“The concerto grosso was a form of orchestral music that developed in the second half of the seventeenth century, with Corelli as its first great exponent. Like much instrumental music of the time, it consisted of a series of contrasting quick/slow movements based on dance forms. What was new about it was the division of the orchestra into two separate groups: a small ensemble of solo instruments, called the concertino, was set against a larger combination called the concerto grosso or ripieno. The groups played in alternation, with the larger group generally echoing the material of the smaller and creating a contrast between loud and soft passages.
Corelli’s concertos remained hugely popular well into the eighteenth century, especially in England. But what spurred Handel to turn to the genre was the great success of two sets written by another Italian, the violinist Francesco Geminiani, a major London rival in the field of instrumental music. The six concertos of Handel’s Opus 3 were published in 1734, with the twelve concertos of Opus 6 following in 1740 … Together Handel’s two sets constitute the final grand flourish of the concerto grosso form … Handel’s Opus 6 surpasses all other concerti grossi in scope and ambition.”
This is a great 2 disc collection by Andrew Manze and the Academy of Ancient music from the late "90s. Streamable Qobuz USA. Good sound.
It seems like loads of my Qobuz favorites are unavailable. The change of licence thing. They’re all there but different versions. I’ve given up trying to update them and just play the new version without adding it. I like my library in descending date added order. I wish Roon would sort this out automatically.
This one was affected. Hungarian composer but french influenced. Worth a listen.
Music composed from the 1980s-2000s by an American composer. The Clarinet concerto (Landscape with Blues) was commissioned to reflect in some way the heritage of Mississippi Delta Blues and is the longest work here and also reflects the composer’s interest in rhythms of West Africa. Also included are orchestral and chamber works reflecting Hartke’s interest in non-western music and landscape.
Rautavaara (1928-2016) is an approachable Finish modern composer. Some love his music and find this to be the best disc of his works, others, like the TiVo reviewer find his music a tedious, boring slog.
Concerto for Birds is his most famous composition and this is probably the best recording of the half dozen or so out there - but I have not heard them all. The recorded bird song is the best I’ve heard so far.
The Garden of Spaces can vary at each performance as different section of the orchestra are allowed to enter at different times at each performance. The clarinet concerto features Richard Stoltzman, the dedicatee. The recorded sound is excellent as usual from Ondine. Segerstam and Helsinki Phil give excellent performances.
I agree! Please see note 1508 in Roon Music Blog: Classical Community Conversations [2021-2024] - #2778
to see my take on this wonderful recording. Also one of the coolest album covers ever for Marc-André Hamelin. I also greatly enjoy Alicia de Lerrocha’s solo piano recordings, particularly of the Spanish masters.
I was just getting caught up with this group’s excellent recommendations and noted your comments on Leif Ove Andsnes’ Grieg miniatures recording. This was next on my listening list for today. First was his splendid Sibelius miniature solo piano pieces. Wonderful playing and recording. Uniquely lyrical (for Sibelius) and definitely more contemplative than what some folks have referred to as salon pieces (there are a few of those on the recording, but, in his hands, still compelling). I greatly enjoy this turn Mr. Andsnes is taking toward his Nordic forebears. Wonderful. I’m going to hear him perform live next Friday, so I thought I would (I know some might disapprove) prime my auditory cortex before attending.
One of my previous Andsnes favorites was the superb Rite of Spring (I did my customary listen to favorite Rite of Spring performances yesterday, vernal equinox) he performed with Marc-André Hamelin. This is an astonishing, virtuosic and edifying performance that I commented upon previously.
