The Classical Thread

[Alypius]

These have been, for me, the best classical releases of 2012.

Best Classical of 2012: Contemporary Composers / New Compositions
1. John Storgård / Helsinki Philharmonic, Rautavaara: Modificata / Towards the Horizon (Ondine).
2. Jeremy Denk, Ligeti / Beethoven (Nonesuch)
3. Edward Gardner / BBC Symphony, Lutoslawski: Orchestral Works, vol. 2 (Chandos) [includes Symphony #4 and Piano Concerto]
4. Paul Hillier / Ars Nova of Copenhagen, Arvo Pärt: Creator Spiritus (Harmonia mundi)
5. Michael Tilson Thomas / San Francisco Orchestra, John Adams: Harmonielehre (SFS)
6. JoAnn Falletta / London Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Fuchs: Atlantic Riband / American Rhapsody (Naxos, “American Classics”)
7. Tõnu Kaljuste / Latvian Radio Choir / Sinfonietta Riga, Arvo Pärt: Adam’s Lament (ECM)
8. Gerard Schwarz & Seattle Symphony, Richard Danielpour: Symphony no. 3 (Naxos, “American Classics”)




Best Classical of 2012: Classic Works / Classic Composers
1. András Schiff, Bach: Das Wohltempierte Clavier (4 CDs) (ECM “New Series”)
2. Pacifica Quartet, The Soviet Experience, vol. 2: Dmitri Shostakovich & His Contemporaries: Shostakovich: Quartets nos. 1-4/Prokofiev: Quartet no. 2 (Cedille)
3. Takács Quartet / Ralph Kirshbaum, Schubert: String Quintet D956 (Hyperion)
4. Freiburger Barockorchester, Bach: Orchestral Suites (2 CDs) (Harmonia mundi)
5. James Ehnes, Bartók: Works for Violin and Piano: Sonatas and Rhapsodies (Chandos)
6. Schubert Ensemble, Dvorák: Piano Quintet in A major / Piano Quartet in E flat major (Chandos)
7. Alban Gerhardt / Cecile Licad, Fauré: Cello Sonatas (Hyperion)
8. Marc-André Hamelin, Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 3 (3 CDs) (Hyperion)
9. Antoni Wit / Warsaw Philharmonic, Janacek: Glagolitic Mass / Sinfonietta (Naxos)
10. Nash Ensemble, Turina: Chamber Music (Hyperion, 2012)

[Alypius]

Recent wanderings have taken me back to the Classical era, especially the music of both Haydn and Mozart, especially their string quartets. A recent discovery is a group known as the Quatuor Mosaiques, who perform this 18th century music on authentic instruments and are attuned to performance practices of the era. (This trend is known as "HIP" = "historically informed performance").

Haydn can be credited with inventing the string quartet as a genre and he composed more than 60 over the course of his career, publishing them usually in groups of 6. The two most renowned are op. 20 and op. 76. The Quatuor Mosaiques' performances of these are very striking. A couple of samples on YouTube:
Haydn String Quartet, op. 76, no. 4
Haydn String Quartet, op. 76, no. 6



Mozart took his cues from Haydn, and in fact, his finest quartets are (arguably) the 6 he officially dedicated to Haydn (also excellent are his 3 "Prussian" and the 1 "Hoffmeister"):
Mozart String Quartet #19 ("Dissonance")
Mozart String Quartet #17 ("The Hunt")



I should add that finding these performances is not easy. Apparently their original recording company (Astree) went under and these are now available (but it takes some looking) from the French-based record company Naive.

[Alypius]

While I try to keep pace with new jazz releases, my best exploratory energies have, in the last six months or so, been more in the classical realm. Latest explorations: piano works by late 19th-century & early 20th-century composers, especially ones who were seeking to create and celebrate a sort of national (or folk) idiom. Three recent favorites have been the works of Russian composers Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) and Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881), and the Spaniard Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909). Two are performed by Marc-Andre Hamelin, whom I've come to think of as the finest living pianist; the other is performed by Steven Osborne in a release that came out just last Tuesday. Osborne has, in my view, the best version of Rachmaninov's Preludes, and this new release not only has Mussorgsky's masterpiece but a lesser-known masterpiece by Prokofiev. Most people know the orchestral version of Mussorgsky orchestrated by Maurice Ravel, but it is vital to hear to the original piano version:

Marc-Andre Hamelin, Scriabin: The Complete Piano Sonatas (Hyperion, 1995)



Steven Osborne, Musorgsky: Pictures from an Exhibition / Prokofiev: Visions Fugitive & Five Sarcasms (Hyperion, 2013)



Marc-Andre Hamelin, Albeniz: Iberia (Hyperion, 2005)



All three are dauntingly difficult to perform, and these three are simply astounding performances. I should add that Hyperion lists this as "Musorgsky" (one "s" rather than two) -- and this may affect any Google or Amazon search, also calls it "Pictures FROM an Exhibition" rather than the usual "Pictures AT an Exhibition" -- again something that may have an affect on any Amazon search.

[Alypius]

Over the last couple of months, I've been exploring the music of Franz Schubert, initially his string quartets, more recently, his piano sonatas.

For the string quartets, I would recommend the Belcea Quartet's performance of the great String Quintet (D.956), Quartet #14 ("Death and the Maiden"), and the staggeringly powerful (and final) Quartet #15 in G (EMI, 2010) (and very reasonably priced). That final quartet has been even better performed by the Cuarteto Casals (Harmonia mundi, 2012). The Takacs Quartet have a great performance of both the Death and the Maiden Quartet and the String Quintet (Hyperion, 2006 and 2012).




For the piano sonatas, I've picked up Paul Lewis' performances -- having been much impressed with his performances of Beethoven's complete piano sonatas. These four volumes have Schubert's later sonatas (#14 = D. 874 through #21 = D. 860), his brilliant Wandererfantasie (D. 760), as well as a collection of miscellaneous (and brilliant) works, namely, the two collections of his Impromptus (D. 899 and D. 935) and his Moment musicaux and Drei Klavierstucke.

[KBerube80]

I'm back to exploring modern classical music again, mostly chamber works. Currently delving into Lutoslawski, Messiaen, Scelsi, Gorecki, Ligeti, Penderecki, Dutilleux, etc...

Also revisiting a favorite in Schnittke's String Quartets by Kronos.

[Alypius]

Originally Posted by KBerube80

I'm back to exploring modern classical music again, mostly chamber works. Currently delving into Lutoslawski, Messiaen, Scelsi, Gorecki, Ligeti, Penderecki, Dutilleux, etc...

Also revisiting a favorite in Schnittke's String Quartets by Kronos.

KB, what specifically are you listening to? Works? Performances? Are they any of those that Vaughan and I recommended earlier in this thread? Or are they new ones?

I just received a notice from Presto Classical announcing the release in mid-March of a new performance of Lutoslawski's string quartet and the three Penderecki string quartets. The ensemble, The Royal String Quartet, is a young group based in Poland. So I expect a performance very sensitive to these great 20th century Polish composers. Here's the link:
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Hyperion/CDA67943

[KBerube80]

Originally Posted by Alypius

KB, what specifically are you listening to? Works? Performances? Are they any of those that Vaughan and I recommended earlier in this thread? Or are they new ones?

I just received a notice from Presto Classical announcing the release in mid-March of a new performance of Lutoslawski's string quartet and the three Penderecki string quartets. The ensemble, The Royal String Quartet, is a young group based in Poland. So I expect a performance very sensitive to these great 20th century Polish composers. Here's the link:
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Hyperion/CDA67943

Alypius - Yep, I already have that bookmarked for release.

I am unaware of the posts you are referring to from this thread as I haven't read through it all. I probably should remedy that but currently have WAY too much music on my plate as it is.

As for the classical pieces I have been investing time into as of late...

Elliot Carter's String Quartets Nos. 1-5 (Pacifica)
Witold Lutolawski's String Quartet (Kronos)
Henryck Gorecki's String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 (Kronos)
Henryck Gorecki's Miserere(Nonesuch - Nelson/Ding)
Ligeti's Atmospheres, Lux Aeterna, Requiem, & Lontano (youtube)
Ligeti's String Quartet No. 2 (youtube - having trouble with this one)
Giacinto Scelsi - Natura Renovatur & String Quartet No. 2 (youtube...love this stuff!! cd copies are extremely expensive)
Messiaen - Quartet For The End of Time (youtube - not really digging this though)
Dutilleux - Cello Concerto & String Quartet (youtube)

For the youtube versions I have listed, I am open to suggested recordings. My ears have been very busy.

[KBerube80]

Originally Posted by Alypius

KB, what specifically are you listening to? Works? Performances? Are they any of those that Vaughan and I recommended earlier in this thread? Or are they new ones?

I just received a notice from Presto Classical announcing the release in mid-March of a new performance of Lutoslawski's string quartet and the three Penderecki string quartets. The ensemble, The Royal String Quartet, is a young group based in Poland. So I expect a performance very sensitive to these great 20th century Polish composers. Here's the link:
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Hyperion/CDA67943

Alypius - Yep, I already have that bookmarked for release.

I am unaware of the posts you are referring to from this thread as I haven't read through it all. I probably should remedy that but currently have WAY too much music on my plate as it is.

As for the classical pieces I have been investing time into as of late...

