This is at the extreme depressingly EVIL end of what the Devil is listening to at Halloween. This sent me running in fear when I heard it first about two weeks ago. One of Polanski's worst films however.
First listen to new arrival, "The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell" performed by Gothic Voices on Helios. Motets and Songs from thirteenth-century France
CD 1: String Quartets op. 18 nos. 1-3 bought this set for 16€ (shipping included). Arrived today. Is a set I already know and love, but dindt had it on cd. The bad side is: who was the that had the idea to put the cds on envelopes closed with glue?
Listening to "Bach - Brandenburg Concertos 1, 2 & 3" performed by The English Concert led by Trevor Pinnock on Archiv.
And a good one it is, though im still to hear a bad Sibelius cycle. Or am I being lucky or his music is bullet proof against bad interpretations. I even listen to Sibelius played by kids no older than maybe 17 of no world famous conservatory and they were awsome playing the Karelia Suite.
Listening to "Sibelius / Lindberg - Violin Concertos" performed by Lisa Batiashvili with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra led by Sakari Oramo on Sony.
First listen to "Verdi - Stiffelio" performed by the Chor Und Symphonieorchester Des Orf led by Lamberto Gardelli from the Decca Verdi box.
On the turntable: Bruckner Symphony No.9. CSO/Barenboim. Lots of recorded competition for the Bruckner 9th and this may not be at the top of the heap, but still a very strong performance. (Confession: Barenboim's later Bruckner cycle with the Berlin Philharmonic--on Warner Classics CDs--is perhaps my favorite of all Bruckner cycles I've heard.) DG LP / Made in Germany / 1976 (my copy has a "6/78" date on inner sleeve)
What fantastic presence this 38 year old German conductor has. He hasn't yet been seen much in the studio but it won't be long. This is an excellent recording. His live Mahler's 4th on Monday night in Stuttgart, was a sensation.
On the turntable this evening: Mozart Piano Quartets. Performed by the Amadeus Quartet with Walter Kline, piano. This 1982 LP from DG is my favorite recording of these delightful works.