Recordings That You Are Considering

[Lethevich]

It certainly seems to be the only set in the running for a really complete complete orchestral works of Debussy.

Edit: it feels as though whenever I try to get away with not quoting somebody, and just tapping out a quick reply - it always ends up on top of the next page, devoid of context

[Mirror Image]

I have noticed that your "recordings you are considering" posts are exactly the same as your "recent purchases" posts, separately by a few days. I will make a note of it to read just one of them in order to save time. 

That's good one, Paul! I love it! Ha!

[Mirror Image]

It certainly seems to be the only set in the running for a really complete complete orchestral works of Debussy.

Edit: it feels as though whenever I try to get away with not quoting somebody, and just tapping out a quick reply - it always ends up on top of the next page, devoid of context

Just to give Sara some proper context, here's my post again :

[asin]B006O51CSY[/asin]

This is due out next month. Can't wait.

Here's more info on the box set:

http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.509002

[Mirror Image]

It certainly seems to be the only set in the running for a really complete complete orchestral works of Debussy.

Yes, it's 9 discs, so this is really going to be interesting. These may not be the best performances in the world either, but it will give a prospective listener a great thorough look inside Debussy's sound-world. Also, it seems that Naxos will not be doing their usual jewel cases in a box set layout either. This looks like a full-fledged box set with booklet and sleeves for the CDs, so this will be great to see.

[kishnevi]

Yes, it's 9 discs, so this is really going to be interesting. These may not be the best performances in the world either, but it will give a prospective listener a great thorough look inside Debussy's sound-world. Also, it seems that Naxos will not be doing their usual jewel cases in a box set layout either. This looks like a full-fledged box set with booklet and sleeves for the CDs, so this will be great to see.

So much of that box is arrangements by others of Debussy's music that maybe "Debussy's sound world" is not the correct term to use. 

I'm pretty sure I'll pass on this one;  simply too much of it is orchestrations of music Debussy wrote, as opposed to music that Debussy actually wrote for orchestra (or at least, like Plus la lente, arranged for orchestra himself).

[Mirror Image]

So much of that box is arrangements by others of Debussy's music that maybe "Debussy's sound world" is not the correct term to use. 

I'm pretty sure I'll pass on this one;  simply too much of it is orchestrations of music Debussy wrote, as opposed to music that Debussy actually wrote for orchestra (or at least, like Plus la lente, arranged for orchestra himself).

Debussy liked other musicians orchestrating his music and often gave orchestration assignments for others to work on. The reality is Debussy didn't do a whole lot of orchestrating himself, but this shouldn't hamper any kind of enjoyment a listener could possibly get out of this set. I think it's an essential acquisition for Debussy fans, but if you want to pass on it that's your prerogative. Yes, "Debussy's sound-world" is the perfect term to use because that is what this box is made up of regardless if it's Debussy's orchestration or Andre Caplet's or even Ravel. I'm seriously looking forward to this release.

With your logic, I guess we should pass on Mussorgsky's Songs and Dances of Death because Shostakovich made an orchestration of it. I mean there's more than one way to appreciate a composer's music and it's always good to get a different interpretation whether it be through an orchestration or just the way a conductor interprets the work.

[Lethevich]

Arrangements and transcriptions are often fascinating. It is not pure Debussy, that is for sure, but given the somewhat small amount of orchestral music he wrote, it's exciting to hear old works in new contexts - more so than with most other composers, perhaps because - as MI said - Debussy had a history of this while he was alive. I suppose it's a case of wanting more, and being willing to settle for second-best to get that, but given the high level we're talking about, second-best is pretty damn great

Edit: it's nice that they actually made an effort with the artwork of the Debussy box, btw. Their white boxes are the ugliest things.

[Mirror Image]

I hope I didn't come off sounding like a jerk, Jeffrey, this wasn't my intention at all. I was merely making a point. I appreciate your comments/opinions.

[Mirror Image]

Arrangements and transcriptions are often fascinating. It is not pure Debussy, that is for sure, but given the somewhat small amount of orchestral music he wrote, it's exciting to hear old works in new contexts - more so than with most other composers, perhaps because - as MI said - Debussy had a history of this while he was alive. I suppose it's a case of wanting more, and being willing to settle for second-best to get that, but given the high level we're talking about, second-best is pretty damn great

Edit: it's nice that they actually made an effort with the artwork of the Debussy box, btw. Their white boxes are the ugliest things.

