Your Favorite Purchases Of 2021 (So Far...)

[Mirror Image]

I'm not sure if this topic has been brought up this year or not, but we're at the halfway point and I'm wondering what have been your favorite purchases of the year so far?

[Mirror Image]

I have A LOT of purchases to list, but I'll take my time before giving a list.

[André]

I think there is a thread already, but let the mods merge them if that's the case. 

This one would definitely be on my 2021 list:

[Mirror Image]

Okay, so I've assembled my list and I'll just post a 'Top 10' and in no particular order:

[Symphonic Addict]

Only purchases are allowed? I'm thinking of discoveries instead. I have plenty of them.

[Mirror Image]

Only purchases are allowed? I'm thinking of discoveries instead. I have plenty of them.

Yep, only purchases. I know you've made plenty of discoveries, Cesar. You're welcome to start your own thread of course.

[vandermolen]

Features the Concerto for Two Pianos (which I prefer to the single piano version), Flos Campi (in a performance which the composer himself recommended) and, one of my favourites, the 'Fantasia on the Old 104th' (in a version featuring the organ). I was delighted to find that another recording existed apart from the (excellent) one with Boult and Peter Katin (who, told me that the piano part was especially difficult).

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Best purchase (in terms of bargain) has to be this 25-CD set:



Which I snagged for GBP 25.62 in Presto's winter sale.  Not appreciating the sheer physical size of the thing.  I thought I must have bought LPs by mistake.

Favourite (in terms of number of plays) would probably be this :



Has an attractive and intriguing quality - and simple listenability - which I hadn't found in White Nights, so came as a pleasant surprise.

And this:



For the 11 minutes of Five Fragments op.42, composed just before the Fourth Symphony.

Then there's this:



Just gorgeous.  As you might expect. 0:)

That looks like a lovely Bernstein set!  I don't have that one but do have this one.  And like you, the size of the box threw me as it's really LP-sized [Where to store it?!].  https://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bernstein-Symphony-Gustav-Mahler/dp/B003Z9Q4WG/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3VPYHA4G1XZ5H&dchild=1&keywords=leonard+bernstein+symphony+edition&qid=1626255844&s=music&sprefix=leonard+bernstein+the+symphony%2Cpopular%2C177&sr=1-2

I've heard that R. Schumann "Peri" work before--though not that particular recording; yes, it's very beautiful.

PD

[Jo498]

I am buying far less and it's often a bit hit and miss nevertheless, but I can single out two:

[asin]B00284SDM8[/asin]

Probably my favorite (live) recordings of both pieces now, while the serenade might be a bit to internationally virtuosic (and not bohemian enough) for some, the quartet is white hot and probably the best I have heard.

[asin]B075GBFQQL[/asin]

a very nice compilation of recordings not easy to find otherwise and they are among the best recordings of both Sinfonietta and the 2nd quartet and the sound is decent early stereo despite the "magazin release" (not sure how close they get to master tapes etc.)

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I am buying far less and it's often a bit hit and miss nevertheless, but I can single out two:

[asin]B00284SDM8[/asin]

Probably my favorite (live) recordings of both pieces now, while the serenade might be a bit to internationally virtuosic (and not bohemian enough) for some, the quartet is white hot and probably the best I have heard.

[asin]B075GBFQQL[/asin]

a very nice compilation of recordings not easy to find otherwise and they are among the best recordings of both Sinfonietta and the 2nd quartet and the sound is decent early stereo despite the "magazin release" (not sure how close they get to master tapes etc.)

[Artem]

It'd be also interesting if people could indicate their favourite purchased disk released this year.

[vandermolen]

It'd be also interesting if people could indicate their favourite purchased disk released this year.

The one that I posted, although featuring historical recordings, was just released this year.

Here's another one (new recording):

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

Sarge

Lovely, Sarge.

[André]

These exceeded all my expectations:

[vandermolen]

Sarge

I could have included HB myself. Both of those Sibelius recordings are favourites of mine.

[Roasted Swan]

Okay, so I've assembled my list and I'll just post a 'Top 10' and in no particular order:

Do you think the new Barbirolli/Sibelius remastering is a significant improvement on previous versions?  It was the first set of Sibelius I knew (on LP) and I love it to bits but was a bit underwhelmed when I finally got it on CD.  Perhaps I have too many other Sibelius cycles now!

[Mirror Image]

Do you think the new Barbirolli/Sibelius remastering is a significant improvement on previous versions?  It was the first set of Sibelius I knew (on LP) and I love it to bits but was a bit underwhelmed when I finally got it on CD.  Perhaps I have too many other Sibelius cycles now!

I would say run, don't walk over to Amazon and pull the trigger on this Sibelius Barbriolli set. To these ears, it sounds better than the later EMI set put out. Warner did a find job with the remastering and I love the original LP covers in these types of boxes from them.

[vandermolen]

I would say run, don't walk over to Amazon and pull the trigger on this Sibelius Barbriolli set. To these ears, it sounds better than the later EMI set put out. Warner did a find job with the remastering and I love the original LP covers in these types of boxes from them.

+1 

[Mirror Image]

+1