Recordings That You Are Considering

[Mirror Image]

I wish you good luck

If I remember correctly it was Heifetz who in an interview said something like "We can afford to have so many good things in our civilisation, but one has to enjoy them with restraint to really appreciate them." I found that very wise. He sounded stricter than I would like to be to myself, but I did recognise my own experience that some control does increase the pleasure and well-being. My soft spots are nuts, sweets, and CDs

Thank you, Sadko. Great screen name by the way. It's the name of two Rimsky-Korsakov works: one is an opera and the other is a symphonic poem.

[Sadko]

Thank you, Sadko. Great screen name by the way. It's the name of two Rimsky-Korsakov works: one is an opera and the other is a symphonic poem.

Yes, I chose it when my discovery of the wonderful Rimsky operas was quite new. The Tsars Bride is still my favourite, I think.

[springrite]

Yes, I chose it when my discovery of the wonderful Rimsky operas was quite new. The Tsars Bride is still my favourite, I think.

We have the same favorite Rimsky-Korsakov opera I see.

I thought Sadko is the Ko after 11 1/2 months without purchasing a new CD.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, I chose it when my discovery of the wonderful Rimsky operas was quite new. The Tsars Bride is still my favourite, I think.

I need to explore Rimsky-Korsakov's operas (even though opera isn't a favorite genre). What opera would you recommend I start with?

[Sadko]

I need to explore Rimsky-Korsakov's operas (even though opera isn't a favorite genre). What opera would you recommend I start with?

Maybe none, not to tempt you?

My favourites as whole operas are The Tsar's Bride and Snegurochka, and then Sadko has a lot of nice music.

[Mirror Image]

Maybe none, not to tempt you?

My favourites as whole operas are The Tsar's Bride and Snegurochka, and then Sadko has a lot of nice music.

I think with either my birthday or Christmas money one of the things I'm going to buy is Gergiev's Rimsky opera set.

[jlaurson]

Debussy - Complete Piano Works - suggestions on the pics below?

Currently, I own Bavouzet's complete recordings of these works, but would like a second set @ a good price

Sorry to stray from the parameters you have set, but if you have the modern, very fine Bavouzet and you want something different, it's as good a time as any to get the long-reigning champion of Debussy (much to French chagrin, it was said). [Another consideration might be Pascal Rogé, but probably not different enough from Bavouzet.



C.Debussy
Piano Works
Walter Gieseking
EMI
German link - UK link



C.Debussy
Piano Works
Walter Gieseking
EMI
remastered SACDs
German link - UK link

[SonicMan46]

Hi Bryan, John, & Jens - in reference to the Debussy piano works - thanks for the comments; I'm still favoring Ogawa from all of the comments & reviews that I've read; MDT seems at the moment to have the best price, i.e. $28 (w/o VAT) - will look for some other items there to justify shipping to me if I decide on that route - Dave

[Coopmv]

Debussy - Complete Piano Works - suggestions on the pics below?

Currently, I own Bavouzet's complete recordings of these works, but would like a second set @ a good price; I was considering Ogawa on BIS but not inexpensive ($34 on the Amazon MP for 6 discs; not too bad actually); however, in rechecking the price today, another offering appeared, i.e. Fergus-Thompson on Brilliant (5 discs for $20) - have not heard of the latter release - SO, the price difference is not really important, but I'd enjoy hearing opinions from those who may have heard some of these performances - thanks!  Dave

 

I have the Fergus-Thompson set on the original Sanctuary label ...

[SonicMan46]

I have the Fergus-Thompson set on the original Sanctuary label ...

Hi Stuart - thanks for the comment above (not sure if you like the performance?) - today I put in an order on MDT for the Ogawa; just impressed w/ the reviews and some other comments here - will report back after the set arrives!  Dave

[Mirror Image]

Hi Stuart - thanks for the comment above (not sure if you like the performance?) - today I put in an order on MDT for the Ogawa; just impressed w/ the reviews and some other comments here - will report back after the set arrives!  Dave

Excellent choice. Enjoy the music, Dave.

[Sadko]

I think with either my birthday or Christmas money one of the things I'm going to buy is Gergiev's Rimsky opera set.

So far my favourites are the older and old Bolshoi recordings.

[Coopmv]

Hi Stuart - thanks for the comment above (not sure if you like the performance?) - today I put in an order on MDT for the Ogawa; just impressed w/ the reviews and some other comments here - will report back after the set arrives!  Dave

Dave,    I enjoyed the Fergus-Thompson set even after only one listen.  I suppose I may never get to the second listen for many CD's until I am in the same boat as you, i.e. retired.     

BTW, I also have 4 CD's by Armengaud on Debussy piano works on the Arts label.  I believe these 4 CD's are now available in a set as well ...

[Mirror Image]

So far my favourites are the older and old Bolshoi recordings.

But how is the audio in those? That's one thing I worry about in those old Russian recordings.

[Mandryka]

Check out Benedetti's legendary recordings of Debussy .. highest recommendations.

[asin]B0000012XV[/asin]

Maybe not quite so successful in Bk 2 of the preludes as in Book 1

[Sadko]

But how is the audio in those? That's one thing I worry about in those old Russian recordings.

I don't remember, I guess mostly they won't be good enough for your needs. For me it is more about "enjoyable" than "perfect", if a recording isn't shrill or too muffled I prefer to listen to great artists in such sound quality to perfect modern sound with less good singing. Sometimes I phantasized about being able to time travel and to take a DAT recorder to Soviet Russia ...

[Mirror Image]

I don't remember, I guess mostly they won't be good enough for your needs. For me it is more about "enjoyable" than "perfect", if a recording isn't shrill or too muffled I prefer to listen to great artists in such sound quality to perfect modern sound with less good singing. Sometimes I phantasized about being able to time travel and to take a DAT recorder to Soviet Russia ...

I can understand this and we all certainly have to make compromises at some point. I feel this way about a lot of Svetlanov's recordings. They're not that great sounding, but those performances...my goodness!

[Sadko]

I can understand this and we all certainly have to make compromises at some point. I feel this way about a lot of Svetlanov's recordings. They're not that great sounding, but those performances...my goodness!

I have his 1956 Snegurochka, but I have to listen to it again before commenting on it. Several Snegurochkas are mixing in my memory. Somehow the greatest impression made a really lovely poetic Russian cartoon (film) with VERY bad sound, but it captured the character of the work so well.

[Mirror Image]

I have his 1956 Snegurochka, but I have to listen to it again before commenting on it. Several Snegurochkas are mixing in my memory. Somehow the greatest impression made a really lovely poetic Russian cartoon (film) with VERY bad sound, but it captured the character of the work so well.

I do own Svetlanov's set of Rimsky-Korsakov and consider these performances some of the best I've ever heard. Such raw intensity.

[Mirror Image]

With my birthday money, here's what I'm considering at the moment:





Other considerations: the Tveitt series on BIS (Ruud) and the Rozsa series on Chandos (Gamba).