial recording, which is too bad.

Thanks, I like Serkin?Orion Quartet (at least what I heard o YT).Andsnes was very easy to listen to.

Henk

[HT]

Post by wkasimer

Post by HT
My favorite after a long weekend listening to Dvorak is the piano quintet 2, as some call it. Is there a must-have version?

Quite a few - Smetana Quartet with Panenka, Borodin with Richter, Budapest with Curzon. I also like the Hyperion disc with the Gaudier Ensemble.

Thanks! The Richter-Borodin certainly is a must-have.

Henk

[dk]

Post by HT
My favorite after a long weekend listening to Dvorak
is the piano quintet 2, as some call it. Is there a
must-have version?

Rubinstein + Guarneri.
Firkusny + whomever.
Sorry for memory
lapses! 8-(

dk

[HT]

Post by dk
Rubinstein + Guarneri.

I love the Guarneri SQ and Rubinstein is great. Thanks. A must-have (for me) Firkusny, like Bernáthová and Panenka, is sometimes too enthusiastic for my taste.

Henk

[Oscar]

Cyril Smith & Phyllis Sellick (pf)

Mozart: Sonata in D major for two pianos, K.448
Rachmaninoff: Suite No.2 in C major for two pianos, Op.17
Bach (J.S.): “Sheep May safely graze” (from Cantata BWV 208)
Arensky: Waltz (from Suite No.1 for two pianos)
Bax: “Moy Mell” (The Happy Plain), tone poem for two pianos (1916)
Milhaud: “Scaramouche”, suite for two pianos, Op.165b

Guild Historical GHCD 3501 ℗ © 2018. CD.
Mono. ADD.
Recorded in London and Moscow between 1948 and 1956. Issued on Columbia (U.K.) and Aprelevski Plant (Russia).
Album compiled by Callum Ross.
Remastering by Peter Reynolds, Reynolds Mastering.
Photographs of Cyril Smith & Phyllis Sellick from the Tully Potter Collection.
Booklet note © Callum Ross, April 2018.
Callum Ross was a student of Phyllis Sellick at the Royal College of Music between 1977 and 1981.

[Al Eisner]

Post by Oscar
Cyril Smith & Phyllis Sellick (pf)
Mozart: Sonata in D major for two pianos, K.448
Rachmaninoff: Suite No.2 in C major for two pianos, Op.17
Bach (J.S.): “Sheep May safely graze” (from Cantata BWV 208)
Arensky: Waltz (from Suite No.1 for two pianos)
Bax: “Moy Mell” (The Happy Plain), tone poem for two pianos (1916)
Milhaud: “Scaramouche”, suite for two pianos, Op.165b
Guild Historical GHCD 3501 ℗ © 2018. CD.
Mono. ADD.
Recorded in London and Moscow between 1948 and 1956. Issued on Columbia (U.K.) and Aprelevski Plant (Russia).
Album compiled by Callum Ross.
Remastering by Peter Reynolds, Reynolds Mastering.
Photographs of Cyril Smith & Phyllis Sellick from the Tully Potter Collection.
Booklet note © Callum Ross, April 2018.
Callum Ross was a student of Phyllis Sellick at the Royal College of Music between 1977 and 1981.

This seems interesting. I don't know much of the repertoire, so I'm
curious how well you know the works and whether you have comments on
the performances. I gather that Smith lost the use of his left arm
later in his career (1956 according to Wikipedia, which year is
the end of the period listed above).

[Oscar]

Finzi: Introit, for small orchestra and solo violin, Op.6*
Finzi: Prelude, for string orchestra, Op.25
Finzi: Nocturne (New Year Music), Op.7
Finzi: Romance, for string orchestra, Op.11
Finzi: Three Soliloquies, for small orchestra (from the Suite Love's Labours Lost, Op.28)
Finzi: Fall of the Leaf, Elegy for orchestra, Op.20
Finzi: Severn Rhapsody, Op.3
Finzi: Ecologue, for piano and string orchestra, Op.10**
Finzi: Grand Fantasia & Toccata, for piano and orchestra, Op.38**

Rodney Friend (vln)*
London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult

Peter Katin (pf)**
New Philharmonia Orchestra (led by Bernard Partridge) / Vernon Handley**

Lyrita SRCD 239 ℗ 1978, 1977** © 2007. CD (professional CD-R, as issued).
Stereo. ADD.
Recording location and dates not listed.
Digital remastering engineer: Simon Gibson.
Booklet note: Diana McVeagh.
The original recordings were made with the support of the Finzi Trust.

