Recordings That You Are Considering

[longears]

[mahlertitan]

[Mark]

Quit considering, start buying (then listening).

This is one of a handful of discs I'll never hesitate to recommend. In particular, listen out for the six (count 'em) harps in the Celtic Symphony. Amazing sound.

[Expresso]

Yes the HVK sound is excellent. There is absolutely no conjestion or distortion or any sort in the loud passages. I am not a big Schwarzkopf fan but this one (along with the role of the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier - also with HVK) are stunning. She just exudes feminism here. HVK was a unique opera conductor. He extracts great drama, constrast, and continuity while keeping the BEAUTY of the score above all else. Some hate that approach but if you are used to some of the over-the-top approaches you will find HVK's approach very invigorating. If you like this one also consider his Meistersinger.

I bought it. Thanks for the suggestion 

The sound quality is amazing, crystal clear without any noise. I couldn't believe it's a '55 recording.

[Que]

CD1
Salieri: Piano Concerto in C major, Piano Concerto in B flat major
Steffan: Piano Concerto in B flat major

CD2 Clementi
Musical Characteristics Op. 19, I Preludio alla Haydn in C major
Keyboard Sonata in F minor Op. 13 No. 6
Capriccio in B flat major Op. 17
Keyboard Sonata in G minor Op. 34 No. 2
Musical Characteristics Op. 19, III Preludio alla Mozart in A major
Keyboard Sonata in F major Op. 33 No. 2
Fantasie with variations on the song 'Au Clair de la lune' Op. 48

CD3 Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 9 in E flat major K271, 'Jeunehomme'
Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major K453

CD4 Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major K453
Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major K459

CD5 Field
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A flat major H31
Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat major H32

Q

[FideLeo]

CD1
Salieri: Piano Concerto in C major, Piano Concerto in B flat major
Steffan: Piano Concerto in B flat major

....

CD5 Field
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A flat major H31
Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat major H32

Contains no HIP dud...buy it. 

[Que]

Contains no HIP dud...buy it. 

100% certified premium quality HIP? 

I think I will get it.
Maybe they'll do a nice Staier/Schubert box as well?

Q

[FideLeo]

100% certified premium quality HIP? 

Ja!  I own all five discs and actually have three of them on my traveling hard drive. 
Couldn't leave those Mozart performances behind.   

Maybe they'll do a nice Staier/Schubert box as well?

Q

I think so...but anyhow you will have to find the Lieder (w/Pregardien) elsewhere. 

[rw1883]

Is this set worth buying (probably a silly question considering the price of around $40 through MDT!)?

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/SO_Warners/2564698905.htm

Thank you in advance...Paul.

[Renfield]

I'm one of those people embarassed to admit that, for me, Mozart currently means "Requiem, Symphonies 35-41, a few concertos (Violin, Oboe, Bassoon, perhaps Clarinet too, I'm not sure ), and the Coronation Mass". And I'd like to change that, in the near future.


For the rest of the symphonies (which tend to come first for me) would any of these, in your view, serve me well towards that purpose? To indicate what I like about Mozart's symphonies, I offer the fact that my favourite amogn those I've heard is No. 38 (the "Prague").

And in fact, if the performances of any of those symphonies I do know and love, in there, are also great, even better!









Mind you, I don't especially have a preference between HIP and non-HIP: rather between "good performance" and "bad performance".

Though, that having been said, and even though I do greatly appreciate Karajan's Mozart (more on EMI than on DG), Bohm I find boring in dear Wolfgang Amadeus' Music. To think even Klemperer's recordings of the symphonies I do know strike my fancy.

Thanks in advance!

[Brian]

Wilhelm - go for the Ries and Bortkiewicz! If you heard the first instalment in the Ries series, I think the second is at least as good; if not, expect a half-way point between the concertos of Beethoven and Chopin, with a lot of terrific writing and some interesting orchestral effects in the first movement of the Concerto. As for the Bortkiewicz, before Hyperion redesigned their site I was able to hear and enjoy the full scherzo to one of the symphonies. It's a terrifically fun piece, right in the style of Borodin and early Tchaikovsky. That CD is very high up my wishlist!

[rubio]

I'm one of those people embarassed to admit that, for me, Mozart currently means "Requiem, Symphonies 35-41, a few concertos (Violin, Oboe, Bassoon, perhaps Clarinet too, I'm not sure ), and the Coronation Mass". And I'd like to change that, in the near future.


For the rest of the symphonies (which tend to come first for me) would any of these, in your view, serve me well towards that purpose? To indicate what I like about Mozart's symphonies, I offer the fact that my favourite amogn those I've heard is No. 38 (the "Prague").

