Past Purchases (CLOSED)

[karlhenning]

Haha.........actually, I live in a shoe!   

Oh, how we used to dream of living in a shoe!

[Bu]

Oh, how we used to dream of living in a shoe!

Alas, simply a sneaker I call my abode for now, but someday--SOMEDAY--a hussar boot may be mine!   

Yes, I dream big, Docta.   

[Renfield]

Corey, the Jansons Shostakovich cycle is (IMO) excellent!

It's among my favourite three, the other two being Shostakovich Jr and (most of all) Kondrashin.

[Kullervo]

Corey, the Jansons Shostakovich cycle is (IMO) excellent!

It's among my favourite three, the other two being Shostakovich Jr and (most of all) Kondrashin.

I considered getting the Maxim set from Amazon UK, but decided for semi-instant gratification (Jansons) over slightly cheaper price (Maxim).

More purchases!



These will be my last purchases for a long while.

[Lethevich]

I don't know these recordings, but the works kick butt

[jlaurson]

I considered getting the Maxim set from Amazon UK, but decided for semi-instant gratification (Jansons) over slightly cheaper price (Maxim).

More purchases!

Absolutely superb Ives.

DSCH: Assuming you are talking about Maxim's second cycle on Supraphon (I have a few, not the whole thing), I should think that you made the absolutely right choice in getting Jansons. (In case you were talking about the Melodiya cycle of Maxim, show me the way this instant, for I must have!!!)

There may be a few symphonies in Jansons' cycle that are a bit less satisfying, or better had elsewhere, but the average is very high, and the highs (Symphony No.4, in particular [Review]) are unreached. Very, very good Eigth with the Pittsburg Orchestra [Review]. And all the BRSO recordings (of which the 4th is one) are absolutely top-class. [Review of Sys. 2 & 12].

Your first DSCH-cycle?

[Sergeant Rock]

Arrived today from jpc. Most of the purchases inspired by discussions here, including the "Best of 2008" thread (thanks Brian, Jens):









Sarge

[Kullervo]

I don't know these recordings, but the works kick butt

What do you think about that recording of The Planets? I've actually never heard the entire piece despite hearing Mars and Jupiter in various guises without really knowing I was hearing them.

DSCH: Assuming you are talking about Maxim's second cycle on Supraphon

Yes, the Supraphon box — it's about $35 (£23) at Amazon UK.

Your first DSCH-cycle?

Yes, I've never even heard any of the symphonies. I've only recently become acquainted with the quartets.

[Renfield]

I'm still considering that Prokofiev cycle, given that I only have Gergiev's, at the moment...

But I really do wonder if it's worth prioritising it over a few rather more long-standing members of my wish-list. Your opinion, Sarge?

[Harry]

Arrived today from jpc. Most of the purchases inspired by discussions here, including the "Best of 2008" thread (thanks Brian, Jens):







Sarge

For me essential purchases, especially the Karlowicz, Prokofiev, and Alwyn, not forgetting the Sibelius.

[jlaurson]

Arrived today from jpc. Most of the purchases inspired by discussions here, including the "Best of 2008" thread (thanks Brian, Jens):

Why you are welcome.    Prokofiev you know I liked... & Mompou is a most excellent choice. If you really like it, I would suggest 'fortifying' your Mompou experience with the ECM disc of "Musica Callada" in the performance of Herbert Henck. That's adding another 10% to Mompou's own, fine efforts. In fact, if anyone wanted to get acquainted with Mompou, that'd be my primary recommendation, despite the obvious price advantage of the Brilliant box. Because after hearing the Henck disc, they'd get the Mompou box, anyway. :-) I quite like the Alwyn, too... only that particular Kullervo is not quite up my alley. It's good (I find it even better than Colin Davis' recent recording), but the Segerstam performance (ditto Vanska, albeit in a different way) towers over it. And the Alexandre Tharaud of course is predictably excellent. I assume you already have his Bach recording?? Because if you don't, I am afraid you must. That album is one 60 minute superlative of supreme Bach-playing. Very likely the best Bach recital on disc I have ever heard. (And I've heard a few.)


Federico Mompou: Musica Callada - Herbert Henck - ECM

But this arrived for me in the mail today: Yay. Not that I am a Tchaikovsky fan (and this is, shockingly, only my second complete symphony set, I believe), but I'd heard good things about them and figured I should see if Chandos had extra copies lying around. 


Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 1-6, Manfred Symphony - Mariss Jansons, Oslo Middle School Wind Band

[Sergeant Rock]

But I really do wonder if it's worth prioritising it over a few rather more long-standing members of my wish-list. Your opinion, Sarge?

Well, Järvi's Prokofiev (6 and 7) were among my very first CD purchases back in the mid-80s. I really love his Sixth, admire the Seventh (while preferring recordings by conductors who eschew the tacked on "happy ending"). The rest of his cycle has been on my wish-list over 20 years, which means, I guess, that it was never a high priority purchase. But then I didn't buy any Prokofiev cycle until fairly recently (Ozawa/Berlin) so it wasn't Järvi who held up the purchase but my own ranking of symphonists and symphonies most important to me.

What finally convinced me to buy the slimbox was the low price of this reissue and, of course, Jens' recommendation. Over the last four or so years I've come to trust him...well, except in Bruckner, where our taste does differ somewhat.

Why you are welcome.    Prokofiev you know I liked... & Mompou is a most excellent choice. If you really like it, I would suggest 'fortifying' your Mompou experience with the ECM disc of "Musica Callada"... only that particular Kullervo is not quite up my alley. It's good (I find it even better than Colin Davis' recent recording), but the Segerstam performance (ditto Vanska, albeit in a different way) towers over it.

Mompou is a composer whose music I know not at all but the clips I've heard have been intriguing and Brilliant made it a painless purchase. Segerstam's Kullervo will definitely be added to my collection soon (along with Spano) if for no other reason than I want them all. I think it's a terrific work, a desert island pick for me. I already own Davis/LSO (RCA), Davis/LSO Live, Berglund Bournemouth, Berglund Helsinki, N.Järvi, P.Järvi and Vänskä. I thought I'd found the oop Saraste but the amazon seller finally admitted he didn't actually have it...so the search continues. I bought Rasilainen's Kullervo, not because I thought it would surpass my favorites (Davis RCA, Berglund Bournemouth and Vänskä) but because I admire this conductor and wish to support my "hometown band." I tend to buy all the Rheinland-Pfalz's recordings.

And the Alexandre Tharaud of course is predictably excellent. I assume you already have his Bach recording?? Because if you don't, I am afraid you must. That album is one 60 minute superlative of supreme Bach-playing. Very likely the best Bach recital on disc I have ever heard. (And I've heard a few.)

No, I haven't heard that...in fact, his Chopin Preludes will be my first encounter with Tharaud. I'll keep his Bach (and Henck's Mompou) in mind. Thanks, Jens.

Sarge

[jlaurson]

...well, except in Bruckner, where our taste does differ somewhat.

- well, whose fault is that? 

I thought I'd found the oop Saraste but the amazon seller finally admitted he didn't actually have it...so the search continues.

That shouldn't be too difficult, no?

On German Amazon (if that's where you hail from/live) I see four different sellers. Two of the Ultima re-issue (here) and two of the first issue (here). The Ultima seems offered at a reasonable price (used) at Amazon UK, too. (here)

I'll keep an eye open for it, should it still peek out of a bin somewhere.

I tend to buy all the "Home-Band" Rheinland-Pfalz's recordings.

Ah... I see. A noble act of Lokalpatriotismus. 

[rubio]

The zloty is strong, so the CD's are more expensive in Cracow nowadays. But I managed to find some interesting items cheaper than on Amazon marketplace.

             

[Que]

The zloty is strong, so the CD's are more expensive in Cracow nowadays. But I managed to find some interesting items cheaper than on Amazon marketplace.

Good! Got that myself last week.
Not actually as a new addition to my collection but as replacement for my old single CDs from the Philips "Concert Classics" series.

Q

[Wanderer]

[Que]

Oh wow!  You're having fun lately!

Q

[Renfield]

Ah, the local bands.

The Mackerras has probably been praised enough for me not to have anything to add. But I had the pleasure of hearing Denève and the RSNO play the Roussel in the Festival Theatre a couple of months ago, and it was quite interesting!

I'm not sure if I'm altogether in love with the piece, which might be a little bit too meandering for my taste, but if the recording approximates the performance I heard, you have a fine source indeed from which to sample it. Are you following their cycle?

[Joe_Campbell]

An excellent CD! My introduction to both works.

[Brian]

Wonder why there's a different cover there -