|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 9, 2021 17:35:34 GMT
Poulenc organ concerto. Came across this while pursuing the English Chamber Orchestra on Spotify. You know me - open minded, always happy to give a composer another try.  Some lovely deep organ notes to get things off to an interesting start. Yeah, it's not bad, not bad at all. I think I'll give it another listen. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jun 9, 2021 17:38:34 GMT
Yes, it's a lovely piece. Somewhat taken aback as it's typical Poulenc but glad you're enjoying it.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 9, 2021 18:50:11 GMT
Nice one Jerry, I do like it - I don't have it on Spoti just yet but on vinyl I bought the Georges Pretre version which has Maurice Durufle on keys, and also includes the Gloria, a great favourite of mine.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 9, 2021 18:56:48 GMT
The sextet went down like a lead balloon, everything I dislike about Poulenc. But the oboe sonata was appreciated.
Listening now and mostly enjoying this album of Sept Repons de Tenebres, with the Stabat Mater to follow. .
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jun 9, 2021 20:35:29 GMT
The Stabat Mater is one of my all-time classical favourites.
Careful - it has dissonances but is a quite wonderful 20th century work.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 9, 2021 20:44:39 GMT
I also love the Vivaldi and Pergolesi Stabats.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 10, 2021 5:42:29 GMT
I don't mind dissonances, quite the contrary.
The Poulenc Stabat Mater has come across much better than I recall previous attempts, a bit of a mixed bag for me; some movements really excellent, others tending to the blandly uninteresting and slightly annoying.
The organ concerto has survived multiple playings, as has the Tenebres vocal work. And I'll be returning to the oboe sonata.
This album of chamber music has gone down rather well, including the violin, clarinet and cello sonatas.
I'll continue to pick my way carefully through Poulenc's ouevre.
I'm not a natural for his music, but there's hope for me yet!
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 10, 2021 12:54:58 GMT
JC Bach piano trios
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 10, 2021 14:07:06 GMT
I'll continue to pick my way carefully through Poulenc's ouevre. I'm not a natural for his music, but there's hope for me yet! What do you think of the Gloria? |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 10, 2021 15:47:16 GMT
Hmm.
It got off to a decent start with the first movement, but the 2nd movement was a comedown; unconvincingly jolly sums it up. Which is where some of my problems with Poulenc lie, I think.
It sounds like a depressed person trying to pretend they're happy. I'm not convinced by it at all - a lot like Mahler's 8th symphony (too ecstatic by half - I don't believe it for a moment). It doesn't sound genuine to me.
His introspective music is far more enjoyable and convincing for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 10, 2021 15:52:46 GMT
It's a looong time since I listened to it on vinyl but I actually bookmarked the recording you listened to yesterday so will revisit it.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 10, 2021 16:05:28 GMT
That Hickox album leads on from the Gloria to the Stabat Mater. My goodness what a wonderful opening movement it has!
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jun 10, 2021 17:22:33 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 10, 2021 17:50:57 GMT
Eivind Buene, contemporary Norwegian composer, b. 1973. Violin concerto and 6 Miniatures. Full to the brim with glorious melody it isn't. But it is an interesting and entertaining listen. YMMV  Not totally unlike Vasks. |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 10, 2021 18:57:49 GMT
Some more Poulenc choral works.
- once again, I am much taken by the more introspective ones.
Harry Christopher and the Sixteen on CORO.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 10, 2021 21:38:28 GMT
Well I think this recording of the Poulenc Organ with Thomas Trotter is quite wonderful and the Auckland Philharmonia are a revelation! Such lithe and sprightly playing with a wonderfully lush string tone.
It's a live recording and there are a few annoying noises but overall it sounds great on my Philips X2HR & Topping NX4 with no shortage of heft - the timpani gave me quite a scare at one point! Look forward to trying it on the main system. Wonderful to listen to this work again after so long.
I will try the Saint Saens Organ on the same album.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 10, 2021 22:14:53 GMT
Sadly I can't recommend the Saint Saens - to my ears the conductor needs a much tighter grip on the orchestra, especially with those tricky little rhythms in the opening movement - I lost interest ...
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jun 10, 2021 22:59:03 GMT
Interesting, well to me at least, Thomas Trotter used to be Organ Scholar at St George's Windsor when I was a chorister there. It's a long time ago, I'd forgotten he was there ...
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jun 11, 2021 5:29:08 GMT
I'll give the Poulenc a go. Shame about the Saint-Seans but I'll have a listen.
My favourite of the Saint-Seans remains the Batiz that isn't on streaming (so I ripped it).
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jun 12, 2021 13:33:56 GMT
Holst The Planets.
I haven't played this for years.
Karajan, Vienna Philharmonic.
Remarkably good.
|
|
