Recordings That You Are Considering

[TheGSMoeller]

Is that legal? 

I did own Bernstein's late DG recordings of No.5 and 6, not sure what happened to them. And, I have seen No.4 and No.5 in concert so that should pardon me for a while. 

[mc ukrneal]

I did own Bernstein's late DG recordings of No.5 and 6, not sure what happened to them. And, I have seen No.4 and No.5 in concert so that should pardon me for a while. 

Ah, well since you have been a reputable fellow, we'll let you off...this time!    

[Mirror Image]

I could never give Greg a hard time about this. He's my Martinu buddy.

[TheGSMoeller]

I could never give Greg a hard time about this. He's my Martinu buddy.

This is true, good ol' Bohuslav.

[Mirror Image]

This is true, good ol' Bohuslav.

[Octave]

Speaking of Martinu, I realize that I do not know his string quartets at all.  Major omission!  The two cycles I have been looking at are the Panocha Quartet (Supraphon, 3cd) and the Martinu Quartet (Naxos, 3 vols.).  I've heard good things about both, but it seems the Naxos rcordings included one extra piece missing from the Supraphon, the title of which I cannot remember ("....horseman..."?)

And of course if there's other recordings entirely which are superior, that would be nice; easy availability is a plus, since what I am looking for is a hardcopy.  Sorry to be lazy, I will trawl the composer thread too.

[Mirror Image]

Speaking of Martinu, I realize that I do not know his string quartets at all.  Major omission!  The two cycles I have been looking at are the Panocha Quartet (Supraphon, 3cd) and the Martinu Quartet (Naxos, 3 vols.).  I've heard good things about both, but it seems the Naxos rcordings included one extra piece missing from the Supraphon, the title of which I cannot remember ("....horseman..."?)

And of course if there's other recordings entirely which are superior, that would be nice; easy availability is a plus, since what I am looking for is a hardcopy.  Sorry to be lazy, I will trawl the composer thread too.

Panocha Quartet is the set I own, but I usually don't buy multiple sets of SQs. This said, the performances sound great to my ears.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Speaking of Martinu, I realize that I do not know his string quartets at all.  Major omission!  The two cycles I have been looking at are the Panocha Quartet (Supraphon, 3cd) and the Martinu Quartet (Naxos, 3 vols.).  I've heard good things about both, but it seems the Naxos rcordings included one extra piece missing from the Supraphon, the title of which I cannot remember ("....horseman..."?)

And of course if there's other recordings entirely which are superior, that would be nice; easy availability is a plus, since what I am looking for is a hardcopy.  Sorry to be lazy, I will trawl the composer thread too.

Both the Panocha and Martinu sets are worthwhile. Just differences of interpretation. The Panocha's are perhaps more detail-oriented while the Martinu's are more excitable. But you really can't go wrong with either.

[jlaurson]

Speaking of Martinu, I realize that I do not know his string quartets at all.  Major omission!  The two cycles I have been looking at are the Panocha Quartet (Supraphon, 3cd) and the Martinu Quartet (Naxos, 3 vols.).  I've heard good things about both, but it seems the Naxos rcordings included one extra piece missing from the Supraphon, the title of which I cannot remember ("....horseman..."?)

And of course if there's other recordings entirely which are superior, that would be nice; easy availability is a plus, since what I am looking for is a hardcopy.  Sorry to be lazy, I will trawl the composer thread too.

B. Martinů
String Quartets
Panocha Quartet
Supraphon



B. Martinů
String Quartets
Stamitz Quartet
Bayer / Brilliant
(The original Bayer release here... used to be crazy expensive but has come down considerably in price, 3rd party/used.)



B. Martinů
String Quartets v.1 + Three Horsemen
Martinů Quartet
Naxos

Nothing came of a complete Emperor String Quartet cycle, I think... who had a very decent start with Quartets 3-5.

Panocha and Stamitz are both superb. The Stamitz, underrated, can really hold its own against any competition in Smetana and Janacek, too, but the Martinu is the highlight of the set as Brilliant re-issued it. I have nothing bad to say about the very enjoyable Martinů Quartet, either... but the energetic rawness and elegant compelling drive of Stamitz and Panocha respectively make them my favorites. The Prazak String Quartet (Praga) have been working on a cycle, too, it seems, but not gotten around to finishing it. And I can't find their volume 1, either. But when they're done, I can't imagine them not being formidable competition, also.

[Karl Henning]

I do not own one Tchaikovsky disc. Not sure why. (sorry, random thought)

Oh, I have a suggestion, then . . . .

[Octave]

Thanks very much, DD, MI, and JFL!

[Brian]

Don't feel bad I don't own one Bach disc and I'm all the merrier for it.

