Musical regrets?

[not edward]

have you tried his symphonies? I find the 1,2,4th very accessible.

Yeah, I've tried 3 and 4. I kinda like the original version of the 4th, but it doesn't jump out at me. The only works I actively like are some of the chamber pieces.

[The new erato]

Bad recordings sometimes don't "click"; but stuff I simply don't understand I keep on a separate shelf until I feel ready for them. Nicholas Maw's Odyssey are "clicking" just now after 2 previous playthroughs over a period of 6 years. Fabulous feeling. Finally I will be able to archoive it. Kreneks 2nd symphony likewise three weks ago.

[mahlertitan]

Yeah, I've tried 3 and 4. I kinda like the original version of the 4th, but it doesn't jump out at me. The only works I actively like are some of the chamber pieces.

why?

[not edward]

why?

Well, at least in Harnoncourt's reading, it keeps my interest by being lively and enjoyable throughout. It just doesn't leave me with a lasting impression afterwards.

[mahlertitan]

Well, at least in Harnoncourt's reading, it keeps my interest by being lively and enjoyable throughout. It just doesn't leave me with a lasting impression afterwards.

Which 1851 version are you comparing it with?

[karlhenning]

If Edward has listened to something, he has actually listened to it.

[pjme]

1) Have you ever bought a CD, played it and wished you'd saved your money?

Symphonies by a Alberto Williams (Argentina - late 19-early 20th c.) on Arte Nova (cheap fortunately). Extremely boring. Idem :Rodrigo's pianoconcerto on Naxos.

2) Are there any composers whose works you took time to explore, only to later consider it time wasted?
[/quote]

Hardly. Thanks to the radio (BBC, France Musique, WDR 3, Dutch Radio 4, Klara...) I'm able to listen before I buy. Fragments on the internet help aswell.

[Mark]

Usually, if I am iffy on a selection, I try to see if I can find a performance through emusic (about 25 cents a track) or some other inexpesive digital outlet before committing to a full-priced CD purchase.

Same here.

So far the composer I've put most effort into without getting much back is Schumann.

I'm having the same 'trouble' with Schumann. But then, I once had this with Brahms, whose work I now love.

[Mark]

The only works I actively like are some of the chamber pieces.

And again, we agree.

[not edward]

Which 1851 version are you comparing it with?

I wasn't actually comparing it with the 1851 version, just mentioning the 1841 version as it's probably the non-chamber work of Schumann's that's come closest to making a real impression on me.

[greg]

I haven't heard Rossini's fantastic piano music. These composers just aren't my cup of tea/I don't understand their music.

at least we can agree on a composer we both don't like

[karlhenning]

The only works I actively like are some of the chamber pieces.

And again, we agree.

FWIW, lads . . . the symphonies never really sang to me, until I was at a live performance of the First.  Not that it was the greatest performance (it was largely a good one, but had its semi-pro unevenness — not that pros are not subject to their own unevenness).  But one thing was, the musical discourse had an immediacy that various recordings over the years had always lacked.  Since then, I have enjoyed them on recordings, as well.

[marvinbrown]

Inspired by a comment George made in another thread - he said he wished he'd followed his own instincts in the early days of his collecting, rather than acquiring so many of the works considered to be 'core repertoire' - I thought I'd pose the following two questions:

1) Have you ever bought a CD, played it and wished you'd saved your money?

2) Are there any composers whose works you took time to explore, only to later consider it time wasted?

  Yes this:

 

  but then again Mark you already knew that.

  marvin

 

[Mark]

Marvin, I didn't know this. Solti's Mahler? Seriously? Why you no like?

[marvinbrown]

Marvin, I didn't know this. Solti's Mahler? Seriously? Why you no like?

  The music comes across as being...... oh..... what's the word I am looking for here....."abrasive". 

  marvin

[Mark]

  The music comes across as being...... oh..... what's the word I am looking for here....."abrasive". 

  marvin

The only part of this cycle I found abrasive was the peak distortion in Symphonies Nos. 5 and 7. The sound quality is otherwise superb, and the recordings are very detailed - almost intimately so in places. A cycle I'll certainly not throw out.

[Hector]

1) Yes, because of the performance, recording or composition.

2) Yes, Penderecki Double EMI of recordings from the seventies amongst many others but I tend to persevere.

Even during the LP era I bought unheard and still do. You win some, or should that be one finds winners and one finds 'losers'?

Recently, I think I've hit gold with Onslow, Farrenc, Tournemire and (I may change my mind, here) Krenek.

[Wanderer]

Bump. Any regrets recently?

[prémont]

Bump. Any regrets recently?

No, regrettably not. 

[MusicTurner]

Bump. Any regrets recently?

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFtGfyruroU