Leopold Mozart: Die Bauernhochzeit, Musikalische Schlittenfahrt, Sinfonia burlesca

This is a very nice, simple CD. It's value is markedly historical, but nevertheless the music is good to listen to. The Ensemble Eduard Melkus plays authentic instruments, which adds fullness to the sonic experience. And precisely, due to the comments written by the author himself, we know how he thought of his instrumentation for the enjoyment of the pieces.
On Josef Starzer 10 Dances, I cannot say much; they are simple, enjoyable, unpretetntious, but well finished.
A Galleria ARCHIV CD.

Leopold Mozart

• Sinfonia "Bauernhochzeit", D
1. Marcia villanesca
2. Menuett
3. Andante
4. Menuett
5. Finale. Molto allegro
• Musikalische Schlittenfahrt, F
1. Intrada
2. Andante
3. Presto
4. Intrada
5. Schlittenfahrt
6. Andante, sempre piano: Das schüttelnde Pferd
7. Aufzug
8. Allegro
9. Intrada
10. Schlittenfahrt
11. Adagio: Das vor Kälte zitternde und schnatternde Frauenzimmer
12. Des Balles Anfang: Menuett/Trio
13. Deutscher Tanz I. Presto
14. Kehraus. Allegro
15. Pianissimo
16. Deutscher Tanz II
17. Kehraus. Allegro
18. Intrada
19. Schlittenfahrt
• Sinfonia burlesca G
1. Sinfonia
2. Hanswurst (Menuett)
3. Il Signor Pantalone (Andante)
4. Arlecchino (Allegro)

Josef Starzer

• 10 Tänze
1. Contredanse
2. Gavotte - Trio
3. Pas de deux
4. Menuett
5. Gavotte - Trio
6. Moderato
7. Gavotte
8. Menuett - Trio
9. Gavotte - Trio
10. Passepied - Trio

Stravinsky: Le Sacre du Printemps, L'oiseau de feu, u.a.

I feel this music more as being incidental... or spatial. It is more of sensation evocation, rather than emotions... more a music for the skin, than a music for the heart or mind.
In an earlier version of this same post I wrote

I (ashamed to confess, as usual :*(  ) did not find a particular connection to Le Sacre du Printemps. Conversely, I even feel relieved when I listened to L'oiseau de feu. Perhaps my still unsophisticated (although improving) ear still cherishes the comfort of acquaintance to a particular work.

I can say now, several months later that I enjoy it and anticipate listening to it. I have to say that I needed to watch a TV documentary that explained the Rite of Spring to the broad audience, in order to enjoy the deliberate inebriatedness of the work. I still will have to contrast this version to Maazel's with the Radio Symphonie Orchester Berlin.

Claudio Abbado conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in this Deutsche Grammophon CD. With Teresa Berganza, mezzo-soprano; Ryland Davies, tenor; John Shirley-Quirk, bass

Name	Key	Part	Musicians	Observations
CD 1
Le Sacre du Printemps(La consagración de la primavera)		Part 1: The Adoration of the Earth		published 1947
Le Sacre du Printemps		Part 2: The Sacrifice		published 1947
L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird)				Suite 1919
Jeu de cartes
CD 2
Petrouchka		4 scenes
Pulcinella Ballet		in one act		revised version of 1947

Saint-Saëns: Le Carneval des Animaux

This discontinued Point Classics CD has had several bad reviews, despite its minimal price. I personally enjoyed it and would still recommend it.
It includes a DDD recording from 1994: Le Carneval des animaux performed by Süddeutsche Philharmonie, conducted by Hanspeter Gmür. The sound is not as bright as we are used to in recent recordings, but still acceptable.

1. Introduction and royal march of the lion
2. Cockes and hens
3. Wild asses
4. Tortoises
5. Elephants
6. Kangaroos
7. Aquarium
8. People with long ears
9. Cuckoo in the heart of the woods
10. Aviary
11. Pianists
12. Fossils
13. The swan
14. Finale.

