Advice needed about BBC Mag "freebies."

[dirkronk]

A rather large stack of the "freebie" CDs that come with BBC Music Magazine subscription has shown up at a local used book store. Most are from the past 4 years or so, though some appear to go back farther. I've already grabbed a few for the odd repertory offered but wonder about the more common pieces of music--many with the BBC or BBC Scottish orchestras and with conductors such as Sinaisky, Vanska, Otaka. Are there any that are particularly worth looking for and listening to? At a buck each, I won't be terribly disappointed if I run into a clunker, but...hey, I don't want to build up stacks of CDs for no real reason, either. Your expert opinions will be gratefully read.

Thanks,

Dirk the Acquisitive

[Mark]

I'll start, seeing as I have every BBC Music Magazine cover CD bar about 25 of the earliest ones.

All the stuff over the past four years or so has been nothing less than adequate, and frequently, rather good. It's interesting that you should mention the Vanska discs - would they be his Beethoven symphonies performances from roughly ten years ago? Well worth hearing, if only to compare his approach then to the one he's since adopted with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra on BIS.

Also worth a listen is a stunning performance of Bruckner's Seventh Symphony (Vol. 14, No. 10), an unforgettable Mahler Sixth (Vol. 13, No. 7), and a recording of Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings under Jurowski which is simply the very best I've heard (Vol. 16, No. 2). Two other, earlier gems to look out for are superb performances of Faure's Piano Quartet No. 1 (Vol. 7, No. 10), and Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3 (Vol. 8, No. 6) - this last beating hands down all 12 commercial recordings I've so far acquired of this work.

I'm so tempted now to add, 'Just buy the damn lot and I'll buy any of them from you that I still need!'

But I won't.

[dirkronk]

I'll start, seeing as I have every BBC Music Magazine cover CD bar about 25 of the earliest ones.

All the stuff over the past four years or so has been nothing less than adequate, and frequently, rather good. It's interesting that you should mention the Vanska discs - would they be his Beethoven symphonies performances from roughly ten years ago? Well worth hearing, if only to compare his approach then to the one he's since adopted with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra on BIS.

Also worth a listen is a stunning performance of Bruckner's Seventh Symphony (Vol. 14, No. 10), an unforgettable Mahler Sixth (Vol. 13, No. 7), and a recording of Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings under Jurowski which is simply the very best I've heard (Vol. 16, No. 2). Two other, earlier gems to look out for are superb performances of Faure's Piano Quartet No. 1 (Vol. 7, No. 10), and Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3 (Vol. 8, No. 6) - this last beating hands down all 12 commercial recordings I've so far acquired of this work.

I'm so tempted now to add, 'Just buy the damn lot and I'll buy any of them from you that I still need!'

But I won't.

Let's see...
Yes, I recall seeing a Vanska Beethoven (syms. 6 and 8, I think); I'll grab it if it's still there when I go back. Ditto the Mahler 6, which I almost bought today anyway. Luckily, I did get the Bruckner 7th. I AM making a list...

Thanks, Mark.

Dirk

[Dundonnell]

I'll start, seeing as I have every BBC Music Magazine cover CD bar about 25 of the earliest ones.

All the stuff over the past four years or so has been nothing less than adequate, and frequently, rather good. It's interesting that you should mention the Vanska discs - would they be his Beethoven symphonies performances from roughly ten years ago? Well worth hearing, if only to compare his approach then to the one he's since adopted with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra on BIS.

Also worth a listen is a stunning performance of Bruckner's Seventh Symphony (Vol. 14, No. 10), an unforgettable Mahler Sixth (Vol. 13, No. 7), and a recording of Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings under Jurowski which is simply the very best I've heard (Vol. 16, No. 2). Two other, earlier gems to look out for are superb performances of Faure's Piano Quartet No. 1 (Vol. 7, No. 10), and Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3 (Vol. 8, No. 6) - this last beating hands down all 12 commercial recordings I've so far acquired of this work.

I'm so tempted now to add, 'Just buy the damn lot and I'll buy any of them from you that I still need!'

But I won't.

Bruckner's 7th with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Petri Sakari!! Good grief! I am ashamed to admit that I set that CD aside and did not even listen to it, assuming that there was no way the performance could even live on the same planet as my Concertgebouw/Haitink and VPO/Harnoncourt versions. I shall certainly now give it a listen! Thanks

The Mahler 6th under Mackerras-yes, defintely. Saint-Saens No.3 under Alsop? I did listen to it but will need to try it again.

