Recordings That You Are Considering

[FideLeo]

How's this HIP recording of Mozart's late quartets (14-19) + Divertimento KV 563 + String Quintet KV 174 (5CD's) ?



Q

If you can get them cheap (I did) by all means avail yourself to these.  Hardly a waste of time but I doubt one can boast about having heard them as well.... The oboe quartet is included in the set also if I am not mistaken.

[Que]

If you can get them cheap (I did) by all means avail yourself to these.  Hardly a waste of time but I doubt one can boast about having heard them as well.... The oboe quartet is included in the set also if I am not mistaken.

Right! That is clear enough - thanks!

Q

[Sergeant Rock]

Oh, I already have several CDs, but it would be marginally cheaper and more space-saving to complete the collection by buying the box. Having no.6 in less than 13 tracks would be a big plus too -_- One Amazon review claims that they fixed this from the previous single CD release, but I don't know why they did it in the first place.

I have the box. Symphony #5 has five tracks, #6 two. The rest are tracked by movement or part also with none over five tracks save the Eleventh where each variation in the concluding movement has a separate track, thirteen in total for the entire symphony.

Sarge

[not edward]

I have the box. Symphony #5 has five tracks, #6 two. The rest are tracked by movement or part also with none over five tracks save the Eleventh where each variation in the concluding movement has a separate track, thirteen in total for the entire symphony.

Sarge

Interesting.

I won't be buying the box myself, if only because I have all but 1, 8 and 11 already. I've heard all three of those already, and know I need 11 most.

[Sergeant Rock]

Though, that having been said, and even though I do greatly appreciate Karajan's Mozart (more on EMI than on DG), Bohm I find boring in dear Wolfgang Amadeus' Music. To think even Klemperer's recordings of the symphonies I do know strike my fancy.
Thanks in advance!

I'm not a fan of Böhm's Mozart either, much preferring Szell, Pinnock and Harnoncourt (especially his 39, 40 and 41 with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the 34th with the Concertgebouw). I also own part of the Mackerras cycle but don't care for it quite as much. My kneejerk reaction is to suggest you get that wonderful Szell box (there are some non-symphony gems in there, too, like the K.131 Divertimento that really shows off that magnificent Bloom-led Cleveland horn quartet). Szell and Cleveland had a reputation: the best Mozart/Haydn/Beethoven band in the land (I'd expand that to include the universe  ). But as others have pointed out, the box is missing several important symphonies, e.g., the Linz, 34 and the little G minor. Buying Pinnock (fantastically beautiful and cultivated HIP performances) or Harnoncourt would seem to make more sense.

I'm surprised, and pleased, to see you mention Klemperer! He's not often cited when people discuss Mozart but this is one of my absolute treasures:



As much as I'd feel like a traitor to my Heimat, I'd take this to the desert island instead of Szell.

Sarge

[Brian]

Another.
The idea of the CzPO in Bruckner greatly appeals to me, and Konwitschny seems right for this repertoire.
Would appreciate comments by anyone who actually knows this recording!
It's on Preiser btw.



Q

You can also get it on Supraphon. I haven't heard either disc, so perhaps the remastering is different...

[Lilas Pastia]

I have the Supraphon, but have yet to listen to it (the Bruckner pile is threatening to topple any day). I don't know what credit  is due to professional reviewers, but they have been very lukewarm about that one.

Much as I disagree with any consideration of Böhm's work being less than divine, I have to admit his Mozart has been a hit or miss affair. Requiem: DG yes, Philips no. Late symphonies: VPO first, BPO second - both superb. Concertos and serenades: in the right mood, yes, if looking for fantasy and sensuality, no. Only his second DG Don Giovanni strikes me as successful among his opera recordings. All in all, I prefer his work in Wagner, Bruckner and - YES! - Beethoven !!

[Lethevich]

I have the box. Symphony #5 has five tracks, #6 two. The rest are tracked by movement or part also with none over five tracks save the Eleventh where each variation in the concluding movement has a separate track, thirteen in total for the entire symphony.

