Recordings That You Are Considering

[Wakefield]

Agreed and agreed. I would also recommend the Trio 1790:

[asin]B005XP612S[/asin]
For those who live in Euorpe, jpc might be the cheapest place to get it.

I got the set by the Van Swieten Trio first, and hugely enjoyed it! But I have to say that the Trio 1790 takes it to another level. It is not just the more varied instruments, it is the level of intensity,  the nuance in playing, the expressiveness. I would describe the Van Swieten as a more "mellow" approach... Trio 1790 grabs me...

Q

I quite agree with your description, but aesthetically I tend to prefer the Van Swieten. Actually, I think it's - in musical terms - one of the most successful projects ever released by Brilliant Classics.

[Mandryka]

When I hear the Beaux Arts Trio I always think "elegant gentlemen" - fine manners, but I'd enjoy a bit more soul.

Yes. Beaux Arts don't make the music sound as interesting as Trio 1790 to me, and I think that you've put your finger on why.

[Wakefield]

How about the criminal mistake of culling BAT? 

[Karl Henning]

I quite agree with your description, but aesthetically I tend to prefer the Van Swieten. Actually, I think it's - in musical terms - one of the most successful projects ever released by Brilliant Classics.

I've only heard the Van Swieten, and so have not been able to offer an opinion, in comparative terms;  but I've enjoyed the Van Swieten so well, I've not felt any motivation to seek another.

(Not that that is always how it works out . . . .)

[Pretorious]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, they are much appreciated!

I'm very hit-or-miss with period performances: there are times when I adore them and times when I just can't listen to them. Overall, I still prefer modern instruments. I guess I'm just too used to our modern sound-world. I've heard part of the Van Swieten set before and was actually quite impressed with it, especially from a historical aspect. I'd be willing to consider that one if I end up looking for a set on period instruments.

I do enjoy the BAT set but, as some mentioned, their interpretations can be too mannered and pedestrian at times. Often, their playing is quite exquisite but too smooth; excellent musicians, no doubt, but definitely a product of their time.

Looks like, for a digital, modern instrument set, my option is the one I linked. Hearing samples, it sounds excellent. Guess I'll give it a more thorough listen when I buy it. Either way, Haydn's trios are nothing short of excellent. Just great music in every last one, honestly.

[Todd]

[ritter]

I found Piemontesi's recording of the Préludes superb, if that's of any help, Todd:

...
This is turning out to be quite extraordinary!  Piemontesi favours a certain restraint in his playing, and a dryish tone at some moments (something I much prefer to any sort of "fuzzyness" in Debussy), but then he'll allow his fancy free reign. The result is a dazzling ricness of nuances. For instance, Le vent dans la plaine is a wonder in its handling of the different sections of the music, and of the contrast of the underlying ripple effect with the melodic material. I'm just in the middle of Book I, but am already won over...

Regards,

[Brian]

Unlike ritter, I only listened to 3 tracks (La fille, cathedrale, & Puerta del vino), but like ritter, I thought they were fantastic. Scintillating. I might not use the word "dry" but ritter's description is very accurate - sharp and incisive, not fuzzy.

[Todd]

I heard Piemontesi play Mozart's 27th PC in concert last night, and perusing his recordings, I felt his style could pay big dividends in Debussy.  In the basket for next year.

[Todd]

Starting to think about new year purchases.  Maybe a mini-Liszt splurge.

[kishnevi]

Starting to think about new year purchases.  Maybe a mini-Liszt splurge.

Well, 2015 was your year for Years, so to speak, so it's logical 2016 be the year of Harmonies.  (But I thought you had the Korstick already?)

[Todd]

(But I thought you had the Korstick already?)

Nah, just posted it on the new releases thread.  I suspect I will have it before too terribly long.

[Mandryka]

Ensemble Metamorphoses play Josquin's L'Homme Arme Masses.

[Todd]

[Mandryka]

Colin Tilney plays Bohm and Pachelbel

[prémont]

Colin Tilney plays Bohm and Pachelbel

Recommendable, I think, His Böhm g-minor præl-fugue-postl. is very good and so is the rest.

[Todd]

Thinking of splurging on some new recordings of Kreisleriana. 

[amw]

Alicia de Larrocha's is very good, and quite individual. (I am also considering it.) Hélène Grimaud's is pretty good, and quite MOR. (I have it.) Valery Afanassiev's is perverse as usual. Eugen Indjic's I listened to recently, but don't yet have much of an opinion on. I think it came across as somewhat old-fashioned but don't know why. I'll look into the others.

[Turner]

Fellner´s "Kreisleriana" is unusual, often quite light-footed, also somewhat uneven, as far as I remember ... but not a major recommendation, IMO.

[Mandryka]

Valery Afanassiev's is imaginative and creative and inspired and romantic and dramatic and bold as usual.

Love it; apart from the tone of the piano.