Recordings That You Are Considering

[rubio]

I see that at least Bruckner symphonies 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 exist with Van Beinum/Concertgebouw. Are any of these among the top contenders? How are they interpretation-wise?

http://www.hmv.co.jp/search/index.asp?target=CLASSIC&genre=700&keyword=bruckner+beinum

[MishaK]

I see that at least Bruckner symphonies 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 exist with Van Beinum/Concertgebouw. Are any of these among the top contenders? How are they interpretation-wise?

http://www.hmv.co.jp/search/index.asp?target=CLASSIC&genre=700&keyword=bruckner+beinum

I have 9 and 8. As would be expected from Beinum, they are unfussy, straightforward and beautifully played. The 9th is one of my favorites. The 8th is good, but doesn't really stand out among so many greats.

[Lilas Pastia]

My experience with van Beinum is that he eschews (or misses, depending on the point of view) the lyrical, romantic, spiritual, sensual aspects of Bruckner's music. IOW they're incomplete performances.

[Drasko]

I see that at least Bruckner symphonies 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 exist with Van Beinum/Concertgebouw. Are any of these among the top contenders? How are they interpretation-wise?

http://www.hmv.co.jp/search/index.asp?target=CLASSIC&genre=700&keyword=bruckner+beinum

I have (and have heard) only his 5th and don't like it particularly. Usually like swift and flowing Bruckner but he just doesn't let it breathe.

[Bogey]

You know, the complete Bach by Brilliant just does not interest me as I am still getting to know his music and feel that most would sit on the shelf for years and years.  However, for me personally, I have found that with Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart that I do not necessarily need the best performances to actually enjoy the recording.  For example, I enjoy my Mozart Tate symphony set though I still have other recordings I enjoy more of particular symphonies.  Another example would be my disc of early string quartets by Sequoia SQ.  It is not a standard by any means when it comes to a "must have" on the shelf, but I still enjoy the recording....etc. etc.  And right now Amazon has this for $103 and I would also like to have "copies" of the Mozart operas, but do not want to pay 20+ for each.  So for me, the above set works.  Will there be performances that may make me cringe a bit?  Maybe.  But for me I am guessing this occurrence will be the rare exception.

[Que]

However, for me personally, I have found that with Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart that I do not necessarily need the best performances to actually enjoy the recording.  For example, I enjoy my Mozart Tate symphony set though I still have other recordings I enjoy more of particular symphonies.  Another example would be my disc of early string quartets by Sequoia SQ.  It is not a standard by any means when it comes to a "must have" on the shelf, but I still enjoy the recording....etc. etc. 

Bill, good on you and in a way you're to be envied for being able to enjoy lesser gods.
And it really makes good sense: it's a good composer, it's wonderful music - what is not to enjoy about an solid, adequate performance?

I'm not that sensible and have been a terrible stickler from day one (in my mid teens). Although I have considerable tolerance towards technical limitations in recording and even to glitches in playing, I must have a feeling of "rightness" about the performance. It's hard to describe but I want a performer whose imagination and projected emotions match and are attuned to the composer's - as I imagine the composer to be. And I'm afraid I'm not very open minded in accepting a conception of a particular composer's music that differs from mine.

If a performance is "off" in that sense, I get all worked up and really can't listen to it (or enjoy it) ...
That's why I have always a stockpile of CD's ready to be dumped. I often keep the CD's in the so-so category but I rarely listen to them later, they often end up on the dump pile a few years afterwards.
So, I'm cursed with the eternal hunt for the ideal performance!

Q

[Haffner]

for me personally, I have found that with Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart that I do not necessarily need the best performances to actually enjoy the recording. 

I feel the same, as you probably guessed.

I still break out my old Barshai rendition of the LvB Missa Solemnis, so I know exactly what you mean, Bill. Best renditions are not always mandatory.

Please let me know your overall judgement on the Mozart box; I'm still wildly curious as to the LvB box as well.

[SonicMan46]

Just finishing up reviewing the Sept-Oct issue of Fanfare, and entered the CDs below into my PDA for consideration - all received TOP comments & recommendations; some could replace or supplement what I already own, while others would be 'new' to me.  Comments appreciated - thanks!   

