Purchase(s) of the Year already?

[Todd]

   



So early in the year, but these two discs may be just the thing.  Okay, full disclosure, I am a huge Eric Heidsieck fan, but these exceeded expectations.  First of all, whoever remastered these for EMI Toshiba did a beyond stellar job.  Timbre is superb, clarity amazing, and overall presentation tip-top notch.  Only the excess spotlighting betrays the vintage.  The orchestra is really quite fine. 

Best of all is Eric Heidsieck, here in top form.  He was but a very young man 50+ years ago, but his artistry was mature and sophisticated.  As recorded here, he is all about tone and diminuendo playing of the most distinctive type.  So beautiful, nuanced, and appropriate.  Yes, his playing, as always, is mannered, but, as befits a great artist, it draws attention to the music, not the pianist.  Some of the finest Mozart concerto recordings I've heard.  I'm hoping the same forces reissue the 21/24 disc.  (I thought Heidsieck recorded all of the concertos for EMI, but it appears not.)

The discs appear to be available only in Japan, but with the falling yen, the price is right. 

[Todd]

Look out Eric Heidsieck, a fellow Frenchie can deliver the goods, too.  As with Heidsieck, I've long been a fan of Ferras, so my immense enjoyment of this set comes as no surprise.  Primarily partnered with the otherwise criminally neglected Pierre Barbizet, Ferras delivers beautiful renditions of the Franck Violin Sonata, Brahms' Violin Sonatas in what may very well be my new favorite set,  as well as knockout set of Schumann's Violin Sonatas.  Even the disc of encores, with Jean-Claude Ambrosini, is great fun to listen to.  Fine sound and remasterings and a budget price made this a must buy.  And though I'm trying to refrain from purchasing anything, especially anything that would result in duplications, I noticed that the below ten disc set is available.  I assume it has all of the recordings from the BC set, as well Ferras' great recording of the LvB Violin Concerto with Karajan, which is my current favorite (with the LP version especially sweet).  Might be hard to say no.  You only live once, and all that.

[Mirror Image]

So far...

[The new erato]

Not bad for a year with no aquisitions.

[North Star]

It's been a good year