By chance BBC Radio 3’s recent ‘Building a Library’ featured No. 2, and it was great to hear excerpts from different accounts, as well as the background to its composition. One that I will seek out is the Ashkenazy/Kissin account, but it was Dudamel/Wang that came out as first choice:
More piano…I fluctuate in my views of Víkingur Ólafsson, as everything can sound a little bit the same. However, sometimes his playing is so perfectly judged, it take the breath away. So, late to the party, I am enjoying his Debussy and Rameau album, really appreciating the Rameau, such as Track 11, ‘Les tendres plaintes’.
Difficult to source but an exciting live recording! And the sound is overall better than his studio recording from the same era.
which set of singers is performing the Verdi?
Verdi:
Amy Shuard - soprano,
Anns Reynolds - mezzo-oprano
Richard Lewis - tenor
David Ward - bass
Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra
Recorded 1963 Royal Albert Hall
Prokofiev Piano cto no. 2 must be in the air right now. Greatly appreciate you pointing me to the BBC Radio 3 review. I was greatly taken with the Anna Shelest and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet recordings. I find Ms. Wang’s R hand pyrotechnics simply amazing. The L hand seems a little soft and an acquired taste, particularly in Prokofiev. Thank you for broadening my Prokofiev perspective.
Here’s something I came across in the Gramophone Awards issue that I was quickly attracted to after reading the descriptors theorbo and teorbino. This is a premiere recording of some (the Pellegrini, I believe) of these early 17th century splendid pieces. Strasbourger Albane Imbs is a wonderful performer on one of my favorite instruments and studied with string-instrument great Rolf Lislevand (who performs with her and records these performances). The Bellerofonte Castaldi pieces are the real standouts and are a wonder.
Image of Albane on teorbino and Mr. Lislevand on theorbo.
Ms Imbs has also previously recorded with/founded a group, Les Kapsber’girls. I found both recordings quite diverting and enjoyable. Listen only if you enjoy smiling.
Thank you folks again for the excellent recommendations.
Interesting, I suppose Nielsen is a Danish composer? What did you like the most about these recordings?
Primarily, I enjoy the music. It’s mostly early 20th century tonal composition, and very thoughtful and original. It is loaded with really spectacularly interesting tonal changes that invoke, at least in me, some vivid feelings. Lovely!!!
His entire body of work seems badly overlooked outside of very devoted classical listeners, and that should not be the case.
The recordings have spectacular dynamic range, as well.
Totally agree about staging. Although I think the correct term may be “Regie” rather than Verismo. It certainly isn’t true to the composer or the libretto! A few years ago, I saw a production of Macbeth at the Oman opera (at the time, the only opera house in the Middle East). My high expectations were dashed when the entire cast were presented to us wearing the same clothes with masks and white make-up, as if this was a Ancient Greek play. Even worse, it was impossible to identify Lady Macbeth at first. I have no idea what the director was getting at, and I am not sure he did either!
By contrast, recent Glyndebourne productions like Handel’s Giulio Cesare have been exceptional in their direction and stage conceptions, combining originality with genuinely high artistic standards. So at least some directors are getting it right. Unfortunately not available on Qobuz but the DVD/BluRay is excellent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QDENg0wgjQ
Highly rec this recent release on Hyperion by Steven Isserlis of works by Boccherini! The accompanying booklet notes written by Isserlis are insightful and humorous!
Enjoy!
D
I feel your pain. We walked out of Robert Wilson’s Kabuki ‘Aida’ many years ago, where none of the singers looked at or engaged with each other. It was musically fantastic, but that was no cure for the intense irritation.
Many excellent new/old (re) releases out today! Enjoying this new Beethoven Blues album by Jon Batiste at the moment! Fun listen!
D
Some great singing on this, though the programming leaves questions…bit of a shock to get Tchaikovsky at full tilt, after a lovely account of Wolfram’s Act 3 aria. And why end on the Prelude to Act 1 of ‘Lohengrin’? Unless the aim is to make you wonder what his Telramund would be like?
Part of Hyperion’s excellent sacred music series, this disc includes Beatus Vir - Psalm 111, Salve Regina, Nisi Dominus - Psalm 608, Laudate Dominum, & In exitu Israel. It received excellent reviews when it came out.
One of Hamelin’s many triumphs on Hyperion.
we talked about Norma a few months ago, but this is new, and worth hearing. Rebeka has a true spinto voice. the color and weight don’t quite carry into the top, and the voice is darker and weightier than the Adalgisa, which makes for an interesting contrast in their duets. The Oreveso is fine, a little stolid, and Pollione is less fine, but it doesn’t mar what’s otherwise a very fine, idiomatically conducted performance.
I went back to this, having sampled it on release, and found myself enjoying it much more. So tough following the likes of Callas and Sutherland.
I have a vague memory that in the 19th century, when even Wagner would conduct it, the role of Norma was a heavier and dramatic role? It also makes sense that Adalgisa would have a lighter voice.
