Monteverdi: Madrigals

When I first started this collection, this box-set was in the first purchase I made. I listened to it, and was bored. Due to methodological discipline, I wanted to publish the corresponding post, so I listened to it again. I AM CURED !!
This is one of the best purchases I have done, and the price is fantastic for such a wonder. Really a little piece of heaven (ok, ok, I take it back).

And well, about getting cured. I recently listened a version of Vivaldi's 4 Seasons that played on some radio station. I was shocked to see that I did not enjoy it. I found fault and lack of brightness and intention throughout. Before, I would have been delighted just to have found it. Alas, civilized music listening has killed the last drop of my innocent self.

CD	Work	Musicians
CD 1	Madrigali erotici e spirituali	The Consort of Musicke
CD 2	Madrigali sui testi del Tasso	Concerto Italian Rinaldo Alessandrini
CD 3	Settimo libro de madrigali (Book 7 part 1)	Ensemble "Concerto" Roberto Gini Cappella Mauriziana Mario Valsecchi
CD 4	Settimo libro de madrigali (Book 7 part 2)	Ensemble "Concerto" Roberto Gini Cappella Mauriziana Mario Valsecchi
CD 5	Scherzi musicali (1632): Lamento d'Arianna Lamento d'Ottavia	Ensemble Arte-Musica Francesco Cera
CD 6	Lamento della Ninfa Combatimento di Tancredi e Clorinda Il Ballo delle Ingrate	Ensemble "Concerto" Roberto Gini

Schubert: Lieder

This combination can never go wrong: Schubert, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Gerald Moore. This is one of the safest CD's to buy, just lovely and inspiring.
These lieder allow Fischer-Dieskau to show a vast range of dynamics and emotions, while Gerald Moore shows how well he merged into the singer's intention. My favorite accompanying pianist.
I have to say that I am deeply touched by "Das Zügenglöcklein"(6). Fischer-Dieskau's is magnificent in the "command to come in", as well as in the delicacy of the last line of each of the verses. And what a magnificent poem speaking about the parish bell calling on someone's imminent death.



An Emi Classic CD of digitally remastered (1988) recordings of mostly 1965, except for 21:1958, and 15+16:1962.

1. An die Entfernte D765
2. Auf dem Wasser zu singen D774
3. Der Schiffer D536
4. Der Wanderer D649
5. Nachtgesang D314
6. Das Zügenglöcklein D871
7. Der Jüngling und der Tod D545
8. Das Heimweh D456
9. Das Lied im Grünen D917
10. Der Tod und das Mädchen D531
11. Der Winterabend D938
12. Der Zürnende Barde D785
13. Der Strom D565
14. Litanei auf das Fest Allerseelen D343
15. Sei mir gegrüsst D741
16. Du bist die Ruh D776
17. Heidenröslein D257 (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
18. Ständchen, 'Horch! Horch! die Lerch' D889
19. Der Jüngling an der Quelle D300
20. Die Forelle D550
21. Der Erlkönig D328

Furtwängler: Beethoven, Symphonien 5 & 7

[post modified jun-2010]
This is a beautiful interpretation. I used to be a musical ignorant and snob to the point that I would have frowned upon the dull recording of this CD. Fortunately, this experiment (of listening to great interpretations) has broadened my enjoyment, and can now heartedly recommend this Deutsche Grammophon CD as a cornerstone for a collection.
What a wide range of emotion, the precision of the attacks and releases is of such beauty. Furtwängler is in control of the orchestra at each step. What a crisp orchestration.
Be prepared for some deliberate slowness in the 5th, and an overwhelming precision and impetus in the 7th. This was an opportunity for Furtwängler and the Berlin Philharmoniker to protest against the way Nazi Germany was heading towards the end of WWII.

Berlin Philharmoniker,Wilhelm Furtwängler

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Symphony 5	Cm	Op.67		Live, Berlin, Philarmonie, 30.6.1943
Symphony 7	A	Op.92		Live, Berlin, Philarmonie, 3.11.1943

Dvořák / Tchaikovsky : Cello Concerto / Rococo Variations

Beautiful! How many themes can fit into a Concerto, that boasts of creativity. How many "profound" themes for movie scores or similar have been inspired by Dvořák's Cello Concerto in Bm, op.104.
And such a nice interpretation by Rostropovich (Мстисла́в Леопо́льдович Ростропо́вич), with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Seiji Ozawa, an Elatus CD.

The Rococo Variations Op.33 remind us of Tchaikovsy's (Чайкoвский) pompousness. Nice listening, nevertheless.

Dvořák: Cello concerto in Bm Op.104



• Allegro


• Adagio ma non troppo


• Finale: Allegro moderato



Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33