Recordings That You Are Considering

[SonicMan46]

 

Blechacz, Chopin concertos. Do I need another recording of these? Will wait for some reviews first.

Hmmm?  I own the disc inserted above (right) w/ Zimerman from 1979/80 and have had it in my collection for years!  So, I am now thinking along the same lines - lookin' forward to more comments (or even comparisons from those who may have heard both performances?) - thanks.   

[Lethevich]

I'm thinking bying a set of Mozart's symphonies, since i only have very few of them. Is this a good set?

Hogwood digs a lot deeper, but as usual Pinnock's very well done. Second Mackerras too.

[Elgarian]

I'm thinking bying a set of Mozart's symphonies, since i only have very few of them. Is this a good set?

I bought mine some years ago with high hopes, which have been consistently dashed. I just can't work up any enthusiasm for it. It's probably unreasonable of me to expect Pinnock to show me Mozart's symphonies in the exciting way that Immerseel showed me Beethoven's (just a few weeks ago), but the fact remains that he doesn't.

[Brian]

The complete cycle (BMG, EMI, Melodiya, but not to be mistaken with their recordings from the 90s) contains the Quintet with S.Richter
(!) and the two pieces for String Octet. 25,- Euros is a super bargain for that set (nice packaging, too). (German link, UK link, US link).

It's simply not worth saving $10 or $20 on DSCH Quartets and not ending up with the Borodin's 2nd cycle.

For what it's worth, I recently ordered the Borodin Quartet's Melodiya cycle for $30.00 from ArkivMusic, so it can be had at a very affordable price - very affordable, because I also had a $30 gift card.   It was on back order but shipped today, so they can still find a copy. It will be my first set, although I have heard two or three performances from the Fitzwilliam cycle and they are mighty impressive. ChamberNut recommends Eder quite a bit, they're likely worth a look, although their cycle is not, as far as I know, available in a box, so you might end up paying $42-54 to pick up all 6 CDs.

[DavidW]

I bought mine some years ago with high hopes, which have been consistently dashed. I just can't work up any enthusiasm for it. It's probably unreasonable of me to expect Pinnock to show me Mozart's symphonies in the exciting way that Immerseel showed me Beethoven's (just a few weeks ago), but the fact remains that he doesn't.

Yeah Pinnock is bland.

Jaap ter Linden's cycle is also HIP, a little more interesting than Pinnock, you might find it a mixed bag but it's bargain priced.  If you want to look outside of the "box", individual recordings by Bruggen, Harnoncourt and others of the Dutch HIP group should be lively.

[Opus106]

Jaap ter Linden's cycle is also HIP

I haven't heard much HIP in Mozart symphonies, but there is the radio station that used to play quite a few from this set. I remember finding it too "thin," sort of like how most non-HIPsters find period instruments in general, I guess. No meat in it.

[Franco]

Schumann: Frauenliebe und Leben; Brahms: Songs Op. 57 / Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Julius Drake
Bloch: String Quartets 1-4, Griller Quartet
Ignaz Pleyel: Octet and Trios
Gernsheim: Complete Symphonies
Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Complete Symphonies [Box Set]
Ture Rangström: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)
Kurt Atterberg: The Symphonies (Box Set)
Ferdinand Ries: Complete Symphonies [Box Set]
Ferdinand Ries: String Quartets, Vol. 1   
Ferdinand Ries: String Quartets, Vol. 2
Ferdinand Ries: Piano Trios
Ferdinand Ries: Septet & Octet
Ferdinand Ries: Piano Quartets Opp. 13 & 17
Bruch: Piano Quintet/String Quintet/Octet
Bruch: Works for Clarinet & Viola
Ernest Bloch: Complete Works for Viola & Piano
Bloch: Piano Quintets

[Brian]

Gernsheim: Complete Symphonies
Kurt Atterberg: The Symphonies (Box Set)
Ferdinand Ries: Complete Symphonies [Box Set]

Gernsheim's symphonies are pretty dull. Ries's symphonies are very good, rather noticeably influenced by Beethoven, but there are worse people to be influenced by and Ries is always interesting. You may also want to check out his piano concertos on Naxos, which include several real gems.

The Atterberg set? What can I say? One of the great discoveries, a cycle not just of visionary interpretations but of some real "forgotten masterpieces." Special favorites of mine are 3, 6, 7 and 8, but with a very special place in my heart for Number 3. Terrific recording quality, too.

[The new erato]

The Griller Bloch is one of the great SQ sets, pity they never got around to no 5.

[Harry]

Gernsheim's symphonies are pretty dull. Ries's symphonies are very good, rather noticeably influenced by Beethoven, but there are worse people to be influenced by and Ries is always interesting. You may also want to check out his piano concertos on Naxos, which include several real gems.

