What are you currently listening to (Classical)?

[Rushton]

The Recovery of Paradise: Blackford Cello Concerto, Alisa Weilerstein, Czech Philharmonic, Tomáš Netopil. Pentatone 2025 (EP, 192k, Stereo)

Interesting and powerful work. Very well performed by Weilerstein and the Czech Philharmonic, who commissioned it. Richard Blackford (b. 1954) is a composer for whom I need to find more recordings. Any suggestions?

 

[Rushton]

In memory of the great organist and teacher, Jean-Paul Imbert, who died today.

 

[ravenacustic]

This is an outstanding recording and performance.

 

[Rushton]

This new release from ADS is another nice recording from founder and recording engineer Gustavo Cândido. This is the fifth or sixth release from this new label and each has been very nicely recorded, capturing a very natural acoustic presentation of performer(s). If you are into surround and immersive, this label deserves your attention because these are formats he is passionate to make, and make them in the best sound quality he can achieve. I listen in stereo only and always enjoy his releases.

In this album, guitarist and teacher Bruno Madeira plays does not play a modern guitar. Instead, he plays a predecessor instrument from the first half of the 19th Century with a very different sound. It features a delicate, light, and resonant sound that sometimes evokes earlier instruments, such as lutes and baroque guitars, but at other times points to characteristics of the modern guitar which developed after it.

 

[Rushton]

These are arrangements, but seem to hold quite true to the core of the composition. As stated in the accompanying booklet:

"Abrahamsen’s transcription, written for the Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen, certainly allows more of that light-hearted side to come through. Its emphasis is on clarity. As in that arrangement, Abrahamsen neither adds nor composes; only edits and pares away. Nielsen’s double winds are cut almost in half and his ten brass reduced to a trio of horn, trumpet and trombone. The three percussionists (essential for the symphony’s most characteristic passages) are retained, but the strings are trimmed to the one instrument per part arrangement typical of the contemporary sinfonietta line-up.

“Finally, the bassoon, which plays an almost concertante role in Nielsen’s score, sees a lot of its music given to the less stentorian combination of cello and double bass. In place of the missing wind and brass, Abrahamsen substitutes piano and harmonium which, alongside an almost complete removal of octave doubling, has profound effects on the work’s texture and timbre. Everything becomes lighter and a little more bell-like, from the staccato vamping of the first movement to the pinging accents added to the fugue subject of the third (more influences from the Baroque!), while the harmonium adds a carnivalesque touch.”

It’s a pure delight!

And once again, I am both enchanted by the engineering quality of the recording and frustrated the Linn’s continuing insistence on locking in at an original recording resolution of 192k.

 

[andolink]

My second download (Vol. 10) of the Brunetti symphonies cycle being issued by the Camerata
Antonio Soler is another winner confirming to me the great value of making known to modern audiences,
the very high level work of this previously neglected composer.

Based on this and Vol. 8, I can attest that the performances and recording quality are 1st rate.

Brunetti’s symphonies are highly rewarding to get to know and I’m eager to hear more.

 

[ravenacustic]

This new release from ADS is another nice recording from founder and recording engineer Gustavo Cândido. This is the fifth or sixth release from this new label and each has been very nicely recorded, capturing a very natural acoustic presentation of performer(s). If you are into surround and immersive, this label deserves your attention because these are formats he is passionate to make, and make them in the best sound quality he can achieve. I listen in stereo only and always enjoy his releases.

In this album, guitarist and teacher Bruno Madeira plays does not play a modern guitar. Instead, he plays a predecessor instrument from the first half of the 19th Century with a very different sound. It features a delicate, light, and resonant sound that sometimes evokes earlier instruments, such as lutes and baroque guitars, but at other times points to characteristics of the modern guitar which developed after it.

Not currently on Qobuz.

 

[Rushton]

Not currently on Qobuz.

I suppose it will get there eventually. This is just released (Sep 9) so it may take a bit of time to roll through the distribution channels.

 

[rando]

Gaetano Brunetti: Divertimenti a violino, viola e violoncello
Concerto 1700 - - Daniel Pinteño

View attachment 100307

Brunetti’s symphonies are highly rewarding to get to know and I’m eager to hear more.

I was highly impressed with the former '22 posts; Carmen Veneris, Concerto 1700. Appreciative of further prodding in that direction.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...rando confirmation of existence!!!

 

[Rushton]

Echoes of Budapest, a homage to three friends, The Hague String Trio. Cobra Records 2025 (DXD, DSD256, Stereo, Binaural, MCh) Album HERE

Another excellent release from The Hague Trio in a recording by Tom Peeters, Cobra Records. All early 20th Century compositions by Pál Hermann, Zoltán Székely, and Géza Frid - “three young Hungarian-Jewish composers whose lives and friendship unfolded against a backdrop of turbulent and unsettled times.” Available in DXD, DSD256, Stereo, Binaural, MCh.

I will write a review, but it will be another 2-weeks or so before it is posted. This is a an excellent new release by a Trio I have greatly valued over the past 15-20 years. Tom’s recordings are always terrific, and he delivers another great one here.

 

[Rushton]

Love And Loss, Rudersdal Chamber Players. OUR Recordings 2025 (DXD, Stereo) Edit Master Sourced HERE

An unexpected delight. I’ve listened to albums from the Rudersal Chamber Players in the past and always enjoyed their performances. I had no idea what to expect with this. But it is very nice! These are chamber works by two composers, Elena Firsova (b. 1950) and Dmitri Smirnov (1948-2020), who met and fell in love while studying at the Moscow Conservatoire. Smirnov and Firsova’s music was heard in ”unofficial” concerts outside the USSR — outside the control and permission of the Union of Soviet Composers. Their music was decidedly not of a style condoned. And their denunciation in 1979 led to severely restricted opportunities. With the futures of their children to consider, they — like so many of their fellow free-thinking composers — made the difficult decision to leave their native Russia. They moved to England in 1991 and settled in St Albans, north of London.

The earliest work on this album was composed in 1991, the others date from 2018-2023. They are challenging, modern compositions. I thoroughly enjoyed them, and was challenged by them in all the best ways.



Founded in 2017, the Rudersdal Chamber Players do an outstanding job of interpreting and presenting this music. Their programming is always innovative, challenging. They've outdone themselves with this release—in the best ways possible. If you enjoy modern music for chamber ensemble, I simply can't recommend this recording more highly. Just go listen!

 

[Rushton]

Reviews posted today of several of the albums you've seen in my recent posts. Hope something here will be of interest:

Recent Finds No. 52 An Eclectic Mix of Modern, Traditional, and Earlier​

 

[Gregm]

And on a more traditional note, Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Fricsay, Berlin Radio Symphony 1961

 

[Rushton]

Up for a first listen...

 

[ravenacustic]

View attachment 157932
And on a more traditional note, Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Fricsay, Berlin Radio Symphony 1961

Are you aware that Dukas destroyed most of his compositions leaving behind just a few, Sorcerers Apprentice being one of those. He was a perfectionist probably to his own detriment.

 

[Gregm]

Are you aware that Dukas destroyed most of his compositions leaving behind just a few, Sorcerers Apprentice being one of those. He was a perfectionist probably to his own detriment.

No, I didn't know. Thanks for letting me know!

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

just got this box in
very nice recordings and super pressings...absolutely no ticks or other noise

 

[morricab]

just got this box in
very nice recordings and super pressings...absolutely no ticks or other noise
View attachment 158225

No, no, no those are not audiophile approved recordings (DG...ugh!)...didn't you know better??

Just kidding!!...I will probably try to find that myself...

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

1 box on Discogs now