Elliot Carter's String Quartets Nos. 1-5 (Pacifica)
Witold Lutolawski's String Quartet (Kronos)
Henryck Gorecki's String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 (Kronos)
Henryck Gorecki's Miserere(Nonesuch - Nelson/Ding)
Ligeti's Atmospheres, Lux Aeterna, Requiem, & Lontano (youtube - makes my skin crawl and hair on back of neck stand up - love it!)
Ligeti's String Quartet No. 2 (youtube - having trouble with this one)
Giacinto Scelsi - Natura Renovatur & String Quartet No. 2 (youtube...LOVE this stuff!! cd copies are extremely expensive though)
Messiaen - Quartet For The End of Time (youtube - not really digging this though)
Dutilleux - Cello Concerto & String Quartet (youtube - I have the EMI Classics version with Lutolawsi's cello concerto bookmarked but haven't found anything with the string quartet yet)

For the youtube versions I have listed, I am open to suggested recordings. My ears have been very busy.

[Alypius]

Originally Posted by KBerube80

Alypius - Yep, I already have that bookmarked for release.

I am unaware of the posts you are referring to from this thread as I haven't read through it all. I probably should remedy that but currently have WAY too much music on my plate as it is.

As for the classical pieces I have been investing time into as of late...

Elliot Carter's String Quartets Nos. 1-5 (Pacifica)
Witold Lutolawski's String Quartet (Kronos)
Henryck Gorecki's String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 (Kronos)
Henryck Gorecki's Miserere(Nonesuch - Nelson/Ding)
Ligeti's Atmospheres, Lux Aeterna, Requiem, & Lontano (youtube - makes my skin crawl and hair on back of neck stand up - love it!)
Ligeti's String Quartet No. 2 (youtube - having trouble with this one)
Giacinto Scelsi - Natura Renovatur & String Quartet No. 2 (youtube...LOVE this stuff!! cd copies are extremely expensive though)
Messiaen - Quartet For The End of Time (youtube - not really digging this though)
Dutilleux - Cello Concerto & String Quartet (youtube - I have the EMI Classics version with Lutolawsi's cello concerto bookmarked but haven't found anything with the string quartet yet)

For the youtube versions I have listed, I am open to suggested recordings. My ears have been very busy.

OK, KB. Here's some suggestions. First, however, the Pacifica Quartet's performances of Carter's string quartets (on Naxos) are certainly the place to go. Have you seen my earlier recommendation of the Pacifica Quartet's superb performances of Shostakovich's string quartets? They've done 2 volumes (each 2 CDs), and so Shostakovich's String Quartets #1-8. Volume 3 comes out in March, and will include String Quartets #9-12. Here's their website with their discography:
http://www.pacificaquartet.com/recor...vich%201,2,3,4

Concerning the Gorecki string quartets, the Kronos performances are, of course, wonderful. A friend has told me that the recent version by the Royal String Quartet is even better. (It was the Royal String Quartet who have the forthcoming performances of the Lutoslawski and Penderecki that I recommended earlier).



For Ligeti, in the last decade of his life, he oversaw the recording of his complete works. Initially, Sony produced 8 volumes under the title "Ligeti Edition". You can get the box set, which is overpriced, but the individual volumes are bargains on Amazon. "Lux Aeterna" is on volume 2. In this series, get volume 1 which has the string quartets performed by the amazing Arditti Quartet. Even better is volume 3, which has the Etudes performed by Pierre-Laurent Aimard. The Etudes are among his most amazing works -- and have quickly become part of the piano repertoire. After Sony gave up the project, it was taken over by Teldec under the title "The Ligeti Project". This is a 5-CD set, easily available from Amazon for $33 (and only $17 on some Amazon sellers). This has "Atmospheres," "Requiem", "Lontano" and a ton of other amazing works (Piano Concerto, Apparitions, Violin Concerto, Cello Concerto, Clocks and Clouds). A very good collection is also available from Deutsche Grammophon as a 4 CD box called Clear and Cloudy ($25 on Amazon, $18 on Amazon sellers)



For me the best performances of Dutilleux's works are by Yan-Pacal Tortelier & the BBC Orchestra. It's a 4 CD box on Chandos from 2000. If you explore Amazon, you can get individual discs, but I would encourage you to get the box set. Dutilleux had a knack for colorful names and the cello concerto you're interested in is entitled Tout un monde lointain (roughly translated: "A whole far-off world"). I enjoy even more his violin concerto: L'arbre des songes ("Tree of Dreams"), his 2nd Symphony and Metaboles. You expressed interest in his string quartet. It's entitled Ainsi la nuit ("And so the night ..."). There are several fine performances, but the best I've heard is a recent one by the Belcea Quartet on a record that includes an excellent performance of Ravel's and Debussy's string quartets.

