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Classical music reviews & shit fitzbattleax.wordpress.com
Classical Bluesky journeys:
#ManfredJourney
#Tchaik4Journey
Classical music reviews & shit fitzbattleax.wordpress.com
Classical Bluesky journeys:
#ManfredJourney
#Tchaik4Journey
Honegger’s La Danse des Morts is a delightfully quirky 20th century work with a chorus, solists, and a narrator screaming French into the mic much closer than anyone else. Complete with a major key quote of the Dies Irae, it’s worth a listen even in 78-era sound.
November 10, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Honegger’s La Danse des Morts is a delightfully quirky 20th century work with a chorus, solists, and a narrator screaming French into the mic much closer than anyone else. Complete with a major key quote of the Dies Irae, it’s worth a listen even in 78-era sound.
I’m being a bit picky: this is still among the better versions of the finale, with flashes of excitement, but it all comes across a bit manufactured. If you come across this version, it's sure to provide pleasure, but the only reason to have it is to get the better parts of the set pictured here.
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 AM
I’m being a bit picky: this is still among the better versions of the finale, with flashes of excitement, but it all comes across a bit manufactured. If you come across this version, it's sure to provide pleasure, but the only reason to have it is to get the better parts of the set pictured here.
Our next entry in the #ManfredJourney is one I've listened to many times on account of it's reissue as part of an economical DG Trio set. This 1993 recording comes from the start of Pletnev's conducting career. Pletnev thankfully does not drag his feet in the first movement like so many.
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Our next entry in the #ManfredJourney is one I've listened to many times on account of it's reissue as part of an economical DG Trio set. This 1993 recording comes from the start of Pletnev's conducting career. Pletnev thankfully does not drag his feet in the first movement like so many.
Oh my god, if he’s right, this is more exciting than the Super Bowl
November 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Oh my god, if he’s right, this is more exciting than the Super Bowl
Finally forcing myself to appreciate Ravel (so far it's working)
October 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Finally forcing myself to appreciate Ravel (so far it's working)
I’m on a Munch kick! Just got a hold of this box of Decca stuff. Lots of Paris Conservatory Orchestra recordings, such a joy. Will report back when I get some real time with it.
October 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I’m on a Munch kick! Just got a hold of this box of Decca stuff. Lots of Paris Conservatory Orchestra recordings, such a joy. Will report back when I get some real time with it.
My first exposure to this youthful masterpiece was Karajan’s 1965 recording, and it’s still special for its vocal pathos and impactful orchestral contribution. No one is ashamed of the emotional excess of the piece and it really bowls you over. Some of DG’s best sound for the era.
October 1, 2025 at 4:58 PM
My first exposure to this youthful masterpiece was Karajan’s 1965 recording, and it’s still special for its vocal pathos and impactful orchestral contribution. No one is ashamed of the emotional excess of the piece and it really bowls you over. Some of DG’s best sound for the era.
The Chausson Symphony is so amazing. A sweeping work of so much beauty and excitement, especially when Charles Munch is at the helm.
October 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The Chausson Symphony is so amazing. A sweeping work of so much beauty and excitement, especially when Charles Munch is at the helm.
Symphony No. 9 - Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with the greatest cast of soloists ever. This one bowls me over every time. Traditional Beethoven interpretation at its very best from top to bottom. Exciting, grand, and beautiful.
September 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Symphony No. 9 - Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with the greatest cast of soloists ever. This one bowls me over every time. Traditional Beethoven interpretation at its very best from top to bottom. Exciting, grand, and beautiful.
Symphony No. 8 - It's in mono, but very fine mono that lets you understand Hermann Scherchenn and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's high energy Beethoven was special in the 1950s and still holds up today. Exciting with a bit of edge, I come back to this more than any other 8th.
September 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Symphony No. 8 - It's in mono, but very fine mono that lets you understand Hermann Scherchenn and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's high energy Beethoven was special in the 1950s and still holds up today. Exciting with a bit of edge, I come back to this more than any other 8th.
