Recordings That You Are Considering

[Coopmv]

I't still on my shopping list - looks like a pretty cool bargain!

Harry got it, and as I understand is very happy with it. Believe one or two others got it as well.

Q

Looks like the price in the US is quite good as well ...     

[Conor71]

I don't have that particular DG collection, but you're looking at two of the best catch-all sets of the orchestral works.

I have to leave for a concert right now (Pfitzner-Berg-Wagner-Mahler-Metzmacher), but I'll edit this post later to include the contents of at least the excellent Haenssler box.

Edit: Yes, thanks concert was very good -- the Berg Three Orchestral Pieces, especially!

Contents, Haenssler Box (See also: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2008/12/best-recordings-of-2008.html)

Les Offrandes oubliées

L'Ascension

Poèmes pour Mi (includes mezzo)

Turangalîla

Réveil des oiseaux

Chronochoromie

Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum

La Transfiguration de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ

Des Canyons aux étoiles...

La Ville d'En-Haut

Un Sourire

Éclais sur l'Au-Delà


(so you see: very little of these 9 hours (less than half an hour) features any singing at all.)

Thanks again for that Jens - I just checked the DG site for the contents of the Collectors edition so I am much clearer on whats in the boxes now. Theres a little bit of duplication in the DG box with what I have already - something I should have considered as well (and it would probably be cheaper) would be to just buy a couple of Messiaen Discs to add to what i already have than go for a big box! 

[kishnevi]

I've never been really fond of Ormandy's performances. I think he's one of those conductors who's more into flash instead of substance. The Philadelphia Orchestra were (are) an outstanding orchestra no question about it, but always felt like Ormandy's run-of-the-mill conducting kept that orchestra from really flourishing. Muti's tenure with Philly was much more noteworthy. One only needs to compare Respighi's Pines of Rome. Under Ormandy, they sound workaday. Under Muti, he turns this orchestral showpiece into a conglomerate of heartfelt emotion, intensity, and, of course, virtuosity. I think Ormandy's approach suffers too often from lack of depth for the music. Just my opinion of course.

Fans of Stokowski will sometimes point out that the "Philadelphia Sound" with which Ormandy was often associated was really something which was developed by Stokowski. 

I have a few recordings by Ormandy, the best of which is (IMO) the premier recording of Cooke's completion of Mahler's 10th, and there's no lack of performances as least as good since then.

[Octave]

Several more I'm curious about, in case anyone knows them.  I'm pretty sure I want the Cantus Colln, but I haven't heard anything about the component albums, aside from the Schutz.

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[asin]B000RGSTDC[/asin]
Re: this ULTIMATE RACHMANINOV set: I've already received a strong recommendation for the single disc recital by Kocsis (an Originals series items now OOP), which is included here; that might be worth the cheap price of admission.  I have read a few positive but not glowing reports of Kocsis' concertos, included here.  There is another recording of the VESPERS, which I have only heard suffers from comparison to the alternatives, esp. the ultra-cult Sveshnikov.  Also Duitoit's symph #2.  Can anyone recommend any of the other ULTIMATE box sets, by the way?  The cheesy, bleeding-chunk look of these boxes (and the series title!) was offputting to me; but what if I'm wrong?  It is certainly possible that some of the others might include complete releases that are very much worth having.  I'd love to know if this is the case.

[asin]B0041O9AW0[/asin]
Amazon reviewer Hank Drake is someone I enjoy reading, but he does seem to be a passionate admirer of Horowitz's whole life of musicmaking, and not everyone agrees w/regard to this later music.  I was really knocked out by the Pearl 2cd of early solo Horowitz, and even though allegedly that is a different pianist than the one on these DG recordings, I am interested in this late artist.  I have seen one very strong recommendation at GMG for the Moscow recital, which is included here.

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[Gold Knight]

Antonin Dvorak--Complete Symphonies and Overtures, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Witold Rowicki.
Sergey Prokofiev--The 7 Symphonies, featuring Seji Ozawa and the Berliner Philharmoniker.   

[Octave]

A couple more that came to mind.  I have heard good things about the Beethoven trios disc w/'Archduke'-plus, nothing about the other recordings.  I've also heard good things about the Schubert string quintet D956, but nothing else from that set.  Curious about the relative merits of these Schubert trios (Immerseel-Beths-Bylsma) vs. the Gaia Scienza recordings, in case any of you have tried both.

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[Que]

A couple more that came to mind.  I have heard good things about the Beethoven trios disc w/'Archduke'-plus, nothing about the other recordings.  I've also heard good things about the Schubert string quintet D956, but nothing else from that set.  Curious about the relative merits of these Schubert trios (Immerseel-Beths-Bylsma) vs. the Gaia Scienza recordings, in case any of you have tried both.

I would recommend both sets strongly! But in both sets the piano trios are the weakest link - relatively speaking, that is. 

So yes, I definitely prefer La Gaia Scienza (Winter & Winter) on Schubert who - contrary to Bijlsma et al. - give us the trios unabridged.

For the Archduke Geister trio you can't go wrong with Staier, Sepec & Queras - see a little write up by me HERE.

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Q

[Opus106]

But in both sets the piano trios are the weakest link - relatively speaking, that is. 

With the possibility of the 'Archduke' being the only one of its kind available (i.e. on period instruments; have to check with Gurn on that), it is quite literally nonpareil.

