Haydn's Haus

[Opus106]

[Off-topic question follows]

What does "Terpsycordes" mean? (Google doesn't help, nor does the ensemble's website.) Incidentally, while I was at the website reading about them, I found out that they specialise in playing both period and modern instruments.

[Antoine Marchand]

... in this case it is the opposite, they seem more like a Romantic group going backwards instead.

Thanks, Gurn. I suspected something like that. 

[Gurn Blanston]

[Off-topic question follows]

What does "Terpsycordes" mean? (Google doesn't help, nor does the ensemble's website.) Incidentally, while I was at the website reading about them, I found out that they specialise in playing both period and modern instruments.

Without going into a bunch of research, I can say that it has to do with Ancient Greece and dancing. Try "Terpsychore" who I think was a goddess of dance or something like that. And hell, if I'm wrong, well, there you go. It's my day of rest, I can't be expected to think 7 days a week...   

[Antoine Marchand]

Without going into a bunch of research, I can say that it has to do with Ancient Greece and dancing. Try "Terpsychore" who I think was a goddess of dance or something like that. And hell, if I'm wrong, well, there you go. It's my day of rest, I can't be expected to think 7 days a week...   

terre - psy - cordes = earth - spirit - chords

http://www.terpsycordes.com/main_e.html

[Opus106]

Without going into a bunch of research, I can say that it has to do with Ancient Greece and dancing. Try "Terpsychore" who I think was a goddess of dance or something like that. And hell, if I'm wrong, well, there you go. It's my day of rest, I can't be expected to think 7 days a week...   

Not bad for a Rest Day, Gurn. I actually thought Greek, looking at "Terpsy," but the "cordes" (French "strings") threw me off. Or is that supposed to be a play on words? Anyway, thanks for the lead.

[Opus106]

terre - psy - cordes = earth - spirit - chords

http://www.terpsycordes.com/main_e.html

Ah, so the cordes is indeed the cordes I was thinking of.

[Gurn Blanston]

terre - psy - cordes = earth - spirit - chords

http://www.terpsycordes.com/main_e.html

Ah, probably more literal. I had picked it up inferentially from something I read probably 40 years ago that used the adjective "terpsichorean" to describe  a situation that I knew involved dancing, so it stuck in my head that way for all this time. Although it is a word that deserves to be looked up.

Not bad for a Rest Day, Gurn. I actually thought Greek, looking at "Terpsy," but the "cordes" (French "strings") threw me off. Or is that supposed to be a play on words? Anyway, thanks for the lead.

I think it is their own word that they neologized for the occasion. Kind of like "L'Archibudelli" (Bows and gut) being made up too.

[Antoine Marchand]

I think it is their own word that they neologized for the occasion. Kind of like "L'Archibudelli" (Bows and gut) being made up too.

I would say you're right on that one. I thought the same that you did, when I saw that question. 

[snyprrr]

oh, how dare they let thee languish

[Antoine Marchand]

Nice disc:

Vitality and Virtuosity - Sonatas by Haydn and Beethoven
Ivan Ilic, piano

MAGNATUNE.COM

[DarkAngel]

   

Sony Vivarte has collected together a 7CD set of 21 Haydn symphonies by Bruno Weil at budget price level, a great companion to the recent Sony Vivarte 4CD Hadyn Mass box.

Mine should arrive any day now........

[DarkAngel]

 

Sony also gives us large set of Bernstein's collected early NYPO Haydn and a remastered 2CD Szell set.
Not sure we need Bernstein's masses, but the early Paris & London symphonies are very enjoyable, interesting to hear tempos used by conductors like Bernstein, Szell before any of the HIP recordings changed performance styles

Before this new Bernstein boxset I had collected the NYPO Paris and London Symphonies with these:

   

[Antoine Marchand]

Joseph Haydn – Complete Songs
Elly Ameling (soprano)
Jörg Demus (piano)
Recorded 7/1980, Musis Sacrem, Amhem, The Netherlands
Total playing time: 2.21.59
2-SACD set, remastered quadro recording
PentaTone Classics
For more info:
www.pentatonemusic.com
http://www.pentatonemusic.com/index1.htm


The material included in these two PentaTone SACD is exactly the same re-released on 3 CDs by Brilliant Classics under Decca license, both as a part of the Haydn big box (discs 79, 80 & 81) and as an individual 3-CD set. Curiously, although the material and the performances are the same, the PentaTone discs should be strongly preferred over the Brilliant set because of their superb sound quality, even if you have the Brilliant set. To put it simply, the PentaTone discs show another musical world, which does complete justice to the artistry of Ameling/Demus in these charming songs.

[Gurn Blanston]

Joseph Haydn – Complete Songs
Elly Ameling (soprano)
Jörg Demus (piano)
...the PentaTone discs should be strongly preferred over the Brilliant set because of their superb sound quality, even if you have the Brilliant set. To put it simply, the PentaTone discs show another musical world, which does complete justice to the artistry of Ameling/Demus in these charming songs.

Of course, that's only true if you have the equipment necessary to do them justice. This duo does a very fine job even just on redbook CD...

[DavidW]

Of course, that's only true if you have the equipment necessary to do them justice. This duo does a very fine job even just on redbook CD...

I think he's talking about the remastering, and not SA vs redbook.  Brilliant Classics just reissue, no remastering done.  PentaTone has a reputation for careful remastering before release.

[Antoine Marchand]

I think he's talking about the remastering, and not SA vs redbook.  Brilliant Classics just reissue, no remastering done.  Pentatone has a reputation for careful remastering before release.

That's right. I don't have a SACD player, but the PentaTone discs are so superbly remastered that a SACD player is not necessary to enjoy the obvious improvements of those discs.

BTW, Amazon offers that 2-SACD set at $19.99.-   

[Gurn Blanston]

That's right. I don't have a SACD player, but the PentaTone discs are so superbly remastered that a SACD player is not necessary to enjoy the obvious improvements of those discs.

BTW, Amazon offers that 2-SACD set at $19.99.- 

Ah, I see. I thought you wanted me to re-do my music room in order to hear just a tad more sound...   My bad.

[Bunny]

I'm having trouble imagining Op.33 as played HIP, a la Mosaiques, or, apparently the wildest of them all, the Apponyi. The Modern delicacy of the Lindsays suit this music so well that I can't imagine what the Apponyi, which people around here seem to mention in hushed tones (I've been trying to get their apparently only other recording of Boccherini SQs), sound like here. They'd certainly have to be light as a feather, which is why I wonder what the sometimes orchestral sounding QM make of this. Yes, I'm begging the question !

You can listen to samples of the Appónyi-Quartett's Haydn at ClassicsOnline.  If you're interested, send me a message.  Amazon will sell it starting March 30, 2010.  You can find it here.

Btw, Amazon will be selling the Boccherini recording starting April 6, 2010.  You can find it here.

[jlaurson]

I'm having trouble imagining Op.33 as played HIP, a la Mosaiques, or, apparently the wildest of them all, the Apponyi. The Modern delicacy of the Lindsays suit this music so well that I can't imagine what the Apponyi, which people around here seem to mention in hushed tones (I've been trying to get their apparently only other recording of Boccherini SQs), sound like here. They'd certainly have to be light as a feather, which is why I wonder what the sometimes orchestral sounding QM make of this. Yes, I'm begging the question !

There is nothing particularly wild about the Apponyi Quartet. Just the four principle strings of the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra turning in a nice and civilized performance. Can't say I necessarily prefer it over Quatuor Mosaique or the Ice-skater-refinement of the Auryn Quartet, but it's a tasteful, delightful affair for sure.

[SonicMan46]

Well, I'm not sure if this disc has already been discussed in this or another thread, but just some further thoughts might be worth more rumination:

Sonatas for Violin & Fortepiano w/ Alberto Bologni (violin, Santo Serafino, 1734) & Giuseppe Modugno (fortepiano, Johann Schantz, 1815) - of course the initial question is whether Papa Joe wrote music for this duo of instruments? 

There are 5 compositions listed w/ the following Hoboken designations: Hob.XV a N. 1 (B flat major), Hob.XV a N. 2 (D major), Hob.XV a N. 3 (C major), Hob.XV:31 (E flat minor), & Hob.XV:32 (G major).  Now in reviewing the catalog in the New Grove Haydn bio, the last two are listed and attributed to the composer; however, I cannot definitely locate the first three - real or not?  The performers claim these are authentic.  Interestingly, the Hob.XV works are generally listed as 'Keyboard Trios', so another curiosity.

Concerning the performance, these are well done, pleasant, and with an up front recording stage - the violin is a little bright (wonder if it is gut or steel strung?); the fortepiano sounds great!  A review from the Jan-Feb 2010 issue of the ARG is pictured below along w/ the cover art for the disc.  Dave