Haydn Seven Last Words

[Antoine Marchand]

Yes, I own that BIG box which includes the disc above - now I also have the Savall orchestral recording in my 'dump' pile - I just don't like the guy narrating the verses between the various instrumental movements, which are excellent - just my problem, I guess - BUT, would like any other suggestions for this version?  Thanks all -

It's a shame to hear that, Dave. I'm not the Savall's biggest fan, but this version sounds just perfect in these ears. Powerful and perfectly balanced; in short, totally classical. I even have the DVD version with the same interpretation.

Personally I don't have problems with the verses in between the instrumental movements; even I enjoy them as a well done part of this performance. But these things happen. For instance, I really hate the narrator of the version by the Quatuor Ysaÿe. So be careful if some day you consider this version:

[asin]B000FGGL3E[/asin] 

[kishnevi]

Are the narrative parts on separate tracks from the music?  If so, you should be able to rip and burn a copy without the narration.  I've done that with a CD of Ives' Concord Sonata, which included interleaved reading of pertinent texts (it's on Naxos). 

[Gurn Blanston]

Are the narrative parts on separate tracks from the music?  If so, you should be able to rip and burn a copy without the narration.  I've done that with a CD of Ives' Concord Sonata, which included interleaved reading of pertinent texts (it's on Naxos).

Yes they are, and I did exactly that, so long ago now that I had completely forgotten they existed. I guess they would be a downside if that stuff grates on you...



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Now playing:
Berliner Philharmoniker \ André Cluytens - Op 125 Symphony #9 in d 1st mvmt - Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso

[Octave]

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but re: Jordi Savall's SEVEN LAST WORDS on the Alia Vox label:

I'm not the Savall's biggest fan, but this version sounds just perfect in these ears. Powerful and perfectly balanced; in short, totally classical. I even have the DVD version with the same interpretation.

I heard a bit of this recording and was quite taken with it.  For those who own or have seen both the CD and the DVD editions, can you tell me if the documentation/booklet is the same, or does the CD have some items in the booklet that are not included with the DVD?  I know the DVD includes some extras, including a video interview and reading from Jose Saramago, and apparently the option to choose between the "old" and "new" texts/readings.  If the CD had more in the way of essays, I might be more interested in that.  Also, in David Hurwitz's little review of the DVD, he said the CD had "superior" sound quality (i.e. superior to the DVD edition's sound).  Is this true?  Somehow this seems surprising, Alia Vox's quality control being as it is.  Maybe that is simply the SACD advantage?

[TheGSMoeller]

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but re: Jordi Savall's SEVEN LAST WORDS on the Alia Vox label:



I heard a bit of this recording and was quite taken with it.  For those who own or have seen both the CD and the DVD editions, can you tell me if the documentation/booklet is the same, or does the CD have some items in the booklet that are not included with the DVD?  I know the DVD includes some extras, including a video interview and reading from Jose Saramago, and apparently the option to choose between the "old" and "new" texts/readings.  If the CD had more in the way of essays, I might be more interested in that.  Also, in David Hurwitz's little review of the DVD, he said the CD had "superior" sound quality.  Is this true?  Somehow this seems surprising, Alia Vox's quality control being as it is.  Maybe that is simply the SACD advantage?

This is only orchestral-only version of Seven that I own, but I find the sound to be very nice, plus I'm always very positively taken by the tone created by Le Concert Des Nations. The booklet obviously has the essays repeated in different languages so it's a hefty size, the English section is 17 pages, very detailed. An essay by Savall, breakdown of each word, and an essay on the commission.

[Gurn Blanston]

This is only orchestral-only version of Seven that I own, but I find the sound to be very nice, plus I'm always very positively taken by the tone created by Le Concert Des Nations. The booklet obviously has the essays repeated in different languages so it's a hefty size, the English section is 17 pages, very detailed. An essay by Savall, breakdown of each word, and an essay on the commission.

