I just bought an Andre Previn CD in the GROC series ..... Britten : Sea Interludes and Sinfonia da Requiem and Holst : Perfect Fool. IMHO this is great music making and the sound quality is excellent. I also know Previn's acclaimed version of Walton's 1st symphony.
Does anyone have recommendations for other Previn "must-have's" (or disappointments to avoid).
Thanks
He was very good in Vaughan Williams, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich (which doesn't have the brutality of a Russian recording, but is still very good of its kind.) His Rustic Wedding Symphony is one of the best and is coming out in an EMI twofer in March. I was disappointed with his Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet, though.
I'm afraid he's mostly forgettable. Whenever I take out one of his seventies recordings I start to notice how bad the ensemble is and how unimaginative the conducting is. I guess he just recorded too much.
His old Shostakovich 5th with the LSO is my favorite recording of the piece (despite a couple of sonic glitches) - I even prefer it to the famous Bernstein recording.
I like his Vaughan Williams too, generally speaking.
This is my favourite Previn recording and maybe my favourite Manfred. The LSO plays beautifully and Previn's performance gives a lot of insight into the music. It was like hearing the music for the first time. Previn and the LSO had generally a very fruitful co-operation in Russian repertoire. It was Previn's golden days and produced several excellent recordings. Previn has also produced a lot of mediocre/OK stuff in other settings.
http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Manfred-Symphony-Overture-Romeo-Rachmaninov/dp/B000002SFQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1234800587&sr=1-1
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Quote from: Daverz on February 16, 2009, 06:47:28 AM
He was very good in Vaughan Williams, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich (which doesn't have the brutality of a Russian recording, but is still very good of its kind.) His Rustic Wedding Symphony is one of the best and is coming out in an EMI twofer in March. I was disappointed with his Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet, though.
I also think the Previn work which stands out most vs competition is his
Vaughn Williams RCA set, almost every other composer you can find better versions compared to Previn's version, VW just more naturally fits Previns style
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51m5DMiN2FL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Andre Previn and Leonard Bernstein are the only two American conductors whose recordings are reasonably well represented in my 6000 some recordings. My collection tends to be very Euro-centric - very few American orchestras or ensembles ...
also, any recommends for his best piano recordings?
as he was recognized by Phillips as among the Great Pianists of the 20th Century
I've had this since I was a teenager, my intro to Prokofiev (and 20th century Russian music in general, most likely). Great sound quality (demonstration-class back in the day), and a ripping performance -- very good for waking up the neighbors. ;D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Ce9ppm1hL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)
Quote from: B_cereus on February 16, 2009, 12:14:57 PM
also, any recommends for his best piano recordings?
as he was recognized by Phillips as among the Great Pianists of the 20th Century
Believe it or not, the few recordings I have where Previn played piano were actually from my small venture into the jazz world. Andre Previn was a jazz pianist at some point.
Walton 1 on RCA is unsurpassed.
In the Vaughan Williams symphonies Previn is usually best or equal to the best. The complete set is very inexpensive, so if you're exploring Previn as conductor it's a great place to start. Unfortunately I haven't yet heard his Rachmaninov symphonies; his accompaniments to Ashkenazy in the concertos were first class. I've heard his Shostakovich 4 and 5 - well done but not a match for the very best (Kondrashin, Mravinsky, et al.).
Quote from: eyeresist on February 16, 2009, 04:38:01 PM
In the Vaughan Williams symphonies Previn is usually best or equal to the best. The complete set is very inexpensive, so if you're exploring Previn as conductor it's a great place to start.
I have the set by Previn. While it may be inexpensive, I don't think there are many choices out there either for the complete set.
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Along with the Ormandy/Philadelphia this could be described as definitive
The best thing I heard from Previn: Ravel, "L'Enfant et les sortilèges". He recorded this opera twice. I prefer the DG version (1999), with Pamela Stephen. It includes a very good version of Ma Mère L'Oye.
His Rachmaninov 2 has long been a popular one.
But personally, I think one of his best performances is Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, which can often be found for under $10.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QUil58fjL._SS500_.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/Previn-Ordinary-Things-Remembrances-Vocalise/dp/B0000029NW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1234891139&sr=8-1
I'll second much of Previn's VW, his Rach symphonies, the Walton and Orff and Rustic Wedding Symphony. All very good. But I'll add two that I think are exceptionally worthy: his Copland Red Pony (originally on American Columbia, now Sony) and his Mahler 4th Symphony (an EMI recording with Pittsburgh SO and Elly Ameling...it maintains status in my collection even along side Szell and Reiner, my usual favorites in that piece).
Cheers,
Dirk
He recorded the Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2 three times. I have the RCA one, which is cut. I think the EMI one is more commonly recommended. (Oddly, the Temirkanov pictured below by Rubio is actually one of my favorites of this symphony, and I haven't gotten around to listening to the Manfred!)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51y66E-YDfL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61E797MAVNL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zwJtj%2BALL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://www.mdt.co.uk/public/pictures/products/standard/2643192.jpg)
Quote from: Daverz on February 17, 2009, 09:20:41 AM
He recorded the Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2 three times. I have the RCA one, which is cut. I think the EMI one is more commonly recommended.
The EMI set of Rach symphonies (on LP) is the one I'm best acquainted with. I very much like his 2 and 3 in that set--1 is OK but not quite on the same performance level as the other two.
