Recordings That You Are Considering

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Lupu only recorded a selection of Schubert's piano music, and the Sonata D537 isn't included.  The second movement from that piece is one of my favorite bits of Schubert piano music.

I'd stil opt for Lupu in the selections he recorded. As far as individual faves you're on your own. 

[DavidRoss]

I'd stil opt for Lupu in the selections he recorded. As far as individual faves you're on your own. 

And had he recorded them all I'd probably be satisfied. After quite a bit of listening via streaming web sources, I might just choose Uchida's complete set!

As for the Bach partitas, I chose Schiff's earlier recording. His approach then seems more contemplative to my ears, which I prefer over the focus on crisp articulation that I hear in his ECM issue.

[jlaurson]

As for the Bach partitas, I chose Schiff's earlier recording. His approach then seems more contemplative to my ears, which I prefer over the focus on crisp articulation that I hear in his ECM issue.

But the Partitas are ALL about DANCE MUSIC!

[DavidRoss]

But the Partitas are ALL about DANCE MUSIC!

What can I say...I'm a wallflower!  But since I respect your opinion so much, Jens, I'll listen to the full set before deciding!

P.S. Schubert = Endres.

[Scarpia]

But the Partitas are ALL about DANCE MUSIC!

I find no lack of rhythmic energy in the Decca set.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

And had he recorded them all I'd probably be satisfied. After quite a bit of listening via streaming web sources, I might just choose Uchida's complete set!

The Uchida is a tantalizing consideration, David. I can't speak with much authority about the cycle's overall characteristics but the two discs of hers I have from this set I really enjoy (the impromptus disc and a disc w/ D.840 & D.894).

I've come to her Schubert late but I find these two discs buzzing with electricity. She's no imitator and the imagination she applies to the music is all her own. Unique (and, to my ears, underrated!). 

I'd like to someday own her complete cycle.

[Scarpia]

The Uchida is a tantalizing consideration, David. I can't speak with much authority about the cycle's overall characteristics but the two discs of hers I have from this set I really enjoy (the impromptus disc and a disc w/ D.840 & D.894).

I've come to her Schubert late but I find these two discs buzzing with electricity. She's no imitator and the imagination she applies to the music is all her own. Unique (and, to my ears, underrated!). 

I'd like to someday own her complete cycle.

I'll admit to having that one as well.  Buzzing (perhaps more that Franz should buzz) and worth hearing.  At 32 bucks for 8 discs, what are you waiting for?  Soon they'll stop making CD entirely.  Now's the time to stock up.  Winter is coming! 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I find no lack of rhythmic energy in the Decca set.

There does seem to be this interesting Schiff "Decca vs. ECM" debate going on. *So far* I find Schiff's ECM Goldbergs not quite to my liking compared to what Decca Bach of his I have (but not the Goldbergs). But I much prefer the sound of his ECM Schubert disc vs. his Decca Schubert, with a winning performance to boot.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I'll admit to having that one as well.  Buzzing (perhaps more that Franz should buzz) and worth hearing.  At 32 bucks for 8 discs, what are you waiting for?  Soon they'll stop making CD entirely.  Now's the time to stock up.  Winter is coming! 

Damn, you're right!

[PaulR]

I've been looking for a recording of L'Orfeo for a while now, and the Gardiner version has been on my wishlist for quite some time.  But I've recently saw that Rene Jacobs has one out as well.

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Just curious of the thoughts of the two sets.

[kishnevi]

I've been looking for a recording of L'Orfeo for a while now, and the Gardiner version has been on my wishlist for quite some time.  But I've recently saw that Rene Jacobs has one out as well.

[asin]B003MY55AG[/asin] and [asin]B0000057CV[/asin]

Just curious of the thoughts of the two sets.

The answer to your dilemma is:  Alessandrini
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Ignore the silly short story/novella Naive inserted into the liner matter.
I think it's superior to the Jacoabs.  I don't have the Gardiner.

[Wakefield]

I've been looking for a recording of L'Orfeo for a while now, and the Gardiner version has been on my wishlist for quite some time.  But I've recently saw that Rene Jacobs has one out as well.

[asin]B003MY55AG[/asin] and [asin]B0000057CV[/asin]

Just curious of the thoughts of the two sets.

I would prefer to recommend one of these versions proposed by you, but I think the best first version is still Charles Medlam and Co.:

[asin]B000002S5F[/asin]

After this version, I bought five new sets (Gardiner, Garrido, Jacobs, Vartolo & Cavina), but I still consider the EMI set as my favorite.

Anyway, I think Gardiner is a bit disappointing from the viewpoint of the sound quality and Jacobs tends to be a bit over-stylised in this repertoire (though it's splendidly recorded).

[PaulR]

Thank you both! 

[TheGSMoeller]

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I'm sure it's the same as the Jacobs above (I'm really bad about checking up on reissues) but this is my favorite, has been for over ten years now.

[Lisztianwagner]

This one looks very, very interesting:

[asin]B000EMSIAS[/asin]

[trung224]

This one looks very, very interesting:

[asin]B000EMSIAS[/asin]

   Although Jassons is Russian, his performance in this CD is so lackluster, routine, no excitement, no nuance, no dance-like or anything personal. The best thing here is Intro to Khovanschina.  For Scheherazade, Reiner, Stokowski, Beecham all offer legendary performance. For Pictures in the Exhibition, Reiner' CD still a benchmark. If you want the good digital sound, Gergiev on Decca offer much more imaginative and excitement.

[Brian]

My favorites:

Scheherazade: Svetlanov/LSO (BBC Legends), Chalabala/Czech PO (mono)
Scheherazade (digital sound): Schwarz/Seattle
Night on Bare Mountain (Rimsky version): don't listen to it
Night on Bare Mountain (Mussorgsky original): Kuchar/Naxos
Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel): still looking for a favorite! (I have Maazel, Muti, Sokhiev, Kuchar)
Pictures at an Exhibition (piano): Brendel (whaaa??!?!)

[jlaurson]

   Although Jassons is Russian, ...

Latvian

[trung224]

Latvian

   Yes, he is really Latvian, but he grew up in the Soviet Union. And his music study is in Leningrad, musical center of Russian, where his father is Mravinsky's assistant

[jlaurson]

   Yes, he is really Latvian, but he grew up in the Soviet Union. And his music study is in Leningrad, musical center of Russian, where his father is Mravinsky's assistant

I know why you were tempted to make him 'Russian'... I merely just wanted to specify. In fact, his main residence is still in Petersburg.
On the other hand, there's a considerable difference between the Baltics and Russia that most people from the region might appreciate being made.
(I mean: few people would say that Neeme Jaervi is Russian, or Kurt Sanderling, although by the above criteria, they more or less qualify.)