Mozart Piano Concertos

Started by Mark, September 08, 2007, 03:01:39 PM

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Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Que on December 17, 2010, 01:05:35 PM
Most interesting comment! :) Because it seems to confirm my impressions of sampling the set - reason why I decided to to get it. What would seem a primary attraction for many is the "equality" in the balance between the fortepiano and the ochestra, or should I say: the prominence of the fortepiano?

Q

I would agree with that, although I am ambivalent about the set myself. I prefer Bilson AND Immerseel, although my complaints are non-specific, just based on how I personally react to them. I never complained about Bilson / Gardiner to start with, so I spent a lot of $$$ just to discover that I was right in the first place... :)

8)
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Que

#381
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on December 17, 2010, 01:29:26 PM
I would agree with that, although I am ambivalent about the set myself. I prefer Bilson AND Immerseel, although my complaints are non-specific, just based on how I personally react to them. I never complained about Bilson / Gardiner to start with, so I spent a lot of $$$ just to discover that I was right in the first place... :)

8)

I remain convinced that, for instance, Immerseel's conception of the fortepiano as part of the orchestra - be it the most important instrument that plays the main solos - is sound.

Q

Antoine Marchand

Quote from: Que on December 17, 2010, 01:37:00 PM
I remain convinced that, for instance, Immerseel's conception of the fortepiano as part of the orchestra - be it the most important instrument that plays the main solos - is sound.

Q

I have seven discs of the Immerseel set. I consider them excellent, but I must confess that I have frequently failed to obtain a real emotional connection with those interpretations, especially in those wonderful slow movements. Probably my fault because Immerseel is an excellent fortepianist and I share his vision of these works... Maybe more hours of careful listening would be the response, but I need to dedicate some hours to live.  ;D

On the other hand, every day I am more hooked by Bilson and Gardiner, particularly the first one. What a great keyboardist is Bilson! :)   

SonicMan46

Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on December 17, 2010, 09:47:42 AM
Actually Vegh isn't the conductor in both sets. It's Anda who directs from the keyboard in his set.


DD - thanks for the above clarification -  :-[   I was in my office @ lunch time and was unable to check my 'boxes' - same orchestra at different times - that Anda performance of the PC #21 in the film Elvira Madigan (1967) started my increased exploration of classical music - 'future' wife & I saw the film on a date in 1968!  Dave  :)

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Antoine Marchand on December 17, 2010, 03:00:32 PM

On the other hand, every day I am more hooked by Bilson and Gardiner, particularly the first one. What a great keyboardist is Bilson! :)

I am so pleased to see someone finally say that. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only person around who really thought that he is a premier keyboardist! :)

8)
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Gurn Blanston

Quote from: SonicMan on December 17, 2010, 03:13:16 PM
.... 'future' wife & I saw the film on a date in 1968!  Dave  :)

Of course. Who else would you see a 'chick flick' like that with?  :D

8)
Visit my Haydn blog: HaydnSeek

Haydn: that genius of vulgar music who induces an inordinate thirst for beer - Mily Balakirev (1860)

SonicMan46

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on December 17, 2010, 03:44:32 PM
Of course. Who else would you see a 'chick flick' like that with?  :D


Yeh Gurn - poor film but loved the music!  ;D  Enjoy the Bilson but just have to UP to volume - Dave  :)

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: SonicMan on December 17, 2010, 04:54:15 PM
Yeh Gurn - poor film but loved the music!  ;D  Enjoy the Bilson but just have to UP to volume - Dave  :)

2 small prices to pay: movie for Susan  ---   volume adjustment for Bilson.    0:)

8)
Visit my Haydn blog: HaydnSeek

Haydn: that genius of vulgar music who induces an inordinate thirst for beer - Mily Balakirev (1860)

Dancing Divertimentian

Quote from: Scarpia on December 17, 2010, 09:52:11 AM
For ruminative Mozart I think Barenboim/Berline takes the cake, both for the extent indulged and for the level of success.  (And the orchestra sounds so good!)

