[Chilham]

were there any numbers you found memorable?...

Not in a good way, no.

 

[Chilham]

Egmont, not just the overture but the whole thing, is a fun bit of music....

I listened to the Leonore and Coriolan overtures this afternoon and Ruins of Athens and Egmont all the way through. It's the most memorable for me.

 

[Mandryka]

Actually I just used the list to listen to something I haven’t heard in like, 30 years. Some Sor etudes. I remember having a recording with Segovia playing, but for no good reason I just plumped for another old timer, Narciso Yepes. I must say, I was really impressed by Yepes this evening, there’s something really objective about his way of playing which appeals to me this evening. I remember his trademark was the Rodriguez concerto - I don’t know if I’ve ever heard it.

As far as Sor’s music is concerned, I honestly can’t see what the fuss is about. I mean, it may be more interesting to play than to hear.

 

[premont]

Actually I just used the list to listen to something I haven’t heard in like, 30 years. Some Sor etudes. I remember having a recording with Segovia playing, but for no good reason I just plumped for another old timer, Narciso Yepes. I must say, I was really impressed by Yepes this evening, there’s something really objective about his way of playing which appeals to me this evening. I remember his trademark was the Rodriguez concerto - I don’t know if I’ve ever heard it.

As far as Sor’s music is concerned, I honestly can’t see what the fuss is about. I mean, it may be more interesting to play than to hear.

Once at a recital I saw (and heard) Segovia play Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. I have never felt the desire to hear it again. So it may be a classical example of music which is more interesting to play than to listen to.

 

[Chilham]

Are you bored with Beethoven yet? No, me neither.

Coming at you a day early again this week as I've some commitments tomorrow. Beethoven's works 1812-1827, plus works of composers born 1784-1794.

Level 1
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 9 "Choral"

Level 2
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 7
Beethoven, Ludwig van: String Quartet No. 14

Level 3
Beethoven, Ludwig van: String Quartet No. 13 & Große Fuge
Beethoven, Ludwig van: String Quartet no. 15
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Missa Solemnis
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata No. 32
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Trio No. 7 "Archduke"
Weber, Carl Maria von: Der Freischütz
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata No. 29 "Hammerklavier"
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata No. 30
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Symphony No. 8

Level 4
Beethoven, Ludwig van: String Quartet No. 16
Beethoven, Ludwig van: String Quartet No. 12
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata No. 31
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Diabelli Variations
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata No. 26 "Les Adieux"
Weber, Carl Maria von: Clarinet Concerto No. 1
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Cello Sonata No. 4
Weber, Carl Maria von: Clarinet Concerto No. 2
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Cello Sonata No. 5
Beethoven, Ludwig van: An die ferne Geliebte
Weber, Carl Maria von: Oberon

Level 5
Weber, Carl Maria von: Konzertstück
Weber, Carl Maria von: Euryanthe
Rossini, Gioachino: Petite Messe Solennelle
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata No. 27
Weber, Carl Maria von: Invitation to the Dance
Spohr, Louis: Violin Concerto No. 8 "In Modo di Scena Cantante"
Rossini, Gioachino: Stabat Mater
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Violin Sonata No. 10

Level 6
Weber, Carl Maria von: Clarinet Quintet Op. 34
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata No. 28
Weber, Carl Maria von: Grand Duo Concertant
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Zum Namensfeier Overture
Spohr, Louis: Symphony No. 6 "Historical"
Spohr, Louis: Clarinet Concerto No. 1

Level 7
Weber, Carl Maria von: Basoon Concerto
Voříšek, Jan Václav Hugo: Symphony in D

Honourable Mentions:
Hérold, Ferdinand: La Fille Mal Gardée
Schneitzhoeffer, Jean-Madeleine: La Sylphide
Kuhlau, Friedrich: Elverhøj
Gruber, Franz Xavier: Stile Nacht
Szymanowska, Maria: Nocturne in B-Flat Major
Payne, John Howard: Clari, or the Maid of Milan
Meyerbeer, Giacomo: Les Patineurs
Mohr, Joseph: Stille Nacht
Moscheles, Ignaz: Marche d'Alexandre