[Octave]

So yes, I definitely prefer La Gaia Scienza (Winter & Winter) on Schubert who - contrary to Bijlsma et al. - give us the trios unabridged.
For the Archduke the you can't go wrong with Staier, Sepec & Queras[...]

Thanks Que and Opus for the replies.  I am happy to see that the Staier et al Archduke [no, Octave, you dilettante] is in that LUMIERES box which is in the mail to me now; of course, this is another part-disc I will have to buy 'again' for the other good things, no doubt.     More Harmonia Mundi craque.
I did not know that the Bijlsma Schubert trios were abridged!  Why did they do this?  Is it a matter of repeats or of sections of the score that go completely unplayed?  This is what I get for listening w/o scores.

[Opus106]

I am happy to see that the Staier et al Archduke is in that LUMIERES box which is in the mail to me now...

Sorry to burst your bubble but the Staier et al. disc does not contain the 'Archduke'. Of Beethoven's, only Op. 1/3 and the 'Ghost'. And the Lumieres box contains only the C minor.

...of course, this is another part-disc I will have to buy 'again' for the other good things, no doubt.     More Harmonia Mundi craque.

I'm not familiar with the term 'craque', but I agree with the general sentiment. The cheap big box was basically made to make us buy more HM discs. Truth be told, there are also many OOP recordings and single works that I wouldn't have gone for as such (audio-only opera, e.g.) which made it worthwhile.

I did not know that the Bijlsma Schubert trios were abridged!  Why did they do this?  Is it a matter of repeats or of sections of the score that go completely unplayed?  This is what I get for listening w/o scores.

They avoid the repeats. From the second movement in 898; from the first and third's trio in 929.

[Que]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the Staier et al. disc does not contain the 'Archduke'. Of Beethoven's, only Op. 1/3 and the 'Ghost'.

Oops! Sorry for the mix up with the Geister, Octave! 

Still recommended, and still not fond of the Bijlsma, but maybe Gurn has a good suggestion for the Archduke.

Q

[Octave]

Yes, sorry, I was hasty and sloppy again; I am not used to matching opus numbers with the Beethoven trios. I skipped a couple steps while looking for the available editions.  Thanks for those answers, Nav and Que.

[Mandryka]

I would recommend both sets strongly! But in both sets the piano trios are the weakest link - relatively speaking, that is. 

So yes, I definitely prefer La Gaia Scienza (Winter & Winter) on Schubert who - contrary to Bijlsma et al. - give us the trios unabridged.

For the Archduke Geister trio you can't go wrong with Staier, Sepec & Queras - see a little write up by me HERE.

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Q

Don't Gaia Scienza cut the 100 or so bars that Schubert removed from the E flat major trio at the request of his publisher? In the final movement.  Maybe I'm misremembering, but as far as I recall I've only heard that music on the record from Golub Kaplan Carr.

There may be some cuts in the first movement too, I can't recall. Again made because of the publisher.

I agree, by the way, with the recommendation for the Queyras /Staier Ghost trio. There are tons of good non-HIP Ghost trios (and good Schubert E flat trios -- but GS is certainly very distinctive and interesting)

[mc ukrneal]

[asin]B000RGSTDC[/asin]
Re: this ULTIMATE RACHMANINOV set: I've already received a strong recommendation for the single disc recital by Kocsis (an Originals series items now OOP), which is included here; that might be worth the cheap price of admission.  I have read a few positive but not glowing reports of Kocsis' concertos, included here.  There is another recording of the VESPERS, which I have only heard suffers from comparison to the alternatives, esp. the ultra-cult Sveshnikov.  Also Duitoit's symph #2.  Can anyone recommend any of the other ULTIMATE box sets, by the way?  The cheesy, bleeding-chunk look of these boxes (and the series title!) was offputting to me; but what if I'm wrong?  It is certainly possible that some of the others might include complete releases that are very much worth having.  I'd love to know if this is the case.

The Ultiamte Strauss Family is pretty good. It is essentially a box that has been reissued several times, although this is only 5 discs (the original being 6 discs). Still, for the price, good stuff.

[Sergeant Rock]

Antonin Dvorak--Complete Symphonies and Overtures, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Witold Rowicki.

Buy for the early symphonies. Rowicki treats them seriously and are the best performances of 1 through 5 of any of the complete cycles I know (Kertesz, Kubelik, Anguélov, Suitner, Neumann). The Overtures too are outstanding, especially Othello.

Sarge

[Lisztianwagner]

About time to get some Delius, this set was strongly recommended to me:

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[Mirror Image]

About time to get some Delius, this set was strongly recommended to me:

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I wonder who recommended that set to you?

[Lisztianwagner]

I wonder who recommended that set to you?

[Gold Knight]

Buy for the early symphonies. Rowicki treats them seriously and are the best performances of 1 through 5 of any of the complete cycles I know (Kertesz, Kubelik, Anguélov, Suitner, Neumann). The Overtures too are outstanding, especially Othello.

Sarge

@ Sarge, Thanks for your input Sarge; I have been trying to decide whether to buy the Kertsez over the Rowicki Cycle for a few bucks more. Based on what you say, I shall go with the Rowicki.

[Mirror Image]

Now considering these Bruckner sets: