What download have you bought?

[Beef Oven!]

Shame you never heard this one....
http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/wit...176501969#item

Don’t speak too soon Jayne!

I have noted the recordings that you have provided links to Qobuz for in post #1122 on 'The Rest Is Noise' Thread and will indulge in some, if not all of them!

Because we talking dupli, or triplications, I must decide carefully the purchases I make.

I was going to get 2&4 as you recommended, but the Hi-Res Urbanski that HighlanDougie recommended was winking at me far too seductively!!

I really fancy #1 now, so next, it could be the Skrowazewski that you suggest.

[Pulcinella]

I listened to the Concerto For Orchestra twice today, both by the Polish Radio National Orchestra, one conducted by Antoni Wit and the other by the composer - I enjoyed them both and the final movement didn’t seem half as over-long as I remembered it! I hope this new recording cements my reconciliation with this work!

There's quite a difference in timings of the last movement on those two recordings, Beefy: Wit on Naxos takes 16:15 whereas the composer on EMI is only 15:27. I haven't listened closely enough to tell if any cuts are involved, and am not sure if I would spot them anyway!
There's a version conducted by the composer on a BBC MM CD, Volume 16, Number 5, with the BBCSO, recorded in Huddersfield Town Hall in 1986. The final movement on that lasts 16:05!

[Beef Oven!]

There's quite a difference in timings of the last movement on those two recordings, Beefy: Wit on Naxos takes 16:15 whereas the composer on EMI is only 15:27. I haven't listened closely enough to tell if any cuts are involved, and am not sure if I would spot them anyway!
There's a version conducted by the composer on a BBC MM CD, Volume 16, Number 5, with the BBCSO, recorded in Huddersfield Town Hall in 1986. The final movement on that lasts 16:05!

Thanks Pulcinella, some interesting observations. Funny enough, I’ve never bothered much with the actual timings. But anyway, it seems that it is no longer a problem - for some reason I’m ok with the final movement now.

This morning I listened to the Urbanski/NDR Symphony Orchestra download that I bought last night and HighlanDougie’s not wrong, it’s a terrific performance and recording. I enjoyed it very much indeed.

[DublinJimbo]

richardfinegold mentioning the Rachmaninov Piano Trios on the RachCelloSonBaL thread prompted me listen again to Copenhagen Trio performance last night. The music really got a grip on me and I decided to make a purchase of a download. Couldn’t find the Copenhagens on Qobuz, so I made do with a Hi-Res download of the Gidon Kremer, Giedre Dirvanauskate, Daniil Trifonov version. Don’t know why I didn’t check Presto, classical etc - I guess Trifonov just sucked me in!

I haven’t listened to it yet, maybe this evening.

Does anyone have it already? Any views?

I think it's wonderful. Daniil Trifonov goes from strength to strength, displaying increased maturity and sensitivity all the time. His contribution is astonishingly good, but is just part of a beautifully rounded chamber experience.

I hesitated for quite a while when this first appeared on Qobuz because of the ridiculous prominence of the PREGHIERA branding on the cover. I had no idea what that was all about, and it was only on further investigation that I realised what the music was. I'm delighted I went for it eventually, but it's no marks to DG for a silly use of the distracting trend of giving 'titles' to CD releases nowadays.

[DublinJimbo]

After reading some interesting posts on Lutoslawski on the 'The Rest Is Noise' thread, I took HighlanDougie’s suggestion and downloaded this Hi-Res recording from Qobuz.

I listened to the Concerto For Orchestra twice today, both by the Polish Radio National Orchestra, one conducted by Antoni Wit and the other by the composer - I enjoyed them both and the final movement didn’t seem half as over-long as I remembered it! I hope this new recording cements my reconciliation with this work!

C/W Little Suite & Symphony #4

I must admit to preferring Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra to Bartok's. I have several recordings, but this one went straight to the top of the pile when I heard it. An exciting young conductor, superb orchestral playing, stunning recording.

[Beef Oven!]

I must admit to preferring Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra to Bartok's. I have several recordings, but this one went straight to the top of the pile when I heard it. An exciting young conductor, superb orchestral playing, stunning recording.

