Recordings That You Are Considering

[Lethevich]

I still own that Wyn Morris Helgoland LP. It's infinitely superior to that Barenboim one (which I have too). Would that some company reissue it...

Indeed, I have it on mp3 (256, so a tolerable bitrate, fortunately) and even in that lossy format I find it hard to imagine a more stunning performance. It made a huge impact on me when I first heard it - I cannot understand the pieces obscurity.

[Lilas Pastia]

Can you upload it?

[Lethevich]

Can yo uupload it?

It's incoming - will take up to 20 mins to upload.

[Lilas Pastia]

Yeeaaahh! 

Will you put it up here or in another thread?

[Lethevich]

Yeeaaahh! 

Will you put it up here or in another thread?

I guess it's technically not a broadcast, so I'll put it in the Bruckner Abbey thread so people interested can find it more easily.

[not edward]

Great, thanks. I imagine only the Bruckner specialists around here will have a Helgoland.

[FideLeo]

Here are two on-going Buxtehude organ works cycles that are excellent:

Hans Davidsson/Loft Recordings/2 volumes
Bine Katrine Bryndorf/Dacapo/5 volumes

Not to mention the also ongoing Ton Koopman on Challenge Classics.   I bet
all of them will make it in time for the Bux-Year.

[Lethevich]

It's incoming - will take up to 20 mins to upload.

Posted here.

I strongly recommend that anybody on a connection better than 56k give this piece a try.

[prémont]

Here are two on-going Buxtehude organ works cycles that are excellent:

Hans Davidsson/Loft Recordings/2 volumes
Bine Katrine Bryndorf/Dacapo/5 volumes

Don´t know Davisson´s Buxtehude yet. His Weckmann shows him to be a devoted scholar.

As to Bryndorf I disagree about her exellence despite her Danish origin. Her almost complete set is IMO rather uneven, the first three volumes displaying predominantly cold perfection (like much of her contribution to the Hänssler Bach integral). Her Buxtehude Vol. IV and V  display more tension, her grasp on stylus phantasticus have improved and the featured organs are more interesting. But well recorded sound all through.

For the matter of partial completeness we must mention the likewise Danish Ulrik Spang-Hanssen whose integral from the 1990es have been rereleased by Membran (bargain ca. 10 Euro for 6 CDs). He presents an authoritative and passionate interpretation upon different organs (Schnitger/Nordbrook and Norden,Raphaelis/Roskilde,some Aubertin-organs) and is IMO very well recorded.

There are others , Rubsam et pupils, Stender, Alain, Rogg, Kraft,  - I know a large part of the existing recordings. Maybe we should start a Buxtehude organ music thread.

[Harry]

I certainly will consider it, both sets are generally regarded highly!
I guess the smartest thing to do for me is to await your impressions on the set by Vogel...

Q

Que, this set is in my possesion for a long time now, and believe me it is the best integral recordings you can get, but of course that is my two cents.

[marvinbrown]

Critical opinion is all over the map, Marvin. Many Brucknerians whose opinions I normally trust dislike this set...really dislike it. In fact I was originally put off this set by the critics. It wasn't until I actually heard sniippets of all the symphonies on a BBC program comparing Barenboim with Masur that I realized how good these performances are (the BBC critic preferred Barenboim too). Having heard it now in its entirety, I can't understand the negative criticism: it baffles me. As a set--as a set--this is my favorite Bruckner (I prefer it to Karajan, Tintner, Jochum, etc). While not slavishly imitating Furtwängler these are as close to Furtwängler-style performances in modern sound as we're likely to get. Tempo-wise they are not rock steady but indulge in tempo fluctuations, including the Furtwängler-patented accelerando at climactic moments (very noticeable in the coda of the Fifth's Finale). Speeds are generally on the fast side (the 8th fits comfortably on one disc) but the exceptions are telling, and I think thrilling: like the slow finale of the Second.

Even most who don't like the complete set consider the Ninth a great performance. I think the Second, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh are also great performances and the others never less than good. The sound quality is very pleasing to my ears.

Jochum's the safer bet though, and you'll find much more agreement here about that set.

Sarge

  Thank you Sarge and everyone else who responded.  I am now torn between this set and the Jochum one.  You have whetted my appetite Sarge for this set when you referred to Furtwangler and its close similarity with it.   So I guess the next logical step is to sample.  I am on my way now to Virgin records, where sampling is possible.....lets see what happens....once again Sarge (and from one Wagnarian to another) and all Thank You!!!!

  marvin

[Lethevich]

Shouldn't this be stickied, BTW? Like the listening threads in general, it seems to fulfil a permenent purpose.

[George]

Shouldn't this be stickied, BTW? Like the listening threads in general, it seems to fulfil a permenent purpose.

As the originator of this thread on the old GMG, I am honored that you think so.  0:)

[Florestan]

Can anyone comment on this? Thanks.

[Sergeant Rock]

Can anyone comment on this? Thanks.

Essential in my opinion if only to hear the original editions of the Davidsbündlertänze, Kreisleriana and the Third Sonata which I think gains immeasurably from the absence of the two Scherzos. Pollini isn't heart-on-sleeve Schumann but his objective approach doesn't mean he skimps on the works deep emotions. There's an impetuousness about the playing that suggests a young man at the keyboard, not a man in his 60s...and that suits Schumann perfectly. Very good piano sound.

Sarge

[Florestan]

Essential in my opinion if only to hear the original editions of the Davidsbündlertänze, Kreisleriana and the Third Sonata which I think gains immeasurably from the absence of the two Scherzos. Pollini isn't heart-on-sleeve Schumann but his objective approach doesn't mean he skimps on the works deep emotions. There's an impetuousness about the playing that suggests a young man at the keyboard, not a man in his 60s...and that suits Schumann perfectly. Very good piano sound.

Sarge

Thank you, Sarge!

[FideLeo]

I certainly will consider it, both sets are generally regarded highly!
I guess the smartest thing to do for me is to await your impressions on the set by Vogel...

Q

The set by Vogel is here - TO ME first hearing of the first disk (recorded earliest in 1987) appears to be giving a very positive impression.  Not to say that the Foccoroulle set can be in any way inferior, but this is solid and good.

[Harry]

The set as a whole is the best you can get. Vogel is a absolute authority in this field, and the organs he uses, also the one in my town is very beautiful.

[Florestan]

I'm looking for good versions of Carl Maria von Weber's piano sonatas and chamber music. Any suggestions, please?

[Harry]

I'm looking for good versions of Carl Maria von Weber's piano sonatas and chamber music. Any suggestions, please?

Yes, me too! So far I have only orchestral works, and a few Clarinet concertos.