TwoLeftEars (et al):
Just got the Tabakova in and have previewed the CD; it is impressive indeed, Highly sophisticated compositional style with spectacular string playing. Who knew the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra had these kind of chops (Tabakova does, apparently)?
The piece that immediately appealed to me was the cello concerto. With its unison opening and minimalist style, it screams "Play Me Loud on a good audio system!" The second hearing was even more enjoyable.
BTW, the other unison-influenced movement that I have been listening to recently is the first movement of the Borodin Second Symphony. Blast away, Russian nationalists.
For the English-oriented aficionados, have just gotten the complete Chandos set of Arnold symphonies by (mostly) LSO and Hickox. These performance are so much better than the earlier Arnold CDs I have that they reawaken interest in this all too often ignored composer. Each symphony is another journey and explores, anew, tonal, contrapuntal, and performance capabilities. Again, the performance makes the composer.
And, although one could occasionally complain about a certain "corny" nature to Arnold's melodies, this minor complaint does not detract.
Keep those recommendations coming, TwoLeftEars. If you provide the perfect suggestion we will send you a right ear...or maybe two.
Just got the Tabakova in and have previewed the CD; it is impressive indeed, Highly sophisticated compositional style with spectacular string playing. Who knew the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra had these kind of chops (Tabakova does, apparently)?
The piece that immediately appealed to me was the cello concerto. With its unison opening and minimalist style, it screams "Play Me Loud on a good audio system!" The second hearing was even more enjoyable.
BTW, the other unison-influenced movement that I have been listening to recently is the first movement of the Borodin Second Symphony. Blast away, Russian nationalists.
For the English-oriented aficionados, have just gotten the complete Chandos set of Arnold symphonies by (mostly) LSO and Hickox. These performance are so much better than the earlier Arnold CDs I have that they reawaken interest in this all too often ignored composer. Each symphony is another journey and explores, anew, tonal, contrapuntal, and performance capabilities. Again, the performance makes the composer.
And, although one could occasionally complain about a certain "corny" nature to Arnold's melodies, this minor complaint does not detract.
Keep those recommendations coming, TwoLeftEars. If you provide the perfect suggestion we will send you a right ear...or maybe two.