Purchases Today

[Harry]

What's that warning about?

This was put on the cover in the very beginning of the CD era, warning for the great dynamics, and that your equipment might suffer. That was of course unnecessary, and made me grin many times.

[king ubu]

This was put on the cover in the very beginning of the CD era, warning for the great dynamics, and that your equipment might suffer. That was of course unnecessary, and made me grin many times.

Ha ha, thanks for the explanation, wasn't aware of that (my collection lacks BIS releases mostly so far).

[Mirror Image]

Ha ha, thanks for the explanation, wasn't aware of that (my collection lacks BIS releases mostly so far).

Wow, yes, you need some BIS recordings in your collection. Such an amazing catalog. Fantastic label.

[Brian]

Ha ha, thanks for the explanation, wasn't aware of that (my collection lacks BIS releases mostly so far).

The boss of BIS, Robert von Bahr, is one of the funniest and most candid people in the classical record industry - later, he married one of his recording artists - and those "Warnings" were a pure marketing strategy. Genius, too, I think!

EDIT: Here is the complete text:
"WARNING! Contrary to established practice this recording retains the staggering dynamics of the ORIGINAL performance. This may damage your loudspeakers, but given first-rate playback equipment you are guaranteed a truly remarkable musical and audio experience. Good luck!"

[Brian]

Just bought:





I just had to buy Chung's Nielsen individually, especially since the Maskarade Overture, Aladdin Suite, and Imaginary Journey to the Faroe Islands isn't in the BIS set. A shame because I could have easily done without Jarvi's workaday performances of Symphonies 4 & 6.

I have the disc with No. 3 and the others are on my shopping list. I too am really upset that Chung did not record No. 4. Given how exciting his Third is, his Fourth could have burned down the house!

[Mirror Image]

I have the disc with No. 3 and the others are on my shopping list. I too am really upset that Chung did not record No. 4. Given how exciting his Third is, his Fourth could have burned down the house!

Chung would have been remarkable in The Inextinguishable and Sinfonia Semplice. I actually wish Chung had done not just a full cycle of the symphonies and concerti, but all of the miscellaneous orchestral works and the choral works like Springtime in Funen, Sleep, and Hymnus Amoris.

[71 dB]

Wow, yes, you need some BIS recordings in your collection. Such an amazing catalog. Fantastic label.

BIS-recordings are hard to get for a good price. Most of my BIS collection is build up with Suzuki's Bach Cantatas. 

[Mirror Image]

BIS-recordings are hard to get for a good price. Most of my BIS collection is build up with Suzuki's Bach Cantatas. 

It really depends on what you're looking for and whether or not you buy a recording brand new or used from a third-party seller. I've been fortunate in the regard that so many of the BIS recordings I've bought through the years were dirt cheap (around $8 to $11).

[Que]

Off line bargain:



Q

[Mirror Image]

Just bought:

[asin]0521446325[/asin]

[71 dB]

It really depends on what you're looking for and whether or not you buy a recording brand new or used from a third-party seller. I've been fortunate in the regard that so many of the BIS recordings I've bought through the years were dirt cheap (around $8 to $11).

I have had difficulties getting BIS CDs under 14 euros delivered. Amazon.co.uk sells them for £15 typically + shipping. I pay usually 3-7 euros for my CDs (used), so BIS looks very pricy in comparison.

[aligreto]

Lutoslawski: Twenty Polish Christmas Carols....





A little out of season but I saw this posted a few times over the Christmas period and I was intrigued.

[ritter]

My Brazilian fixation continues  ...From mdt:

[asin]B002CAOVVK[/asin]
The only recordings of (some of) the Chôros I own are those by the composer himself on EMI (almost unanimously panned by critics). I've read so many laudatory reviews of this set, that it really seemed like a worthwhile investment.

[asin]B003DQWP74[/asin]I enjoyed the first three concerti (on another Naxos disc), and am intrigued by the apprently more expermiental concerti No. 4 and No. 5...

