The Legendary Recordings Thread

[DavidRoss]

Actually I can't bear that one, Janowitz's voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, and DG's engineering makes the orchestra sound thin and shrill. 

Well, you're right about the shrill sound, but that's DGG's fault, not gorgeous Gundula's.  The sound is better on Previn's account, but Auger seems just a bit underpowered to me.  Best sound and a strong performance is Isokoski with Janowski, though Schwartzkopf/Szell is awfully good, too, and these days I'm digging Norman/Masur again.  Hard to choose just one for the desert island.

Glad you liked it, Bob.  Once it was the sort of thing that drove me up the wall, but now I love it so much that rarely a month passes without a hearing.

[Lilas Pastia]

             

I reviewed this Schuricht recording of the ninth in the main thread, but I think its proper place is here.
The review in the link above is slightly hyperbolic, but it reflects quite adequately my own findings. A briefer, but to the point review here.

[rubio]

             

I reviewed this Schuricht recording of the ninth in the main thread, but I think its proper place is here.
The review in the link above is slightly hyperbolic, but it reflects quite adequately my own findings. A briefer, but to the point review here.

It seems like I will need to invest in this one, or maybe the whole Schuricht EMI Beethoven cycle...

[Coopmv]

Actually I can't bear that one, Janowitz's voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, and DG's engineering makes the orchestra sound thin and shrill. 

Oddly enough, this is my favorite 4 last songs. 


Advantage:, great sonics.  Disadvantage: you really need a Nazi to interpret the music of the uber-Nazi, Strauss. 

This is an interesting CD from Telarc with Previn and Auger, though Strauss is not exactly one of my favorite composers ...

[knight66]

What does that mean? Does it mean you have listened to it?

I enjoy both performances. Auger's silvery voice is a great asset and I am surprised the performance has not been given more attention. However, I part company with nut-job over his characterisation of Janowitz, (it is a voice I particularly love, but appreciate people hear voices differently), then the nonsense both of characterising Strauss as a uber-Nazi and suggesting that his music can only best be interpreted by likeminded conductors. As I say, nonsense.

Previn's approach is very mainstream and exciting, wonderfully played and there is superb sound from the disc.

Mike

[Wanderer]

What does that mean? Does it mean you have listened to it?

I enjoy both performances. Auger's silvery voice is a great asset and I am surprised the performance has not been given more attention. However, I part company with nut-job over his characterisation of Janowitz, (it is a voice I particularly love, but appreciate people hear voices differently), then the nonsense both of characterising Strauss as a uber-Nazi and suggesting that his music can only best be interpreted by likeminded conductors. As I say, nonsense.

Previn's approach is very mainstream and exciting, wonderfully played and there is superb sound from the disc.

Mike

Agreed wholeheartedly; this is among the best things Previn has done (this also being one of Augér's last recordings?).

[Bulldog]

Actually I can't bear that one, Janowitz's voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, and DG's engineering makes the orchestra sound thin and shrill. 

Sorry you find her not to your liking.  Janowitz has been my favorite performer of the Four Last Songs for many years now - a glorious voice perfectly suited for this music.

[knight66]

The Previn was recorded in 1988, Auger retired in 1992 and died age 53 in 1993. I don't know how active she was in recording after 1988, but it was certainly a late recording.

Mike

[knight66]

Sorry you find her not to your liking.  Janowitz has been my favorite performer of the Four Last Songs for many years now - a glorious voice perfectly suited for this music.

Agreed and she made or contributed to many recordings, if not by now, then certainly in the future, will be regarded as legendary. I have almost everything of hers that has been even briefly available on compact disc.

Mike

[Coopmv]

The Previn was recorded in 1988, Auger retired in 1992 and died age 53 in 1993. I don't know how active she was in recording after 1988, but it was certainly a late recording.

Mike

Here is a double-CD of Arleen Auger I enjoy a lot.  I have many of her recordings but they are mostly baroque recordings ... 

