What Ashkenazy (as conductor)?

[dirkronk]

Though I have a large number of Ashkenazy's recordings as a pianist, I have literally only one item with him at the podium ("Live in Moscow" on MCA). I used to have a few LPs back in the day, but none that I can put my hands on now. So...what's on his "I'm waving a baton now" must-hear list?


Dirk

[Dancing Divertimentian]

First and foremost his Sibelius cycle.

But after that, admittedly, I really don't have much interest in him as a conductor. He's always struck me as competent but never really more than that.

But who knows maybe I can learn something from this thread, too.

[Renfield]

First and foremost his Sibelius cycle.

But after that, admittedly, I really don't have much interest in him as a conductor. He's always struck me as competent but never really more than that.

But who knows maybe I can learn something from this thread, too. 

Same here, though I'll include the Sibelius cycle in the assessment.

Still, I've never heard his Shostakovich. So, who knows? I might come to admire his conducting greatly.

(Incidentally, I've also heard his Sibelius live. But that didn't sweep me off my feet either, to be frank.)

[eyeresist]

As a conductor, Ashkenazy seems good at getting a colourful and well-balanced orchestral sound and superficially exciting performance, usually aided by Decca's engineers. I would have prefered his Sibelius cycle to be a bit less sonically spectacular and a bit more natural-sounding, but it makes for a fun stereo experience. His two-disc Prokofiev symphony set is more natural and a bit "Russian", which is good (plus good playing from Concertgebouw and Cleveland), but again one feels he's not exactly plumbing the depths. He does better in his Rachmaninov cycle, if only because Rach is less extra-musically resonant than the previous two composers, and really just needs to be played with proficiency, passion and guts. It's the best, most consistent Rachmaninov I've heard, vigorous and quite "Russian", aided by the dark Concertgebouw sound and, again, the clever boffins at Decca.

I haven't heard his Shostakovich or Scriabin, but imagine it would be in the same vein. Oh, and his Tchaikovsky symphonies 4, 5 and 6 have received praise from several sources.

[Todd]

His Sibelius is very good, as is his Scriabin.  Indeed, if I get a hankerin' to hear the Poem of Ecstasy, it is usually Ashkenazy's version I go for.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Almost forgot - there is one more Ashkenazy-"led" set (after the Sibelius) that I recommend wholeheartedly: disc one of the below twofer of Stravinsky miniatures, which includes the octet, septet, among others (disc two doesn't involve Ashkenazy).

I say "led" because these are small-group ensembles (ranging from 5 to 12 players) and despite Ashkenazy's presence as director (and pianist) I'm not sure he deserves any more credit than the rest of the players who might do just as well without him.

But as it stands these are good performances and Ashkenazy is directing...so gotta give credit where credit is due.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Oh, and his Cinderella by Prokofiev is pretty good, too.

[Moldyoldie]

I'll ditto Ashkenazy's Sibelius, but limit my effusion to his Symphony No. 1 as well as my very favoritest recording of Finlandia!  His other Sibelius tone poems are pretty good, too.

You might also try him conducting his own orchestration of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, a work I'm not particularly crazy about per se.

[dirkronk]

I think I'll sample Ashkenazy's Sibelius, then, and perhaps that Stravinsky 2-CD set.

I seem to be perceiving a reticence among our posters to advocate on his behalf as a conductor, and if so I'll not be too surprised based on my own experience. I recall buying a 2-LP set of his Beethoven 5th and 6th, which at the time (early 1980s) received effusive acclaim for both interpretation and sonics. When I listened to these records myself, I found the interps good or a bit better but not particularly distinguished, and the sonics--while notably less shrill than many other early digital productions--not as satisfying as the best analog productions of the previous decade. I culled the set within a year of so after buying it. I heard him subsequently conducting in a handful of other things, but was not wowed enough to keep him on my radar. Thus, my curiosity today...since I know that he has been doing this for quite a while.

We'll see if true believers come out of the woodwork, but I guess I won't hold my breath...