I have the excellent Ádám Fischer symphony cycle, the Takács' string quartets, and Levit's late piano sonatas lined-up for this week, am trying to resist purchasing the Honeck/Pittsburgh live 9th, and am looking forward to re listening to a couple of pieces I first heard last year and very much enjoyed including:

Voříšek, Jan Václav Hugo: Symphony in D

Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra

 

[hammeredklavier]

Spohr: Septet, Op. 147 - 1. Allegro vivace

 

[Mandryka]

Große Fuge
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Missa Solemnis
Beethoven, Ludwig van: Piano Sonata No. 29 "Hammerklavier"

There are some very divisive things in here -- music which seems to take music to its limits and for many people, music which goes too far. My own attention recently has been on the Missa Solemnis. I think of it now as a sort of jolt, a battering ram which throws the open listener into places in his unconscious, possibly uncomfortable places. I found myself mentioning Antonin Artaud's concept of Theatre of Cruelty a few days ago -- well, I think a good performance of Missa Solemnis exemplifies Artaud's idea. Hence, many, most people can't handle it.

 

[Chilham]

The are some very delightful things in here too!

 

[Chilham]

Wrapping-up composers born at the end of the Eighteenth Century this week, dominated of course by Franz Schubert. I've been a little indifferent to his music previously. Let's see if this week can bring a better appreciation.

Level 1
Schubert, Franz: Piano Quintet "Trout"

Level 2
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished"
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 9 "Great"

Schubert, Franz: Winterreise

Schubert, Franz: String Quintet D. 956

Schubert, Franz: String Quartet No. 14 D. 810 "Death & the Maiden"

Level 3
Schubert, Franz: Die Schöne Müllerin
Schubert, Franz: Piano Sonata D.960
Schubert, Franz: Impromptus D 899/D. 935
Schubert, Franz: Piano Trio No. 2
Schubert, Franz: Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel
Schubert, Franz: Goethe Lieder esp. Der Erlkönig, Wanderers Nachtlied I, Ganymed, Geheimes, Der Musensohn, Willkommen und Abschied

Level 4
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 5
Schubert, Franz: Piano Trio No. 1
Schubert, Franz: Schwanengesang
Schubert, Franz: Piano Sonata D. 959
Schubert, Franz: String Quartet No. 13 D. 804 "Rosamunde"
Schubert, Franz: Fantasy in C "Wanderer"
Schubert, Franz: Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano D. 821
Schubert, Franz: Piano Sonata D.958
Schubert, Franz: String Quartet No. 15 D. 887
Schubert, Franz : Octet
Schubert, Franz : Ellens Gesang III (Ave Maria!) Op. 52, No. 6, D.839

Level 5
Schubert, Franz: Fantasy in F Minor
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 4
Schubert, Franz: Die Forelle "The Trout"
Schubert, Franz: Piano Sonata No. 14 D.784
Schubert, Franz: Du bist die Ruh, D. 776
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 6 "Little"
Schubert, Franz: Rosamunde Overture
Schubert, Franz: Mass No. 6
Berwald, Franz: Symphony No. 3 "Singulière"
Schubert, Franz: Moments Musicaux
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 2
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 1

Level 6
Schubert, Franz: Piano Sonata No. 13 "Little" D 664
Schubert, Franz: Symphony No. 3
Schubert, Franz: An die Musik
Schubert, Franz: Mass No. 5
Schubert, Franz: Piano Sonata No. 17 D.850
Schubert, Franz: Sonata for Piano Duet "Grand Duo" D. 812
Schubert, Franz: Piano Sonata No. 18 D.894
Schubert, Franz; Nacht und Träume D 827
Schubert, Franz: Fantasy for Violin and Piano D. 934
Schubert, Franz: An Sylvia D. 891
Halévy, Fromental: La Juive

Level 7
Schubert, Franz: Notturno Op. 148
Schubert, Franz: Adagio in E-flat Major "Notturno"
Schubert, Franz: Der Tod und das Mädchen D 531
Schubert, Franz: Mass No. 2
Schubert, Franz: Auf dem Wasser zu singen D 774
Schubert, Franz: Der Hirt auf dem Felsen D.965
Schubert, Franz: The Shepherd on the Rock
Schubert, Franz: Heidenröslein D.257
Marschner, Heinich: Der Vampyr

Honourable Mentions:
Loewe, Carl: Erkönig
Pearsall, Robert de: Lay a Garland

 

[pianozach]

You may as well have had a "Schubert round".

