Recordings That You Are Considering

[eyeresist]

Sorry, I hate to say it, but there are better performances available. The Jarvi recording also offers better couplings: Scythian Suite and Le Pas d'Acier Suite. Daniel, BUY THE JARVI!!! If you want the film score then Temirkanov's will do nicely.

I don't know about the Jarvi, but this Reiner disc was my introduction to this work, and it has never impressed me. Dull; lacking commitment. Luckily I could perceive enough value in the work to try it in a different version (Abbado - good; Gergiev - bad; Temirkanov - meh).

[mc ukrneal]

Anyone have this one?
[asin]B0062MDJGW[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

I don't know about the Jarvi, but this Reiner disc was my introduction to this work, and it has never impressed me. Dull; lacking commitment. Luckily I could perceive enough value in the work to try it in a different version (Abbado - good; Gergiev - bad; Temirkanov - meh).

The Jarvi is excellent. I liked it much better than any other version I own.

[Mirror Image]

Anyone have this one?
[asin]B0062MDJGW[/asin]

No, it's just too expensive right now, especially for it being a somewhat novelty recording.

[mc ukrneal]

No, it's just too expensive right now, especially for it being a somewhat novelty recording.

On sale at mdt - that's why it caught my eye.

[Mirror Image]

On sale at mdt - that's why it caught my eye.

MDT? Please excuse my ignorance, but what site is that?

[madaboutmahler]

Thank you all for the feedback on the Prokofiev!

[mc ukrneal]

MDT? Please excuse my ignorance, but what site is that?

Oh - it's a UK site and can have some pretty good deals. It's here: http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/pages/home/default.asp. I like them. They currently have some good sales: clearance on some naxos/decapo/marco polo, with regular sales on channel, opera rara, BIS, Melodiya, etc. They are not good for bigger boxes to the US, but their individual discs are often the cheapest anywhere when they have a sale (even when shipping included).

[The new erato]

Anyone have this one?
[asin]B0062MDJGW[/asin]

Yep. Somewhat variable, occasionally easy listening, occasionally more. Have listened to it twice. Got a positive review in IRR. Very listenable.

[Mirror Image]

Oh - it's a UK site and can have some pretty good deals. It's here: http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/pages/home/default.asp. I like them. They currently have some good sales: clearance on some naxos/decapo/marco polo, with regular sales on channel, opera rara, BIS, Melodiya, etc. They are not good for bigger boxes to the US, but their individual discs are often the cheapest anywhere when they have a sale (even when shipping included).

Thanks for the feedback. I've been going back and forth between Amazon MP and Arkivmusic lately.

[Mirror Image]

I'm looking at getting these two R. Strauss opera recordings next:

[asin]B000GUJZUU[/asin]

[asin]B00000420D[/asin]

Already have Bohm's performance on the way, but this Solti was recommended to me as well from Neal.

I'm also considering these:

[asin]B003Y3MYYU[/asin]

[asin]B00000JSAL[/asin]

[asin]B0001Y4JHU[/asin]

[asin]B000654OU6[/asin]

Any feedback on these recordings would be much appreciated.

[Lethevich]

I slightly prefer Solti's DVD recording with a different cast, and the visual side is very helpful (it is an ultra minimal staging), but the sound quality on the studio recording is so good.

Do you like the sound of Peter Pears' voice? If so, then you should buy those Britten recordings - they are almost the only negative point anybody ever mentions about them.

[Mirror Image]

I slightly prefer Solti's DVD recording with a different cast, and the visual side is very helpful (it is an ultra minimal staging), but the sound quality on the studio recording is so good.

Do you like the sound of Peter Pears' voice? If so, then you should buy those Britten recordings - they are almost the only negative point anybody ever mentions about them.

Thanks, Lethe for the help. I'll definitely pickup the Solti at some point. Do I like the sound of Peter Pears' voice? Hmmm...not sure. I know many of Britten's operas have been recorded by many other conductors. I wonder how Hickox compares with Britten's own recordings? Any idea? I recall, TheGSMoeller (Greg), saying he liked Hickox's Death In Venice. I shall do some investigating. I have a recording of Hickox's War Requiem that I actually prefer to the composer's own. The couplings are also just excellent all-around (Ballad of Heroes, Sinfonia da Requiem).