[Oscar]

Hadley (Patrick): The Trees So High, Symphonic Ballad in A minor (1931)*
Finzi: Intimations of Immortality, Ode for tenor solo, chorus and orchestra (1950)**

Thomas Allen (Bar)*
Ian Patridge (T)**
Guildford Philharmonic Choir
New Philharmonia Orchestra (leader: Carl Pini) / Vernon Handley*
Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra / Vernon Handley**

Lyrita SRCD 238 ℗ 1979, 1975** © 2007. CD (professional CD-R, as issued).
Stereo. ADD.
Recording location and dates not listed.
Digital remastering engineer: Simon Gibson.
Booklet notes: William Mann, Diana McVeagh.
The original recording of The Trees So High was made in association with the RVW Trust.
The original recording of Intimations of Immortality was made in association with the RVW and the Finzi Trusts.
Total playing time (77'19").

COMMENT: Both are pleasant enough. Hadley is a new name to me, and his Symphonic Ballad is my preferred work of the two on this CD. It is entirely based on folksong, quite successfully so, even if Constant Lambert's dictum "The only thing you can do with a folksong is to play it again, and play it rather louder" says that's not the case.

[laraine]

Heard on WFMT radio what I believe they said was a
duo sonata for two keyboards by Johann Christian Bach.
(I think it was on the Dec 4 Peter Van De Graaf early morning schedule.)

I see a two-keyboard piece by JCBach listed in wikipedia:
Sonata for 2 keyboards Op. 15 No.5 in G major

I don't know how long the piece lasted in total - when
my alarm went off, it was probably near the middle or beyond.

It had a very pleasant catchy sound, and good interaction of the
two keyboard voices. I was wondering who wrote it, thinking it
sounded like Mozart, but hadn't heard this by him, so instead
surmised that it might be a lesser known Clementi or even Haydn.

I think it would be an excellent recital piece, though like
most 2-piano, very hard to hold together. The performers were
excellent (possibly on fortepiano).

C.

[Lawrence Chalmers]

Post by Lawrence Chalmers
Wozzeck live performance by Theo Adams and cast with the Bavarian State Opera conducted by Carlos Kleiber from 1970. Live notwithstanding stage noises,
the cast is terrific. For a (pirated?) recording the sound is really fine in stereo. Kleiber brings out details I haven't heard in the numerous other recordings, dvds I already have. I guess I'll explore his few other recordings
of Beethoven, Wagner.
Also on Exton, the De Waart Rachmaninoff First symphony, cd 1 of a complete set.
A poster recommended this after my rave comment on his Rotterdam recordings
on Eloquence. (Pardon my syntax, misplaced phrases, please.)

Marathon traversals of Michael Gielen Edition vol. 5 and 7. Too much to go into but as a whole very satisfying. Currently on Profil Medien the Kyril Kondrashin Edition, again satisfying but not that excited by the soviet composers therein. Coming up a 10cd "Rarest recordings" (that's all the box says) set of Rosbaud recordings. Plenty to keep me busy through the holidays and into the new year.

[r***@gmail.com]

Downward Spiral, Nine Inch Nails.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Oscar]

Post by r***@gmail.com
Downward Spiral, Nine Inch Nails.

During Advent? NIN just played six shows at the Palladium in Hollywood last week.

[r***@gmail.com]

-During Advent? NIN just played six shows -at the Palladium in Hollywood last week.

Going strong then. To counteract the NIN mood, have just played in 4 carol services in small towns around Taree. Nothing really beats actually playing, especially at this time of year.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Lawrence Chalmers]

Post by Lawrence Chalmers
Wozzeck live performance by Theo Adams and cast with the Bavarian State Opera conducted by Carlos Kleiber from 1970. Live notwithstanding stage noises,
the cast is terrific. For a (pirated?) recording the sound is really fine in stereo. Kleiber brings out details I haven't heard in the numerous other recordings, dvds I already have. I guess I'll explore his few other recordings
of Beethoven, Wagner.
Also on Exton, the De Waart Rachmaninoff First symphony, cd 1 of a complete set.
A poster recommended this after my rave comment on his Rotterdam recordings
on Eloquence. (Pardon my syntax, misplaced phrases, please.)

