Recordings That You Are Considering

[Renfield]

I love their Trout (with Schiff). Earlier today I was listening to clips at JPC of Der Tod & das Mädchen. I heard a dozen performances: the Hagen is the one that immediately grabbed me, and I ordered it. The Takacs (recently discussed in the Purchase thread) I found too fast in the first movement (for my taste). The Busch and the Jerusalem I've added to my wishlist.

Sarge

The Hagen, thanks to this thread which alerted me to its existence, is in my short-term 'to buy' list: the samples were indeed quite grabbing! And I've had the Jerusalem in my sights for a while, though I'm not at all certain it'll measure up to the other aforementioned three...


Re the Takács, the first movement is fast. But I love how they 'float' the music, so to speak, at the precise speed and articulation they use; something which, for a multi-layered work like that quartet, is (IMO) a very inspired idea. Also, their second movement is incredible!


Still, the Busch are something else: they make it sound coarser, much more 'punishing', but overwhelmingly emotive; organic, almost like it's alive.

(If that makes any proper sense, in reference to a string quartet.)

[Sergeant Rock]

Re the Takács, the first movement is fast. But I love how they 'float' the music, so to speak, at the precise speed and articulation they use; something which, for a multi-layered work like that quartet, is (IMO) a very inspired idea. Also, their second movement is incredible!

I understand the pitfalls of "choosing by 30 second clip" (a technique perfected by our legendary former forum member, paulb  )and so I haven't dismissed the Takács entirely. It will remain a version I want to hear eventually. Thanks for the additional words in its favor.

And I've had the Jerusalem in my sights for a while, though I'm not at all certain it'll measure up to the other aforementioned three...

Jens has praised Jerusalem performances (both live and recorded, I believe) at ionarts. I can't recall if he reviewed this Schubert recording. Perhaps he'll say something here.

Still, the Busch are something else: they make it sound coarser, much more 'punishing', but overwhelmingly emotive; organic, almost like it's alive.

Any recommendation which version to buy? I put the Urania in my basket. It sounded more open, less processed than the EMI.

Sarge

[nut-job]

I think I had the Hagen's first recording, and old DG release from the 80s(?) with two Mozart Quartets.  It didn't impress so much, but I have enjoyed everything subsequent to that, especially the Mozart Quartet cycle, which doesn't include the original release.

[Sergeant Rock]

I think I had the Hagen's first recording, and old DG release from the 80s(?) with two Mozart Quartets.  It didn't impress so much, but I have enjoyed everything subsequent to that, especially the Mozart Quartet cycle, which doesn't include the original release.

My Mozart quartet collection needs expanding (I only have the Alban Berg Haydn and Prussian quartets and one CD each from the Endellion and Talich). I'll keep the Hagen cycle in mind when I go shopping.

Sarge

[Coopmv]

Can someone who owns this set give an opinion before I dive for it?  Thx.

[RussellG]

This looks like an easy, cheap way to pick up Mozart's late symphonies, although I'm still considering Mackerras on Telarc and Ward on Naxos.  I've read some favourable reviews, although it sounds like they might be a bit on the slow side?

[George]

I forget Russ, do you already have the Szell Mozart CD on Essential Classics?

[RussellG]

I forget Russ, do you already have the Szell Mozart CD on Essential Classics?

Yes, and it is essential, but it only has three symphonies.  I'm aware there's a modern Sony Szell set with all of the late symphonies too, although it's a bit pricey.

[Coopmv]

This looks like an easy, cheap way to pick up Mozart's late symphonies, although I'm still considering Mackerras on Telarc and Ward on Naxos.  I've read some favourable reviews, although it sounds like they might be a bit on the slow side?

I ordered this Philips DUO with a few other twofers two days ago to beat the end of sales at MDT ...

[RussellG]

I ordered this Philips DUO with a few other twofers two days ago to beat the end of sales at MDT ...

Cheers Coop.  I've just been listening to some samples on Amazon and I'm leaning more towards Mackerras and Pinnock now.  Mackerras will probably get the nod because they're available as individual CDs whereas Pinnock seems to be available only as a big box with the complete cycle.

[Coopmv]

Cheers Coop.  I've just been listening to some samples on Amazon and I'm leaning more towards Mackerras and Pinnock now.  Mackerras will probably get the nod because they're available as individual CDs whereas Pinnock seems to be available only as a big box with the complete cycle.

I bought the Mackerras Mozart Symphonies on Telarc a few years back.  It is a nice set, even for someone who is generally not a lover of Mozart's works ...

