Help with George Onslow recordings, please.

[Bunny]

I've become interested in the music of the Anglo/French composer George Onslow (1784-1852), and would love recommendations for quality recordings of his works.  So far, I have the L'Archibudelli recording of the string quintets on my wish list, but until a reasonably priced copy comes my way, I'd like to pick up other recordings.  Although primarily a composer of chamber music, Onslow also composed a few symphonies and operatic works.  I don't care if the recording is HIP or not, so long as it is a high quality recording.

[SonicMan46]

I've become interested in the music of the Anglo/French composer George Onslow (1784-1852), and would love recommendations for quality recordings of his works.  So far, I have the L'Archibudelli recording of the string quintets on my wish list, but until a reasonably priced copy comes my way, I'd like to pick up other recordings.  Although primarily a composer of chamber music, Onslow also composed a few symphonies and operatic works.  I don't care if the recording is HIP or not, so long as it is a high quality recording.

Bunny - check out the Onslow Chateau in the Old Forum - plenty of good recommendations already there; I've may have added a few more since that time but not home to check at the moment - looking forward to other comments - 

[Harry]

Bunny, pretty much everything you can order from MDG & CPO from Onslow is very good. The chambermusic on MDG are especially good. You can't go wrong with any recording on both labels.
The pointer to the old thread is also a option to find the things you want.
Needless to say that I have most of the recordings.
The MDG's are high quality recordings, and CPO not far behind

[johnQpublic]

This one is a winner!!

[SonicMan46]

Well, returned home tonight, and found that I had added a couple more Onslow discs to my collection, mainly mentioned by Harry from the wonderful MDG label:

String Quintets, Op. 34/35 & String Quintets, Op. 33/74 - now have just a half dozen, plenty of other compositions by this composer & certainly would love to explore his 'larger' string collections - please, all  - continue w/ the recommendations (not that many other there @ the moment to consider, unfortunately) - 

 

[Harry]

My dear bunny were are you?
Started up a thread and then fled?
Onslow was the end of you?

[Bunny]

Hi everyone!  I haven't been spending as much time at the laptop in the last few days, so apologies for my absence... and, a big thank you for all of the great suggestions.  Now a few questions --

John Q. Public, it's impossible for me to see who the musicians are from the illustration of the album (pictured below).  Would you be kind enough to post the name of the group or musicians so that  I can find the album?  Thanks!



Harry, are any of the recordings on period instruments, or are they modern instrument performance?  Also, are there any of the recordings that are particularly fine?  And, how is the sound quality on the MDG recordings?  I have read that they can tend to have a very bright sound signature.

I'd still love to hear something about the Symphonies; are there any stand out recordings of those?

Re: L'Archibudelli -- I may have a copy of the cd coming my way.  

[JoshLilly]

I have two recordings on the cpo label of his symphonies 1-4 (sold seperately; Disc 1 is 2+4, Disc2 is 1+3). I bought them as they came out. I rather enjoyed all four of these works. I'm going to get the discs out again. One of them (I forget which) was a rescored String Quartet or something, and I'm pretty sure that was actually my favourite of the group. As far as I know, you've got this cpo set to choose from, at least one other CD out there that has one or two of his symphonies on it; maybe a complete set, but whatever it is, I haven't heard it.

cpo has usually got good sound quality, and it's no exception here. The CDs I have are both fairly new and are clean, with fair liner notes. As to the music, I like it quite a bit. Personally, none of the 4 rank among my favourite symphonies, but I definitely have no intent to box these CDs away; in fact, I think I'll trot them out tonight and tomorrow! Thanks for the reminder. I have one CD with a couple of his string quartets on it, supposedly his forté, but I honestly prefer the symphonies to what I've heard of his chamber music. Then again, I tend to prefer full orchestra in general to smaller ensembles; just my preference.

I think, if you want all of them, you've gotta go with the cpo 2-CD set (though they don't sell as a set). I don't know that any other label has recorded them all. As far as I can tell, these discs are excellent, but I have nothing to compare, to be fair.

