Recordings That You Are Considering

[listener]

No, no one really does. These kind of ugly, ungainly, unloving sets have been around for such a long time; at Tower we were ashamed of them, almost, and pushed them in the furthest corner.

thanks, I'll pass since I have the basics (Strauss, Lehár, Kalman etc.) already.  The meagre information made me suspicious about the appeal beyond the local area.

[Lisztianwagner]

You're welcome and, in case I forget, Happy Birthday to you!

Vielen Dank, thank you!

[Lisztianwagner]

Quite tempted by Barenboim/Boulez set:

[asin]B005EW4MQW[/asin]

[jlaurson]

Quite tempted by Barenboim/Boulez set:

I've heard unflattering things about the performance around which this was recorded... which need not necessarily reflect on the recording. Boulez didn't know the score, allegedly, and Barenboim had practiced as 'much as usual'...

[Lisztianwagner]

I've heard unflattering things about the performance around which this was recorded... which need not necessarily reflect on the recording. Boulez didn't know the score, allegedly, and Barenboim had practiced as 'much as usual'...

Oh, that's rather surprising considering that the interpreters are Barenboim and Boulez, two greater artists; thank you for the feedback.

[The new erato]

I've heard unflattering things about the performance around which this was recorded... which need not necessarily reflect on the recording. Boulez didn't know the score, allegedly, and Barenboim had practiced as 'much as usual'...

Yet it's a Gramophone Editor's choice in January 2012.

[jlaurson]

Oh, that's rather surprising considering that the interpreters are Barenboim and Boulez, two greater musicians; thank you for the feedback.

It is... at least re: Boulez. Barenboim is notoriously sloppy about rehearsing his pianism. Boulez' lapse was - at least partially - explained with his eye-condition (an aneurism, apparently, and constant need for eye-drops) and his bad health recently. (He broke a rib some time ago, getting his trolley of the luggage belt, rather than having his Butler Hans take care of it.)
And again: the recording may be a different matter. Not that a Gramophone Choice would necessarily sway me one way or the other. [Listening to it right now, curious enough to make up my own mind.]
I heard Boulez live around that time in works he obviously knew (Webern & Mahler), and at least the Webern was terrific.

[Bogey]

7 or 8 lps....$20.  Frisbees, or worth the listen?

[Coopmv]

Karajan CGBW 1943 Brahms 1

This is an interesting release by Naxos Historical.

[Lethevich]

7 or 8 lps....$20.  Frisbees, or worth the listen?

Böhm's Mozart series on DG, especially the operas, are really good. With the symphonies I suppose it depends on your temperament for this manner of performance - it's very well done in its style of choice, but for some nowadays this take may be considered a wrong choice. I feel that he did have an affinity with the composer, though, and the early symphonies are meticulously detailed, passionate, and it's not like we're going to have another big band cycle of them again in this style and sound, which makes the recordings valuable.

[Papy Oli]

Considering this set as the harpsichord samples sound very appealing....However, which portion of the set does the organ music represent please ? Thank you

[Lethevich]

Considering this set as the harpsichord samples sound very appealing....However, which portion of the set does the organ music represent please ? Thank you

If I am recalling correctly the ratio is about two fifths organ, three fifths proto-harpsichord instruments. The discs tend to mix the instruments up for variety rather than focus on themes. It's an excellent set, if you get a nice price to go for it :3

[Papy Oli]

If I am recalling correctly the ratio is about two fifths organ, three fifths proto-harpsichord instruments. The discs tend to mix the instruments up for variety rather than focus on themes. It's an excellent set, if you get a nice price to go for it :3

ok, thank you Sara. I'll ponder a bit more as the organ sound hasn't clicked for me yet. Maybe this mix of instruments could help. The set is at £25 at MDT and £27 with some resellers. Not too bad... 

[Lethevich]

ok, thank you Sara. I'll ponder a bit more as the organ sound hasn't clicked for me yet. Maybe this mix of instruments could help. The set is at £25 at MDT and £27 with some resellers. Not too bad...

Hyperion's site should have samples - the ones used are chamber organs, rather intimate sounding and without the large swell of later ones. They might surprise you

Linkies.

[Coopmv]

Considering this set as the harpsichord samples sound very appealing....However, which portion of the set does the organ music represent please ? Thank you

I bought this set a few years ago.  IIRC, the performance was uniformly excellent though these keyboard works are not as uplifting as those by JS Bach.

[Papy Oli]

Hyperion's site should have samples - the ones used are chamber organs, rather intimate sounding and without the large swell of later ones. They might surprise you
Linkies.

Thanks for the link. Still not sure though  I'll keep that set up my sleeve and re-assess again in a little while.

I bought this set a few years ago.  IIRC, the performance was uniformly excellent though these keyboard works are not as uplifting as those by JS Bach.

thanks Coop.

[Que]

Considering this set as the harpsichord samples sound very appealing....However, which portion of the set does the organ music represent please ? Thank you

I'll go even a bit further than the posters before me: this is a tremendous set!  The whole package is perfect: the music, the performances, the used instruments, even the documentation.
Moroney's playing is considered and probing, but yet fresh, very engaging and touching - anything but dull!

Q

[Bogey]

Böhm's Mozart series on DG, especially the operas, are really good. With the symphonies I suppose it depends on your temperament for this manner of performance - it's very well done in its style of choice, but for some nowadays this take may be considered a wrong choice. I feel that he did have an affinity with the composer, though, and the early symphonies are meticulously detailed, passionate, and it's not like we're going to have another big band cycle of them again in this style and sound, which makes the recordings valuable.

Just what I was hoping to hear.  Thanks!

[The new erato]

The whole package is perfect: the music, the performances, the used instruments,

Are they used? I thought they were original? 

[North Star]

Are they used? I thought they were original? 

That's another glorious aspect of HIPPI - they didn't have unused instruments for every performance back then, so they just composed the music for used instruments - they do sound very much different. Well, at least the string instruments do.