The Brahms late piano music - yet another gap in my musical education. I’ve heard about them but until now, never listened to them. A recent arrival to my snowbound house is Glenn Gould’s Brahms Intermezzi LP. I’ve been playing this a lot since it came four days ago. It’s been a little frustrating bc Gould only played a sampling of these works and I now want to hear the whole lot. Yesterday I popped into the local record store for record sleeves and also found this MHS recording of Brahms by Jorg Demus, which had all of Op. 116. Now, I only need only to get all of Op. 118 & 119. Ah, there’s always something more to collect.
I only regularly listen to Dvořák's 8th and 9th and sometimes the 7th, but I want to change that. This seems to be a very popular cycle, and I can hear why. Dvořák: Symphony No. 5 in F major, Op. 76, B. 54 Otmar Suitner Staatskapelle Berlin 1979-82
Listening to "Leonard Bernstein - The Joy Of Christmas" performed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir directed by Richard P. Condie and the New York Philharmonic on Sony. O Come, All Ye Faithful The Twelfth Night Song Away In A Manger Carol Of The Bells The Animal Carol The Twelve Days Of Christmas O Little Town Of Bethlehem Patapan Joy To The World Lullay, My Liking (I Saw A Maiden) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen La Virgen Lava Pañales Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly Joseph Lieber, Joseph Mein (Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine) Once In Royal David’s City Stille Nacht (Silent Night) Selections from the Nutcracker Ballet Suite, Op. 71a – Peter Tchaikovsky Overture: Allegro Giusto March: Tempo Di Marcia Viva Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy Trepak (Russian Dance) Arab Dance Chinese Dance Dance Of The Mirlitons“Children’s Prayer” (Hansel And Gretel) – Engelbert Humperdinck “Hallelujah” Chorus From Messiah – Georg Friedrich Händel Chorus – Westminster Choir
More Mehta, and I have to say I'm really enjoying his big Columbia box. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 Murray Perahia (piano) Zubin Mehta New York Philharmonic 1979
First listen to CD 7 from "Dvorak - Symphonic Works" performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra led by Vaclav Neumann on Supraphon. Symphony No. 9 "From The New World"
I still prefer Karajan and Bernstein, but this is a great performance. R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 Zubin Mehta New York Philharmonic 1980
A fantastic live performance, slightly let down by an odd audio mix that is lacking a bit when it comes to bass. This Mehta box certainly isn't lacking when it comes to soloists! Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23 Bach: Prelude in B minor (arr. from BWV 855a in E minor by Siloti) Emil Gilels (piano) Zubin Mehta New York Philharmonic 1979 (live)
No.1 Although still rather brief this set contains more detailed notes on the different editions, and what, exactly, is being performed by Karajan and the Berliners. Helpful for a non expert like myself.
What do you think of this set? I have been eyeing it. I was not familiar with Malipiero so I listened to on-line samples of the composers work and I liked what I heard.
Brahms’ late piano works, particularly the Intermezzi, are excellent, and very different in character from his large scale orchestral works. You could try the recording by Kovacevich on Philips, which includes the late works, plus the Handel and Paganini variations.
Very varied, attractive and colorful concertos. Some may consider them a bit lightweight, but it's a very pleasurable listen imo. And the sound is excellent.
