Recordings That You Are Considering

[Kullervo]

How did I miss this?!

[SonicMan46]

I like Karl Leister in the Clarinet Trio on DG.  Has anyone heard these Nimbus recordings that Brilliant Classics have issued?

 

Dave - I've not heard these recordings but certainly enjoy Leister in some other clarinet works in my collection; the Sonatas are relatively short pieces, so I was curious about the distribution on the two discs - the Brilliant Classics Website shows the two sonatas on the second disc w/ a total playing time of 45 mins, but still the price is a great deal.  I have a Naxos CD of the clarinet sonatas w/ some 'fillers' that don't thrill me - could consider a replacement! 

For myself, I was curious about this Brilliant box of 10-CDs - Corelli - great Amazonian reviews (5 5* ones!) - now, I already have 5 discs of Corelli's instrumental works, so need to checkout the Brilliant site to see 'what' is included? 

[not edward]

How did I miss this?!

Definitely time to un-miss it, then.

I have most of these from earlier issues and would say that they range from the good to the superb.

[prémont]

Hey, I mentioned it first!
Have you had positive experiences with recordngs by Erik van Nevel?
Q

I do know only one recording by Erik van Nevel (not to confuse with the better known Paul van Nevel!), this one on Cantus:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/hnum/2059985?rk=classic&rsk=hitlist&page=3

Vous ou la mort, Flemish courtly love songs of the 15th century,
works by DuFay, Binchois, Isaac,Josquin DesPrez and others.
Currende Consort, Concerto Palatino / Erik van Nevel.

Pure and beautiful voices, blending well together, and last but not least a small ensemble of first class instrumentalists. Most of the music is noble and solemn and so is the interpretation. My only (small) quibble is, that I would prefer the acoustics of the recording a tad more dry.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I like Karl Leister in the Clarinet Trio on DG.  Has anyone heard these Nimbus recordings that Brilliant Classics have issued?

I used to have the original Nimbus release of the clarinet sonatas and as Leister is one of my favorite instrumental soloists I had high expectations as to the performances. Alas the swampy, overly reverberant acoustics had me running for the hills. Major disappointment for me. I eventually sold it off.

[Daverz]

I used to have the original Nimbus release of the clarinet sonatas and as Leister is one of my favorite instrumental soloists I had high expectations as to the performances. Alas the swampy, overly reverberant acoustics had me running for the hills. Major disappointment for me. I eventually sold it off.

That's the sort of thing I was worried about, given it was a Nimbus recording.  Thanks for the warning.

[rubio]

Anyone here heard this one? It seems mighty interesting.

[Renfield]

Anyone here heard this one? It seems mighty interesting.

I have.

It's a hugely accomplished performance, on a technical level, but ultimately not competitive in my view. I was rather disappointed, but not entirely surprised, to see Luisi deliver an orchestrally superb but interpretatively very cerebral account, which in the third movement he does manages to generate enough gravitas to pull off as an interpretation - but the other two movements feel like a study, and don't really take off.


So if you want a study of how the 9th symphony is constructed, I can't think of a better-played, more lucid, and more illuminating recording. (Although maybe someone familiar with the score might dispute its faithfulness to it, for all I know.)

But if you want to hear the music, look for something else.

[rubio]

I have.

It's a hugely accomplished performance, on a technical level, but ultimately not competitive in my view. I was rather disappointed, but not entirely surprised, to see Luisi deliver an orchestrally superb but interpretatively very cerebral account, which in the third movement he does manages to generate enough gravitas to pull off as an interpretation - but the other two movements feel like a study, and don't really take off.


So if you want a study of how the 9th symphony is constructed, I can't think of a better-played, more lucid, and more illuminating recording. (Although maybe someone familiar with the score might dispute its faithfulness to it, for all I know.)

But if you want to hear the music, look for something else.

Thank you very much for your thorough comments! I think I will let it pass. BTW, have you heard his Strauss with the same orchestra?

[Renfield]

BTW, have you heard his Strauss with the same orchestra?

I have - and live, to boot!

The Heldenleben disc, faithful to the concert I had the distinct pleasure to attend, is stupendous, in Luisi's own sort of way.

The Alpensinfonie disc does suffer from the interpretative coolness that plagues the Bruckner 9th ever so slightly, but Luisi knows his Strauss very well; if you can tolerate some understatement, it's quite a superb account as well.


Edit: In general, Luisi is not one to overstate. But the playing he gets out of the orchestra, even in that slightly stillborn Bruckner 9th, is breathtaking, and the way he molds their sound is something quite unique, and particularly effective in Strauss' music!