In the Kondrashin edition a new (to me) composer to explore: Weinberg. The
4th symphony and violin concerto certainly are enticing. Next on my list the symphony 12 dedicated to Shostakovich. I didn't know the two were close friends. Any other recommendations?

[c***@gmail.com]

Post by Lawrence Chalmers

Post by Lawrence Chalmers
Wozzeck live performance by Theo Adams and cast with the Bavarian State Opera conducted by Carlos Kleiber from 1970. Live notwithstanding stage noises,
the cast is terrific. For a (pirated?) recording the sound is really fine in stereo. Kleiber brings out details I haven't heard in the numerous other recordings, dvds I already have. I guess I'll explore his few other recordings
of Beethoven, Wagner.
Also on Exton, the De Waart Rachmaninoff First symphony, cd 1 of a complete set.
A poster recommended this after my rave comment on his Rotterdam recordings
on Eloquence. (Pardon my syntax, misplaced phrases, please.)

In the Kondrashin edition a new (to me) composer to explore: Weinberg. The
4th symphony and violin concerto certainly are enticing. Next on my list the symphony 12 dedicated to Shostakovich. I didn't know the two were close friends. Any other recommendations?

You've hit two of the best works, imo. Among symphonic works also #6 in addition to #12 and the Chamber Symphonies. Also, Piano Sonatas ##4 and 5, and most of the String Quartets. My favorite single chamber work is the Cello Sonata #2. I recommend this collection: https://www.amazon.com/Weinberg-Cello-Sonatas-String-Sonata/dp/B001NZA0HE. Also worthwhile are the two discs of compositions for violin solo and violin & piano performed by Yuri Kalnits, violin and Michael Csányi-Wills, piano on Toccata: https://toccataclassics.com/?s=Weinberg). The Sonata #1 for Violin Solo (on the first CD) is a strong work. I *almost* like the Piano Trio op. 24 (I have the recording on Albany) but it does go on.

AC

[Russ (not Martha)]

Post by Lawrence Chalmers
In the Kondrashin edition a new (to me) composer to explore: Weinberg. The
4th symphony and violin concerto certainly are enticing. Next on my list the symphony 12 dedicated to Shostakovich. I didn't know the two were close friends. Any other recommendations?

I've heard some Weinberg in which when he doesn't sound like Shostakovich he doesn't sound like much of anybody. That said, I also like the 4th Synmphonyu and Violin Concerto very much, and I do recommend the Chandos recording of the two Flute Concertos, Clarinet Concerto, and Cello Fantasia.

Russ (not Martha)

[Oscar]

Rawsthorne: Symphonic Studies (1938)***
Rawsthorne: Overture 'Street Corner' (1944)*
Rawsthorne: Piano Concerto No.1 (1939/1942)**
Rawsthorne: Piano Concerto No.2 (1951)**

Malcolm Binns (pf)**
* **London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir John Pritchard
**London Symphony Orchestra / Nicholas Braithwaite

Lyrita SRCD 255 ℗ 1979, 1977*** © 2007. CD (professional CD-R, as issued).
Stereo. ADD.
Recording location and dates not listed.
Digital remastering engineer: Simon Gibson.
Booklet notes: Alan Frank, John McCabe.
The original recordings were made with the support of the British Council (Symphonic Studies) and the RVW Trust (Piano Concertos).
(77'26")
http://www.lyrita.co.uk

COMMENT: Rawsthorne is never less than a composer of economy and concision, forthright and interesting. I had played another Lyrita disc, of Cyril Scott's Piano Concertos by Ogdon and Bernard Hermann (one of his last studio records before he later died of a heart attack on Christmas Eve, 1975, shortly after the final sessions of the recording of Taxi Driver). The Piano Concertos here are put across very well, indeed. Binns is an effective communicator. Will have to compare to the Naxos issues of these works from several years ago. Where is Malcolm Binns now? I used to have a Chopin Etudes disc of his on Pearl. And a disc of Medtner, too.