That can change fast. Check out Bach's growth in my annual listening logs:

2010: 32 listens
2011: 59 listens
2012: 111 listens, 2nd most-listened composer

When I totaled up the 2012 log, I was astounded. I simply had no idea. I figured he'd be in the 50 listens range again; in fact I only queried "Bach" as an afterthought after "Martinu" and "Roussel".

[Karl Henning]

Aye, mine is a stealth-model Bach, too.

[Karl Henning]

I do not own one Tchaikovsky disc. Not sure why. (sorry, random thought)

You may not have realized it yet, Greg, but the Tchaikovsky you've always longed for — notwithstanding the undeniably powerful allure of much of his music else — is the Trio in a minor, Op.50:

[asin]B00000JSAC[/asin]

Now also available as part of this box:

[asin]B003W16TBS[/asin]

[North Star]

I heartily second that A/K/M recording of the Piano Trio.

That can change fast. Check out Bach's growth in my annual listening logs:

2010: 32 listens
2011: 59 listens
2012: 111 listens, 2nd most-listened composer

When I totaled up the 2012 log, I was astounded. I simply had no idea. I figured he'd be in the 50 listens range again; in fact I only queried "Bach" as an afterthought after "Martinu" and "Roussel".

I'm pretty sure my Bach-listenings haven't increased in the past two years - at least in relation to total listening - except in the past 6 months, getting acquainted with the organ works and the Mass in B minor. The cantatas and passions are next on the list, and I'll need to get better acquainted with the Musical Offering, too (listening to Markevitch's recording from YT now). Anyway - the solo violin and cello music, GV, WTC, and the concertos, were early favourites when I was just beginning to explore classical music, and they're still among my favourites.

[Octave]

Since Argerich/Maisky/Kremer was mentioned (and thanks for that recommendation, Karl...another reminder that I have been terribly slow investing in that chamber box), I thought I'd mention my interest in their collected duos:

[asin]B006KA34UC[/asin]

There are reviews enough everywhere about the consituent recordings, but any GMG opinion would be appreciated.  I think I know only Argerich/Maisky's Schumann, which was the first I ever heard of those works.

[Karl Henning]

[asin]B006KA34UC[/asin]

There are reviews enough everywhere about the consituent recordings, but any GMG opinion would be appreciated.  I think I know only Argerich/Maisky's Schumann, which was the first I ever heard of those works.

That box has been on my wish list a while. I've got what wound up as disc 13 of that box, Prokofiev and Shostakovich, which meets expectations of excellence : )

[kishnevi]

Since Argerich/Maisky/Kremer was mentioned (and thanks for that recommendation, Karl...another reminder that I have been terribly slow investing in that chamber box), I thought I'd mention my interest in their collected duos:

[asin]B006KA34UC[/asin]

There are reviews enough everywhere about the consituent recordings, but any GMG opinion would be appreciated.  I think I know only Argerich/Maisky's Schumann, which was the first I ever heard of those works.

An excellent pair of Beethoven cycles (ie, the full set of violin sonatas and the full set of 'cello sonatas) and a nice transcription of Bach for modern instruments, plus a well done live recording of Maisky and Argerich in concert.

That box has been on my wish list a while. I've got what wound up as disc 13 of that box, Prokofiev and Shostakovich, which meets expectations of excellence : )

You have me confused.   The "duo recordings" contains a CD devoted to Prokofiev's violin sonatas and "Five melodies" for violin and piano,  but no Shostakovich.  What's the CD you have?

Never mind, I figured it out--you mean the Maisky/Argerich in concert CD I referred to.

But the Prokofiev violin sonata CD is also a good one.

[Karl Henning]

An excellent pair of Beethoven cycles (ie, the full set of violin sonatas and the full set of 'cello sonatas) and a nice transcription of Bach for modern instruments, plus a well done live recording of Maisky and Argerich in concert.

You have me confused.   The "duo recordings" contains a CD devoted to Prokofiev's violin sonatas and "Five melodies" for violin and piano,  but no Shostakovich.  What's the CD you have?

Beg pardon! I see now how confusing my brevity was. I mean a disc of Maisky and Argerich playing the Shostakovich Op.40 Vc Sonata, the Stravinsky Suite italienne, Prokofiev's Op.119 Vc Sonata and an arrangement of the waltze from The Tale of the Stone Flower:

[asin]B00076YNIM[/asin]

[kishnevi]

Beg pardon! I see now how confusing my brevity was. I mean a disc of Maisky and Argerich playing the Shostakovich Op.40 Vc Sonata, the Stravinsky Suite italienne, Prokofiev's Op.119 Vc Sonata and an arrangement of the waltze from The Tale of the Stone Flower:

[asin]B00076YNIM[/asin]

Thank you!  I did figure out what you meant after I made the initial post, and edited accordingly.