Michelangeli, Children's Corner

[sadness]

How many times did Michelangeli record Debussy's Children's Corner?

A few days ago I heard an interpretation of M.'s that sounded quite a bit different from the one I have. Am I wrong, or did M. record Children's Corner more than once?

[orbital]

two i think, or maybe three  there is a 1969 and a 1971 recording for sure, and I think a bootleg from 1990's but I am not sure about the last one.

[Drasko]

Four, according to this:

http://www.andrewfwilson.co.uk/abm1.htm

[MishaK]

Are any of the live bootlegs suffciently interesting that one should get it if one already owns the DG studio recording?

[Todd]

Are any of the live bootlegs suffciently interesting that one should get it if one already owns the DG studio recording?

Yes.  Michelangeli live is perhaps even better than Michelangeli in the studio.  (Not all of the live recordings are bootlegs, either.)

[MishaK]

Yes.  Michelangeli live is perhaps even better than Michelangeli in the studio.  (Not all of the live recordings are bootlegs, either.)

I don't know if that is always the case. I certainly prefer his live '59 Images to the studio effort. But the studio Ravel concerto and Debussy Preludes Book I are superior to the live versions I have heard. So, again, my question: which of the live Childrens Corners are worth having if one has already the studio version.

[Drasko]

Childrens Corners are worth having if one has already the studio version.

'62 Turin is video (Opus Arte DVD) any of the audio only options for that is not necessary since they all derive from TV mono tape I believe.

'68 Lugano is in that super cheap Documents box. Check for yourself, it's Suisse Radio recording (haven't heard it myself).

'93 is probably bootleg, and I think that is his very last recording.

But this post is entirely useless since I haven't heard any of those.

[Todd]

I don't know if that is always the case. I certainly prefer his live '59 Images to the studio effort. But the studio Ravel concerto and Debussy Preludes Book I are superior to the live versions I have heard. So, again, my question: which of the live Childrens Corners are worth having if one has already the studio version.

Your initial question is whether they are sufficiently interesting, not necessarily better, which you imply is a condition now.  On the former count I'd say yes, on the latter how can you know without hearing the recordings?  My experience with live Michelangeli recordings has generally been very positive, and I usually prefer them to his studio efforts.  The Aura recordings from the 60s and 70s in all manner of repertoire are generally the best live recordings I've heard from ABM, with some exceptions.  (The 80s BBC recordings, for instance.)  It's been a while since I last listened to his studio Children's Corner, but I don't remember it being superior to the Aura recording, other than sonically.

[MishaK]

On the former count I'd say yes, on the latter how can you know without hearing the recordings? 

I can't, which is why I'm asking. Are you confused?

[Todd]

I can't, which is why I'm asking. Are you confused?

Not at all - I'm merely trying to answer your original question, which was whether the recordings are "sufficiently interesting" to consider getting.  My blanket answer is that all of them are, but specifcally the Aura recordings if you need a specific recording (or recordings).  If you choose to change the conditions of your question, then you'll only confuse yourself.

[MishaK]

Not at all - I'm merely trying to answer your original question, which was whether the recordings are "sufficiently interesting" to consider getting.  My blanket answer is that all of them are, but specifcally the Aura recordings if you need a specific recording (or recordings).  If you choose to change the conditions of your question, then you'll only confuse yourself.

I asked about a specific set of Childrens' Corner recordings. You answered with a very broad and general point about ABM live vs. studio. That wasn't the question.