[Lethevich]

There are quite a few very good alternate recordings of Britten's operas, but for example, when I compared the opera recordings contained in the EMI box vs. Decca's boxes, I almost always came out in favour of Britten's recordings. The only one where I felt two were essential was in Peter Grimes where Jon Vickers offered such a different character to Peter Pears that I could not decide which was better. I once again slightly prefer Vickers in his DVD performance, while the sound and visual recording isn't as great, the staging is very moving. The more well-known studio recording with Davis is equally fine.

The only Hickox recording of a full opera that I know is the DVD of Turn of the Screw (Opus Arte), which changed by perception of the piece radically - the visual side was sumptuous (that is three DVDs I have tried to pimp so far, I realise ).

[Mirror Image]

There are quite a few very good alternate recordings of Britten's operas, but for example, when I compared the opera recordings contained in the EMI box vs. Decca's boxes, I almost always came out in favour of Britten's recordings. The only one where I felt two were essential was in Peter Grimes where Jon Vickers offered such a different character to Peter Pears that I could not decide which was better. I once again slightly prefer this Vickers in his DVD recording, which while the sound and visual recording isn't as great, the staging is very moving. The more well-known studio recording with Davis is equally fine.

The only Hickox recording of a full opera that I know is the DVD of Turn of the Screw (Opus Arte), which changed by perception of the piece radically - the visual side was sumptuous (that is three DVDs I have tried to pimp so far, I realise ).

I've actually bought both Britten opera sets twice and cancelled my orders. I really need to make a committment here! I understand why you probably are suggesting DVD performances, opera is an essentially visual medium, but I have found that there are some operas that I wouldn't want to see live or on DVD. Not because I dislike the music but rather that I really have no interest in the action happening onstage. I may be considered a strange opera listener but I react to opera from an orchestral standpoint. Sounds strange I'm sure, but the music that is hidden behind the voices and then suddenly rises out of the depths is something I could only compare being hit in the face with ice cold water. It's that kind of shock and excitement that I love about the music within an opera. Hearing how the composer writes the music that follows the vocals is nothing short than mesmerizing for me. Anyway, you get the idea. Hope I didn't make a fool of myself here. Thanks again for your help. I trust your judgement and I know music is subjective and we all have different tastes, but it's always good to get an experienced listener's feedback.

[Lethevich]

No worries. Just a note that the Hickox Turn of the Screw is a modern digital recording, so it's feasable to listen to it without a screen if you do enjoy that conductor's work without the horrible audio issues of older telecasts like the Vickers recording. But I guess try his CD recordings first, and contrast them with others.

Also, I don't think the recordings are going anywhere, so you could maybe compromise and buy just one volume of the Decca set, and the other later if you like it.

[Mirror Image]

No worries. Just a note that the Hickox Turn of the Screw is a modern digital recording, so it's feasable to listen to it without a screen if you do enjoy that conductor's work without the horrible audio issues of older telecasts like the Vickers recording. But I guess try his CD recordings first, and contrast them with others.

Also, I don't think the recordings are going anywhere, so you could maybe compromise and buy just one volume of the Decca set, and the other later if you like it.

Again, thanks for the help. Just a random question, but how long have you been listening to classical music, Lethe? I've probably only been listening seriously for three years.

[Lethevich]

Again, thanks for the help. Just a random question, but how long have you been listening to classical music, Lethe? I've probably only been listening seriously for three years.

In a serious way since around 2004, to the extent that it dwarved the rest of my listening by around 2008. It's mostly the fault of this forum, which I've been following since its inception.

[springrite]

I've probably only been listening seriously for three years.

Talk about making up for lost time. You have left most old-timers in the dust.

[springrite]

In a serious way since around 2004, to the extent that it dwarved the rest of my listening by around 2008. It's mostly the fault of this forum, which I've been following since its inception.

Guilty as charged. Now you are passing on the tradition.