Music Recommendations 12/22/19

by Kaiter EnlessDecember 23, 2019

Sergei Taneyev : String Trio in E-flat major Op. 31 (1910-11) – a performance on violin, viola and cello.

Vasily Kalinnikov – Symphony no. 1. – a majestic symphony.

Frescobaldi’s Toccata by Rob Dougan (Orchestral Session) – a lively, commanding rearrangement of Cassadó Gaspar’s Toccata in the Style of Frescobaldi (1925).

Sergei Rachmaninov : The Isle of the Dead, Symphonic poem Op. 29 – Andrew Davis – performed by the philharmonic orchestra; conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. Inspired by the work of the Swiss painter, Arnold Böcklin.

S. Prokofiev : Dance Of The Knights by the Boston Symphony Orchestra – one of the better recordings of the piece I’ve heard (its often played far too fast).

Froberger Suite by Marco Mencoboni – a excellent harpsichord performance.

Music Recommendations 12/17/19

by Kaiter EnlessDecember 18, 2019December 18, 2019

Bach’s Toccata & Fugue in D minor (BWV 565) by Xaver Varnus at the Berliner Dom (2013) – A splendid recording of a splendid performance (and, as of this writing, my favorite rendition of the piece).

Karelia, JS 115: Tableau 1: Runic Song: Oi Ukko, ylijumala (completed and reconstructed by J. Kaipainen) · Tellu Virkkala – Reconstruction of a magnificent piece from the Karlia Suite: Tableau 1: A Karelian Home. News Of War (1293) by Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, whose work greatly contributed to the development of Finland’s national character.

Adagietto for Strings in D Major by Robert Kajanus (2018) – A beautiful, relaxing, ambivalent cascade of stringwork. Kajanus was instrumental in preserving Sibelius’ composition, but was a talented composer in his own right. Like his aforementioned friend and contemporary, Kajanus’ music is heavily inspired by Finnish folk legends.