are they worth listening to?
It’s up to you…
But, obviously, I would say yes!
FYI, I have the DSD versions in my library.
It would help if you could say even just a few words about these albums. When we just see an album cover posted, we don’t know what to make of it.
Really enjoyed this scorcher of a performance of the Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Munch and the BSO recently remastered/released on HDTT along with some excellent Wagner selections. Great recording to boot for its age. This may supplant my fav which was Bernstein’s 1st recording with the NYPhil.
Not as thrilled with this updated remaster of the Planets by Boult and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra…some compression/distortion in the climaxes and just not as good of a performance by the VSOO compared to his first-rate Planets’ with either the LSO or the New Philharmonia. Still worth a listen and improved sound over prior reissues…just not as competitive as the others.
this is why I don’t like the Jazz thread. nothing but album covers, with zero context.
There’s an interesting article on the Takács Quartet in Gramophone this month.
The new release below is well worth a listen. I know little about Florence Price but will definitely listen to more. Excellent playing all round and great recording quality. Hamelin is often recommended on this thread.
I agree – I have listened to this recording 5-6 times now, and I find the Price quite interesting.
As to the Dvorak quintet, I prefer the string sound of the Pavel Haas version:
In the 1990s, the Detroit Symphony, led by Neeme Järvi, recorded a series of albums of American composers (Chandos).
Two of those releases still deeply fascinate me. Specifically, the two symphonies by William Grant Still which, I think, still sound very unique and are terribly under-performed by major orchestras.
Wow, thanks for this highlight. They are on a really good sale on Presto Classical right now and I bought both of them.
A recent live concert, by a local orchestra, of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 made me wonder if it suffers a little by being bracketed by the two more ‘dramatic’ Symphonies No.s 4 & 6. Even when played by a smaller than usual orchestra, the abundance of melody was joyous, and the last movement truly exciting.
I came to appreciate the Symphony when Gergiev and the Kirov played it in London in the late '90s, and he brought such feeling to the last movement, it became one of the great nights.
This Vienna account captures much of that passionate feeling.
This is divine music, beautifully played, and well recorded (I have the DSD version).
Absolutely wonderful.
thoughts about the performance?
This is a wonderfully immersing performance. Her playing is sublime. Something is missing If your toes does not curl. Sit back and enjoy! Great recording too.
Not meaning to be rude, but I think most folks here might benefit from fewer covers only/album images, as others have suggested. The group is titled Classical Community Conversations for a reason, specifically to share thoughts and experiences of classical music that have moved us in some way. Sharing one’s collection in image form only or an album cover without a comment upon what struck you about the piece being shared seems a bit too narrow to fit the stated name/purpose of the blog. That said, some folks may not be comfortable with writing. Please try. This is not a harsh blog, although participants are often critical listeners and this is reflected in comments that enrich the community. Cutting, dismissive or harshly judgmental language is incredibly rare here. Let’s please encourage exchange and enjoyment of this most consoling/stimulating/compelling of musics. I appeal to the moderator to begin screening posts that are image only without comments.
Now onto something more potentially interesting. Looking at the June 2025 BBC Music Magazine and came across a piquant article re: physiological music effects. One illustrative piece mentioned was Ólafur Arnalds momentary, performed by the superb choral ensemble Voces 8 (also featured in the June BBC Music Magazine). Have a listen and see what physiological effects manifest in you. There are other recommendations that I explored to great edification, but I’ll leave you to it.
I only wish there were an entire album of such wonderful music.
Speaking of Voces8, please consider listening to their 2024 release Nightfall. Superb ensemble voice melding. Perhaps this is the very album I was referring to previously.
@bill_perkins Well put and I agree completely.
I participate in this topic/group to learn about recordings and to, occasionally, share thoughts about why I’m listening to a specific album or collection.