We are much agreed on this one, Greg. Yes, it isn't only the (superb!) quality of the playing, it's the entire presentation, which rivals that of labels like Zig-Zag for artistic and informational interest. And for the price, it's a no-brainer for anyone wanting to hear this work in its original version.

[San Antone]

Concerning this work my own personal preferences go like this

1. String Quartet
2. Keyboard
3. Orchestral, no chorus or spoken text
4. Orchestral, with chorus or spoken text

I vastly prefer the instrumental versions, and the smaller the forces the better, although I prefer the color of the SQ to the keyboard solo.

Again, these are my choices, and would never begrudge anyone their difference of opinion.  There is no right or wrong here, imo - it's all good, so to speak.

[Gurn Blanston]

Concerning this work my own personal preferences go like this

1. String Quartet
2. Keyboard
3. Orchestral, no chorus or spoken text
4. Orchestral, with chorus or spoken text

I vastly prefer the instrumental versions, and the smaller the forces the better, although I prefer the color of the SQ to the keyboard solo.

Again, these are my choices, and would never begrudge anyone their difference of opinion.  There is no right or wrong here, imo - it's all good, so to speak.

I would be interested to hear a version of the instrumental (with no choral or spoken text). I've yet to see one that came that way, although of course, making your own is child's play.   Any recommendations?

[San Antone]

I would be interested to hear a version of the instrumental (with no choral or spoken text). I've yet to see one that came that way, although of course, making your own is child's play.   Any recommendations?

I don't have any recommendations; this work is not one I've actively collected and I am not familiar with all the available recordings.  I was speaking theoretically.  But the Savall orchestral version (excellent on all counts) seems easy enough to edit out the spoken sections between the movements.

[Gurn Blanston]

I don't have any recommendations; this work is not one I've actively collected and I am not familiar with all the available recordings.  I was speaking theoretically.  But the Savall orchestral version (excellent on all counts) seems easy enough to edit out the spoken sections between the movements.

Ah. I thought you had a particular one in mind. In the pre-PI days, it doesn't seem to have been much recorded. The few recordings made went to the oratorio version as near as I can tell. And the only 2 PI versions I know of are Savall and Brüggen, Savall with the text readings (which are part of the score) and Brüggen with a modern intermezzo-like piece between each sonata (NOT part of the score). In the event, I ripped them to FLAC and edited out whatever I didn't like. Savall was easy, Brüggen required some experience.

[Octave]

Late thanks for the reply, GSM!

[Wakefield]

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but re: Jordi Savall's SEVEN LAST WORDS on the Alia Vox label:



I heard a bit of this recording and was quite taken with it.  For those who own or have seen both the CD and the DVD editions, can you tell me if the documentation/booklet is the same, or does the CD have some items in the booklet that are not included with the DVD?  I know the DVD includes some extras, including a video interview and reading from Jose Saramago, and apparently the option to choose between the "old" and "new" texts/readings.  If the CD had more in the way of essays, I might be more interested in that.  Also, in David Hurwitz's little review of the DVD, he said the CD had "superior" sound quality (i.e. superior to the DVD edition's sound).  Is this true?  Somehow this seems surprising, Alia Vox's quality control being as it is.  Maybe that is simply the SACD advantage?

Hi, Octave.

Yes, both booklets are exactly the same, just with a different number of pages because of the different size of the pages (DVD: 121; CD: 151). Anyway, it should be noticed that a lot of the booklets space is taken by translations in different languages: French, English, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian & Catalonian.

Recording date and venue are also exactly the same.

I don't recall any difference regarding the sound quality.

DVD extras are what you have said and, IMO, nothing essential is added to the CD. Anyway, it's fine to watch some of these great musicians actually performing this music. 

[aligreto]

The Equilbey is the only Choral version of this work that I own. Having just read this thread I have now added the Harnoncourt to my List. I have also added the Savall to the List for the purely Orchestral version.