Straight to the top of my list too, but I only have four recordings - this, Wit, Luto & Scrowaczewski (as recommended by Jayne). I have just this minute downloaded Stan’s performance, so I’ve not listened to it yet - will do so before the day’s out.

[Beef Oven!]

As recommended by Jayne ......

16 bit CD quality download £7.99 Qobuz

Witold Roman Lutosławski- Concerto For Orchestra & Symphony #1
NFM Orkiestra Filharmonii, Wrocławskiej, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski

[Beef Oven!]

Mátyás Seiber - String Quartets 1-3
Edinburgh Quartet

16 bit CD quality download from Qobuz £7.99.

So far, I’ve listened to 1&2 and the difference between this and the Amedeus Quartet’s performance on EMI is night and day. Very pleased with this purchase.

[Beef Oven!]

Stanisław Skrowaczewski - Concerto Nicolo & Concerto for Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra, Skrowaczewski, Gary Graffman (piano)

This is a fabulous set. The piano concerto is superb and the concerto for orchestra is up there with Luto et al, IMV. A good price too, £7.99 16 bit CD quality from Qobuz.

Still kicking myself for not following the discussion on here concerning Stan and consequently not attending his Bruckner gigs in London. Anyway, he seems to be just as much a composer as a conductor, maybe more.

[Beef Oven!]

After enjoying the Skrowaczewski download I bought earlier, I couldn’t resist this!

Boughtnit from Presto Classical this time .... plenty of business out there for plenty of firms who offer a good service. It’s the future,CDs will not be obsolete maybe, but downloads will be the first port of call - already the case with young people who mainly stream and buy downloads.

[Beef Oven!]

Well, I had to get some chamber music after all that marvellous orchestral stuff from 'Stan the Man'. This set might even be the strongest of the lot!

I’ve spent a lot of time listening to Polish music this week and I’d definitely put Skrowaczewski up there with Lutoslawski and Penderecki. I think he’s that good.

It was back to Qobuz for this - great value at £7.99 for a 16 bit CD quality FLAC recording.

[Beef Oven!]

Bought this a few days ago as aHi-Res download from Qobuz.

The more I play it (and I’ve been giving it quite a hiding, the more I think it’s one of his best albums ever - up there with Low & "Heroes")

[Beef Oven!]

David Bowie 'No Plan EP'

Bought this as a supplement to Blackstar.

Ended up having to get it from iTunes. Would have revered a FLAC or Hi-Res, definitely room in the market for more download firms. It’s difficult relying on just a handful of suppliers. Big market to tap into.

[Beef Oven!]

I think it's wonderful. Daniil Trifonov goes from strength to strength, displaying increased maturity and sensitivity all the time. His contribution is astonishingly good, but is just part of a beautifully rounded chamber experience.

I hesitated for quite a while when this first appeared on Qobuz because of the ridiculous prominence of the PREGHIERA branding on the cover. I had no idea what that was all about, and it was only on further investigation that I realised what the music was. I'm delighted I went for it eventually, but it's no marks to DG for a silly use of the distracting trend of giving 'titles' to CD releases nowadays.

Only just seen this post.

Totally agree, I had the same experience.

I saw it advertised before its release but because I didn’t know what it was, I overlooked it.

After enjoying the Rachmaninov Cello Sonata BaL, I went looking for more (someone (richardfinegold) said they prefer the two trios to the sonata), and it was only then that I found this!

[Beef Oven!]

Sofia Gubaidulina - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, 'In Tempus Praesens'

I had a listen to the sample and found it irresistible!

Thanks for the steer Jayne

And of course it was bought from eClassical as a Hi-Res recording for £4.10. Not bad for 34 minutes of music - it’s their per second billing policy, you see.




Edit: I’ve just listened to it all the way through and was surprised to find that it is a live performance. The well-deserved tumultuous applause is left on, which is the way I prefer it. A wonderful work, calling for creative violin playing and sometimes powerful, sometimes tender orchestral accompaniment. SG is not afraid to use percussion, either!