The Symphony

DDPascalDD wrote: I don't really know a lot of symphonies. Actually I just don't know much music at all, but I guess it's just my age (15) being the main reason, because I'm wanting to learn a lot more music including digging some classic classical symphonies. Though what I could recommend is the new composer Christopher Tin. He writes classical crossover albums for orchestra and choir (in ancient languages). Made just 2 of 'em, but really worth some good listens. It's a sound I instantly fell in love with! His first album "Calling All Dawns" is the easiest to get into, including his (by far) most popular track "Baba Yetu", but IMO not quite his best one though. The second "The Drop That Contained the Sea" album is more... mysterious, but also more complicated and needs more listens to appreciate.

Thanks for the tip! I'll check youtube for him.

^Welcome to the thread, Rando! That Bernstein-Sibelius 5 is one of my favourite versions of the work, only rivalled by the pioneering recording of it by conductor Robert Kajanus in the 1930s. Glad to hear you really love Bruckner.

A new acquisition of mine, Beethoven 9 by Karajan from 1983, which I have never heard, yet-

presdoug wrote: A new acquisition of mine, Beethoven 9 by Karajan from 1983, which I have never heard, yet-

What's the verdict? 

^I have heard and quite like that recording, and I would also suggest the first recording ever made of Ive's Second, done by F. Charles Adler conducting, from the early 1950s. A forgotten conductor, Bernstein looked up to Adler's recordings of Mahler, and visited Adler's widow to tell her so.

Edited by presdoug - September 30 2015 at 16:45

Oh, Charles Ives. I recommend the 4th. 45 minutes of serenity now with a slight surprise on it's final chord. Had a sense of humour he did. It's also really worth it to compare his Central Park After Dark with the Univers Zero adaptation Central Belgium in The Dark from Crawling Wind.

For amazing ideas all over the place - Anton Bruckner's 4th Symphony. But there are so many symphonies and concertos and everything else one has almost to pick carefully and choose if one's time is limited for listening - like mine sad to say.

^ Great photo

^Thanks, Rando, for the Harp recording information. I quite like solo harp, and will check that one out. I have a dear recording, "The Fascination By The Harp" by harpist Anna Lelkes that is just delightful, where she plays works by Handel, Bach,Dussek, Glinka, etc.

Edited by presdoug - October 18 2015 at 06:52

Padraic wrote:

I noticed it reads "A BBC recording." Curious if its a live performance recording as the BBC is known for their outstanding programing. I will definitely look for this album -

presdoug wrote: ^Thanks, Rando, for the Harp recording information. I quite like solo harp, and will check that one out. I have a dear recording, "The Fascination By The Harp" by harpist Anna Lelkes that is just delightful, where she plays works by Handel, Bach,Dussek, Glinka, etc. ^ I have never heard Ive's 4th Symphony, guys, and will have to remedy that! Thanks for the recommendations. I would also highly recommend the world premiere recording of Ive's 1st Symphony, conducted by Morton Gould. It is a thrilling performance.

Oh you are so lucky to have this Harp recording by Anna Lelkes - Her recordings are difficult to find as some are out of print - A friend of mine only has a CD burned copy of her "Romantic Harp" album he acquired from another friend - That's the only recording I've heard by her - And yes, "delightful" is an accurate description of her playing - I'm going to have to dig deep to find her at our vinyl and record shops around here - I usually end up having to go into San Francisco in my many "search quests" for these things! (I'm only about two hours from there) -
Some very interesting (and historic) trivia about Anna Lelkes (as told to me by my friend) - She is the first woman to be given (or was allowed!)  full membership, (as a playing member), in the prestigious Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's 155-year  (only male musicians allowed)  history!

Yes, Ives' 4th Symphony is Not like his 2nd or 3rd symphonies - I've read music critics (and musicologists) describe the 4th as his ultimate achievement - with (program notes) asking the philosophical questions of "what, why, and eternal" purpose of man in this life...

And thank you, I will look up the world premiere recording of Ives' 1st Symphony w/Morton Gould -
And yes I perfectly understand your decision in recommending a recording of Bruckner's 4th Symphony - So true you can spend a lifetime listening and acquiring such things - its just too personal & subjective...