Symphony No. 3, Op. 78, in c minor, 'Organ,' performed by the Münchner Symphonie Orchester, conducted by Alberto Lizzio: (15) Adagio - Allegro moderato; (16) Allegro moderato; (17) Maestoso - Allegro moderato. Total playing time 56:30.

Strauss: Walzer & Polkas

These are the 1980 Karajan recordings for the famous Strauß (x3) Walzer )waltz).
Interesting is that there are works from Johann father, Johann son (the famous Johann Strauß), and Josef brother.
Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker give all this elegance and magnificence to these works. It is fluid, rich, and enveloping. This Deutsche Grammophon CD is among the best Karajan out there, plus these are timeless small pieces.

Johann Strauss (1825-1899)



1. "Die Fledermaus": Ouvertüre


2. Kaiser-Walzer op.437


3. Perpetuum mobile op.257


4. G'schichten aus dem Wienerwald op. 325


5. Unter Donner und Blitz op.324


6. Rosen aus dem Süden



Johann Strauss (father)(1804-1849)



7. Radetzky-March op.228



Johann Strauss



8. An der schönen, blauen Donau op.314


9. Leichtes Blut op.319



Josef Strauss (1827-1870)



10. Delirien-Walzer op.212



Johann Strauss



11. Auf der Jagd op.373

Bizet: L'Arlesienne & Carmen Suites

What a lovely CD for a rainy working evening. Spirited, forceful, harmonious, and well-known melodies, with bright orchestration.
The London Festival Orchestra conducted by Cesare Cantieri plays Bizet's opera suites, in the Point Classic CD.

L'Arlesienne op.23 Suite #1



1. Prélude


2. Minuetto


3. Adagietto - Adagio


4. Carillon



L'Arlesienne op.23 Suite#2



5. Pastorale


6. Intermezzo


7. Minuetto


8. Farandole (Allegro deciso)



Carmen Suite #1



9. Prélude (Les Toréadors)


10. Aragonaise


11. Intermezzo


12. Seguidilla


13. Les Dragons d'Alcalo


14. Les Toréadors



Carmen Suite #2



15. Marche de contrebandieros


16. Habanero


17. Nocturne


18. Chanson du Toréadors


19. Le garde montante


20. Danse bohème

Schubert: Streichquintett C-dur D 956

I have to say that it took me like 10 times to appreciate this quintet. I do not have memory of having heard it before I bought it. The first times, I just thought it was a waste of emotiveness. I had to listen to it a few times, to start identifying passages I liked.
Now I can say that it is among the music that I undoubtedly had to have in my collection. In the allegro, it has stubborn repetitions with accompanying lyricism, alternations of impetus and reflexions. I particularly enjoy the tension Schubert creates whenever he wants to emphasize. Listen particularly to the main theme of the adagio. The allegretto has a playful slavic air. It becomes stubborn too.

This is a live version by the Emerson String Quartet with guest Mstislav Rostropovich as second Violoncello.

String Quintet in C major, D 956 (op.posth. 163)

1. Allegro ma non troppo (19'15)
2. Adagio (14'50)
3. Scherzo. Presto - Trio. Andante sostenuto (10'02)
4. Allegretto (9'22)

[(blogginography note: draft initiated http://blistener.blogspot.com/2007/05/schubert-string-quintet.html)]

Vivaldi: Flute concertos/ Recorder Concertos

The interpretations are impeccable. Refined, emotional and very baroque.
The flute concert in Am has lovely ornamentations. The two flutes (esp. in the adagio) of hte Concert in C are delightful.
Of course, "il gardinello" has not been dethroned. Its evocative quality really transports me from my listening room.

