Purchases Today

[GioCar]

Mahler's 9th,

I ordered both the score and the recording off Deutsche grammophon .

I have all the Mahler's symphonies scores from the Dover Miniature Music Scores series. A pain. Easier to handle than the (standard) Dover Music Scores but with such a tiny printing 

[GioCar]

Vol.7 of the series

[The new erato]

Vol.7 of the series

When these recordings appear as a box, I will buy. The secular cantatas isn't exactly awash in good, complete sets.

[Florestan]

I see a lot of mainstream repertory purchases (that not there's anything wrong with that if that's what you like). I have days where I think Grieg is pretty great. I have other days where I think Grieg is overrated. Today, I'm on the fence. This said, I do think his Peer Gynt and the Piano Concerto are two of my least favorite pieces.

You should hear the complete Peer Gynt, not just the two suites. It´s quite a different, spellbounding and goosebumps-inducing experience. One of the greatest Romantic works ever penned IMO.

[The new erato]

You should hear the complete Peer Gynt, not just the two suites. It´s quite a different, spellbounding and goosebumps-inducing experience.

I agree.

[Florestan]

I agree.

Aase´s Death with the spoken dialogue between Peer and his dying mother literally brought tears in my eyes.

[PerfectWagnerite]

I think the violinist on the last disc looks fat. She wouldn't have had a breakthrough these days.

That is a candidate for worst cover art...The sweater with the horizonal stripe makes anyone look fat.

How old was she back then? 18, 19? Just baby fat I guess.

[Karl Henning]

And here I was thinking, how nice that there was a time when they didn't make a point of having any female artist dolled up and sexy . . . .

[The new erato]

And here I was thinking, how nice that there was a time when they didn't make a point of having any female artist dolled up and sexy . . . .

I hope you got the irony of my original comment. But a nice painting would have been better than that ill-conceived picture.

[Karl Henning]

I hope you got the irony of my original comment. But a nice painting would have been better than that ill-conceived picture.

Yes, indeed!  And agreed, of course.

[AnthonyAthletic]

Had three hectic months at work so not really been into much listening or rather buying.  Can't remember the last time I posted on the forum.  Had a mixed bag delivered today, waiting for me back home.  The Bantock cds are new to me, I did enjoy his Celtic & Hebridean symphonies so expecting good things from the other works.

Mehul I listened to last night, very suprised with his music, a bridge between Mozart to Berlioz one critic described him    The Mahler 5, well I must own over 70 versions but never knew Mehta did this one, I have his LAPO version which isn't bad, this version gets good reviews.

Biber's Rosary Sonatas, hope these are as grand as they are described in all the reviews I have read.  Picked this up for £3 as I haven't heard them before and thought, Manze, why not?  Podger was £18 more expensive, so for a first copy and listen, Manze seemed good value for a first timer.

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[Karl Henning]

Had three hectic months at work so not really been into much listening or rather buying.  Can't remember the last time I posted on the forum.  Had a mixed bag delivered today, waiting for me back home.  The Bantock cds are new to me, I did enjoy his Celtic & Hebridean symphonies so expecting good things from the other works.

Mehul I listened to last night, very suprised with his music, a bridge between Mozart to Berlioz one critic described him    The Mahler 5, well I must own over 70 versions but never knew Mehta did this one, I have his LAPO version which isn't bad, this version gets good reviews.

Biber's Rosary Sonatas, hope these are as grand as they are described in all the reviews I have read.  Picked this up for £3 as I haven't heard them before and thought, Manze, why not?  Podger was £18 more expensive, so for a first copy and listen, Manze seemed good value for a first timer.

Good to see you, Tony!  Tell us how Volodya does with the Shostakovich Op.47.

[The new erato]

Mehul I listened to last night, very suprised with his music, a bridge between Mozart to Berlioz one critic described him    The Mahler 5, well I must own over 70 versions but never knew Mehta did this one, I have his LAPO version which isn't bad, this version gets good reviews.

