Recordings That You Are Considering

[Coopmv]

Thanks bulldog, but I'm not into downloading music.

We do have something in common when it comes to recorded music ...   

[springrite]

We do have something in common when it comes to recorded music ...   

We can form an alliance!

[Brian]

Let's not forget that Naxos will start a Weinberg Symphony-cycle once Chandos is finished with its. With Polish NRSO / Wit. I know *I* am looking forward to it.

*Warsaw PO / Wit

[Mirror Image]

Sorry to hear that John, you seemed rather enthusiastic about Weinberg a few days ago, so I am rather surprised to hear this!

I have just brought that new Petrenko Shostakovich release, really really excited about hearing it!

It's okay, Daniel. These things happen. I was, at one time, enthusiastic about Holmboe, but then I actually really sat down and listened to the music. I just need to give Weinberg a break for now. If I return to his music or if I never listen to Weinberg again, so be it. I can't predict these things. Right now, I'm focusing my attention on music that does interest me.

[Mirror Image]

Not that I am pushing or shoving, and I haven't heard the CHANDOS to know if it is the music or the performances that's the problem for you. But I hope you will eventually come to enjoy Veinberg for what he is. He was my find of 1999. It's been a dozen years and I still enjoy them. Store them away for the time being would be my advise and listen to them some time later. If storage is a problem, then I do have shelve space. 

Wait, I don't. But I can make them. 

Thanks, springrite. Hopefully, in time, I can enjoy the music. But he's on hold for now.

[Mirror Image]

That looks interesting. I was very impressed by Sallinen's 8th in the cpo series, and I'd be interested to see how this recording compares. (The couplings are quite interesting, too, though I'm not sure how many Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Brittens we really need.)

Yes, Edward, it does look like an interesting coupling. I'm not sure how many Cantus in Memoriam of Benjamin Britten performances we need either, but I know I loved what Jarvi did with it with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra on Virgin Classics in an all Part program. One of his better recordings IMHO.

[Mirror Image]

Of my dozen (or so) Weinberg discs, around 10 are of chamber music, which I like a lot. I've known his symphonies since the 70-ies when I bought a couple of Melodiya LPs (he was Vainberg then); but I haven't made it a priority to exploe them. Gues that says a lot. OTOH it's exciting when a new cpo string quartets disc is issued.

Yeah, I just didn't connect with his orchestral music, but maybe I need to try the chamber music? Sounds like a good bet. Thanks for your feedback, Erato.

[Lethevich]

International Record Review had a rather... strange review of this disc. It restricted comparison only to Steinbacher/PentaTone (I don't know why), and commented that the sound on that disc was clearer. It also considered the 2nd concerto better done by Steinbacher as well, although this may just be due to the reviewer's preference for Steinbacher's more steely tone. The main praise was given to Ehnes in the viola concerto, where he was considered to be at his best despite it not being his main instrument

[not edward]

Let's not forget that Naxos will start a Weinberg Symphony-cycle once Chandos is finished with its. With Polish NRSO / Wit. I know *I* am looking forward to it.

There also were some hints in the Naxos-published interview with Wit about a possible Bacewicz orchestral works series. I'd be really enthusiastic about that, given the number of as-yet unrecorded works and near-unavailable ones. Also, given the quality of performances in the Lutoslawski series, I'd be hard pushed to imagine a conductor better suited to the not-so-dissimilar late-Bacewicz style.

[SonicMan46]

Go for it, Dave. I've enjoyed that set immensely.  In particular the Kapsberger, also the music from Lord Herbert of Cherburry's Lute Book and the Molinari disc. For the Bach and Dowland I have other options that O'Dette doesn't trump, but still very nice performances indeed.

BRO is not as cheap as I expected, though!

Hi Que - already put in the order a few days ago for the same reasons mentioned (i.e. already have 2 complete Dowland sets plus plenty of Bach) - the price on the Amazon USA MP (w/ their $3 S/H) would have been $35, so I thought the price was a good deal for 5 discs - BRO prices will vary depending in part on the label?  Dave

[Opus106]

Hi Que - already put in the order a few days ago for the same reasons mentioned (i.e. already have 2 complete Dowland sets plus plenty of Bach) - the price on the Amazon USA MP (w/ their $3 S/H) would have been $35, so I thought the price was a good deal for 5 discs - BRO prices will vary depending in part on the label?  Dave

A couple of months ago, the same set (along with the set of 5 discs featuring Andrew Manze) was available for a few Pounds at Amazon UK MP. Then a few weeks after that, Presto, as part of a clearance sale, gave the boxes away for about the same price. I missed it in on the first chance, but got it in the second.

[Mirror Image]

International Record Review had a rather... strange review of this disc. It restricted comparison only to Steinbacher/PentaTone (I don't know why), and commented that the sound on that disc was clearer. It also considered the 2nd concerto better done by Steinbacher as well, although this may just be due to the reviewer's preference for Steinbacher's more steely tone. The main praise was given to Ehnes in the viola concerto, where he was considered to be at his best despite it not being his main instrument

Yeah, strange comparison indeed. I'll probably pass on it anyway. It's not like I need another recording with these concertos. Plus, I don't see how he could be any better than my preferred choice in these works: Kyung-Wha Chung. That being said, I might get it one day if I can find one cheap somewhere. Thanks for your feedback, lethe.

