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

Beethoven: Symphony no.9

My disc is from Deutsche Grammophon's "entrée" collection, whereas the one I present is from DG's Numerique. Both are exactly the same May 1986 live recording with Claudio Abbado conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker.

Abbado's version of Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 is quite controlled and precise. It seems dragging in time, at moments, but the sound clarity is great... a lot of detail and warm, full sounds. I am not sure to recommend it, in general, but it sounds quite well, with a fabulous dynamic range.
Gabriela Beňačková - soprano; Marjana Lipovšek - contralto; Gösta Winbergh - tenor; Hermann Prey - baritone; Konzertvereingung Wiener Staatsopernchor

Beethoven: Symphony no.9, Dm, op.125



1. allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso (17'14)


2. molto vivace (14'21)


3. adagio molto e cantabile


4. presto - "o freunde, nicht diese töne!" - allegro assai (final chorus from Schiller's ode "An die Freude")

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

Wilhelm Kempff (Centurion)

This is a somewhat reknowned CD by Centurion Classics, that albeit being very cheap has great masterpieces by Mozart and Beethoven, but played by magnificent Wilhelm Kempff.

Such depth in interpretation, with softness or anger, speed and expression. It is difficult (at least for me) to imagine a better one.



You may buy this CD for Kempff's piano interpretation, either Mozart's and/or Beethoven's Concerto (or Sonata), or the price... for any of these reasons you would have done right.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20	D minor	K. 466	Dresdner Philharmonic, Paul van Kempen (director)	recorded 1941
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3	C minor	Op. 37	Dresdner Philharmonic, Paul van Kempen (director)	recorded 1942
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 24	F sharp major	Op. 78		recorded 1932

Brautigan: Mozart Complete Piano Sonatas

This CD set is amazing. Ronald Brautigan plays each note with such respect. Every note, every phrase. With this quality, it seems that the pianoforte's weaknesses are actually strengths. The phrasing is so superb, it is almost like listening to your lover whispering your favorite love-poem.

Beautiful technique, softness, and intention. This expands on what one could expect from Mozart works, and certainly raises the bar for new recordings.
A BIS recording on a 1992 (Paul McNulty) replica of a 1795 fortepiano by Anton Gabriel Walter.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Piano Sonata No. 1	in C major	K. 279 (K. 189d)
Piano Sonata No. 2	in F major	K. 280 (K. 189e)
Piano Sonata No. 3	in B flat major	K. 281 (K.189f)
Piano Sonata No. 4	in E flat major	K. 282 (K. 189g)
Piano Sonata No. 5	in G major	K. 283 (K. 189h)
Piano Sonata No. 6	in D major	K. 284 (K. 205b)
Piano Sonata No. 7	in C major	K. 309 (K. 284b)
Piano Sonata No. 9	in D major	K. 311 (K. 284c)
Piano Sonata No. 8	in A minor	K. 310 (K. 300d)
Piano Sonata No. 10	in C major	K. 330 (K. 300h)
Piano Sonata No. 11	in A major	K. 331 (K. 300i)		"Alla Turca"
Piano Sonata No. 12	in F major	K. 332 (K. 300k)
Piano Sonata No. 13	in B flat major	K. 333 (K. 315c)
Fantasia for piano	in C minor	K. 475
Piano Sonata No. 14	in C minor	K. 457
Piano Sonata	F	K.533/494
Piano Sonata No. 15	C	K.545		"Sonata semplice"
Piano Sonata No. 16	Bb	K.570
Piano Sonata No. 17	D	K.576		"Trumpet", "Hunt"

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