Past Purchases (CLOSED)

[Drasko]

When you get a chance, I'd appreciate your impressions of the sound and performance on that CD.

Sure, no problem. Expecting much in the sound department would probably be optimistic, it's an amateur recording. The 4th Ballade is posted on youtube already
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt6SMLf8CGM
I wasn't too keen on first listen, here is my comment made to someone else, word for word.
But can't say I like that 4th Ballade, he handles that four note motif interestingly acheiving certain raise-fall effect but he also rushes many phrase endings and forces too hard in the middle of the piece for my taste. It's generally very forced performance. I'll be buying the disc nevertheless.
Which I did

[George]

Sure, no problem. Expecting much in the sound department would probably be optimistic, it's an amateur recording. The 4th Ballade is posted on youtube already
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt6SMLf8CGM

Thanks! I am listening to it now. The sound is completely audible, which is good, but yeah the tone almost sounds like another instrument.

I wasn't too keen on first listen, here is my comment made to someone else, word for word.
But can't say I like that 4th Ballade, he handles that four note motif interestingly acheiving certain raise-fall effect but he also rushes many phrase endings and forces too hard in the middle of the piece for my taste. It's generally very forced performance.

I agree with your assessment, especially the rushed phrase endings. I like the drama he creates about 1/3 of the way in. He has a dramatic way of building up to this climax. The aura of mystery in his performance, coupled with that Sofronitkian fire are enough to make me want to hear more. 

[DavidRoss]

Had no intention buying Beethoven cycle but ridiculous price of 7 euros at prestoclassical clearance sale changed my mind, Fischer Mahler from same place (for under 6 euros).

Two of the best offerings from that sale and at terrific prices--twice what I paid.  I doubt you'll regret either.  Other fine offerings in their current sale include the Adele Anthony Glass VC, the Tim Hugh Finzi VCC, the Rach 2 & 3 PCs played by the old boy himself, Marin Alsop's Adams Shaker Loops, and Zinman/Bronfman's LvB PCs 1 & 2.

[Lethevich]

The CPOs were €2, the Lupu was considered average by Santa Fe Listener, so it must be great.

[Coopmv]

The CPOs were €2, the Lupu was considered average by Santa Fe Listener, so it must be great.

So you have learned to use the review by the Santa Fe Listener as a contrarian indicator.  The Santa Fe Listener and the Arkansas Traveler make good company ...   

[Coopmv]

Just ordered this 3-CD set.  The performance by Lazar Berman is still beautiful ...

[DavidRoss]

The CPOs were €2, the Lupu was considered average by Santa Fe Listener, so it must be great.

That Lupu recording is as good as you'll find for the coupling and a terrific bargain as well!

[Lethevich]

That Lupu recording is as good as you'll find for the coupling and a terrific bargain as well!

It could've been better if the pound hadn't crashed against the Euro last year - but still, €5 is peanuts. Somehow it's also my first Schu/Grieg coupling, and ideally will last me for a long time.

[Coopmv]

It could've been better if the pound hadn't crashed against the Euro last year - but still, €5 is peanuts. Somehow it's also my first Schu/Grieg coupling, and ideally will last me for a long time.

But the Dollar is down some 15% against the Pound and I have to start cutting back on my orders with MDT ...   

[Lilas Pastia]

That Lupu recording is as good as you'll find for the coupling and a terrific bargain as well!

I heard Lupu play the Grieg in the mid-seventies. It's still one of my most cherished concert memories. A couple of years ago he played the Emperor, and the magic wasn't there. Sometimes I wonder if I idealized the Grieg performance I heard, but my databank is normally quite faithful .

[Coopmv]

I heard Lupu play the Grieg in the mid-seventies. It's still one of my most cherished concert memories. A couple of years ago he played the Emperor, and the magic wasn't there. Sometimes I wonder if I idealized the Grieg performance I heard, but my databank is normally quite faithful .

Sometimes, it is not even easy to attend performance by the same artist twice, particularly if they are from across the pond.  I attended concerts by Karl Munchinger and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Iona Brown and the Academy of St Martin in the fields back in the mid 1980's.  I never have had a second chance.   

[Brian]

7 euros is indeed a ridiculous price, but unfortunately when I went to Prestoclassical just now the USA price was $26, or 18.5 euros. Still a steal, but I am hesitating...

[PaulR]

[Lilas Pastia]

7 euros is indeed a ridiculous price, but unfortunately when I went to Prestoclassical just now the USA price was $26, or 18.5 euros. Still a steal, but I am hesitating...

Prestoclassical has an audio clip of symphony 5:IV (some 2 minutes). That was enough to convince me this one's not for me.

[Opus106]

7 euros is indeed a ridiculous price, but unfortunately when I went to Prestoclassical just now the USA price was $26, or 18.5 euros. Still a steal, but I am hesitating...

Drat! It was $17-point-something twelve hours ago.

[Harry]

I ordered a few from my list.

[Harry]

2

[Harry]

3

[Harry]

4

[The new erato]

Your matrix has one open square which you should fill with the best one of all

My reaction exactly when I saw jlaursons list. The set I grew up with.