I've never heard any Schubert I didn't like.

I find that I'm always surprised when I hear the aggressive side of Schubert. In my mind I always seem to pigeonhole him as a pastoral composer, but then I run across some epic sound from him.

The Piano Sonata no. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960, 1st mvt. is in my repertoire for extended pre-wedding-ceremony music (you've placed it in level 3, probably a fair ranking). For all the times I've played it, I don't think anyone has ever recognized it.

 

[hammeredklavier]

Charles Mayer Chanson sentimentale

Nocturne sentimentale

Valse-Etude mélancolique

Ignaz Moscheles - Selected Works for Piano

 

[Chilham]

Moscheles got an honourable mention last week.

Never come across Mayer before now. Seems like few have as he doesn't get a page in our Composer Guestbook as far as I can see.

 

[Chilham]

...I've never heard any Schubert I didn't like....

I'm enjoying this week. For me, Death and the Maiden and the String Quintet in C are better and more enjoyable pieces that Trout, despite its familiarity and good though it is. The Octet deserves a higher ranking for me too, and perhaps Schubert's masses, which I've enjoyed.

The symphonies struggle to hold my attention and I can take or leave the piano sonatas. That's just me.

 

[Mandryka]

What do you think of Nacht und Träume?

A few months ago I listened to Hotter sing Winterreise -- the recording with Moore. Just amazing singing and music I think, "deeply felt" and dark. I should try and listen to his earlier recordings. In the 1980s you could buy £10 tickets for seats in the amphi at the Opera House if you queued on the day of the performance, and at the time I was working in Long Acre so I used to do it quite often. As you can imagine, you would meet some real characters in the queue, and I remember once striking up a conversation with some guy who came over here as a ref from the Hitler, and he was in raptures about Hotter's various Winterreise, saying how the last one especially was somehow imbued with a post war sense of despair, the feeling which was everywhere that the War had in some sense undermined the culture which had things like Winterreise at its apogee.

I think it's unfair to tar all Schubert's symphonies with the same brush. In particular I think the Unfinished is a real major piece of music. I have loved it ever since I was about 10 -- I think it was the first piece of classical music I really responded to.

 

[Mandryka]

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[Chilham]

What do you think of Nacht und Träume? ...

I've only listened to the arrangement for cello so far. Bostridge lined-up for tomorrow along with other lieder.

 

[Mandryka]

I've only listened to the arrangement for cello so far. Bostridge lined-up for tomorrow along with other lieder.

Ah well, you're in for a treat. Bostridge is good with words, I heard him sing Schubert in a concert in New College Oxford once, he'd just been discovered and the word on the street was that he was exceptional, in the Peter Pears tradition. It was an unforgettable concert really.

 

[Chilham]

... I think it's unfair to tar all Schubert's symphonies with the same brush. In particular I think the Unfinished is a real major piece of music. I have loved it ever since I was about 10 -- I think it was the first piece of classical music I really responded to.

True. I've only listened to 8 and 9 so far this week. It says more about me and perhaps my focus on Saturday when I listened, than it does about the symphonies themselves.

 

[Kreisler jr]

The Unfinished is, well, unfinished and the "Great" is a rather divisive piece that is frequently found both among people's absolutely favorite symphonies and among "sacred cows" whose popularity is hard to fathom.
As for the "Trout", I think there is largely consensus that while a charming piece, it is not quite up there with the last three quartets, string quintet, late piano music and trios.

 

[Mandryka]

Listening right now to the Hotter/Raucheisen 1942 Winterreise. Full of interventions, expressive interventions from the singer. Some would no doubt say "mannered". Is that what lieder singing is about?

Sound is good -- M&A.