[haydnguy]

I am looking for a good Schoenberg "Gurre-Lieder".

Was wondering what everyone thought of the one below and if you have other preferences.. Thanks!!

[imperfection]

I have.

It's a hugely accomplished performance, on a technical level, but ultimately not competitive in my view. I was rather disappointed, but not entirely surprised, to see Luisi deliver an orchestrally superb but interpretatively very cerebral account, which in the third movement he does manages to generate enough gravitas to pull off as an interpretation - but the other two movements feel like a study, and don't really take off.


So if you want a study of how the 9th symphony is constructed, I can't think of a better-played, more lucid, and more illuminating recording. (Although maybe someone familiar with the score might dispute its faithfulness to it, for all I know.)

But if you want to hear the music, look for something else.

Renfield, I remember you also have the Bernstein/VPO recording of the 9th? Let me know what you think of it, it is currently my favourite recording of that piece (the beginning of the slow movement alone is worth keeping that in any orchestral music lover's collection, IMO).

[Renfield]

Renfield, I remember you also have the Bernstein/VPO recording of the 9th? Let me know what you think of it, it is currently my favourite recording of that piece (the beginning of the slow movement alone is worth keeping that in any orchestral music lover's collection, IMO).

Well, to be precise, I only own it: it's not arrived yet, but it should, within the next week.

[imperfection]

Well, to be precise, I only own it: it's not arrived yet, but it should, within the next week.

Well, you ought to put that on the top of your listening queue. 

[bhodges]

I am looking for a good Schoenberg "Gurre-Lieder".

Was wondering what everyone thought of the one below and if you have other preferences.. Thanks!!

Actually I would be very curious to hear that Levine/Munich recording, after hearing him do a resplendent reading of this same piece with the MET Orchestra about five years ago.  As for other recordings, the one on Naxos (here) with Robert Craft and the Philharmonia is quite good and quite a bargain.  I also like Chailly's with RSO Berlin, and Abbado/Vienna, but IMHO the Craft holds its own in this distinguished company.

--Bruce

[Renfield]

Well, you ought to put that on the top of your listening queue. 

Will do, though second to the Karajan Brahms 4th also on its way with it; the only (official) Brahms recording of his I presently have not heard.


Re Gurre-Lieder, was it not Ozawa (out of all people) who had a rather famous recording of the work?

I've never heard it, neither the work nor Ozawa's recording, but the fact still struck me as odd.

More on topic, I have just (literally) begun to consider getting a recording to rectify the former, and I'm wondering if the Gielen might not be a place to start - less in the sense of getting the best one there is, and more in the sense of hearing a new piece from already-familiar hands (certainly more than Abbado, or Chailly's, in comparison). Would that be a good idea, for the Gurre-Lieder in specific?

[bhodges]

Re Gurre-Lieder, was it not Ozawa (out of all people) who had a rather famous recording of the work?

I've never heard it, neither the work nor Ozawa's recording, but the fact still struck me as odd.

More on topic, I have just (literally) begun to consider getting a recording to rectify the former, and I'm wondering if the Gielen might not be a place to start - less in the sense of getting the best one there is, and more in the sense of hearing a new piece from already-familiar hands (certainly more than Abbado, or Chailly's, in comparison). Would that be a good idea, for the Gurre-Lieder in specific?

Although I've not heard Ozawa's, you are right: his late-1970s (?) recording is very highly regarded.  And I've not heard Gielen's but would imagine it would be superb, noting that it has been nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for "Best Choral Performance."  More details here, and makes it sound mighty tempting.

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

Re Gurre-Lieder, was it not Ozawa (out of all people) who had a rather famous recording of the work?

Yes, leading the BSO and Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and with soloists including Jessye Norman, Tatiana Troyanos, David Arnold & James McCracken, in 1979.  It is excellent, and it is one of a select few Ozawa recordings I own and respect.

(The Gielen is rightly a sharp temptation, mind you . . . .)

[haydnguy]

I thank everyone for their thoughts on the Gurre-Lieder recordings. I went ahead and ordered the Levine last night, however looking at that Gielen almost makes me wish I had ordered that one. I think the Craft recording would be a good choice too.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I thank everyone for their thoughts on the Gurre-Lieder recordings. I went ahead and ordered the Levine last night, however looking at that Gielen almost makes me wish I had ordered that one. I think the Craft recording would be a good choice too.

No worries - you're on very safe ground with the Levine. I have it, along with Chailly, and it's superb. The soloists are some of the best around (read: I happen to really like them ) and the sound is great.