Perfect, thanks. I double checked - I made a mistake, it was nos. 6 and 7 which had a large amount of splits in the original issue (13 and 10 tracks, respectively) rather than 5 and 6, but if they've changed so. 6 in the box, then 7 will presumably be similarly altered. I'm tempted now, hehe... I only own one disc (no.11) so duplication wouldn't be a problem.

[Que]

You can also get it on Supraphon. I haven't heard either disc, so perhaps the remastering is different...

Right, then the Preiser is an LP-transfer. Thanks.

I have the Supraphon, but have yet to listen to it (the Bruckner pile is threatening to topple any day). I don't know what credit  is due to professional reviewers, but they have been very lukewarm about that one.

Will be much interested in your opinion!   Bruckner by the Czech Philhamonic, could be interesting.

Much as I disagree with any consideration of Böhm's work being less than divine, I have to admit his Mozart has been a hit or miss affair. Requiem: DG yes, Philips no. Late symphonies: VPO first, BPO second - both superb. Concertos and serenades: in the right mood, yes, if looking for fantasy and sensuality, no. Only his second DG Don Giovanni strikes me as successful among his opera recordings. All in all, I prefer his work in Wagner, Bruckner and - YES! - Beethoven !!

I would add Richard Strauss' operas - for me Böhm's greatest achievements. I admire his Wagner too.

Q

[FideLeo]

Bruckner by the Czech Philhamonic, could be interesting.

There are always Bruckner recordings from CPO with Matacic.  I have 7 and 9,
both recommendable.

[Sergeant Rock]

...but if they've changed so. 6 in the box, then 7 will presumably be similarly altered.

Correct. the Seventh has three tracks, corresponding to Part 1 Sostenuto, marcato; Part 2 Adagio; Part 3 Allergro.

Sarge

[Lethevich]

Correct. the Seventh has three tracks, corresponding to Part 1 Sostenuto, marcato; Part 2 Adagio; Part 3 Allergro.

Sarge

Danke. With the many, many tracks, it was hard for me to keep track of any structure or arc... 3 sounds perfect.

[canninator]

Not sure where to post this so apologies if this is the wrong thread. I would like to get a book on the history of medieval music, basically from chant through to the transition with the renaissance (I'll do that later). I get the impression that Richards Hoppin's Medieval Music is heavy going. I am muscially literate but not to graduate level. If anyone could recommend such a text I would be most appreciative.

Regards

Martin

[marvinbrown]

I would add Richard Strauss' operas - for me Böhm's greatest achievements. I admire his Wagner too.

Q

  Yes Q, Bohm's Richard Strauss especially Salome and Elektra on DVD are among his greatest achievements  .

[Expresso]

What about this one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Saul-Philip-Ledger/dp/B00007KI22

[Lethevich]

Are the Barenboim Bruckner symphonies with the BP available seperately on Elatus the same performances as in the cheap Warner box?

[Mark]

Are the Barenboim Bruckner symphonies with the BP available seperately on Elatus the same performances as in the cheap Warner box?

I believe so, Lethe.

[Don]

I'm considering acquiring the new Elgar Cello Concerto disc played by Natalie Clein on EMI.  I know she has an outstanding bosom, but is her performance first-class as well?

[Mark]

I'm considering acquiring the new Elgar Cello Concerto disc played by Natalie Clein on EMI.  I know she has an outstanding bosom, but is her performance first-class as well?

The British music press liked it, but there's no great surprise there.

[Renfield]

The British music press liked it, but there's no great surprise there.

Her bosom, or...?


More seriously, I have that disc. And it really is a first-class performance in my view, somewhat darker and sleeker than "the Du Pre account", but less moody, and more covertly intense. All in all, I wouldn't prefer it to the Du Pre/Barbirolli, but I definitely did make the comparison: in other words, I don't consider them that far apart, regardless of whether the latter still dominates.