The recorder concertos are beautiful. Although the enthusiastic nature of the interpretation adds emotion to the pieces, the technical aspect of the recorder calls for not stronger wind stream, as it changes the frequency of the notes, causing out-of-tune notes.
The orchestral plays are very surprising and add a real zest to otherwise well-known concertos.
Janet See, baroque flute; Marion Verbruggen, recorder; Philarmonia Baroque Orchestra; Nicholas McGegan, director.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
CD 1				Janet See
Flute concerto	D	RV 427
Flute concerto	G	RV 438
Flute concerto	Am	RV 440
Flute concerto	C	RV 533	Stephen Schultz 2nd flute
Flute concerto	D	RV 428		Il Gardinello (the goldfinch)
Flute concerto	G	RV 436
Flute concerto	D	RV 429
CD 2				Marion Verbruggen
Concerto for Recorder	F	RV 433		La tempesta di Mare
Concerto for Recorder	Cm	RV 441
Concerto for Recorder	C	RV 443
Concerto for Recorder	Gm	RV 104	Dennis Godburn, basoon	La Notte
Concerto for Recorder	F	RV 434
Concerto for Recorder	C	RV 444
Concerto for Recorder	G	RV 435

Bach: Cello Suites

This was perhaps the first CD that I heard when I started building my collection. One and a half years later, I listen to Casals again, and I definitely appreciate his interpretation. Before I thought it sounded to harsh, now, I think it is dramatic. The difference in choice of words clearly demonstrates that I have (finally) added to my criteria the intention of the performer.
Casals attack are fierce, conveying a shocking impression which fills the space. The recordings (1936, 1938, 1939) are not flawless (acoustic and precision-wise) yet neither criteria is why you would buy this 2 CD set for.
Casals definitely opened a new way of interpreting Bach, and it is completely portrayed in the Cello Suiten.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
CD 1
Suite #1	G	BWV 1007
Suite #2	Dm	BWV 1008
Suite #3	C	BWV 1009
CD 2
Suite #4	Eb	BWV 1010
Suite #5	Cm	BWV 1011
Suite #6	D	BWV 1012

Mozart: Piano Concertos 2/9

How rich are Mozart piano concerti. The alternation of forte and piano, and solo and orchestral passages. Interesting march tempo theme in No.26.
Brilliant Vol. 2 CD 9.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Piano Concerto No.18	Bb	KV 456
Piano Concerto No.26	D	KV 537		Coronation Concerto

Backhaus/Rubinstein: My Favourite Piano

This Centurion CD is to listen to Wilhelm Backhaus interpreting Brahms, and to listen to Rubinstein's interpretation of Chopin. If you rather expect a bright sounding version of these works, you should look for a more recent recording, as Backhaus' sound is quite dull. The Recordings are from 1936 and 1946.
Beautiful and unique interpretations each.
Brahms' walzes are quite lively and folk, which was a surprise to me, as I had associated with him a more severe mood.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Brahms: 16 Walzer for solo piano		No.1-16	Wilhelm Backhaus	1936
Chopin: 24 Préludes		op.28, 1-24	Arthur Rubinstein	1946

Brahms: Sonatas for Cello & Piano (Op. 38,99,108)

Beautiful 1991 Sony Classical recording of Yo-Yo Ma (cello) and Emanuel Ax (piano). This CD is full with so many emotions and states. From competing lines, to quiet listening of the other instrument, to merging melody and support, all three sonatas are beautiful and interesting.
I particularly enjoy the Allegro vivace of the Sonata in F, and the ending of its last movement (allegro molto)
Noteworthy about this CD is that it holds Yo-yo- Ma's early recordings, which are known to be of more sensibility than later recordings.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Sonata for Cello and Piano	Em	Op.38
Sonata for Cello and Piano	F	Op.99
Sonata for Violin and Piano	Dm	Op.108		originally for violin, here for the Cello

Schubert: 24 Lieder

Beautiful short varied pieces, with Schwarzkopf's expressiveness and precision.
Elizabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) accompanied on the piano by Edwin Fischer(3-14), Gerald Moore (1,2 & 15-22), and Geoffrey Parsons (23 & 24). I have to say that my favorite version for (8) is with Gerald Moore, unfortunately I have not yet found it with Schwarzkopf (in fact I do not even know if they recorded it together).

