Album of the Evening

[Hugo9000]

Back to 1683* England, for John Blow's masterpiece, Venus and Adonis, subtitled at the time as "A Masque for the entertainment of the King" (Charles II), it is nevertheless considered an opera now (England's first, in fact), as is Purcell's magnificent and moving Dido and Aeneas, whose form was modeled after Blow's work.  Opera in England would reach its zenith with Handel several decades later, to then be eclipsed by Handel's own oratorios.

 

John Blow

Venus and Adonis

Rosemary Joshua

Gerard Finley

René Jacobs/Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

 

Rosemary Joshua sings with exquisite beauty, fittingly, as Venus, while Gerald Finley's baritone has an unforced virility as Adonis.  Cupid is portrayed by countertenor Robin Blaze (I'm not fond of his hooty tone, it's a pity that Michael Chance wasn't enlisted for this 1998 recording, it could have been perfect!  Blaze is of course talented, though.).  This Harmonia Mundi recording has marvelous sound, warm yet clear.

 

Venus and Adonis of mythology, of course, were the epitome of physical grace.  The singers themselves are much closer to the ideals of beauty than the hideous beasts of the famed painting chosen as the cover art.  Not that I blame the singers for not wishing to be pictured 'in costume' themselves haha!

 

*The notes with the CD state that the first performance was in 1681, but everything else I've read suggests 1683 is correct.  Perhaps 1681 was a private Royal performance, and 1683 was the first public performance.  

[Allan F]

An beautifful EP (6 track) album available from bandcamp for only $US5.00.

[sphinxsix]

I can't recall right now who recommended it on 'My Essential..' thread but I'm really grateful!  CD

 

[Musicophile]

In flight entertainment if the day:

 

 

Can’t get enough of this fantastic album. 

 

 

[biosailor]

[christopher3393]

Victoria - The Mystery Of The Cross

The Sixteen, Harry Christophers

 

 

https://www.allmusic.com/album/victoria-the-mystery-of-the-cross-vol-2-mw0001855190

 

Purchase: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7928655--victoria-the-mystery-of-the-cross

[Guidof]

 

Ruby Braff: Hi-Fi Salute to Bunny. Delightful, and played with flare by all (Braff, Pee Wee Russel, Benny Morton, Dick Hafer, Nat Pierce, Steve Jordan, Walter Page, Buzzy Drootin).

 

Fine sound from a CD rip (also available on Qobuz).

[Guidof]

Played with flair, not flare, of course. (sorry).

[AMR/iFi audio]

 

[sphinxsix]

Just finished streaming.

[Musicophile]

6 hours ago, sphinxsix said:

Just finished streaming.

All of it? I’m impressed. 

 

I can barely sit through one of them.

 

I have the Solti cycle as well, actually both on vinyl and as download, but I’m still waiting for the day that I really start to fully  it. 

[AnotherSpin]

1 hour ago, Musicophile said:

All of it? I’m impressed. 

 

I can barely sit through one of them.

 

I have the Solti cycle as well, actually both on vinyl and as download, but I’m still waiting for the day that I really start to fully  it. 

 

It is a single CD selection of instrumental parts from Der Ring. Kind of greatest hits. Just to get a feeling of Wagner's universe.

 

Would you believe it or not, I listened to whole opus in its entirety countless times, not only Solti, which is most famous, but many other versions as well, starting from post-war live recordings. Was even dreaming about undertaking the effort of getting tickets to Bayreuth festival (it is not a simple task at all if you know what I mean), but laziness prevailed. 

[sphinxsix]

4 hours ago, Musicophile said:

All of it? I’m impressed. 

 

3 hours ago, AnotherSpin said:

It is a single CD selection of instrumental parts from Der Ring.

Yes, these are orchestral excerpts. I was highly impressed but it was too late yesterday to comment on it. I will do it on 'My Essential..' thread now.

[zerung]

On 1/18/2018 at 1:51 AM, Musicophile said:

Some Martha tonight:

 

 

Thank you. This Martha Argerich might arguably be the best Rachmaninov 3 around, at least for me. There is indeed not many pianist better than her. 

 

 

[mkrzych]

Fantastic compilation and sound IMHO. What a pleasure listening to true genius in chronological releases of the songs. One drawback, downloads don't contain booklets, which it unacceptable for me! 

 

The lyricism and plot of Coltrane's sax is just awesome, there is also spark when needed, no harsh, just singing over the sax! I am lost....

 

[ray-dude]

 

We had the true privilege of seeing this film last night.  A time machine experience and a transcendent experience to see and feel these performances on the big screen.  The album was already absolutely incredible, but seeing and being in the room took it up the emotional ladder many more fold.

 

Very limited run (only a couple showings in San Diego this weekend), so if even of passing interest, please do yourself a favor and see it in theaters while you still can.

 

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/amazing-grace-2018

 

[rando]

Pulled this out of the newly purchased stack after seeing @christopher3393's post above.

 

[christopher3393]

Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611): Lamentations of Jeremiah

The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips 

 

 

"Victoria's nine Lamentations contain some of his most intense, mystical and moving music and rank alongside the Requiem as one of his greatest achievements."

 

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDGIM043

[rando]

The final act of new age music listening that will occur in my home.  You can hunt up the French nature show for undesirable quality examples of the music if you so wish.  Or mute everything and enjoy the beautiful footage of giraffes frolicking and so on.

 

  

[Melvin]

Interesting album from the talented Ms. Jones .. I quite like it.

 

[rando]

Pairing of The Choir of St Paul's Cathedral.  

 

 

[biosailor]

[jhwalker]

Some very atmospheric and beautifully recorded Rachmaninov for a very stormy day here in Dallas, performed with great panache by Boris Giltburg:

 

[sphinxsix]

Late Schubert sonatas & impromptus played by András Schiff on 1820 Viennese fortepiano.

BBC Music Magazine’s 'Recording of the Month'.

 

[christopher3393]

Lassus: Hieremiae Prophetae Lamentationes

Herreweghe /  Royal Chapel European Vocal Ensemble 

 

 

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=212074