Gurn's Classical Corner

[Leo K.]

I'm with Gurn on the second Mosaiques Haydn box, opp. 64, 76, 77. And while it is HIP, the playing is disciplined and intonation excellent.

For Mozart something with similar characteristics, containing all of his "Haydn" quartets on 3 discs:

[asin]B000JBXIIG[/asin]

This looks like a great set, thanks for the heads up 

[chasmaniac]

This looks like a great set, thanks for the heads up 

Very good. If quick, you'll find it on BRO for $12.

[Geo Dude]

This sounds like you are thinking of giving a gift.

A gift to myself...

I recently heard a Kodaly Quartet recording of the latter three of Haydn's Op. 76 quartets that has been sitting unused in my collection for a few years and was blown away.  Reminded me that I should check out some more of the quartets by both composers.  Thank you very much for the lead on the Quatuor Mosaïques Haydn box set!  I'll pick that up as soon as I have money.  I'm interested in that Mozart set which also happens to be in print, too.

And thanks everyone else for the other recommendations!  Keep in mind that I'm looking for 'best' works rather than complete box sets.  That Klenke set seems to fit the bill nicely.

[Antoine Marchand]

I have recommended this set before, but for Mozart's "Haydn" quartets there is not better combination price/quality than this:

[asin]B000H6SU9U[/asin]

[Geo Dude]

I have recommended this set before, but for Mozart's "Haydn" quartets there is not better combination price/quality than this:

[asin]B000H6SU9U[/asin]

Thanks for the lead.  Do you have more detailed thoughts on this set? (other than the GREAT price!)  Is it HIP or HIP influenced?  General thoughts on the playing style?  Any information you can provide is helpful.

[Antoine Marchand]

Thanks for the lead.  Do you have more detailed thoughts on this set? (other than the GREAT price!)  Is it HIP or HIP influenced?  General thoughts on the playing style?  Any information you can provide is helpful.

Totally HIP and played on period instruments. This is the ensemble of the Smithsonian Institution (that's the origin of their instruments), but currently is known as The Axelrod Quartet. At the time of these recordings, the quartet was leaded by the famous Dutch violinist Jaap Schröeder, who, for instance, shares credits with Hoogwood in the integral recording of the Mozart symphonies (AAM, L'Oyseau Lyre). All those quartets are exceptionally well played and the set includes some bonus (K. 563, 370).

Here you can read a more detailed review:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/May07/MozartSmithson_3727782.htm

[Leon]

I have recommended this set before, but for Mozart's "Haydn" quartets there is not better combination price/quality than this:

[asin]B000H6SU9U[/asin]

I second this recommendation.  I consider this set first rate.

[SonicMan46]

Hertel, Johann Wilhelm (1727-1789) - Concerti & Sinfonie w/ Capriccio Barock Orchester and Sergio Assolini on bassoon - my first disc of this little known German late Baroque-early Classical composer; stimulated by a good review in Fanfare reprinted HERE and the inclusion of a number of bassoon concerti; all played on PIs for 80+ minutes!

Despite searching I can find little on this 'transitional' composer of the 18th century (a period that I love!) - a short Wiki Article is available - he apparently wrote a LOT of music but googling for an oeuvre was not successful - what to obtain next, if anything?  Apparently his trumpet concerto(s) is well known - might consider the MDG disc below? 


   

[Geo Dude]

Thank you for all the advice, gentlemen.  You can view the fruits of your labors here.

[chasmaniac]

Thank you for all the advice, gentlemen.  You can view the fruits of your labors here.

Would those be fresh fruits or canned fruits in light syrup?    Good looking buys!

[Geo Dude]

Would those be fresh fruits or canned fruits in light syrup?

That depends entirely upon how long it takes the sellers to ship them out...

[Leo K.]

Hertel, Johann Wilhelm (1727-1789) - Concerti & Sinfonie w/ Capriccio Barock Orchester and Sergio Assolini on bassoon - my first disc of this little known German late Baroque-early Classical composer; stimulated by a good review in Fanfare reprinted HERE and the inclusion of a number of bassoon concerti; all played on PIs for 80+ minutes!

Despite searching I can find little on this 'transitional' composer of the 18th century (a period that I love!) - a short Wiki Article is available - he apparently wrote a LOT of music but googling for an oeuvre was not successful - what to obtain next, if anything?  Apparently his trumpet concerto(s) is well known - might consider the MDG disc below? 


   

This is great Dave! I also recently discovered this composer and I'm loving what I'm hearing. Here is the disk I have, with three concertos and two short sinfonias:



Totally Recommended!



By the way, I also like the music of his father, Johann Christian Hertel 

[SonicMan46]

This is great Dave! I also recently discovered this composer and I'm loving what I'm hearing. Here is the disk I have, with three concertos and two short sinfonias:

 

Totally Recommended!  By the way, I also like the music of his father, Johann Christian Hertel 

Hi Leo - just listened to my disc yesterday - excellent and love the bassoon (not sure which works are on your CD?) - but stimulated by what I heard, just ordered the 'trumpet' recording on MDG (a label I love!) - should arrive by the end of the week!  Dave

[Leon]

Two very nice recordings:

[asin]B000BOWT4K[/asin]

[asin]B0000029KA[/asin]

[chasmaniac]

Another upcoming release from Hungaroton that might find favour with the cats in the classical corner.

[asin]B006EMSQ1I[/asin]

[Gurn Blanston]

Another upcoming release from Hungaroton that might find favour with the cats in the classical corner.

[asin]B006EMSQ1I[/asin]

I have this one;



and this one;

[asin]B00365QSH0[/asin]

and find them both quite enjoyable. Certainly it will be interesting to look into another (known good) composer's take on the basset horn trio. Thanks for the link, Chas!

[Leo K.]

Having a lot of enjoyment from this:



Especially the E Minor Symphony, wow! What a fine work of "sturm und drang" emotion!

[Gurn Blanston]

Having a lot of enjoyment from this:



Especially the E Minor Symphony, wow! What a fine work of "sturm und drang" emotion!

I didn't realize they were up to Vol 4 of that series. I don't think I have Vol 3 yet!    And I really like Vanhal's music too. What am I thinking?    Thanks for the reminder, Leo.

[Leo K.]

I didn't realize they were up to Vol 4 of that series. I don't think I have Vol 3 yet!    And I really like Vanhal's music too. What am I thinking?    Thanks for the reminder, Leo.

It's Haydn's fault!   

I forgot how wonderful's Vanhal's symphonies really are, and this disk cements my love! I've returned to the early volumes too. Vanhal's a good/interesting musical adventure to go alongside my recent Haydn journey 

[Gurn Blanston]

It's Haydn's fault!   

I forgot how wonderful Vanhal's symphonies really are, and this disk cements my love! I've returned to the early volumes too. Vanhal's a good/interesting musical adventure to go alongside my recent Haydn journey 

Yup, right on all counts. I quite enjoyed Vol 1 & 2, and a couple of other Vanhal disks I have too. He was a top-shelf composer in his day, and IMO his quality hasn't diminished over the years, despite that his fame has. Tastes change; taste doesn't. Vanhal was always in good taste.