1. Die Vögel
2. Liebhaber in allen Gestalten
3. An die Musik
4. Im Frühling
5. Wehmut
6. Ganymed
7. Das Lied im Grünen
8. Gretchen am Spinnrade
9. Nähe des Geliebten
10. Die junge Nonne
11. An Silvia
12. Auf dem Wasser zu singen
13. Nachtviolen
14. Der Musensohn
15. Litanei
16. Ungeduld
17. Heidenröslein
18. Der Jüngling an der Quelle
19. Der Einsame
20. Die Forelle
21. Liebe schwärmt aug allen Wegen
22. Seligkeit
23. An mein Klavier
24. Erlkönig

Albinoni: Concertos opus 10, #7-12

Nice baroque. Nice soft listening.
I solisti Veneti, conductor Caludio Scimone
violin Giuliano Carmignola (#7-#10) and Piero Toso (#11 & #12)

This continues the CD in post albinoni-concertos-opus-10-1-6

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	F	Op.10 no.7
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	Gm	Op.10 no.8
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	C	Op.10 no.9
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	F	Op.10 no.10
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	C	Op.10 no.11
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	Bb	Op.10 no.12

Ravel, Dvořák, Strauss: Orchestral works

The orchestration of these recordings is very good, I think. Small enough to be eloquent, yet big enough to establish a degree of the unearthly. Distinctive sounds among the groups yet strings that can show the different levels of sounds in the wind.

From Strauss, I have to say that I found Don Quixote quite appealing. Forceful, surreal, enthusiastic, reflexive, popular. Characteristics that can well describe the phenomenal character it is based on.
Perhaps in the same spirit, I would have to accept that Also sprach Zarathustra resembles its cynical character. Yet, musically, it did not resound with me in the least (except for the well known initial part).

About Dvořák, I have to say that I am becoming quite fond of his work. Conflictive yet he is not in a fight against melody, which I appreciate. The New World Symphony is very evocative, and the title defines the setting quite nicely.

Ravel, well, Boléro is very good, well known, and this interpretation has some peculiarities which I do not yet know if I like or not.
Noteworthy is the Feria, 4th part of Rapsodie espagnole. Amazing how the people and music and megaphones are represented.

A disc from Sony Essential Classics. All works by Philadelphia Orchestra and directed by Eugene Ormandy, except: Valses directed by Charles Munch, "New World" by London Symphony Orchestra, and Serenade by Münchener Philharmoniker directed by Rudolf Kempe.

Maurice Ravel



• Boléro


• Rapsodie espagnole


• Alborada


• Le Tombeau de Couperin


• Valses nobles et sentimentales



Antonín Dvořák



• Symphony No.9 in Em, Op.95 "From the New World"


• Serenade for Strings in E, Op.22



Richard Strauss



• Also sprach Zarathustra, Op.30


• Don Quixote, Op.35

Tchaikovski: Piano Concerto, Violin Concerto

Пётр Ильич Чайкoвский (Čajkovskij). Very nice works. Argerich sounds harsh while hammering on the keyboard, but the concerto calls for a forceful interpretation, perhaps?. On the other hand, Milstein is refined, subtle and virtuoso. This Deutsche Grammophon's Millenium Collection CD is to be bought for Milstein's interpretation.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra	Bbm	Op.23	Martha Argerich, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Dutoit
Violin Concerto	D	Op.35	Milstein, WPO, Abbado

Mozart: Symphonies 10

These are refined but too tamed, or (and I insist from last Mozart symphony post) have I become numb ? Brilliant's box CD 1-10.