Arnold, Malcolm - Brass Chamber Music - Fine Arts Brass - Nimbus

Bach, CPE - Trio Sonatas - Le Nouveau Quatuor - Amon Ra

Bach, JS - Brandenburg Concertos - Fasolis w/ I Barocchisti - ARTS (only 1 of 2 CDs shown below)

Beethoven, LV - Piano Trios - Chung Trio - EMI - 2 CD bargin remastered

Brahms, Johannes - SQs + Piano Quintet - Emerson SQ w/ Leon Fleisher - 2 CD set

Ginastera, Alberto - Piano & Organ Music - Fernando Viani - Naxos

Palestrina - Lamentations - Baker & Choir Westminster Cathedral - Hyperion

Pierne, Gabriel - Chamber Works - Many Performers - Timpani - 2 CD set (Two Volumes)

 

 

 

 

[hautbois]

Please let it be available in Singapore!

Howard

[BorisG]

Please let it be available in Singapore!

Howard

If not, as a for instance, you can mail order it from Crotchet for 13.91 pounds sterling, including shipping.

[Que]

I'm revisiting François Couperin's works for harpsichord in the recordings by Christophe Rousset, which I like very much. Still, word has it amongst connaisseurs that the set by Noëlle Spieth on the small French label Solstice is top of the pops. Now Solstice has a special offer on this set - I'm mightily tempted!

Anyone familiar with these recordings?



Q

[FideLeo]

I'm revisiting François Couperin's works for harpsichord in the recordings by Christophe Rousset, which I like very much. Still, word has it amongst connaisseurs that the set by Noëlle Spieth on the small French label Solstice is top of the pops. Now Solstice has a special offer on this set - I'm mightily tempted!

Anyone familiar with these recordings?



Q

I have a 2-cd set from the Spieth Couperin series and like it VERY MUCH (ditto her Rameau).  What's everyone's favourite way of uploading a sample these days?   

ps.  I heard that the Stil set by Scott Ross is the real cream of the crop (how is that for word of mouth), but I have never heard any part of it, unfortunately.

[Kullervo]

Anyone have this set? Amazon reviews seem to be extremely polarized. At $10 it is extremely tempting.

[sidoze]

I haven't heard it but Ponti has a rather poor reputation among pianophiles. He was exploited in an Ashkenazy-manner to record pretty much everything under the sun. That's not meant to discourage you necessarily -- I just want to point out that pianophiles tend to prefer obscure, hardly-recorded-anything pianists

[mahlertitan]

i hope this one will be good

[Don]

Anyone have this set? Amazon reviews seem to be extremely polarized. At $10 it is extremely tempting.

I have the sonata set as well as the 5 disc set of Scriabin's other piano music.  At the low price, it's a steal.  The sound isn't good - quite raw and annoying at times.  But Ponti's sharp and impetuous phrasing does sound much closer to Scriabin's own playing than we get from most performers. 

[Kullervo]

I haven't heard it but Ponti has a rather poor reputation among pianophiles. He was exploited in an Ashkenazy-manner to record pretty much everything under the sun. That's not meant to discourage you necessarily -- I just want to point out that pianophiles tend to prefer obscure, hardly-recorded-anything pianists

I have the sonata set as well as the 5 disc set of Scriabin's other piano music.  At the low price, it's a steal.  The sound isn't good - quite raw and annoying at times.  But Ponti's sharp and impetuous phrasing does sound much closer to Scriabin's own playing than we get from most performers.

Thanks, but I think I'll go with my original choice after all.



Any thoughts on this one?

[sidoze]

what about Roberto Szidon on DG? That set is often a first choice

[Kullervo]

what about Roberto Szidon on DG? That set is often a first choice

I'm not very knowledgeable about performers, so I probably couldn't tell a Horowitz from a hacksaw.  My main concern is really just sound quality. I think there are probably very few performances on record that would be bad enough as to preclude me from appreciating the music.

[sidoze]

this is probably the best way to go though. grab the recording with excellent sound, then search out all the better individual recordings which are guaranteed to sound like crap

Horowitz and Richter sound very good though, Zhukov too, Sofronitsky less so, Feinberg pretty bad. I don't know the Taub, never heard him play anything. Hope it's a good one.