"Ah, ouve essas fontes murmurantes
Aonde eu mato a minha sede
E onde a lua vem brincar
Ah, este Brasil lindo e trigueiro
É o meu Brasil brasileiro
Terra de samba e pandeiro
Brasil, Brasil
Pra mim, Brasil..." 

[Que]

More off line bargains from my regular record outlet:

[asin]B013JCGE5U[/asin]
[asin]B00PRU691C[/asin]
[asin]B00N9NZZO6[/asin]
Q

[North Star]

My Brazilian fixation continues  ...From mdt:

[asin]B002CAOVVK[/asin]
The only recordings of (some of) the Chôros I own are those by the composer himself on EMI (almost unanimously panned by critics). I've read so many laudatory reviews of this set, that it really seemed like a worthwhile investment.

That's a great set, Rafael. Wonderful music in superb performances.

[Spineur]

My Brazilian fixation continues  ...From mdt:

[asin]B002CAOVVK[/asin]
The only recordings of (some of) the Chôros I own are those by the composer himself on EMI (almost unanimously panned by critics). I've read so many laudatory reviews of this set, that it really seemed like a worthwhile investment.

I  thought you did no like Villa Lobos any more !!  Its a nice set alright.  I prefer the Philomena Moretti interpretation for the guitar works.  But there is everything there: the Bachianas no 4, which I am quite fond of has the two versions: the orchestral one and the solo piano one.  Sometimes I swear the piano version is the one, with its austere and controlled expression, and at other times the charm of the lush texture of Villa Lobos orchestra operates.

What I can say about Villa Lobos is that his music is ORIGINAL.  I listen to excerpts from his Canções (see below) : he had been mandated by the brazilian government to develop the country musical heritage which led him in the collecting of many songs from many brazilian regions.

If tried to related these works to other popular musical roots from Brazil, but couldnt make any convincing case.  And it is an ocean away from our european roots.  I have not bought this record yet, because sometimes originality is not quite enough.  But this is probably postponing the inevitable.... 
 

[DaveF]

Just bought:

[asin]0521446325[/asin]

Tell us what you paid (if it's not too embarrassing).  I once saw a copy in a bookshop near the British Museum for £25, and went "Oh, yes - no - yes - no - yes - O damn, no."

[ritter]

I  thought you did no like Villa Lobos any more !!  Its a nice set alright.  I prefer the Philomena Moretti interpretation for the guitar works.  But there is everything there: the Bachianas no 4, which I am quite fond of has the two versions: the orchestral one and the solo piano one.  Sometimes I swear the piano version is the one, with its austere and controlled expression, and at other times the charm of the lush texture of Villa Lobos orchestra operates.

What I can say about Villa Lobos is that his music is ORIGINAL.  I listen to excerpts from his Canções (see below) : he had been mandated by the brazilian government to develop the country musical heritage which led him in the collecting of many songs from many brazilian regions.

If tried to related these works to other popular musical roots from Brazil, but couldnt make any convincing case.  And it is an ocean away from our european roots.  I have not bought this record yet, because sometimes originality is not quite enough.  But this is probably postponing the inevitable.... 

My thing with Villa-Lobos, mon cher Spineur, is a sort of love-hate relationship. I realized recently, while listening to the Paul Capolongo CD of some of the Bachianas, that I really like No. 5, as well as No. 2 (O  Trenzinho do Caipira is delightful). But it was his suites from Descobrimento do Brasil which I found terrible, really banal music IMHO). But since I do not know the Chôros well, and they are supposed to be some of his greatest achievements, this complete set was no-brainer for me (it also seems to be going slowly OOP, so I did not want to have regrets later). Those Canções look attractive, BTW 

That's a great set, Rafael. Wonderful music in superb performances.

Great to know, Karlo! Thanks...I'm looking forward to its arrival...

[HIPster]

More off line bargains from my regular record outlet:

[asin]B013JCGE5U[/asin]
[asin]B00PRU691C[/asin]
[asin]B00N9NZZO6[/asin]
Q

Oh, excellent!

Not familiar with the Bayardlabel, but both of those releases look fantastic.

The Azzolini is a no-brainer, of course.  I'd love your thoughts on his new ensemble.  Thanks and happy listening!

[Bogey]