[SonicMan46]

A couple of months ago, the same set (along with the set of 5 discs featuring Andrew Manze) was available for a few Pounds at Amazon UK MP. Then a few weeks after that, Presto, as part of a clearance sale, gave the boxes away for about the same price. I missed it in on the first chance, but got it in the second.

Hi, Navneeth - well, missed those clearance sales (usually just look at MDT or JPC for my 'across the pond' purchases - maybe I should add some more places?) - but still a pretty go deal w/ minimal shipping once a few other CDs are added to your BRO order.

For me in this thread, I was reading about the Baroque era (for the umpteenth time), and was reminded of the importance of Buxtehude and his influence on Bach (the latter walked hundreds of miles to Lubeck) to hear & study w/ the 'organ master' - Bach was even offered Buxtehude's position after his death on condition that he marry his daughter!  Obviously, Bach (and others) turned the offer down! 

I have a rather meager Buxtehude collection (several Cantata discs & two Trio Sonata discs) - probably should obtain some of his organ music, and the small 'bargain' box below seemed like a good choice w/ Kraft (believe old remastered recordings?) - would appreciate any comments on this selection or other suggestions - thanks!  Dave

[Opus106]

For me in this thread, I was reading about the Baroque era (for the umpteenth time), and was reminded of the importance of Buxtehude and his influence on Bach (the latter walked hundreds of miles to Lubeck) to hear & study w/ the 'organ master' - Bach was even offered Buxtehude's position after his death on condition that he marry his daughter!  Obviously, Bach (and others) turned the offer down! 

I have a rather meager Buxtehude collection (several Cantata discs & two Trio Sonata discs) - probably should obtain some of his organ music, and the small 'bargain' box below seemed like a good choice w/ Kraft (believe old remastered recordings?) - would appreciate any comments on this selection or other suggestions - thanks!  Dave

Dave, have you considered Ulrik Spang-Hanssen's cycle? Not available at Amazon US at the moment, but I bought mine a couple of years ago for something like $6. Harry's been recently singing praises to it on the Listening thread. The Buxtehude Organ thread is here, for your reference.

[prémont]

I have a rather meager Buxtehude collection (several Cantata discs & two Trio Sonata discs) - probably should obtain some of his organ music, and the small 'bargain' box below seemed like a good choice w/ Kraft (believe old remastered recordings?) - would appreciate any comments on this selection or other suggestions - thanks!  Dave

About Walter Kraft I wrote this in the Buxtehude thread (post 11)

Walter Kraft´s interpretations are grandiose with an almost gothic air and also a tad romantic, but with great authority and expression and often reaching ecstatic effects. He plays the reconstructed Totentanz-organ (Karl Kemper) in Marienkirche, Lübeck. His registrations are full and sometimes a bit heavy. Recordings were made 1957 in early stereo, good for the time but sometimes with some distortion, and always with much reverberation (due to the great church). I don´t think his set is well suited for the first acquaintance with the works, and would rather recommend Vogel (see above) or Foccroulle (Edit: and Spang-Hanssen as well).

I have attended several of the late Walter Kraft´s organ recitals (playing among others Buxtehude), and he was even better in the real life than on recordings, his playing always exuding marvellous concentration. He perished in a hotel fire in Amsterdam in 1977.

[Coopmv]

I have a rather meager Buxtehude collection (several Cantata discs & two Trio Sonata discs) - probably should obtain some of his organ music, and the small 'bargain' box below seemed like a good choice w/ Kraft (believe old remastered recordings?) - would appreciate any comments on this selection or other suggestions - thanks!  Dave

Dave,  I have had this box for some times but have not quite finished listening through all the CD's yet.  I think the performance was pretty middle of the road IMO ...

[SonicMan46]

Thanks Guys for your comments on the Kraft box - probably not too bad, but after looking at the previous threads, the Vogel MDG collection below still seems like the number one choice? Available at the moment for $50 from MDT - any cheaper suggestions?  Thanks for any further comments - Dave

[Antoine Marchand]

Thanks Guys for your comments on the Kraft box - probably not too bad, but after looking at the previous threads, the Vogel MDG collection below still seems like the number one choice? Available at the moment for $50 from MDT - any cheaper suggestions?  Thanks for any further comments - Dave

Spang-Hanssen.

I will do a confession. Five or six years ago I heard one Spang-Hanssen's disc and it didn't do anything for me. But this year I saw again those ecstatic comments about his set, so I decided to give him a new choice. It was a historic good decision because the guy is really excellent, in the same league that Vogel and Foccroulle, but - probably - a little bit more extroverted and accessible. Vogel is still my favorite, but the price of Spang-Hanssen's set is unbeatable.

[Lisztianwagner]

I need to get to know Stravinsky music better, apart from the ballets; this CD sounds very interesting and I saw it at a low price too:



Ilaria

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I need to get to know Stravinsky music better, apart from the ballets; this CD sounds very interesting and I saw it at a low price too:



Ilaria

That's a highly recommendable Stravinsky catchall of a set. Unique repertoire in great performances and in fine sound. I've had it for ages and love it.