Thanks,

Dirk

[Drasko]

I'm not very familiar with Ashkenazy's conductorial output but the one recording I am quite fond of is Prokofiev's 5th with Concertgebouw on Decca. It can be had used for cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000E38O

Recently while I was checking out hmv japan was completely bewildered to see that he seems to be recording like there is no tomorrow, lately. He has full Beethoven cycle just out with NHK Symphony Orchestra, 2nd Sibelius cycle with Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Kalinnikov with Iceland Symphony some Tchaikovsky with Philharmonia all on japanese label Exton and then some Dvorak and Richard Strauss with Czech Philharmonic on Canyon and Ondine.....had no idea. 

[DavidRoss]

Although I agree with Don about the Prokofiev, and usually sympathize with his preferences, I do not like Ashkenazy's Sibelius.  My favorite Ashky disc is the Rachmaninov Isle of the Dead coupled with the Symphonic Dances.

[M forever]

I'm not very familiar with Ashkenazy's conductorial output but the one recording I am quite fond of is Prokofiev's 5th with Concertgebouw on Decca. It can be had used for cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000E38O

Recently while I was checking out hmv japan was completely bewildered to see that he seems to be recording like there is no tomorrow, lately. He has full Beethoven cycle just out with NHK Symphony Orchestra, 2nd Sibelius cycle with Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Kalinnikov with Iceland Symphony some Tchaikovsky with Philharmonia all on japanese label Exton and then some Dvorak and Richard Strauss with Czech Philharmonic on Canyon and Ondine.....had no idea. 

AND another Sibelius 2 with the BSO on Decca. There are even two Czech Alpensinfonien, on Ondine and on Pony Canyon. Or are they the same recording licensed by Ondine for release in the West? AFAIK, PC is a Japanese label, too.

The Prokofieff disc looks interesting, for that price, so I just ordered it.

Ashkenazy is certainly very talented and competent, but I think he has really done too much, everywhere, all the time, like a lot of other people who can't resist the temptations of a "world career". This often results in accomplished but shallow music making. Getting really deep into music really tales a lot of time and reflection, and people to whom the technical aspects of music making come as easily as obviously to Ashkenazy often produce a high out out on a consistenly competent, but mediocre level. A pity really, a waste of talent.

[PerfectWagnerite]

According to your favorite reviewer here (the last sentence of the review or so) the Canyon and Ondine Alpensinfonie are the same.

[M forever]

Aha! But in any case, it is not such a great recording. It is pretty good, but the sound isn't good enough to let the orchestra's specific sound really shine. It is too muddy and congested, too dark and muffly. Ashkenazy's direction doesn't help to clarify the textures either - that's not really his thing anyway. He wants nice, long melody lines and lush textures. All in all a fairly nice, decent, but not in any way special recording.

[flyingdutchman]

AND another Sibelius 2 with the BSO on Decca. There are even two Czech Alpensinfonien, on Ondine and on Pony Canyon. Or are they the same recording licensed by Ondine for release in the West? AFAIK, PC is a Japanese label, too.

The Prokofieff disc looks interesting, for that price, so I just ordered it.

Ashkenazy is certainly very talented and competent, but I think he has really done too much, everywhere, all the time, like a lot of other people who can't resist the temptations of a "world career". This often results in accomplished but shallow music making. Getting really deep into music really tales a lot of time and reflection, and people to whom the technical aspects of music making come as easily as obviously to Ashkenazy often produce a high out out on a consistenly competent, but mediocre level. A pity really, a waste of talent.

M,

I think the Japanese ones are SACDs on the Exton label.

[techniquest]

I have his recording of the Strauss Alpine Symphony with the Clevelend Orchestra on Decca. AFAIAC it is a really excelltn account of the piece and certainly my favourite thus far.
Similarly his recordings of the Rachmaninov symphonies with the Concertgebouw again on Decca is fine including, to my ears, the very best reading of the 1st.

[calvin]

His rachmaninov symphony 2 with concertgebouw is 1 of my favourites.......especially the 3rd movement.....i love everything  except the clarinet.....

[vandermolen]

Walton Symphony 1 (one of the best versions), No 2 is good too

Rachmaninov symphonies 1-3 (No 2 is best of all)

Prokofiev Symphony cycle.

[M forever]

There is a Prokofieff symphonies cycle with Ashkenazy?

[vandermolen]

There is a Prokofieff symphonies cycle with Ashkenazy?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prokofiev-Symphonies/dp/B000068QRW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1217201553&sr=1-3