Recordings That You Are Considering

[Wakefield]

   #2 is the 1991 remastered version and the sound is inferior to  #1 , which is the 1999 remastered version on [asin]B00001O2XZ[/asin]
   the concerto in #2 is the CD layer on #3, which is equally good, unless you have the SACD player.
   I have some of new Sony boxset and the sound is same with the earlier release, except the version which is DSD remastered, like this [asin]B000F6YW6W[/asin]

Great! After all, I won't have a "true duplication", when my big Rubinstein box arrives from Germany. 

[trung224]

Thanks. It doesn't have Karajan's Parsifal either. Damn.

Nonetheless, it's a real bargain too with some outstanding recordings (I love that Kleiber Tristan).  Oddly, it shares some of the same performances with the EMI and Solti boxes....the classical music business is really incestuous!

Sarge

I think this is the policy when reissued boxset:
- first : choose the good sound quality, why EMI leaves Konwitschny's Tannhauser and chooses Haitink's account
-second: don't choose the label's signature recordings unless having no choice. Good as Kleiber's Tristan or Solti's Parcifal, Levine's Ring, they are not DG or Decca's signature performance, like Karajan's or Knappertsbusch's Parsifal, Böhm's Tristan or Karajan's, Solti's Ring. Otherwise DG has no other recordings on Meistersing von Numberg, Tannhauser or Lohengrin.
   That is only business and we, the customers, must accept

[Wakefield]

The Rubinstein/Chopin thing is so confusing! There's a comment on Amazon that says the new budget box (10CD) is the same as the previous "The Chopin Collection," which had 11 CDs. But, apparently, it's not according to you all (who I trust far, far more!). So weird.

I have examined with more detail both boxes and the newer set also includes the 11th disc from the '40s. So, I guess this reissue is merely better organized than "The Chopin Collection" in order to reduce the package to 10 discs. Additionally, some tracks indicate: "1999 Remastered".

Anyway, I'll say I'm totally happy with "The Chopin Collection". Its sound quality is stupendous for the age; the 11 Cds are contained in three thick jewel boxes and it includes an informative booklet (which, I'm almost sure, won't be the case with the new reissue).

[nesf]

Any recommendations for a recording of Shostakovich's Piano Quintet (preferably with Piano Trio No.2). I have the Martha Argerich version from the Martha Argerich Edition boxset and dearly love it but I'm curious to hear some other interpretations of the piece(s).

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I haven't heard the Sawallisch Ring but there is at least one forum member who promotes it every chance he gets.

That's me. I've already given it a solid proselytizing two posts above yours, Sarge.

I think that Goodall Parsifal (while fascinating in a perverse way) takes the EMI box out of the running for a Wagner neophyte.

I would tend to disagree since the Ring included is so good. Not that Parsifal isn't important of course (probably my favorite Wagner opera) but since in a box like this something's bound to disappoint better a cheaper Parsifal than a more expensive Ring.

[kishnevi]

Going through the various Wagner boxes, it seems that the DG and EMI boxes contain enough recordings I already have that neither megaset really appeals to me, whereas the Solti has a few that I really want (Meistersinger, Parsifal, Tannhauser, the full Ring) even though I have a couple of Soltis already (Lohengrin, Rheingold), and it doesn't have the three early operas. 

I have to add,btw, that I don't really like Kempe's Lohengrin (Solti for me),  and Pappano's Tristan is actually rather good--it's merely that it's not as good as several other alternatives (Furtwangler and Bohm being the ones I have).

[Scarpia]

I haven't heard the Sawallisch Ring but there is at least one forum member who promotes it every chance he gets.

Another cause of bitterness is that there was that EMI released the Sawallisch ring on VHS video, but never bothered to make a DVD edition of it.

[Sadko]

This big Wagner/Solti box is tempting me too, because of the Ring I only have Rheingold in a remastered version.

But even more tempting is this:

[asin]B008J1QFLU[/asin]

It has a Bluray with sound in 24 bit resolution, that'd be nice food for my DA converter

Only the price is a little bit offputting, - oh and I have no bluray drive yet

[jlaurson]

There are some fantastic performances in that box: Klemperer's Dutchman, Kempe's Lohengrin (both desert island choices). I love Hollreiser's Rienzi (and a Rienzi isn't included in the Solti or Bayreuth boxes). I haven't heard the Sawallisch Ring but there is at least one forum member who promotes it every chance he gets. The Solti Ring, though, is considered to be one of the greatest recordings ever. Karajan's Meistersinger is a good one (and I think preferable to Solti). Haitink's Tannhäuser is a bit of a dud, with an unattractive title character while Solti's is probably the best modern version. And Goodall's Parsifal...well, you really need to be a Goodall fan. It's slow beyond belief. It's certainly not a first recommendation. The Pappano's Tristan has its fans while Solti is barely mentioned. So a toss up:

Rienzi EMI
Holländer EMI
Tannhäuser Decca
Lohengrin EMI
Tristan EMI
Meistersinger EMI
Ring Decca
Parsifal Decca

I think that Goodall Parsifal (while fascinating in a perverse way) takes the EMI box out of the running for a Wagner neophyte.
And to answer your main question: yes, it's an unbelievable bargain.

