The magnificence of the Singuliere cannot be overstated. Thank you for continuing to promote it; it should be standard repertoire. Lately I’m listening to the Pierné violin sonata with Maria and Nathalia Milstein. An AMAZING album
Yes! This is by far the best interpretation of the wonderful Singuliere. We should be more proud of the rare greats we have had in Sweden. And why our royal opera house do not ever play what probably is the greatest opera ever written in Sweden is beyond me. I am ofcourse talking about Joseph Martin Kraus "Aeneas in Carthago". Great review as always.
My love of Sibelius’s music got me into exploring other Scandinavian composers. Berwalds Symphony Singuliere is one of my findings that really paid off. Nielsen is another.
Delighted to see that you've been listening to Berwald symphonies lately. I discovered Berwald via Neeme Järvi's cycle on DG. I wonder why his music is not better known. Not quite the equal of Schumann and Mendelssohn, but close. As for me, I've also been listening to a lot of Scandinavian music lately. In particular, comparing versions of Nielsen symphonies, prompted by my acquisition of the Luisi cycle a couple of months ago. Having recently listened to all of the versions of No. 4 in my collection, I declare Martinon/RCA the winner. Fabulous playing from the CSO and he really digs in. Second to that, though, and not too far back, is Markevich's old Turnabout/VOx recording with Danish forces. It resurfaced in a set of Markevich recordings reissued some time ago on the Doremi label. The orchestral playing on that recording is far less refined than the CSO under Martinon, but what a force of nature Markevich's Nielsen is!
Wonderful recording! I found it on a streaming service under “The Art of Igor Markevitch” which has a lot of his other recordings. BTW I have only recently become hooked on your channel and feel that I owe you a nice rock.
Me? I avoided Wagner for his antisemitism. You recommended the Barenboim box recently, and I have learned to trust you judgment. I am binge listening while I binge read for book club, listening only to the music and not attempting to decipher the speaking in tongues. The music is extraordinary! If I can enjoy Renoir and Degas, I can allow myself to enjoy Wagner.
I've been listening to Brahms Piano Concerto No2 Gilels CSO Reiner. Such a fluid, poetic performance. Also Mexican Piano Concertos by Zyman and Rolon which surprised me because they are on a little known label, TYXArt. I'll have to listen to Berwald, which I must confess haven't heard before.
I usually take my cues for new listening experiences from your videos. Seriously. Now, listening to Dr. Atomic, based on the buzz about the movie, which has reached way down here in New Zealand. Before this, I devoted the entire month of July to American music, a richly rewarding experience that made me homesick as well. I love Berwald as well, so I will get to the Markevitch recording you mentioned in due course. But all driven by these videos! Thank you!
Hey Dave! Lately I have been listening to Honeck's new Tchaikovsky 5 with Pittsburg (I very much agree with your review), alternating it with Verdi's Otello in the Domingo-Levine recording
A very fine performance indeed. Unfortunately, I have been spoilt by the excellent recorded (BIS) cycle and this tends to gets slotted in the CD player. Still waiting for Blomstedt to complete his cycle.
I like the Berwald symphonies very much. I listened to his piano trios this week, but I didn't like them. And I am making my way through the Hans Huber symphony box.
Also getting into Huber, among other recommendations. The best symphonies (and the Serenade!) are really good, though a bit uneven as a cycle. However, I was not going into it expecting a new Beethoven or Brahms, so realistic expectations well met! And I am sure this music would benefit from more recordings to give us an alternative interpretation or two.
I am picky; so much, both classical and popular, music is either boring or annoying to me. Singuliere is neither. I also love his Konzertstück for Bassoon and Orchestra.