Ah, a sufferer from Mahleria. Harmonia Mundi are doing great with reissues from their back catalogue BTW, wish some other labels were as good.

[AnthonyAthletic]

That Andrew Davis 2-CD set of Elgar's symphonies is top-notch, Anthony. I hope you enjoy it. That set contains the best 2nd I've heard.

I agree, the Davis symphonies are superb.  I bought those about 6 months ago, the one I have today is the Enigma cd...hope its every bit as good 

[Mirror Image]

You should hear the complete Peer Gynt, not just the two suites. It´s quite a different, spellbounding and goosebumps-inducing experience. One of the greatest Romantic works ever penned IMO.

Oh, I've heard it and, yes, there are many great moments in the work. It's just not a work I think plays to Grieg's strengths as a composer. Again, his chamber music, for me, reveals a lot about the man that the orchestral music doesn't seem to. I also think Grieg was better at miniatures when it came to his own orchestral music. I have to say his Symphony is one of the most boring pieces of music I believe I've heard from a major Romantic composer.

[Brian]

Oh, I've heard it and, yes, there are many great moments in the work. It's just not a work I think plays to Grieg's strengths as a composer. Again, his chamber music, for me, reveals a lot about the man that the orchestral music doesn't seem to. I also think Grieg was better at miniatures when it came to his own orchestral music. I have to say his Symphony is one of the most boring pieces of music I believe I've heard from a major Romantic composer.

Well, that's a rather unfair criticism - the Symphony was a very early work and one Grieg himself disowned after hearing Svendsen's symphonies. It doesn't represent his mature voice or his mature ideas about what to do with music. Also, it's not that bad. Certainly better than any of Max Bruch's symphonies, for instance.

Of course, it seems we disagree on his orchestral work in general - for example, I think the Symphonic Dances are remarkable for being both good ol' folk dances and, at the same time, something with a much deeper resonance.

[AnthonyAthletic]

Good to see you, Tony!  Tell us how Volodya does with the Shostakovich Op.47.

Good to see everyone again (in writing).  I've been reading most days since July in between work, work, work...that's what happens when you work for a company who is cracking on hared with "seasonal" work...the Christmas rush has now started.

Shostakovich tonight, me thinks 

[Mirror Image]

Well, that's a rather unfair criticism - the Symphony was a very early work and one Grieg himself disowned after hearing Svendsen's symphonies. It doesn't represent his mature voice or his mature ideas about what to do with music. Also, it's not that bad. Certainly better than any of Max Bruch's symphonies, for instance.

Of course, it seems we disagree on his orchestral work in general - for example, I think the Symphonic Dances are remarkable for being both good ol' folk dances and, at the same time, something with a much deeper resonance.

I'm aware Grieg's Symphony is an early work and Grieg was right to dismiss it I think. Utterly lifeless music. It's not a bad work per se, but it's not something I want to hear ever again.  Thankfully, I don't know Bruch's symphonies, but, then again, he doesn't strike me as a composer I'd be interested in anyway. I think it's safe to say we'll just have to agree to disagree and move on, but notice I never said anything about his orchestral music not being worth listening to (not that you made such an implication to begin with). There are good works there, like the Symphonic Dances, you mentioned. I also like Holberg Suite a good bit, but much of his orchestral music seems quaint and charming and if you like that sort of thing, then you'd like those works. I just prefer music that reveals a bit more of a composer's personality and digs a bit deeper.

[aligreto]

Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem [Sinopoli]....

[springrite]

Oh, I've heard it and, yes, there are many great moments in the work. It's just not a work I think plays to Grieg's strengths as a composer. Again, his chamber music, for me, reveals a lot about the man that the orchestral music doesn't seem to. I also think Grieg was better at miniatures when it came to his own orchestral music. I have to say his Symphony is one of the most boring pieces of music I believe I've heard from a major Romantic composer.

Well, Schnittke composed the better Peer Gynt anyway