The Atterberg set? What can I say? One of the great discoveries, a cycle not just of visionary interpretations but of some real "forgotten masterpieces." Special favorites of mine are 3, 6, 7 and 8, but with a very special place in my heart for Number 3. Terrific recording quality, too.

I would rather say Brian, that the performances of Gernsheim symphonies are rather dull.
Ries and Atterberg are top sets.

[DavidW]

I haven't heard much HIP in Mozart symphonies, but there is the radio station that used to play quite a few from this set. I remember finding it too "thin," sort of like how most non-HIPsters find period instruments in general, I guess. No meat in it.

Well thin suggests chamber sized orchestra, no meat in it suggests that the performance lacks passion: are you going for the former, the latter, both are neither?

Not too many HIP cycles, in fact I think there are only three.  Taken on an individual basis though treasures can be found.  Anyway I prefer the non-HIP Mackerras, but I would really like Bruggen or Kuijken to give it a shot.  Maybe I should write a letter or two.

[Franco]

What got me interested all those recordings initially were the string quartets of Bloch, that led to Bruch, then Ries ...  I'll probably buy them in that order as well.  Thanks for the comments.

Also, I really like the Jaap ter Linden's Mozart cycle on Brilliant.

[Coopmv]

This set is on my shopping list, though I am no big fan of Mozart but do think Hogwood did an excellent job on this set.  BTW, I have a few of Hogwood's Mozart Symphonies on Barclay-Crocker open reel tapes.

[Elgarian]

If you want to look outside of the "box", individual recordings by Bruggen, Harnoncourt and others of the Dutch HIP group should be lively.

Oh, I'm definitely going to look out of the box on this one. My first shot will be Immerseel: I was hoping to get the 2CD set of 3 symphonies, but it seems to have been deleted, so I'll have to get the single CD two-symphony reissue instead.

[jlaurson]

Schumann: Frauenliebe und Leben; Brahms: Songs Op. 57 / Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Julius Drake
Bloch: String Quartets 1-4, Griller Quartet
Ignaz Pleyel: Octet and Trios
Gernsheim: Complete Symphonies
Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Complete Symphonies [Box Set]
Ture Rangström: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)
Kurt Atterberg: The Symphonies (Box Set)
Ferdinand Ries: Complete Symphonies [Box Set]
Ferdinand Ries: String Quartets, Vol. 1   
Ferdinand Ries: String Quartets, Vol. 2
Ferdinand Ries: Piano Trios
Ferdinand Ries: Septet & Octet
Ferdinand Ries: Piano Quartets Opp. 13 & 17
Bruch: Piano Quintet/String Quintet/Octet
Bruch: Works for Clarinet & Viola
Ernest Bloch: Complete Works for Viola & Piano
Bloch: Piano Quintets

The Bloch Quartets is a must-have... superb, magnificent, tremendous.
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2004/10/dip-your-ears-no-14.html
Best Recordings of 2004: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2004/12/best-recordings-in-2004.html

The Bloch Piano Quintets are good, but don't live up to the insanely high expectations the Quartets should leave you with.
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=342

I'm all for Ries, and I'm very much all for Petterson-Berge and Ture Rangstroem. Not greatness (unlike Bloch SQ4t), occasionally dull moments, but mostly more than that... competence, a few moments of greatness, and hours of high quality music that should prove very worthwhile. Ditto Atterberg, really... not so much the Bruch.

[Opus106]

Well thin suggests chamber sized orchestra, no meat in it suggests that the performance lacks passion: are you going for the former, the latter, both are neither?

Not too many HIP cycles, in fact I think there are only three.  Taken on an individual basis though treasures can be found.  Anyway I prefer the non-HIP Mackerras, but I would really like Bruggen or Kuijken to give it a shot.  Maybe I should write a letter or two.

I don't think the fact it's a chamber-sized orchestra was the problem. As for passion, I can't really say.

The Mackerras is semi-HIP I've heard. Older performance practice on modern instruments. Should have that set in my hands in a few weeks' time.

[Bogey]

This set is on my shopping list, though I am no big fan of Mozart but do think Hogwood did an excellent job on this set.  BTW, I have a few of Hogwood's Mozart Symphonies on Barclay-Crocker open reel tapes.

Safe bet, Stuart....especially for the earlier symphonies. 

[Papy Oli]

could anybody possibly advise on those two boxsets please ?

[stlukesguild]

As a longtime lieder fan I've been ogling this one:



Some 21 discs.

[Harry]

could anybody possibly advise on those two boxsets please ?

The Michael Endres box is superb. Magnificent performances, and fine recordings. Endres has a open detailed sound and a warm timbre. He digs deep, and knows his way in Schubert. For the price this is a no brainer.