[Bunny]

Thanks Josh!  I guess Cpo it will be for the symphonies.  Failing the appearance of the L'Archibudelli cd in economical form, the MDG recordings of the chamber music will also be going home with me.

Thanks everyone for the help.

[Harry]

Harry, are any of the recordings on period instruments, or are they modern instrument performance?  Also, are there any of the recordings that are particularly fine?  And, how is the sound quality on the MDG recordings?  I have read that they can tend to have a very bright sound signature.

I'd still love to hear something about the Symphonies; are there any stand out recordings of those?

The recordings on MDG are not HIP, but that said, you hardly notice. No duds in the MDG recordings, they all sound fine Bunny, and I bought almost 50% of the catalogue, and never encountered a cd with a bright sound signature. In fact, and rightly so, they praised themselves and are praised for their excellence in recording. My critical primary system finds them more than oke.

Turning to the Onslow Symphonies, the CPO recordings are very good, and cheap in the bargain. Raving reviews too. Played them several times, and I think they are right.

CPO has also recorded some SQ on three seperate cd's, and are well wort buying. Recommended.

[johnQpublic]

Here it is Bunny...and remember Apex is mid-price. 



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Georges-Onslow-Grand-Septuor-Sextuor/dp/B00007KI1E/ref=sr_1_4/203- 1812025-1615953?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1178129794&sr=8-4

[Bunny]

Again, thank you so much for all of your help. 

Harry, it's good to know that the MDG sound meets your exacting standards.

JohnQ, thanks for the link. and it does help to find that it's a mid priced label.

[Brian]

Bumping this thread after finding this article on Answers.com:



That had me laughing for AT LEAST five minutes. 

[Gurn Blanston]

Since Onslow has floated to the top again (thanks, Brian), here is a disk that I purchased last week with a piece of his on it:

Amazon link



It is 3 piano quintets (with 1 each of the 4 strings) by Hummel, Dussek and Onslow. HIP. Excellent playing and sound, and music that is very typical of the Early Romantic (as opposed to Beethoven, who is typical of... Beethoven! (Late Classic)). I would recommend this disk to anyone who wants to get a feeling for what Onslow and the others were saying musically. And at the Brilliant price point, you can't go wrong! 





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Listening to:
Brahms Symphony #3 in F Op 90 - Scottish CO / Mackerras - Symphony #3 in F Op 90 1st mvmt - Allegro con brio

[Harry]

It is 3 piano quintets (with 1 each of the 4 strings) by Hummel, Dussek and Onslow. HIP. Excellent playing and sound, and music that is very typical of the Early Romantic (as opposed to Beethoven, who is typical of... Beethoven! (Late Classic)). I would recommend this disk to anyone who wants to get a feeling for what Onslow and the others were saying musically. And at the Brilliant price point, you can't go wrong! 

That's indeed a fine disc Gurn.

[ChamberNut]

Awesome!  A Georges Onslow thread.  I'll be looking at all these recommendations (including the old forum thread link).  I would like to get some of his string quintets into my collection soon.

[SonicMan46]

Away - currently away at a medical mtg. in Washington, D.C. - but LOL!    May have added some more Onslow since my last post but will have to await my return home in a few days - Dave 

[ChamberNut]

Awesome!  A Georges Onslow thread.  I'll be looking at all these recommendations (including the old forum thread link).  I would like to get some of his string quintets into my collection soon.

FINALLY, I have my first George Onslow CD, and does it sound fantastic!   

Quintets for 2 violins, viola, cello and double bass, Op. 37 & Op. 67, both in C minor

Quintett Momento Musicale

[Leo K.]

I am really enjoying Onslow's 1st symphony (on CPO), which I just heard for the first time yesterday. I also was given some of his chamber works and look forward to those also 

[Gurn Blanston]

I am really enjoying Onslow's 1st symphony (on CPO), which I just heard for the first time yesterday. I also was given some of his chamber works and look forward to those also 

If you want to hear Onslow at his best (I have a bunch of his chamber works, as well as the symphonies), you might want to give this disk a try. Rare thing indeed for me to rec a non_PI disk from this era, but;

[asin]B002UOOM30[/asin] 

this one kicks ass!