Recordings That You Are Considering

[The One]

There are old posts but, as of today, which Brahms Op 51 recordings would you recommend? To be more precise, I listen to Q Italiano, A Berg and Cleveland and should I update?

[amw]

Belcea Qt (alpha) or Leipzig Qt (MDG) would be my first choices. The ABQ is still excellent though.

[mc ukrneal]

North Star writes, "The symphony & tone poem recordings weren't really why I mentioned the BIS box..."

I understand, it's the other works that make it a valuable set.  But others have mentioned Vanska, and I often hear his name in relation to Sibelius, I just don't entirely agree regarding his 1st Symphony cycle.

In addition, there are many other individual recordings that I would seek out first (or recommend) among the various genres, as well--that is, outside the BIS "essentials" set.  For example, in the songs, historically, Kirsten Flagstad is excellent, as are both Tom Krause and Elisabeth Söderström in their Decca set (which I think tends to get underrated, especially Krause).  I've also liked the Ondine Sibelius recordings from soprano Karita Mattila.

Though the songs from von Otter and Groop in the BIS set are certainly very good too. And, Jorma Hynninen is one of the finest male singers in this repertory.

But, my basic point is, I'd much rather collect selected Sibelius recordings over a longer period of time, gradually, than only own the BIS "Essentials" set.

I'm going to disagree and agree at the same time.

The Essential Sibelius is a phenomenal set, oozing with quality up and down the works. That doesn't mean everything is necessarily the best, but there is absolutely nothing bad in it. That said, it is best for someone who wants to explore Sibelius's music or is not familiar with the music. For Marviin, who already knows quite a bit, I think it loses its value somewhat. How much depends on exactly what he has and what interests him as well as how cheap the box can be found (and the comparative price of the alternatives).

There are also other good ways to explore his music. I'll only add comments to the piano music as that is what I know best. I have a complete piano music set and I really enjoy it (generally more than the orchestral works personally), but I heard snippets of the new Andsnes disc and the playing sounded phenomenal, so for someone unfamiliar with the music, this might make a good place to start with the piano music.

[J.A.W.]

As for the reissue of the "complete" Phillips recordings of pianist Claudio Arrau (another favorite of mine)--the primary question is: Are these the old Phillips remasters?, which have been reissued by Decca in certain cases (his Beethoven Piano Sonatas), or are they the Heritage box set remasters of Arrau's Phillips recordings, which came out in individual boxes per composer--the ones that are now OOP and extremely pricey?  If they are the old Phillips remasters, reissued, then I'll pass, as those remasters, while good enough, are significantly inferior to the Heritage set remasters, which catch Arrau's special piano timbre and tone as well as I've ever heard on CD.  Does anyone know?

There are no details yet about the masterings in the Arrau set; it is currently in production. By the way, the label is Philips, not Phillips, which is a non-classical US label founded by Sam Phillips, who first recorded Elvis Presley and also founded Sun Records.

[Josquin13]

There are no details yet about the masterings in the Arrau set; it is currently in production. By the way, the label is Philips, not Phillips, which is a non-classical US label founded by Sam Phillips, who first recorded Elvis Presley and also founded Sun Records.

I meant the Dutch label, Philips, but misspelled it.  My mistake.  The Heritage sets were remasters of the Philips recordings.  I hope Decca has access to them.

[J.A.W.]

I meant the Dutch label, Philips, but misspelled it.  My mistake.  The Heritage sets were remasters of the Philips recordings.  I hope Decca has access to them.

All Philips material (including the Heritage remasters) is owned by Universal; they also own the Decca label, which they use to reissue Philips recordings, so yes, Decca has access to every Philips remaster.

[The One]

Belcea Qt (alpha) or Leipzig Qt (MDG) would be my first choices. The ABQ is still excellent though.

Thanks. I've been listening to them both since yesterday. I guess Belcea is a hit. There might be two more solid choices around, Ebene and Artemis. I'll try them today.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

I've shelved out big money for some of those Korean violin sets a few years ago ... and the Martzy may be the finest (the others I bought are the ones by Christian Ferras - now available with a few bonus cuts as an Icon, but I think his DG box is superior -, Gioconda de Vito, and Erica Morini - both also have their entry in the "Milestones of a Legend" series). Great music, but in case you're not aware: presentation of these Membran/Documents boxes is minimal, may even lack recording dates and such (you will get some year, release year of album or something like that). I bought a few of them, too, just for lack of alternatives (Kogan and Auclair for violinists, Haas and Lympany for pianists) but would immediately replace them if other options arose.

You can get a good idea - I assume, don't really know! - about the Martzy's box contents here:
http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Classical-Collection-Violin_000000000034634/item_Johanna-Martzy-Complete-Recordings-on-EMI-Deutsche-Grammophon-13CD_4981179

Thanks for your comments. I have several of these sets and know about the lack of packaging and information. The Gioconda de Vito set is really awesome (sound quality, material), but it is sadly not complete, as it does not have the Brahms cto conducted by Rudolf Schwarz. The Michelangeli are musts IMO, and the recordings included are so much more compelling than anything I've heard him do on DG. At the price, there really isn't much to complain about. Was just wondering whether anyone had the Martzy set.

[Spineur]

This is a new release.  I have read favorable reviews.  I have never heard this Elgar take on Falstaff although it has been recorded a number of times

[asin]B075VVYQJR[/asin]

What are your thoughts ?

[André]

Falstaff is one of Elgar's best works. The musical material consists more of leitmotives than themes such as those found in the symphonies, concertos or Enigma Variations. Different also than Strauss' Don Quixote or Ein Heldenleben, where the episodes are strongly characterized and easy to follow. Just make sure the booklet notes are well detailed, or that there is good internet material (I didn't check that).

I like Davis as an elgarian, and although I don't know that particular recording, I'm quite confident you won't be disappointed. Check also the fillers, as Falstaff lasts only 35 minutes.

[kishnevi]

This is a new release.  I have read favorable reviews.  I have never heard this Elgar take on Falstaff although it has been recorded a number of times

[asin]B075VVYQJR[/asin]

What are your thoughts ?

I think it's worth getting for the sake of the orchestral songs.  Falstaff is not my favorite Elgar work, but I don't remember hearing any performance of it which didn't please me.

[Mirror Image]

This is a new release.  I have read favorable reviews.  I have never heard this Elgar take on Falstaff although it has been recorded a number of times

[asin]B075VVYQJR[/asin]

What are your thoughts ?

If you're looking into this recording just for Falstaff, then I point you in the direction of Boult, Barbirolli, and Elder. Davis is a fine Elgarian (make no mistake about it), but every recording I've heard from him on Chandos lately has been ho-hum and just lethargic in general. For me, the best Falstaff on record is Boult's stereo performance on EMI. That's my kind of performance. The afore mentioned conductors (Barbirolli, Elder) also provide excellent accounts.

[kishnevi]

If you're looking into this recording just for Falstaff, then I point you in the direction of Boult, Barbirolli, and Elder. Davis is a fine Elgarian (make no mistake about it), but every recording I've heard from him on Chandos lately has been ho-hum and just lethargic in general. For me, the best Falstaff on record is Boult's stereo performance on EMI. That's my kind of performance. The afore mentioned conductors (Barbirolli, Elder) also provide excellent accounts.

I don't think the conducting in this one is lethargic...but as I said in my prior comment, the songs are the main reason I recommend this CD.

OTOH, anything in Elder's Elgar series can be bought with confidence, not only his Falstaff.

[Mirror Image]

I don't think the conducting in this one is lethargic...but as I said in my prior comment, the songs are the main reason I recommend this CD.

OTOH, anything in Elder's Elgar series can be bought with confidence, not only his Falstaff.

Ah okay. Well, I'm not really in favor of the release because I'm not a big fan of the BBC Philharmonic, but that's just my own personal bias. Also, Spineur specifically asked about Falstaff and no other work, so I pointed him in the direction of some well-established performances that have achieved popularity or are most recommended. If he was interested in the couplings, that would be a different matter altogether of course and you would certainly know better than I about this new Davis recording.

[kyjo]

Thanks. I've been listening to them both since yesterday. I guess Belcea is a hit. There might be two more solid choices around, Ebene and Artemis. I'll try them today.

I sampled the 3rd quartet from this set and it was astounding!!! The Belcea Quartet is one of the best around today.

[Maestro267]

I have a simple question for anyone who has this recording:

Does the Double Decca recording of Schoenberg's Gurrelieder with Riccardo Chailly conducting (c/w Chamber Symphony No. 1 and Verklarte Nacht) include the sung texts?

I ask this because I'm considering getting it. I have a Gurrelieder already, with Robert Craft conducting, but its major bugbear for me is that it does not include the texts. So if the Chailly mentioned above doesn't include texts, there's no real point in me getting it.

Thanks.

[Jo498]

My issue Decca 473 728-2 does  have the sung text and English translation.

[Maestro267]

My issue Decca 473 728-2 does  have the sung text and English translation.

Brilliant! Thank you! With vocal works, having the sung text available is pretty important to me getting to know the work well. Helps me get my bearings around it and whatnot. And I don't really mind having to pay a bit more for a recording which has the text/libretto with it, especially for opera. Unfortunately the trend seems to be moving towards PDFs with text, but I just like being able to slot the booklet in with the disc. It keeps everything together rather than having to keep several A4 sheets of paper with the disc.

[Jo498]

My set has as (c) date 2003, I hope that they kept it that way and did not reduce the booklet. It is usually an uncertain guess with twofers, sometimes they keep texts, sometimes they drop them because it would become too bulky to fit in a slim case.
I cannot say anything about the performances; I don't think I listened to it more than once and I hardly know the music (Gurrelieder, I know Verklärte Nacht and Kammersymphonie)

[Malx]

Ah okay. Well, I'm not really in favor of the release because I'm not a big fan of the BBC Philharmonic, but that's just my own personal bias. Also, Spineur specifically asked about Falstaff and no other work, so I pointed him in the direction of some well-established performances that have achieved popularity or are most recommended. If he was interested in the couplings, that would be a different matter altogether of course and you would certainly know better than I about this new Davis recording.

I'm intrigued Mirror Image, you say you are not a big fan of the BBC Philharmonic - is there any specific reason for this. Forgive my curiosity.