Also Sprach Zarathustra recommendations?

[mszczuj]

I was never looking for the best recording as I have got Kempe who - for me - managed to revail all the intelectual and emotional context of this philosopohical treatise in the form of the waltz.

[mahler10th]

Portsmouth Sinfonia has an interesting one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6piDRKOwh88
Like no other version of any Strauss piece, this one gets tears streaming down my face.

  I had a listen.  The articulation and phrasing is immaculate, this should be in everyones collection. 

[Sergeant Rock]

I was never looking for the best recording as I have got Kempe who - for me - managed to revail all the intelectual and emotional context of this philosopohical treatise in the form of the waltz.

In the forum's blind comparison Kempe came in 15th of 18. "Most felt that this recording was devoid of any emotion, and too hesitant and understated." That's okay...my favorite (Sinopoli) came in dead last 

Sarge

[Brahmsian]

  I had a listen.  The articulation and phrasing is immaculate, this should be in everyones collection.

John, +1 for the Brahms and shades!!!  Love it! 

[TheGSMoeller]

In the forum's blind comparison Kempe came in 15th of 18. "Most felt that this recording was devoid of any emotion, and too hesitant and understated." That's okay...my favorite (Sinopoli) came in dead last 

Sarge

Ha! I remember that like it was yesterday, you and I both love the Sinopoli, I was shocked by its failure, or rather the forum's failure to find its beauty 

[Karl Henning]

I find Sinopoli so simpatico with the 2^nd Viennese school, I am keen to give this Zarathustra a try.

[Sergeant Rock]

Ha! I remember that like it was yesterday, you and I both love the Sinopoli, I was shocked by its failure, or rather the forum's failure to find its beauty 

I wish M would have been here. He'd have done some serious ass-kicking after that result 

But the comparison was most interesting, and enlightening. I doubt I would have discovered Järvi and Zinman had I not participated.

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

I find Sinopoli so simpatico with the 2^nd Viennese school, I am keen to give this Zarathustra a try.

The consensus was "plodding, reserved and bland'" so enter at your own risk 

Sarge

[The new erato]

The consensus was "plodding, reserved and bland'" so enter at your own risk 

Sarge

Try the Portsmouth Sinfonia I posted, they are plodding but certainly not reserved.

[Karl Henning]

Damn the Torpedoes, Said Zarathustra

[Sergeant Rock]

Try the Portsmouth Sinfonia I posted, they are plodding but certainly not reserved.

Yeah, yeah...we know that's your favorite Zarathustra. Now, just go away 

Sarge

[The new erato]

Yeah, yeah...we know that's your favorite Zarathustra. Now, just go away 

Sarge

No it's far worse, it's Kempe.

[Cato]

Mehta/LAPO was the recording that helped me love the work. I'd never gotten much past the opening before that.

Yes, I can understand that!  Many hit that next section and wonder: "Huh?" 

Agreed that you cannot go wrong with von Karajan.

Concerning Koussevitzky I found a 1935 recording: mistakenly placed under "Audiobooks"   

http://www.amazon.com/Serge-Koussevitzky-R-Strauss-Prokofiev-Copland/dp/B002O48UWA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1380031181&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=zarathustra+koussevitzky

[Todd]

Here's my favorite Zarathustra:
[asin]B00000JQYC[/asin]

Generally speaking, I don't really care for Also Sprach Zarathustra, but this recording is easily the best one I've heard and one that I do enjoy.  The filler is great, too.  It's possibly the best non-opera Strauss recording I own.

[Karl Henning]

I know you spoke casually, but the Four Last Songs ain't filler 

[Daverz]

I know you spoke casually, but the Four Last Songs ain't filler 

Depends on what Konditerei you go to.

[Todd]

I know you spoke casually, but the Four Last Songs ain't filler

That's actually the reason I got the disc.  It's a damn good reason to get the disc.  I think I paid $6-$7, shipping included.  Bargain does not seem a good enough word . . .

[mszczuj]

In the forum's blind comparison Kempe came in 15th of 18. "Most felt that this recording was devoid of any emotion, and too hesitant and understated." That's okay...my favorite (Sinopoli) came in dead last 

We use completely different mind and ears in blind listening. I know it as I used to play in TV quiz shows on classical music for years.

[mszczuj]

By the way, which fragment was tested in the first round of the blind comparison?

[mc ukrneal]

That's actually the reason I got the disc.  It's a damn good reason to get the disc.  I think I paid $6-$7, shipping included.  Bargain does not seem a good enough word . . .

It's $4.19 at B&N in their current sale (free shipping if member or over $25). Practically giving it away!