Recordings That You Are Considering

[Ken B]

That was quite a publicity stunt! Zinman was the first to record a cycle using the Bärenreiter Edition on modern instruments. Gardiner's cycle used it and was several years earlier than Zinman's, and Goodman and Mackerras had been using Del Mar's work even earlier. But Zinman's record label was the first to put it on a banner on the front cover.

IMO Gardiner's Beethoven 9 -- which has more HIP cred than Zinman's -- is the low point of that cycle, but it is much better than Zinman's.

Goodman's cycle is good too.

[Sadko]

Thank you! Do you think Decca did better in their efforts to build a Rimsky-Korsakov opera collection?

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I don't know it. Since I'm no fan of Gergiev I never looked at it more closely. The only Gergiev in my collection that I like are the Prokofiev piano concertos with Toradze.

If you don't mind the sound quality - I often found great performances of Russian operas in that golden period around the 1950-60(70) years. They often have an inner cohesion and drive that I am looking for in vain in many modern recordings. Even voices that one could find somewhat ugly compared to the ideal of belcanto nevertheless I found myself enjoying more than neutrally colored, more "Western" voices. There is an intensity and a feeling of the whole thing being just right.

The following ones are coming to my mind now:

- Pan Voyevoda, Samuil Samosud 1951
- May Night, Fedoseev 1971
- Sadko, Yury Simonov 1979
- Kitezh, Svetlanov 27 December 1983
- The Tsar's Bride, Svetlanov (seems to be available only as a DVD soundtrack)

The latter is especially dear to me, it was the one to incite my interest in Rimsky:

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The transfer seems to originate from film material, so there are quite a few noises, pauses etc. But because I love it so much I made the effort and created my own cleaned-up audio only version of it.

BTW, I like the film a lot too, one of the few where actors being dubbed by singers is working well for me.

[Octave]

Sadko, thanks a lot for that.  If you have not posted that short list in the R-K thread (for posterity/ref), I think you should.

[Artem]

The LaSalles are top notch in this. Might be a brilliant box of this too. Price compare.
Got the Villa-lobos quartets?

I've heard that the original DG release had great liner notes, and the Brilliant Classic reissue had different and inferior ones. Does anyone know anything about the liner notes in that new rerelease?

[PaulSC]

Anyone feel like nudging me towards one or the other of these?

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[Ken B]

Anyone feel like nudging me towards one or the other of these?

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I'm sorry, what you ask is impossible. On GMG our motto is "both".

[Sadko]

I'm sorry, what you ask is impossible. On GMG our motto is "both".

I would be pushed by Raekallio, if he is as good as in his solo recordings.

[Daverz]

Anyone feel like nudging me towards one or the other of these?

I'd suggest these:

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[PaulSC]

Thanks for the suggestions, Sadko and Daverz. I'm especially liking what I'm hearing in previews of the Gluzman/Yoffe; not sure why I overlooked it initially. This will be my first recording of any of this music. (I have the second sonata in its original flute/piano incarnation.)

In comparison, the Shahams are a little more laid-back sounding, and the recorded sound of Grubert/Raekallio is a bit congested. Or that's how it seems to me in the previews. But in the spirit of Ken B's comment, I'll keep both of these, and Kremer/Argerich, on my list.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Thank you! Do you think Decca did better in their efforts to build a Rimsky-Korsakov opera collection?

[asin] B004I4HCT6[/asin]

In case you're looking for more than just one opinion, I don't share Sadko's view of this set (although he and I have found common ground often in the past).

I have three operas from this set (on Philips, the label of origin) and find Gergiev's energy enlivening and his feeling for the dramatic right on. I enjoy the singing, the production values, and the sense of occasion I feel when listening.

[Todd]

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[Sadko]

In case you're looking for more than just one opinion, I don't share Sadko's view of this set (although he and I have found common ground often in the past).

[Rimsky/Gergiev]

As I said, I don't know these recordings, maybe I have to give them a chance

[Dancing Divertimentian]

[Rimsky/Gergiev]

As I said, I don't know these recordings, maybe I have to give them a chance

Historically for me Gergiev can be hit or miss. I can understand the apprehension in approaching him but I've actually found him much more hit than miss when it comes to those old Russian opera recordings of his on Philips (the ones now on Decca).

At the same time it'd be interesting to hear some of the recordings you recommended since I haven't heard any of those.

[kishnevi]

Goodman's cycle is good too.

Except for the Ninth: the chorus sounds as if it was five people singing from the vestry (the recording venue was a church, IIRC)--"Be embraced, you Millions"  reduced to farce.

[jlaurson]

Historically for me Gergiev can be hit or miss. I can understand the apprehension in approaching him but I've actually found him much more hit than miss when it comes to those old Russian opera recordings of his on Philips (the ones now on Decca).

At the same time it'd be interesting to hear some of the recordings you recommended since I haven't heard any of those.

Very little miss of him, in these works! And I'm not a fan.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Very little miss of him, in these works! And I'm not a fan.

These recordings have remained to my mind the most impressive Gergiev on disc, aside from some wonderful Prokofiev from later on, still on Philips.

[Mirror Image]

Currently, I have my eye on these...

[mc ukrneal]

Historically for me Gergiev can be hit or miss. I can understand the apprehension in approaching him but I've actually found him much more hit than miss when it comes to those old Russian opera recordings of his on Philips (the ones now on Decca).

At the same time it'd be interesting to hear some of the recordings you recommended since I haven't heard any of those.

I am not a fan of his either, but his opera is generally a hit (and not a miss). I have several of them from that set, and I enjoy them a lot. I will admit that the stage noise of Sadko sometimes irritates the heck out of me, but the opera is so good that I generally make it through anyway.

[Sadko]

These recordings have remained to my mind the most impressive Gergiev on disc, aside from some wonderful Prokofiev from later on, still on Philips.

Ok, you win. I put it on my wish list. I'll hold you guys responsible if I don't like it.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I am not a fan of his either, but his opera is generally a hit (and not a miss). I have several of them from that set, and I enjoy them a lot. I will admit that the stage noise of Sadko sometimes irritates the heck out of me, but the opera is so good that I generally make it through anyway.

Yes, and the applause between numbers. Definitely a trade-off. Some noise for the frisson of the live event.