Claudio Monteverdi

[gmstudio]

Here are the recordings I have:

 

I was holding this in my hand at the library yesterday...should have gotten it, I suppose. Next time!

[Bogey]

I was holding this in my hand at the library yesterday...should have gotten it, I suppose. Next time!

Would like to hear your thoughts here after you give it a spin.

[Bogey]

I know this is a recording thread, but this was a decent recap of Monteverdi himself.

http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/milestones/990519.motm.monteverdi.html

Just click on the audio button. 

[SonicMan46]

I know this is a recording thread, but this was a decent recap of Monteverdi himself.

http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/milestones/990519.motm.monteverdi.html

Just click on the audio button. 

Bill - thanks for the link on Monteverdi - I'm on my 'wireless' laptop in the den w/o any speakers; read the review - there's no doubt that he was one of the greatest 'pivotal' composers of all time, bridging the gap between the Renaissance & Baroque - he is certainly not appreciated by many for this role; in fact, I have only 3 or 4 discs of his music, mainly madigrals & some sacred works (don't own a copy of his Orfeo - I'm just not much of an opera fan, and certainly not from that period - a 'lost cause', I guess for me - ;-) ).

Dave

[Bogey]

Bill - thanks for the link on Monteverdi - I'm on my 'wireless' laptop in the den w/o any speakers; read the review - there's no doubt that he was one of the greatest 'pivotal' composers of all time, bridging the gap between the Renaissance & Baroque - he is certainly not appreciated by many for this role; in fact, I have only 3 or 4 discs of his music, mainly madigrals & some sacred works (don't own a copy of his Orfeo - I'm just not much of an opera fan, and certainly not from that period - a 'lost cause', I guess for me - ;-) ).

Dave

Not sure what I would think of the opera either Dave.  May need to test drive it before considering a purchase.  However, more madigrals and sacred works  are in order for me.  However, I need to do some reading of what is out there vs. what I have.  Thanks for the post.

[Bogey]

Now Harry, you must have some Monteverdi bread crumbs on your shelf worth posting here.  0:)

[Harry]

You have asked for it, and this is just a selection mind......

[Harry]

2

[Harry]

3

[Harry]

4

[Harry]

5

[Harry]

6

[Harry]

7

[Harry]

8

[Que]

Harry, they all look wonderful!
But I would be particularly interested in your opinion on these:

 


Drasko was so kind to send me his impressions on Garrido's L'Orfeo (left) some time ago.
I hope he doesn't mind me posting it. Thanks again, Drasko!

If I'd have to chose one word description it would be mellifluous.
It's not the most dramatic(al) reading, as Lilas already pointed out, and that could be perceived as its largest minus. On some occasions some of the recitatives take more solemn tone than I would like. Singing is good, Torres' baritone is nice lyric one, if not overtly expressive. Thankfully no one in the cast has an oxford accent (huuge plus in my book). Female parts are generally better than the male with Maria Cristina Kiehr producing the absolute highlight of entire opera, her Dal mio Permesso Amato (La Musica - prologue) is one of those 'oh my god' moments. I've just ordered another disc of her Monteverdi based just on that aria.
Orchestra is brilliant, again more mellifluous than dramatic, producing one of those golden, more blended sounds (e.g. more like Les Musiciens du Louvre than Le Concert Des Nations more brazen approach to baroque music making).

Q

[Bogey]

Thank you for the posts Harry.  Tonight I grabbed this one from the used bin.  I have nothing like and am enjoying it as I post here.

 

[Bogey]

That's not a young Kirkby on the far right is it Harry?

[Harry]

Yes Bill it is, fair and young Emma!

[Que]

Yes Bill it is, fair and young Emma!

Very pretty Harry. But what of Garrido's L'Orfeo on K617 - do concur with Drasko's comments?
And would you recommend that 3-CD set "Selva Morale et Spirituale" on Zig Zag?

Q

[Harry]

Very pretty Harry. But what of Garrido's L'Orfeo on K617 - do concur with Drasko's comments?
And would you recommend that 3-CD set "Selva Morale et Spirituale" on Zig Zag?

Q

I would say Drasko is right in his review, with a few additions I have. I think its a lively performance with a good poise. Voices are not always to my liking but its good nevertheless.
The ZigZag recording of the Selva I rate very high and next to the Gorboz ( 6 cd's) I think its one of the best on the market.
But I have to listen to it again to give you more info, for its more than a year ago that I listen to it.
My brief notes from then were: Good voices, little vibrato, excellent instruments, well recorded, well blended, good tempi, fine production values.
More later. Have listen to it this morning, sampling key parts in it, and had to pull myself out, to get to my operettas....