Mozart Akademie Amsterdam
Jaap ter Linden

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Symphony #38	D	KV 504		Prague
Symphony #39	Eb	KV 543

Albinoni: Concertos opus 10, #1-6

Nice baroque. Nice soft listening.
I solisti Veneti, conductor Caludio Scimone
violin Pero Toso, all except op.10#5:Giuliano Carmigola
This continues the CD in post albinoni-concertos-opus-10-7-12.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	Bb	Op.10 no.1
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	Gm	Op.10 no.2
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	C	Op.10 no.3
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	G	Op.10 no.4
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	A	Op.10 no.5
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	D	Op.10 no.6

My Favourite Cello (Tortelier, de Machula, Fournier, Piatigorsky)

This is a sampler of different legendary cello players, with digitally remastered recordings from 1946-1950. I found Gregor Piatigorsky especially good playing Dvořák's concerto, which I have heard with Rostropovich. This Centurion Classics CD is well worth (and very cheap) because of Dvořák's concerto. The Beethoven's variations are interesting, too.

Name	Author	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
12 Variations: Mädchen, for cello and piano	Beethoven	Op.66	Paul Tortelier, Cello, Karl Engel, piano
Abendlied	Schumann	Op.85 no.1	Tibor de Machula, Residentie Orkest den Haag c. Willem van Otterloo	arr. Machula, for Cello and Orchestra
Abendlied	Schumann	Op.85 no.12	P.Fournier, pellas-Lemon, piano	for cello and piano
Concerto for cello and orchestra in Bm	Dvořák	Op. 104	Gregor Piatigorsky, Cello, Eugene Ormandy cond. Philadelphia Orchestra

Enrico Caruso: Best Recordings

Beautiful voice. Soft interpretation, full with sentiment. The sound is quite punished, esp. regarding the orchestral instrumentation. Lacking power, as compared to Pavarotti, he more than compensates with his intention. It is almost as if he himself were surprised with his facility to do as he pleases with his voice. With such fluid transitions, it is a shame the recordings sound so bad, but most are near or more than a century old.
Classic Options, CD: 20 tracks

Name

Year

Observation

Addio a Napoli

1919

Lolita

1908

O Sole mio

1916

La danza

1912

Tarantella sincera

1911

A Granada

1918

español

Vaghissima sembianza

1920

Vieni sul mar

1919

Le pecheurs de perles

Je crois entendre encore

Rigoletto

1908

Questa o quella

La Regina di Saba

1909

Magiche Note

Il trovatore

1906

Di quella pira

Aida

1911

Celeste Aida

Pagliacci

1907

Vesti la giubba

Un ballo in maschera

1911

Di tu se fedele

Manon Lescaut

1913

Donna non vidi mai

La Juive

1920

Rachel, quand du Seigneur

La Tosca

1909

Recondita armonia

Ombra mai fu

1920

Messe solennelle

1920

Domine Deus

von Otter: Music for a While (baroque melodies)

Amazing technical and expressive resources: the crescendo/decrescendo alternation during a legato is surprising. Joy, disdain for the world, intimacy, honesty. Although I love baroque, this is not my favorite. But for someone that enjoys vocal pieces, is a lover of technique, or likes baroque (and is not biased against the human voice, ahem, like me) this is an Archiv CD not to miss.

Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano
Jory Vinikour, Harpsichord & Chamber organ
Jakob Lindberg, theorbo, lute & baroque guitar
Ander Ericson, theorbo

Note: the booklet includes the lyrics.

Benedetto Ferrari

1. Amanti, io vi so dire

Girolamo Frescobaldi

2. Se l'aura spira

Giulio Caccini

3. Dovrò dunque morire

Claudio Monteverdi

4. Ecco di dolci raggi
5. Quel sguardo sdegnosetto
6. Adagiati, Poppea

Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger

7. La Capona
8. Arpeggiata

Barbara Strozzi

9. Udite, amanti

Bernardo Storace

10. Ciaccona

Henry Purcell

11. Saraband with Division
12. Sweeter than roses
13. Dear, pretty youth
14. Music for a while
15. There's not a swain
16. An Evening Hymn

John Dowland

17. In darkness let me dwell
18. Can she excuse my wrongs?
19. Weep you no more, sad fountains
20. What if I never speed?

Robert Johnson

21. Fantasia