[Oscar]

Scott (Cyril): Piano Concerto No.1 in C major (1913-14)*
Scott (Cyril): Piano Concerto No.2 (c.1958)
Scott (Cyril): Early One Morning, Poem for piano and orchestra (1931/1962)

John Ogdon (pf)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (leader: Dennis Simons) / Bernard Herrmann

Lyrita SRCD 251 ℗ 1975, 1977* © 2007. CD (professional CD-R, as issued).
Stereo. ADD.
Recording dates and locations are not listed in booklet.
Digital remastering engineer: SImon Gibson
Booklet notes: Christopher Palmer, Roger Wimbush.
(79'44")
http://www.lyrita.co.uk

COMMENT: Ogden & Herrmann take the tempos of the C major concerto at a plodding clip. The virtuosity of Ogden absolutely saves the works from falling into utter boredom, with the Adagio of No.1 moving at practically a snail's pace. However, I am listening to this disc again as I'm on a Scott kick. Other discs from Dutton Epoch (now oop) of his solo piano works, string quartets and violin sonatas, among others, are being auditioned this week. Percy Grainger was a dear friend of his, and a kindred spirit musically, I find. An interesting composer and musician, and a man of philosophical insight

<< Cyril Scott felt that if the Christian religion was to survive, its esoteric aspects must be presented to the reading public and not merely remain the knowledge of a select few. The Vision of the Nazarene reveals Jesus of Nazareth in a light hitherto unknown and unsuspected by most. It also gives the key to many of his teachings which have not been correctly understood. >>

https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Nazarene-Cyril-Scott/dp/1578632056/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1545444694&sr=8-3&keywords=cyril+scott

[Bozo]

Rautavaara's 2nd Cello Concerto, here with Truls Mork.I purchased a download from Presto :

[Oscar]

Verdi: La traviata

Licia Albanese (S)
Jan Peerce (T)
Robert Merrill (Bar)
Maxine Stellman (Mz)
John Garris (T)
George Cehanovsky (B)
Arthur Newman (B)
Johanne Morelane (S)
NBC Symphony Orchestra / Arturo Toscanini

Opus Kura OPK 7044-45 ℗ 2009. 2CD.
Recorded in Studio 8H, New York, 1946.
Transferred from HMV (U.K.) LP.
Producer: Satoru Aihara.
Transfer: K. Yasuhara (Opus Kura).
Mastering: T. Suga, King Sekiguchidai Studio.
Design: S. Mezaki, Birthplace.
Photo (Toscanini): Tully Potter Collection.
Booklet note: Satoru Aihara.

COMMENT: Not an all-time great recording, but fun to listen to now and again.

[O]

Post by Oscar
Verdi: La traviata
Licia Albanese (S)
Jan Peerce (T)
Robert Merrill (Bar)
Maxine Stellman (Mz)
John Garris (T)
George Cehanovsky (B)
Arthur Newman (B)
Johanne Morelane (S)
NBC Symphony Orchestra / Arturo Toscanini
Opus Kura OPK 7044-45 ? 2009. 2CD.
Recorded in Studio 8H, New York, 1946.
Transferred from HMV (U.K.) LP.
Producer: Satoru Aihara.
Transfer: K. Yasuhara (Opus Kura).
Mastering: T. Suga, King Sekiguchidai Studio.
Design: S. Mezaki, Birthplace.
Photo (Toscanini): Tully Potter Collection.
Booklet note: Satoru Aihara.
COMMENT: Not an all-time great recording, but fun to listen to now and again.

The first act is probably the most thrilling of all of them.

-Owen

[Oscar]

Post by O
The first act is probably the most thrilling of all of them.

It's good now and again. I do like it. It's Toscanini and I'm a fan. Thrilling is the right word. But Albanese is not my favorite in this performance and the NBCers are just not on their best footing here.

[Oscar]

Scott (Cyril): String Quartet No.1 (1919)
Scott (Cyril): String Quartet No.2 (1951)
Scott (Cyril): String Quartet No.4 (1965)

Archæus Quartet

Dutton Epoch CDLX 7138 ℗ © 2004. CD.
Stereo. DDD.
Recorded in Henry Wood Hall, August 3-5, 2003.
Engineer: Tony Faulkner.
Producer & editor: Mike Purton.
Executive producer: Michael J. Dutton.
Mastered at Dutton Laboratories.
Design: Design & Print - Oxford.
Cover: 'Summer Sales' by Mary Koop (1925) © Transport for London.
Booklet note © Stephen Lloyd, 2004.
68:38.
Made and printed in the U.K.