Sarge

Ha! They included Goodall's Parsifal? That's strange, but lovely in a way. I wouldn't necessarily say it takes the set out of the running. Does give it flavor, though. (I'm inclined towards all the Goodall Wagner recordings, though... I think his Mastersingers is actually better than most 'normal' recordings. Endearing is the word.

Re: Sawallisch -- the fastest RING on record. Perhaps to make up for Goodall. Very fluid, very fine recording that I ultimately prefer over Janowski, Levine anyway, Haitink and those kind of Rings.

[Sergeant Rock]

That's me. I've already given it a solid proselytizing two posts above yours, Sarge.

I completely overlooked the text portion of your first post. I saw the quote with the picture and then went straight to your second post just below it to read the text. Sorry Dancing D...my eyes and brain aren't what they once were 

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Ha! They included Goodall's Parsifal? That's strange, but lovely in a way.

Maybe they put it in to tempt me. A Parsifal fanatic in the old Gramophone forum declared it the most compelling he'd ever heard. His arguments almost convinced me to buy it too, but in the end I passed. I would like the Swallisch Ring. Goodall's Parsifal would be a bonus.

I'm inclined towards all the Goodall Wagner recordings, though... I think his Mastersingers is actually better than most 'normal' recordings. Endearing is the word.

I didn't know that about you. I'm shocked. And you aren't even English 

Sarge

[Mandryka]

Any recommendations for a recording of Shostakovich's Piano Quintet (preferably with Piano Trio No.2). I have the Martha Argerich version from the Martha Argerich Edition boxset and dearly love it but I'm curious to hear some other interpretations of the piece(s).

Can't recommend one with the trio. For the quintet there's Shostakovich/Beethoven Qt and Richter/Borodin Qt.

For the trio there's a whole thread somewhere here. I like the old one with Shostakovich, Oistrakh and Sadlo.

The trio is the more interesting work for me, and there's quite a range of styles. Your really need to hear lots to see what you like and what you don't.

[Mandryka]

Anyone know this one?



Or this one

[nesf]

Can't recommend one with the trio. For the quintet there's Shostakovich/Beethoven Qt and Richter/Borodin Qt.

For the trio there's a whole thread somewhere here. I like the old one with Shostakovich, Oistrakh and Sadlo.

The trio is the more interesting work for me, and there's quite a range of styles. Your really need to hear lots to see what you like and what you don't.

Thank you.

[jlaurson]

Maybe they put it in to tempt me. A Parsifal fanatic in the old Gramophone forum declared it the most compelling he'd ever heard. His arguments almost convinced me to buy it too, but in the end I passed. I would like the Swallisch Ring. Goodall's Parsifal would be a bonus.

I didn't know that about you. I'm shocked. And you aren't even English 
Sarge

No, I'm not English. But you even understand more of the text with Goodall than most other recordings. My German colleague and I, who reviewed it together, eating Franconian 'sour sausages' and dark beer, had a blast with it!

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/02/wagner-on-record-mastersingers.html

[CriticalI]

Re: Sawallisch -- the fastest RING on record.

Even faster than Bohm?

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Even faster than Bohm?

The Gramophone Good CD Guide 1999 lists Sawallisch at 847 minutes and Böhm at 819 minutes.

Solti is listed at 876, Furtwängler RAI at 902.

Wonder where Boulez falls...

[CriticalI]

The Gramophone Good CD Guide 1999 lists Sawallisch at 847 minutes and Böhm at 819 minutes.

Factual verification - wow, I did not expect that

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Factual verification - wow, I did not expect that

[marvinbrown]

  Mahler fans I need help! I am having a very hard time deciding which of the 2 Bernstein Mahler cycles to buy.  I would like to hear what Bernstein does with these symphonies. After reading many posts on GMG I am still undecided as I find that the GMG members are split between these 2 cycles. Many praise the DG cycle for being emotionally engaging with better sound than the Sony cycle  but complain that some of the symphonies, notably the 8th and 9th are under par. On the other hand the Sony cycle gets criticised for being less engaging emotionally but praised for being more consistent overall. Some praise the new remastering of the Sony cycle while others claim to hear minimal improvement.

HELP! I do not know what to do. Which of these, in your opinion represents Bernstein's finer achievement:

[asin]B0033QC0WY[/asin]

  Or

[asin]B005SJIP1E[/asin]

  marvin