Symphony No. 7 - You know it's Sir Thomas Beecham and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. One of the quickest, most joyful 7ths on record. Listen to the horns ring out in the first movement. Beecham understands music can be fun, and this recording is so much fun.
September 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Symphony No. 7 - You know it's Sir Thomas Beecham and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. One of the quickest, most joyful 7ths on record. Listen to the horns ring out in the first movement. Beecham understands music can be fun, and this recording is so much fun.
Symphony No. 6 - Günter Wand and the NDR Symphony Orchestra. Naturally sprung and unflaggingly gorgeous. The finale is so beautiful it makes me want to cry. Amazing.
September 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Symphony No. 6 - Günter Wand and the NDR Symphony Orchestra. Naturally sprung and unflaggingly gorgeous. The finale is so beautiful it makes me want to cry. Amazing.
Symphony No. 5 - Igor Markevitch and the Lamoreux Orchestra. Holy cow, this one rocks. The brash early analog sound only enhances the excitement, which reaches a fever pitch in the finale surpassed by no one and matched by few. The distinctive old French orchestral sound is my fav in Beethoven.
September 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Symphony No. 5 - Igor Markevitch and the Lamoreux Orchestra. Holy cow, this one rocks. The brash early analog sound only enhances the excitement, which reaches a fever pitch in the finale surpassed by no one and matched by few. The distinctive old French orchestral sound is my fav in Beethoven.
Symphony No. 4 - Klemperer and the Philharmonia Orchestra. No one clarified textures quite like Klemperer, and his top to bottom sonority is a joy in the 4th. An unalloyed delight.
September 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Symphony No. 4 - Klemperer and the Philharmonia Orchestra. No one clarified textures quite like Klemperer, and his top to bottom sonority is a joy in the 4th. An unalloyed delight.
Symphony No. 3 - George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. Some of the highest quality of orchestral playing is paired with a clear-eyed and exciting interpretation of this occasionally problematic masterpiece. The coda of the finale is the most thrilling thing you've ever heard.
September 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Symphony No. 3 - George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. Some of the highest quality of orchestral playing is paired with a clear-eyed and exciting interpretation of this occasionally problematic masterpiece. The coda of the finale is the most thrilling thing you've ever heard.
Symphony No. 2 - Skrowaczewski and the Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra. A biting, witty account that always makes me sit up and pay attention.
September 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Symphony No. 2 - Skrowaczewski and the Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra. A biting, witty account that always makes me sit up and pay attention.
Symphony No. 1 - Charles Mackerras with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra! Mackerras was great at apply period performance practice to modern orchestras, and the results are delicious. Part of a great cycle.
September 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Symphony No. 1 - Charles Mackerras with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra! Mackerras was great at apply period performance practice to modern orchestras, and the results are delicious. Part of a great cycle.
Klemp, Klemp, Klemp!
September 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Klemp, Klemp, Klemp!
I looked closer and actually it’s just the titles in blue that have been remastered, which happily is the majority.
September 12, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I looked closer and actually it’s just the titles in blue that have been remastered, which happily is the majority.
On pre-order, so much to explore!
September 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
On pre-order, so much to explore!
An interestingly mid #Tchaik4Journey entry comes from ~1960 with Rafael Kubelik conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. I can see what Kubelik wants to do with this music, but the Vienna Phil doesn’t get it. There are moments of rough ensemble and the scherzo sounds like a routine rehearsal.
September 6, 2025 at 4:59 PM
An interestingly mid #Tchaik4Journey entry comes from ~1960 with Rafael Kubelik conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. I can see what Kubelik wants to do with this music, but the Vienna Phil doesn’t get it. There are moments of rough ensemble and the scherzo sounds like a routine rehearsal.
I will NEVER subscribe to Office 365
September 3, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I will NEVER subscribe to Office 365