COMMENT: More great Scott! Grainger helped prepare the second quartet for publishing from the parts, with the aid of his wife, Ella, in 1951-54. Scott dedicated the work to Percy and Ella Grainger, and in an August 1954 letter to his friend, Grainger called it "a stunning work". It is. And the First is nearly as good!

[Tassilo]

I love Albanese here and in the Toscanini broadcast of Boheme. -dg

Post by Oscar

Post by O
The first act is probably the most thrilling of all of them.

It's good now and again. I do like it. It's Toscanini and I'm a fan. Thrilling is the right word. But Albanese is not my favorite in this performance and the NBCers are just not on their best footing here.

[MIFrost]

Post by Tassilo
I love Albanese here and in the Toscanini broadcast of Boheme. -dg

Listening to La Boheme with Alagna, and Pappano conducting the Philharmonia Orch, from the mid-90s. I like it but compared to the Karajan and the Beecham it sounds like Puccini-Lite. That big whoosh of sound is not there. It's fine in it's own way and deserves a listen.

MIFrost

[HT]

On YT after listening to Bartok playing Bartok (disappointing) I noticed that there were several recordings of his piano quintet in C (without opus number ?). A work unknown to me. I loved the version by Matsuev and the Borodin String quartet.

Is there a must-hear?

Henk

[Bozo]

On YT after listening to Bartok playing Bartok (disappointing) I noticed that there were several recordings >of his piano quintet in C (without opus number ?). A work unknown to me. I loved the version by Matsuev >and the Borodin String quartet.

Many thanks !! A new work for me as well, listening right now to the YT of the Bartok Quintet with pianist Esther Park live at a Norfolk, VA, USA, festival in 2014 (? ).Sounds great so far.

Here is a review by the New York Times of a performance by the Juilliard Quartet and pianist Beveridge Webster :

https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/12/archives/music-unknown-bartok-04-piano-quintet-was-never-published.html

Reminds me also a bit of the Franck,Vierne,Chausson.

[Bozo]

Post by Bozo
Reminds me also a bit of the Franck,Vierne,Chausson.

Even of Korngold .

[Oscar]

Mahler: Symphony No,7

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Rafael Kubelik

DG 483 5656 ℗ 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971 © 2018. 6CD/1BD.
Stereo. ADD.
Recording: Munich, Residenz, Herkulessaal, November 1970.
Executive producer: Dr. Wilfried Daenicke.
Recording producer: Hans Weber.
Balance engineer: Heinz Wildhagen.
Booklet notes: Karl Schumann (1), Constantin Flores (2).

Pure Audio Blu-ray: MSM Studios, Munich.
Project manager: Arabella Cooper Maddocks.
Booklet editor: Jens Schünemeyer, texthouse.

COMMENT: One of the best Sevenths, and for DG one of its most realistic-sounding symphonic productions. Bravo, Messers. Weber and Wildhagen. No Fluffy Philharmonie haze & goop here. Speaking of which, it can't be much longer till UME gives us the complete mid-1970s-to-early1980s Karajan Bruckner symphonies cycle. It just came out on two multi-disc sets on hybrid SACD a couple weeks ago in Japan, i.e. the hi-res masters are ready for production. (The West gets Pure Audio Blu-ray, not SACD.)

[number_six]

December listening included --

Stravinsky box
Villa-Lobos = Nonetto
Berio - Coro
Mahler 3 - Haitink
Os Ingenuos - Choros from Brazil
Beethoven - Christ on the Mt of Olives - Ormandy

Happy New Year to all, posters and lurkers alike!

[Lawrence Chalmers]

Post by Lawrence Chalmers
Wozzeck live performance by Theo Adams and cast with the Bavarian State Opera conducted by Carlos Kleiber from 1970. Live notwithstanding stage noises,
the cast is terrific. For a (pirated?) recording the sound is really fine in stereo. Kleiber brings out details I haven't heard in the numerous other recordings, dvds I already have. I guess I'll explore his few other recordings
of Beethoven, Wagner.
Also on Exton, the De Waart Rachmaninoff First symphony, cd 1 of a complete set.
A poster recommended this after my rave comment on his Rotterdam recordings
on Eloquence. (Pardon my syntax, misplaced phrases, please.

Last day of the year a boring traversal of orchestral works by Caspar Diethelm
on the Guild label. The recorded sound however is first rate and so is
the RSNO's playing. I won't even keep this for a second try. You win some and you lose some. HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody.