New recordings or old?

[Don]

I think you mean "prosecutor," and the answer is no. I'm not the one who writes: "HIP for all and all for HIP! Harpsichord for Bach, fortepiano for Beethoven and pianoforte for Brahms!" It's not the hardware used that matters, but the musical imagination of the performance.

We agree on this, but I don't agree that folks who perform on period instruments are less imaginative or artistic than those using modern instruments.

[FideLeo]

The one that stands out in my mind currently is a Schumann chamber music disc from the period instrument group, the Michelangelo Piano Quartet.  Compare it to the similar program on an Amon Ra disc from the Fitzwilliam Quartet, and you'll notice that the rich Chandos sound obscures detail and whatever sharp contours that the Michelangelo bring to the table.  The Chandos is for folks who don't appreciate period instrument performances.

I have the disc and don't think the Michelangelo Quartet compromised themselves anywhere on purpose.  Did they admit as such to you? 

[FideLeo]

I think you mean "prosecutor," and the answer is no. I'm not the one who writes: "HIP for all and all for HIP! Harpsichord for Bach, fortepiano for Beethoven and pianoforte for Brahms!" It's not the hardware used that matters, but the musical imagination of the performance.

Sorry to disagree, but I think the hardware does matter. 

[George]

Perhaps you might invite a healthy challenge? You nominate an historical recording which you greatly treasure, and a member here has to find a high-quality, well-performed modern equivalent that they're confident will impress you. Could be fun.

Seconded! 

[Great Gable]

Seconded! 

Stirer!

[George]

Stirer!

No, they try to spread trouble, I am trying to spread fun.   

[Larry Rinkel]

Sorry to disagree, but I think the hardware does matter. 

Simple question. Of course these are not the only possibilities. But of the two, which you prefer?

- A musically lively, imaginative performance of a Beethoven symphony on modern instruments.
- A musically dull, anemic performance of a Beethoven symphony on period instruments.

[Daverz]

Does every thread need to devolve into the same tedious argument about HIP.

As for old recordings, my favorite era was the late 50s through the 60s.  For historicals, aside from a few miraculous recordings from the 1930s, I find the most listenable were made after 1945 or so (e.g. Bruno Walter's Schubert 9 with the NYP).  The really seemed to have perfected the electrical process just before tape came in.   The only other things I'm leery of are those 1960/70s BBC broadcasts made in some cavernous London barn.

[FideLeo]

Simple question. Of course these are not the only possibilities. But of the two, which you prefer?

- A musically lively, imaginative performance of a Beethoven symphony on modern instruments.
- A musically dull, anemic performance of a Beethoven symphony on period instruments.

Thank god there are many musically lively, imaginative performances of Beethoven symphonies available on period instruments - no need to bother with modern-instrument Beethoven symphonies as far as I am concerned. 

[Daverz]

That  takes me aback some.  With all the thousands of recordings you own, the oldest is from 1965?  You must hate historical recordings.

If that's the 2nd Munch Sf on RCA, it's actually from 1962.

Too bad that Harry is missing out on so many fantastic minimally-miked recordings from the late 50s/early 60s, especially with that expensive equipment he has.

[Don]

I have the disc and don't think the Michelangelo Quartet compromised themselves anywhere on purpose.  Did they admit as such to you? 

I have no idea what the intent of the members of the Michelangelo Quartet might have been, but the performance and sonics speak for themselves.  That you apparently can't hear it is something for you to deal with.

[Don]

Thank god there are many musically lively, imaginative performances of Beethoven symphonies available on period instruments - no need to bother with modern-instrument Beethoven symphonies as far as I am concerned. 

For orchestral music of Beethoven's time, I can go with either period or modern instruments.  Not so with baroque music where I definitely prefer period instruments.

[Larry Rinkel]

Thank god there are many musically lively, imaginative performances of Beethoven symphonies available on period instruments - no need to bother with modern-instrument Beethoven symphonies as far as I am concerned. 

Please answer the question.

[Larry Rinkel]

Does every thread need to devolve into the same tedious argument about HIP.

No. Some devolve into the same tedious argument about Elgar.

[FideLeo]

That you apparently can't hear it is something for you to deal with.

Nope.  I don't have to deal with YOUR observations.  

[Don]

Nope.  I don't have to deal with YOUR observations.  

True.  You can just stick to your particular brand of ignorance.

[FideLeo]

Please answer the question.

Why?  Because you set it up?   These are hardly the only choices for me or anyone.

[Don]

Why?  Because you set it up?   These are hardly the only choices for me or anyone.

Larry's question WAS set up and not worthy of an answer.

[FideLeo]

True.  You can just stick to your particular brand of ignorance.

Again, I don't have to deal with YOUR observations, including this one.  

[Larry Rinkel]

Why?  Because you set it up?   These are hardly the only choices for me or anyone.

I stipulated from the outset that those were not the only conceivable choices. I am asking which of the two you would select if they were the only two choices. Perfectly reasonable question.