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Did they record their Schubert QTs around the time that they recorded the Trout Quintet?

I think it's sort of spread out. The Hagens (if I have this right) started their traversal of Schubert (late) quartets sometime in the early 90s. Their Death and the Maiden comes from 1992 (originally coupled w/ Beethoven's Op.135, not Mozart as mentioned earlier) and I think their first Schubert quartet recording predates that.

Then sometime in the early 2000s came their latest Schubert quartet recording.

For good measure their recording of Schubert's string quintet comes from 1994.

BTW, the Hagens actually recorded the Trout twice - once in the mid-80s with Schiff and again sometime in the 90s with James Levine on piano.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Earlier today I was listening to clips at JPC of Der Tod & das Mädchen. I heard a dozen performances: the Hagen is the one that immediately grabbed me, and I ordered it.

If you like the clips I pretty sure you'll enjoy the whole performance, Sarge. At least I do. And it's exactly as you say: more inward and brooding in the first movement than the Takacs (though I do get along with the Takacs - both of them, actually [Hyperion and Decca]).

[hautbois]

This looks like an easy, cheap way to pick up Mozart's late symphonies, although I'm still considering Mackerras on Telarc and Ward on Naxos.  I've read some favourable reviews, although it sounds like they might be a bit on the slow side?

If you can get 38-41 with Harnoncourt/RCO, it will be a much better option. Well at least in my opinion it is a an interpretation much livelier, articulated, and musically convincing, much more than Mackerras or Colin Davis.

Howard

[Coopmv]

If you can get 38-41 with Harnoncourt/RCO, it will be a much better option. Well at least in my opinion it is a an interpretation much livelier, articulated, and musically convincing, much more than Mackerras or Colin Davis.

Howard

Colin Davis is not bad for Mozart works.  His Don Giovanni is quite highly regarded.

[Renfield]

Re Busch Quartet - Schubert:

Any recommendation which version to buy? I put the Urania in my basket. It sounded more open, less processed than the EMI.

Sarge

That's a good question. I've only ever heard the EMI, in its GRotC incarnation. Perhaps someone has heard both?


Also, Re Takács:

(though I do get along with the Takacs - both of them, actually [Hyperion and Decca]).

(I was referring to the Hyperion version.)


Re Colin Davis' Mozart, that set is one of M's favourites, who recommended it to me: and it is indeed very good for old-school Mozart.

'Old-school' as in 'more old-school than Szell'.


But for 38-41, since I saw his name mentioned, I can also recommend Mackerras' very recent version with the SCO. (Far from old-school, this!)

[Lethevich]

The Davis Mozart is indeed brilliant. If we're going back as far as Szell with our recommendations, then I would throw Walter into the pen - very fine interps, not entirely let down by the sound or orchestra.

[RussellG]

But for 38-41, since I saw his name mentioned, I can also recommend Mackerras' very recent version with the SCO. (Far from old-school, this!)

The samples for that one sound great.  It's insanely priced in some places, but quite reasonable at MDT.

Harnoncourt's Teldec recordings sound good too.  I should have thought of him because I have his early Mozart symphonies with Concentus Musicus Wien on Harmonia Mundi, which is terrific.  There's either an 8-disc option, or a 4-disc set with mid and late symphonies, which would be the one I'd go for:  http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//5046682882.htm

[Renfield]

The Davis Mozart is indeed brilliant. If we're going back as far as Szell with our recommendations, then I would throw Walter into the pen - very fine interps, not entirely let down by the sound or orchestra.

Seconding Walter, if we're going for the literal old school.

And Klemperer, in that case; but that is admittedly something of an oddball choice of mine (and Sarge's)!

Edit: The Teldec Harnoncourt I have, but I haven't heard yet.

[Sergeant Rock]

Seconding Walter, if we're going for the literal old school.

And Klemperer, in that case; but that is admittedly something of an oddball choice of mine (and Sarge's)!

Yes, along with Szell and Harnoncourt (I especially like his 39-41 with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe), I consider Klemperer's Mozart essential. I'm annoyed with EMI, though. They haven't put the entire collection (I own a 6 LP box) on CD yet. There's a single disc with 25, 29, 31 and a twofer with 29 (again!), 35, 38-41. Missing are 33, 34 and 36 as well as most of the overtures. I'll never understand record companies.

To respond to Russell's question: I too think Davis is a fine choice. I love his Mozart and Haydn...just not quite as much as Szell and Klemperer's.

Sarge