One thing's for certain: no single interpretive approach seems to satisfy everyone in this repertoire.

And how interesting to read of others' preferences! For instance, my infatuation for both Anda and Bilson/Gardiner came and went - but others can't get enough! Quite amazing.

I will say that my Mozart PC situation definitely evolved over time. It was a process. And I don't feel the least bit slighted with my choices. Not to mention it makes me feel quite validated being able to hear my perennial faves blind and come away totally awed (as I related above). So I KNOW I have a winner in my Schiff/Vegh choice.

Veit Bach-a baker who found his greatest pleasure in a little cittern which he took with him even into the mill and played while the grinding was going on. In this way he had a chance to have the rhythm drilled into him. And this was the beginning of a musical inclination in his descendants. JS Bach

Dancing Divertimentian

Quote from: SonicMan on December 17, 2010, 03:13:16 PM
DD - thanks for the above clarification -  :-[   I was in my office @ lunch time and was unable to check my 'boxes' - same orchestra at different times...

:) I guess we wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for the guy who actually wrote the music!  ;D

Quote- that Anda performance of the PC #21 in the film Elvira Madigan (1967) started my increased exploration of classical music - 'future' wife & I saw the film on a date in 1968!  Dave  :)

This may be the first I've ever heard of anyone actually SEEING that movie. What'dya think of it?

Veit Bach-a baker who found his greatest pleasure in a little cittern which he took with him even into the mill and played while the grinding was going on. In this way he had a chance to have the rhythm drilled into him. And this was the beginning of a musical inclination in his descendants. JS Bach

Sergeant Rock

Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on December 17, 2010, 09:40:42 PM
This may be the first I've ever heard of anyone actually SEEING that movie. What'dya think of it?

I saw it a few years after Dave, in 1970, at an army theater on a base close to the DMZ in Korea. I was stationed on the DMZ. My girlfriend lived across the Imjin River. We took a taxi to the theater. (Those taxi rides, in seemingly indestructible Toyotas, speeding along bumpy dirt roads, fording rivers, playing chicken with other traffic, was more dangerous, and more thrilling than facing the North Koreans  ;D ) I liked the film then but would probably be bored with it today even though I'm still rather infatuated with Anne Mette Michaelsen:



Although beautifully shot, with haunting music (the 21st), the film moved slowly, Mozart replacing dialogue in many scenes (one can only hear the famous theme so many times before it becomes grating).

Not knowing the historical events behind the film, the end came as quite a shock. Kil Cha and I had a debate afterwards: through tears (the film had moved her deeply) she defended their actions as the only logical conclusion to the affair. She admired their romantic courage. That kind of "romantic" gesture was simply beyond my comprehension. Still is.

Sarge
the phone rings and somebody says,
"hey, they made a movie about
Mahler, you ought to go see it.
he was as f*cked-up as you are."
                               --Charles Bukowski, "Mahler"

SonicMan46

Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on December 17, 2010, 09:40:42 PM
:) I guess we wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for the guy who actually wrote the music!  ;D

This may be the first I've ever heard of anyone actually SEEING that movie. What'dya think of it?

DD - just getting back online - believe that Sarge has already provided an excellent synopsis - years later, I started to watch the film (either on TV or a VHS rental?) and turned it off - some pictures seem to be just made for the moment.  Susan & I were in Ann Arbor at the U. of Michigan - there was a downtown 'foreign films' theater which we attended often - just the THING to do in that town and in the late 60s -  :D  Dave

Herman

Quote from: DarkAngel on August 01, 2010, 10:08:14 AM

The reason Schiff would naturally be compared to Anda is that same orchestral group is used directed by Sandor Vegh for Schiff many years later. I must give Anda the edge however since his performance sounds more fluid and spontaneous to me, he makes the music dance and sparkle compared to Schiff who seems slightly reserved by comparison and more cautious although technically sound.


One might ask if the was any orchestra member of the Anda Mozarteum lefy by Schiff's time.

I would say the orchestra as conducted by Vegh is much much better than in the earlier recording.

And I prefer Anda's playing, too.

Dancing Divertimentian

Sarge, Sonic...

Thanks for the replies. Interesting reading all around! :)

The reoccurring 'theme' sounds similar to Wagner's leitmotif...but if no variation...?? 

Veit Bach-a baker who found his greatest pleasure in a little cittern which he took with him even into the mill and played while the grinding was going on. In this way he had a chance to have the rhythm drilled into him. And this was the beginning of a musical inclination in his descendants. JS Bach

Dancing Divertimentian

Katchen's naturally colorful tone seems tailor-made for Mozart's brightly lit orchestrations (nos. 20 and 25).

Münchinger is keen to follow suit, drawing a cascade of colors from the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra.

But it's not "all color, no bite". The music is propelled by a fine sense of rhythm and attack.

Mesmerizing!




 
Veit Bach-a baker who found his greatest pleasure in a little cittern which he took with him even into the mill and played while the grinding was going on. In this way he had a chance to have the rhythm drilled into him. And this was the beginning of a musical inclination in his descendants. JS Bach

Herman

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 18, 2010, 04:34:44 AM
I liked the film then but would probably be bored with it today even though I'm still rather infatuated with Anne Mette Michaelsen:





What's that guy doing, if I may ask? Looks like he's checking whether the equipment is ready for the big move.

DavidRoss

Quote from: SonicMan on December 17, 2010, 03:13:16 PM
DD - thanks for the above clarification -  :-[   I was in my office @ lunch time and was unable to check my 'boxes' - same orchestra at different times - that Anda performance of the PC #21 in the film Elvira Madigan (1967) started my increased exploration of classical music - 'future' wife & I saw the film on a date in 1968!  Dave  :)
The still and discussion re. this film piqued my interest.  Apparently the star, teenaged Pia Degermark, was the Lindsay Lohan of her time:
QuoteDirector Bo Widerberg first spotted the teenage Pia Degermark in a newspaper photo, dancing at a party with with the Swedish Crown Prince Carl Gustaf. He career seemed assured after he cast her as the lead in Elvira Madigan (1967/I), which debuted at Cannes and garnered critical and commercial acclaim. Degermark was heralded as the "new Ingrid Bergman" and offers came flooding in. However, in 1971 she married the producer Pier A. Caminnecci (in whose film Gebissen wird nur nachts (1971) she appeared). The marriage produced a son, Cesare, but ended two years later. Degermark then emigrated to the USA, but returned to her native Sweden in 1979, by now gravely ill and suffering from anorexia. Her acting career now over, she founded the organisation 'Alfta', devoted to the aid of other women suffering from the disease. She was eventually taken to court, accused of false claims and the organisation collapsed. It was at this time that Degermark became homeless and addicted to drugs - an addiction that led her to use fraudulent cheques in her desperation for money, and she was eventually committed to Stockholm's state prison. http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f95/pia-degermark-69102.html
"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher

seasons

I don't suggest box-set.
One-by-one collecting would make you more happy.
In my opinion, Clara Haskil, Geza Anda and Rudolf Serkin's recoridngs are good choice for Mozart's piano concertos.

Que

Quote from: seasons on February 13, 2011, 10:34:59 PM
I don't suggest box-set.
One-by-one collecting would make you more happy.
In my opinion, Clara Haskil, Geza Anda and Rudolf Serkin's recoridngs are good choice for Mozart's piano concertos.

And Robert Casadesus & Ivan Moravec? :) Oh, and on fortepiano Andreas Staier.

Anda's box set is worthwhile BTW, and some on period instruments - my favourite is Immerseel.

Q

Drasko

Quote from: Que on February 13, 2011, 10:41:39 PM
And Robert Casadesus ...

... will be reissued by Sony in March, or so it seems. Though hmv.co.jp lists it as 5 CD set opposed to 2x3 CDs from French Sony last time around, so not sure if all material will be included. It's listed also on amazons and jpc.de as pre-order, but with no info whatsoever.

http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/product/detail/3994123