Cheers,
Dirk
Previn's Prokofiev symphonies were also usually quite good, as I recall, especially no. 1 with the LSO and 5 with San Francisco (if I recall correctly), and the ballets, of course. A couple of weeks ago I was listening to some of his Vaughan Williams (I have a mix of his RCA and Telarc recordings, and I find them all excellent.
I think that Previn is underrated these days.
My favourite recordings:
Shostakovich Symphony No 8 (LSO,EMI)
Shostakovich Symphony No 4 (Chicago SO, EMI)
Vaughan Williams: symphonies 2,3 and 8 (these are my favourite versions)
Rachmaninov: Symphony 3 (EMI)
Holst/Britten: Perfect Fool etc/ Sinfonia da Requiem (EMI)
Oddly enough I do not really like his much praised version of Walton's 1st Symphony - I don't think that the opening is as mysterious and tense as it should be.
Quote from: vandermolen on February 18, 2009, 02:32:04 AM
Oddly enough I do not really like his much praised version of Walton's 1st Symphony - I don't think that the opening is as mysterious and tense as it should be.
What would be your choice for the Walton?
Quote from: Daverz on February 18, 2009, 09:18:09 AM
What would be your choice for the Walton?
I like the old ones by Boult and Sargent (neither available at the moment)
Otherwise the Mackerras LPO version is good (EMI) as is Ashkenazy (Decca) and Thomson (Chandos). There is a very good Arte Nova super-cheap one with Adrian Leaper and (surprisingly) the Orchestra of Grand Canary. The Karajan version on EMI Great Conductors is worth searching out and the premiere recording with Hamilton Harty is terrific (from the 1930s - was on Dutton).
If you want one I'd go for Ashkenazy or Thomson.
Quote from: vandermolen on February 18, 2009, 09:30:19 AM
I like the old ones by Boult and Sargent (neither available at the moment)
I found the Sargent on an excellent EMI Odeon Lp on my last trip to L.A. Has it ever been on CD (I bet there was a Japanese release :P ). It is indeed excellent (though Walton is said to have privately preferred the Previn.) I'll have to look for the Boult.
Quote
If you want one I'd go for Ashkenazy or Thomson.
I got the Decca Double with Ashkenazy's symphonies for the Violin Concerto with Chung. I don't think I've actually listened to the symphonies yet!
Quote from: Daverz on February 18, 2009, 09:54:37 AM
I found the Sargent on an excellent EMI Odeon Lp on my last trip to L.A. Has it ever been on CD (I bet there was a Japanese release :P ). It is indeed excellent (though Walton is said to have privately preferred the Previn.) I'll have to look for the Boult.
I got the Decca Double with Ashkenazy's symphonies for the Violin Concerto with Chung. I don't think I've actually listened to the symphonies yet!
The Sargent has, to my knowledge, been available twice on CD (in the UK). Once on EMI Angel (with Previn's version of Symphony No 2 - this is the CD I have). It was also once on an HMV CD (only available from HMV shops then) with Crown Imperial I think. The Boult is very rare on a Pye CD (I got it second hand from the USA). The recording is a bit muffled but the performance is excellent.
Quote from: vandermolen on February 18, 2009, 12:33:09 PM
The Sargent has, to my knowledge, been available twice on CD (in the UK). Once on EMI Angel (with Previn's version of Symphony No 2 - this is the CD I have).
Oh, duh, there it is on Amazon. I just ordered it.
I'm surprised no one's mentioned Previn's EMI Berlioz Requiem. It's riveting, - and received nothing but exceptional reviews.
val mentioned Ravel, reminding me I have an EMI disc of Previn with the RPO - the sound and performance are gorgeous, a real "hot cocoa" affair. Sadly, most Ravel doesn't hold my attention, which is why I forgot this!
Previn recorded Prokofiev symphony 7, as well as 1 and 5. I haven't heard any of this, as most of it is OOP (a lot of Previn seems to be that way).
Quote from: Daverz on February 18, 2009, 12:48:06 PM
Oh, duh, there it is on Amazon. I just ordered it.
Hope you enjoy it. Haitink's on EMI is also very good - unidiomatic in some ways but still excellent. Let us know what you think of the Sargent. I shall go and play it in a minute.
Quote from: B_cereus on February 16, 2009, 12:14:57 PM
also, any recommends for his best piano recordings?
as he was recognized by Phillips as among the Great Pianists of the 20th Century
For that, you should try his jazz recordings on the Contemporary label he did in the Us during the 50's and early 60's.
Quote from: J on February 18, 2009, 03:33:41 PM
I'm surprised no one's mentioned Previn's EMI Berlioz Requiem. It's riveting, - and received nothing but exceptional reviews.
Me, too, it is excellent and has superb sound for its time. Another excellent disc is the Britten Spring Symphony. The best recording of the piece, I feel. He produced some Strauss tone poems. Heldenleben has a filler of Four Last Songs with the silver voiced Arleen Auger. The Vienna Phil sound marvelous, a very open recording with forward sound. It is a very different take on the songs from the many more famous recordings; but it is a gem.
The Carmina Burana is first rate, it has been mentioned. I also enjoy a number of his RVW symphonies. I got rid of the Romeo and Juliet in preference to the Maazel, which springs the rhythms more successfully.
Also; a really good Holst Planets with the Royal Philharmonic, very atmospheric.
Mike
I got to know Messiaen's Turangalila Symphony via Previn's LSO recording and it still sounds sensational.