Agreed, Sara and, yes, those white Naxos boxes are ugly and I'm glad I never bought one.

[Mirror Image]

I'm definitely going to buy this one too as I missed this recording the first time around:

[asin]B006O8K41W[/asin]

I'm not a huge fan of Khachaturian, but I've always wanted a complete recording of the ballet Spartacus. I think my Dad owns all of the Khachaturian recordings, so I might just buy it and make copies from his.

[Brian]

Edit: it's nice that they actually made an effort with the artwork of the Debussy box, btw. Their white boxes are the ugliest things.

I think the white box line fizzled out after the initial release of 8-10 various cycles, a few years ago. Their recent Actual Box sets (as opposed to jewel cases in slipcovers) have mostly taken on a sky-blue motif - the Mahler symphonies box, the Haydn quartets, symphonies, and masses.

[Lethevich]

I think the white box line fizzled out after the initial release of 8-10 various cycles, a few years ago. Their recent Actual Box sets (as opposed to jewel cases in slipcovers) have mostly taken on a sky-blue motif - the Mahler symphonies box, the Haydn quartets, symphonies, and masses.

I noticed a big change around the time of their RVW cycle - it seemed as though they realised that practically all of their competition in these works was boxed and priced cheaper than their own "budget" discs and so they felt the need to compete, including at least a small effort in the graphic design.

Come to think of it, you're right, those white boxes still in print are legacy things. There does seem to be a curious variability in their art direction, though. The Mahler box follows the same somewhat boring pattern of the Haydn sets, but their Barber, Schuman, Villa-Lobos and Roussel boxes seem to have had more consideration paid towards them, and they are the better for it.

[Mirror Image]

I noticed a big change around the time of their RVW cycle - it seemed as though they realised that practically all of their competition in these works was boxed and priced cheaper than their own "budget" discs and so they felt the need to compete, including at least a small effort in the graphic design.

Come to think of it, you're right, those white boxes still in print are legacy things. There does seem to be a curious variability in their art direction, though. The Mahler box follows the same somewhat boring pattern of the Haydn sets, but their Barber, Schuman, Villa-Lobos and Roussel boxes seem to have had more consideration paid towards them, and they are the better for it.

Don't forget their Rorem box, which looks cool:

[asin]B0042A86W8[/asin]

Oh and the all of the Robert Craft boxes (Schoenberg, Stravinsky).

[bigshot]

Where?

Rosalyn Turek Plays Bach (recorded live at the home of Wm F Buckley)

[jlaurson]

If it depended on me, I would have no doubt about buying this set, but I'm afraid I'm not totally impartial about Herbert von Karajan, my absolute favourite conductor. What is this set like?

F. Schubert Herbie & Berlin The Symphonies Musical Heritage

F. Schubert Herbie & Berlin The Symphonies Capitol

F. Schubert Herbie & Berlin The Symphonies (1-4) EMI

F. Schubert Herbie & Berlin The Symphonies (rest) EMI

Boy, it's been a long time since I've listened to that... but I still remembered not being particularly charmed:

Karajan's Uneasy Schubert
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/03/karajans-uneasy-schubert.html

[Lisztianwagner]

it's been a long time since I've listened to that... but I still remembered not being particularly charmed:

Karajan's Uneasy Schubert
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/03/karajans-uneasy-schubert.html

Thanks for the feedback Jens; I think I'll give Karajan's set a chance anyway, the great Austrian Master has never disappointed me till now.

Ilaria

[springrite]

Thanks for the feedback Jens; I think I'll give Karajan's set a chance anyway, the great Austrian Master has never disappointed me till now.

Ilaria

He is not obligated to disappoint everyone anyway.

[Lisztianwagner]

He is not obligated to disappoint everyone anyway.

Sure; I only spoke for myself.

[The new erato]

Don't forget their Rorem box, which looks cool:

[asin]B0042A86W8[/asin]

Oh and the all of the Robert Craft boxes (Schoenberg, Stravinsky).

This set interestingly enough only shows on amazon.co.uk, not on mdt. I'm interested though I think it slightly expensive on amazon.co.uk.

[The new erato]

Thanks for the feedback Jens; I think I'll give Karajan's set a chance anyway, the great Austrian Master has never disappointed me till now.

Ilaria

I hope you refer to Schubert.