And in fact, if the performances of any of those symphonies I do know and love, in there, are also great, even better!









Mind you, I don't especially have a preference between HIP and non-HIP: rather between "good performance" and "bad performance".

Though, that having been said, and even though I do greatly appreciate Karajan's Mozart (more on EMI than on DG), Bohm I find boring in dear Wolfgang Amadeus' Music. To think even Klemperer's recordings of the symphonies I do know strike my fancy.

Thanks in advance!

Like the Szell set Harnoncourt/Koopman is not complete. I have Mackerras and Harnoncourt, and though both are very good to excellent, I definately prefer Harnoncourt. The most important symphonies, 25-41, are played by Harnoncourt/Concertgebouw, which just is a better orchestra than Mackerras'. So I find it better played, but not so different in terms of speed (Mackerras a bit speedier).



I would like to hear Szell, but I hardly need another Mozart symphony set.

[Daverz]

Is it true that the horrible track splitting on the 5th and 6th symphonies (others too, but it was worst for those) has been changed? I couldn't get a single impression of structure from those due to the horrible and intangibly short "cells".

I'm not sure what you're asking.  I would normally program in the tracks when I listen to a work.

I collected all but 11 from this series from BRO, and if I were in a culling mood I think I'd probably just keep the disc with 5.  The music is just not that interesting.  I certainly wouldn't have collected more than one if I had had to pay full price.

[Que]

Like the Szell set Harnoncourt/Koopman is not complete. I have Mackerras and Harnoncourt, and though both are very good to excellent, I definately prefer Harnoncourt. The most important symphonies, 25-41, are played by Harnoncourt/Concertgebouw, which just is a better orchestra than Mackerras'. So I find it better played, but not so different in terms of speed (Mackerras a bit speedier).



I would like to hear Szell, but I hardly need another Mozart symphony set.

Second the Harnoncourt/RCO - an essential in non-HIP Mozart, but like rubio I haven't heard Szell.

Q

[longears]

I'm one of those people embarassed to admit that, for me, Mozart currently means "Requiem, Symphonies 35-41, a few concertos (Violin, Oboe, Bassoon, perhaps Clarinet too, I'm not sure ), and the Coronation Mass". And I'd like to change that, in the near future.

Renfield -- like Rubio & Que, in the late symphonies I prefer Harnoncourt, but I've been reasonably satisfied with Mackerras's symphonies.  But if you are really interested in exploring more Mozart, then hasten instead to his greatest bodies of work:  his late operas and his piano concertos, and his string quartets are none too shabby, either!

[Renfield]

Renfield -- like Rubio & Que, in the late symphonies I prefer Harnoncourt, but I've been reasonably satisfied with Mackerras's symphonies.  But if you are really interested in exploring more Mozart, then hasten instead to his greatest bodies of work:  his late operas and his piano concertos, and his string quartets are none too shabby, either!

I am indeed more likely to engage the piano concertos before the symphonies, and the operas are definitely in the back of my mind as well. But the (rest of the) symphonies are a nagging empty spot in my already very limited "Mozart awareness": that's why I thought I'd ask about them here.

Perhaps I should fast-forward to the body of work you suggest for the moment, though, and come back to the symphonies later. Either way, "for the moment" is some time ahead, as I'm currently in a bit of a Wagner situation.


Many thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I will definitely keep them in mind.

[Que]

I am indeed more likely to engage the piano concertos before the symphonies, and the operas are definitely in the back of my mind as well. But the (rest of the) symphonies are a nagging empty spot in my already very limited "Mozart awareness": that's why I thought I'd ask about them here.

Perhaps I should fast-forward to the body of work you suggest for the moment, though, and come back to the symphonies later. Either way, "for the moment" is some time ahead, as I'm currently in a bit of a Wagner situation.


Many thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I will definitely keep them in mind.

For the Mozart piano concertos non-HIP: Casadesus with (mostly) Szell (Sony) is - and I don't use this term lightly - must-have. For HIP - check the HIP Mozart thread.



Q

[Renfield]

For the Mozart piano concertos non-HIP: Casadesus with (mostly) Szell (Sony) is - and I don't use this term lightly - must-have. For HIP - check the HIP Mozart thread.



Q

Duly noted, on both counts. Thanks!

[Que]

How's this HIP recording of Mozart's late quartets (14-19) + Divertimento KV 563 + String Quintet KV 174 (5CD's) ?



Q

[Que]

Another.
The idea of the CzPO in Bruckner greatly appeals to me, and Konwitschny seems right for this repertoire.
Would appreciate comments by anyone who actually knows this recording!
It's on Preiser btw.



Q