[knight66]

Yes, I have both of those discs separately. She made a number of recordings for Delos. One of those two on your twofer was simply called 'Love Songs'. It is a remarkable disc, a flow of beautiful art songs. She covers a wide range in terms of composers and languages and as always, she was spot on in style. It is a really great disc.

Mike

[Slezak]

  THE SIBELIUS FIRST SYMPHONY-many years ago, I got the Halle Orchestra's recording of the Sibelius 1st, with Barbirolli conducting. To this day, I still think this is the greatest performance of the work ever made. The early Ormandy is good, I have it with Jussi Jalas, and many of the great early interpreters, but this one still has all the lyricism where it needs to be, and the rough-hewn in its proper amount...it never fails to move forward and carry you along with it...'just an incredible performance. It was recorded by Pye, and issued by Vanguard in its Everyman series. Just about everything in that early-'60's series was first rate, benchmark material. If you've never heard this recording, seek it out. It's a really memorable performance.  SS

[Lilas Pastia]

Hi, SS. Great fan of Barbirolli's Sibelius recordings. I've always  thought of him as an 'of the moment' interpreter. The 'official' Hallé Sibelius 1 (mid-sixties EMI) is quite good but not on the level of the best. Somehting I always suspected Barbirolli was capable of. Any link to that recording?

[Mandryka]

Arrau live in Mozart --K. 475/K. 457; K. 576 ; K. 332

When I first got it I loved the Fantasie but hated all the rest.

Then I started to see that the whole K. 475/K. 457 combo worked brilliantly. But I thought he was too serious and unsmiling in the other two sonatas.

Then I started to see that K. 332 was brilliantly played with unbelievable passion, nuancing and drama and colour. But I didn't quite see the point behind his K. 576

Now I dig the lot -- my favourite Mozart CD.

[Lilas Pastia]

Thanks for the review, Mandryka. I used to have the Philips lp (early seventies?) in which Arrau played the same c minor works. Very searching and dramatic (but totally unflashy) renditions. I'll keep an eye on this Orfeo release.

[Mandryka]

Landowska playing Mozart Piano Sonatas (Piano)

Never been on CD before -- recorded in 1956.

She's so musical -- and thrilling with the ornamentation. Speeds are slow but her natural musicality means that you are strapped to your seat.

K282 is unbelievable -- but really they are all good. And in typical Landowska style she rounds the thing off with a little dance from K606

Released in Japan -- all the booklet is in Japanese. But you can get it through Arkivmusik.

[ccar]

Didn't know exactly where to post this: Bethoven symphonies (but I only saw a trendy HIP topic) or in the "archeo" Historic recordings ?
My feeling about these 1950's vintages - now in a wonderfully restored sound - is they should indeed be considered Legendary.
If you never tried Scherchen's Beethoven they may sound like a discovery !  

Carlos  

[not edward]

I'd certainly call the 1958 VSOO Eroica legendary; I'm not sure if it's that one on those sets, though.

I'm also extremely partial to his 8th with the RPO.

[ccar]

I'd certainly call the 1958 VSOO Eroica legendary; I'm not sure if it's that one on those sets, though.

I'm also extremely partial to his 8th with the RPO.

Edward

As you may Know there are a number of Beethoven symphonies recordings from Scherchen but many are not easy to get (and probably won't be in a near future).
If I had to choose between Scherchen partial or complete Beethoven sets (Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra della Radio della Swizzera Italiana-Lugano) I would probably prefer the 1965 Radio Swiss-Lugano. I feel Scherchen's approach in Lugano more spontaneous but this is only my personal sensibility.

In this Thara set the Eroica is the earlier 1951 VSO and not the 1958 VSO (I believe the 1958 is still available in the Universal-Westminster edition). The 8th is indeed the 1954 RPO you are not so fond of (have you ever heard the Lugano 1965 recording ?).  

Anyway, for those who never heard Scherchen in Beethoven, this new Tahra edition may give the opportunity to (re)discover one of the most impressive conductors of the last century and to share his artistry in a vintage well remastered sound.

Carlos  

[DFO]

But as a composer, Scherchen was a good conductor. Hear his string quartet op.1