Recordings That You Are Considering

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

That 6th is splendid.

The Hurwitzer agrees with you:

http://www.classicstoday.com/review/petterssons-appealingly-dismal-sixth-symphony/

Not that it matters to me - I've ordered it already.

[Ken B]

7's a good one.

My intro to Pettersson was a radio broadcast of the Chicago Symphony playing his 8th Symphony (yes, the CSO really did!) back in the 80s. I followed up and liked most of what I heard. Then I encountered the 13th Symphony, which was the most irritating and intractable piece of music I'd ever heard. It was like having an allergic reaction, and I stopped listening to him for years.

Funny how one piece can do that. I gave up on Purcell for 20 years because I don't like Dido. I guess I heard one of those ponderous English recordings in the grand manner and got allergic. As it turns out that was a catastrophic error, I like everything else he wrote! Still not Dido though.

[xaduci]

To anyone who has the Harmonia Mundi Opera Baroque box: I understand it has no physical booklets but a cd-rom with the libretti? They do have English translations and all, right? Are they scans from the original booklets or perhaps plain text? Would you say they are "printer-friendly"?

Thanks!

[asin]B00DHCJLWG[/asin]


edit: grammar

[North Star]

To anyone who has the Harmonia Mundi Opera Baroque box: I understand it has no physical booklets but a cd-rom with the libretti? They do have English translations and all, right? Are they scans from the original booklets or perhaps plain text? Would you say they are "printer-friendly"?

Thanks!

edit: grammar

I don't have that set, but they're probably the same as the libretti in the Lumieres box - French, German & English translations on the same PDF pages, so not the best thing if you want just the original and English and a smaller font / fewer pages. Printer-friendly otherwise, sure.

[JCBuckley]

I have this set - it's superb, and the librettos (original text + English and sometimes one other language) are certainly printer-friendly, though the libretto for Atys is a reproduction of an old edition, rather than a modern translation. And there are booklets too: one for each nation (Italy, France, England, Germany), with brief essays on each of the operas plus cast details and track listings.

[Ken B]

To anyone who has the Harmonia Mundi Opera Baroque box: I understand it has no physical booklets but a cd-rom with the libretti? They do have English translations and all, right? Are they scans from the original booklets or perhaps plain text? Would you say they are "printer-friendly"?

Thanks!

[asin]B00DHCJLWG[/asin]


edit: grammar

Libretti on cd rom. But aside from that this is a physically gorgeous and opulent box, with good booklets. Actually I value shelf space and prefer thin slips in thin boxes.

[xaduci]

Thanks everyone. I'll definitely be buying this at some point.

[Mookalafalas]

Yes, I would tend to agree with you here, however, in Haitink I find a remarkable consistency.  Refined, perhaps, but never boring. His style in Stravinsky is indeed more subdued than others, however, I find it to be magnetic in it's own way, as most of his takes on everything else. I was exaggerating when I stated I "loved" everything I had. But there's nothing I'd want to be without.

I think you just answered your own question about the symphony box.

Sarge

\

  I was debating this box earlier and decided (with Octave--where has he been by the way?} that it was unnecessary: Haitink is good, but not exceptional for those with other good version of these cycles.
  However, today I put all my Haitink on and have been listening, and agree with your assessment: there is something unusually engaging about him.  I am really enjoying everything I have by Haitink, although it doesn't seem he is doing anything special. Perhaps that is the true mark of greatness in a conductor: just to channel the gifts of the composer without any obvious stylistic input? Or maybe it is just the terrific orchestra behind him. I don't know, but think I have changed my mind and will pick up his symphony set (it is only about $80 at my shop).

[Drosera]

  However, today I put all my Haitink on and have been listening, and agree with your assessment: there is something unusually engaging about him.  I am really enjoying everything I have by Haitink, although it doesn't seem he is doing anything special. Perhaps that is the true mark of greatness in a conductor: just to channel the gifts of the composer without any obvious stylistic input? Or maybe it is just the terrific orchestra behind him. I don't know, but think I have changed my mind and will pick up his symphony set (it is only about $80 at my shop).

In the late 90s I attended a concert of Haitink and the RCO performing Brahms' 4th. Through most of the first movement I remember thinking: "This is nice, but hardly special. Everything is just exactly as it should be, no real surprises." Then something clicked and I realized that that was the whole point, everything was exactly as it should be, perfectly proportioned, allowing me to listen to the work in all its glory instead of waiting until the next interpretative 'insight' would come around.

[Ken B]

\

but think I have changed my mind and will pick up his symphony set (it is only about $80 at my shop).

AHEM

[Mookalafalas]

AHEM

...right after Ken's birthday , as I have made a pact not to buy any new music until after that

[Madiel]

I was looking for the Ravel Chansons Madecasses and Mallarme poems, which are both notable for their ensemble accompaniment, and this looks very much like it will hit the spot...

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Australian%2BEloquence/ELQ4803670



Does anyone know this album? There appear to be some larger sets (eg larger Janet Baker collections) that incorporate this same program.

(It's also extra interesting for apparently being one of the few recordings of the Delage work, which actually premiered at the same concert as one of Ravel's.)

[Karl Henning]

All the Hindemith unaccompanied viola goodness which this promises has me (figuratively — I thought I should literally type figuratively) salivating:

[asin]B00HANCVGG[/asin]

[North Star]

I, on the other hand, am literally salivating...   Do you have vol. 1, Karl?

[Karl Henning]

I do not (yet) . . . I saw that John had snaffled (or was in the process of snaffling) Vol. 1.

[North Star]

So he did, indeed.
Here's Zimmermann talking about Hindemith (and other things) in The Strad from June '13

[liuzerus87]

Anybody have both Zimmermann and Kashkashian?  Kashkashian is my gold standard in a lot of the viola repertoire, but this looks interesting.

[Mirror Image]

I do not (yet) . . . I saw that John had snaffled (or was in the process of snaffling) Vol. 1.

I did indeed buy that first volume and it is absolutely first-rate, Karl. Everything is played to perfection, but I'm always in awe of Der Schwanendreher whenever I hear it.

[Todd]

.
[asin]B00H4G4D56[/asin]

[The new erato]

This is now 30 Euros on jpc. Worthwhile?