Concerning Messiaen's Quatuor pour la fin du temps ("Quartet for the End of Time"), it's pretty unanimous that the greatest version is one by a group called Tashi (with the amazing Richard Stoltzman on clarinet and Peter Serkin on piano). I presume that you know the amazing story behind this one, that Messiaen wrote it and premiered it in a Nazi prison camp in which he was a prisoner-of-war. It's full of bird songs (Messiaen had a thing about bird songs and used to go out and transcribe them simply by listening and writing them down) -- birds are the harbingers of the final age of the coming of Christ. You mentioned not really getting it: listen to the opening "Liturgy of Crystal" and the closing (and long) "Praise to the Immortality of Jesus".



Hope all that is of some use. Enjoy.

[KBerube80]

Many thanks Alypius. I will look into the suggestions. I appreciate you taking the time to put that post together.

As you probably are aware form past posts, Shostakovich is a personal favorite. My reference recording of his SQ's is the original Borodin Quartet performance on Chandos. I look to his later 2 quartets on the Naxos label by the Eder Quartet.

[Alypius]

Originally Posted by KBerube80

Many thanks Alypius. I will look into the suggestions. I appreciate you taking the time to put that post together.

As you probably are aware form past posts, Shostakovich is a personal favorite. My reference recording of his SQ's is the original Borodin Quartet performance on Chandos. I look to his later 2 quartets on the Naxos label by the Eder Quartet.

KB, I'm a huge fan of the Shostakovich string quartets. I have the later Borodin performances on CD and got a copy of the Fitzwilliam Quartet performances from a local library. Both are excellent, but I believe that the new Pacifica Quartet's performances are every bit their equal -- and with much superior sound quality. Both volumes got a 5-star rating from BBC Music Magazine. Here's a review of volume 1:

“Cedille certainly produces some of the smartest “concept” albums in the classical music business today, because the concept always seems to work musically. Now, the Pacifica Quartet is one of the best chamber ensembles out there, as its Mendelssohn recordings for this same label attest. Even so, there’s no dearth of fine Shostakovich cycles, starting with the Borodin Quartet and running through the Emerson Quartet. These performances, every bit as fine as those, would be excellent by themselves, but they do risk getting lost in the discographic shuffle. So it was an inspired idea to pair them with other important works in the same medium by Shostakovich’s contemporaries. I’m not sure if this adds up to a “Soviet Experience,” whatever that is, but it does make for some great listening.
The four Shostakovich quartets offered here constitute the heart of the cycle, culminating in the incredibly popular (amazing because musically it’s very sad) Eighth Quartet. In this latter work, the Pacifica Quartet finds a perfect balance between technical polish and raw intensity, nowhere more so than in the ferocious second movement. In Quartet No. 5, with its complex outer movements, the players pace the music with an unerring feeling for tension and relaxation. Even the slender Seventh, Shostakovich’s shortest quartet, has an unusual measure of cogency and expressive depth.
Miaskovsky’s Thirteenth Quartet, his last, is a splendid work: conservative, to be sure, but so beautifully written. The scherzo, marked “Presto fantastico,” displays a vast quantity of color and texture, but then the entire work belies the notion that the quartet medium tends toward the monochrome. The thematic invention is also surprisingly arresting for this composer; some of the symphonies seem bland in comparison. Once again, it would be difficult to imagine a finer performance, and the engineering allows the players’ attractive sonority and well-balanced ensemble work to speak with total naturalness. A great start to a very promising series.”—David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Enjoy!

[?uesto]

Maybe someone can suggest some particular composers or [preferably] individual pieces, since some composers works are huge!

I'm just looking for classical music that's a little more "out" than what I've been hearing. I'd also prefer a little faster and more rhythmic music. Percussion in the music would be a plus, but not necessary. I've heard some in Bach's music, a little Chopin, but a lot in Stravinsky.

Hoping someone can help. Thanks!

[HutchFan]

Originally Posted by ?uesto

I'm just looking for classical music that's a little more "out" than what I've been hearing. I'd also prefer a little faster and more rhythmic music. Percussion in the music would be a plus, but not necessary. I've heard some in Bach's music, a little Chopin, but a lot in Stravinsky.

?uesto,

I'm not sure what you've heard, but you might want to check out:

- Ives' Symphony No. 4 and Three Places in New England
- Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Petrushka
- Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta and Concerto for Orchestra
- Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4

All of these are from the early- to mid-20th century.

[KBerube80]

I just listened to a few of Gloria Coates string quartets on youtube and, with mouth still agape, ran to amazon to purchase the Naxos 3CD set of her SQ 1-9 works by the Kreutzer Quartet.

This is some other-worldy stuff! I adore that glissando sound. One of the main reasons why I love Schnittke's Piano Quintet so much.

[KBerube80]

Coates has me absolutely enthralled. Check out her Symphony No.8 "Indian Sounds"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE45Re9sOMU