I seem to recall with affection Strauss's Alpine Symphony under Janssons, the Tippett 2nd and 4th Symphonies under the composer, the Shostakovich 4th under Sinaisky......

Remarkable fact-the only work the BBC Music Magazine seems to have duplicated is Nielsen's 4th Symphony! Two versions-BBC Symphony Orchestra(Vanska) and BBC National Orchestra of Wales(Sakari). Think I preferred the Vanska but need to play them again to be sure

[Mark]

Bruckner's 7th with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Petri Sakari!! Good grief! I am ashamed to admit that I set that CD aside and did not even listen to it, assuming that there was no way the performance could even live on the same planet as my Concertgebouw/Haitink and VPO/Harnoncourt versions. I shall certainly now give it a listen! Thanks

Hey, I didn't compare it to the very best. I just found it to be one of a number of stunning performances among the ... I think it's nine that I own. Karajan's very last recording (of it or anything) is better, to be sure.

Saint-Saens No.3 under Alsop? I did listen to it but will need to try it again.

Alongside Mehta with the LA Philharmonic, this really is the most compelling version I've heard. Alsop never puts a note wrong, and the whole thing feels both as grand and as tranquil as I think it ought to be.

... Tippett 2nd and 4th Symphonies under the composer ...

Oh God, yes! Forgot about that disc. Another must.

[bhodges]

...the Shostakovich 4th under Sinaisky......

Definitely get this one if you can find it.  I just revisited it after hearing the piece live last year and it's a superb document if you like live recordings. 

My experience with these BBC discs is generally positive, with the caveat that many of them are recorded live, and some listeners don't like the extraneous noise, audience intrusions, etc.  But the ones I've heard have been excellent.

--Bruce

[Dundonnell]

Just in case it's of any use!

The list is restricted to symphonies and concertos only

[dirkronk]

...and it's a superb document if you like live recordings. 

Truth is, I love live recordings. It is precisely the excitement of the "event," the realization of risks being taken by the performer(s), and so on that makes the difference for me. So many performances by Richter, Mravinsky, Michelangeli, Annie Fischer and others were captured "live"--and are almost always more enticing to me than studio recordings. And if I didn't listen to live stuff, I don't think I would have been able to listen to Batiashvili, among others who haven't yet established a label and studio discography. I also have learned that I have a high tolerance for crowd noises--yes, even the frequently wheezing and coughing audiences of Mravinsky's Leningrad--when the music can still be heard.

Thanks for the responses so far. My list is already getting long. Any others?

Dirk

[Renfield]

Just in case it's of any use!

The list is restricted to symphonies and concertos only

No Brahms 3rd, yet?

I hope they're reserving it for a special occasion.

[vandermolen]

Very good one with Tubin's Third Symphony (Estonian Composers), solid Walton Symphony 1 and 2 (on separate discs). Good recent VW No 5 (Davis). Sibelius No 3, Ireland's Piano Concerto. Shostakovich Symphony 15.

[Mark]

Very good one with Tubin's Third Symphony (Estonian Composers), solid Walton Symphony 1 and 2 (on separate discs). Good recent VW No 5 (Davis). Sibelius No 3, Ireland's Piano Concerto. Shostakovich Symphony 15.

Agree about the Tubin, but I found the RVW Fifth from the 2007 Proms season a little disappointing.

[eyeresist]

Remarkable fact-the only work the BBC Music Magazine seems to have duplicated is Nielsen's 4th Symphony! Two versions-BBC Symphony Orchestra(Vanska) and BBC National Orchestra of Wales(Sakari). Think I preferred the Vanska but need to play them again to be sure

Wasn't there also a cover DVD with Segerstam conducting the 4th at the Proms?

[Mark]

Wasn't there also a cover DVD with Segerstam conducting the 4th at the Proms?

Yes, there was.

[Dundonnell]

Really? A cover DVD? I must have missed that one

I thought that I had a complete set of BBC Music Magazines bar one issue with Elgar's 1st Symphony on the cover.

[Mark]

Really? A cover DVD? I must have missed that one

I thought that I had a complete set of BBC Music Magazines bar one issue with Elgar's 1st Symphony on the cover.

Yes, really. It was paired with a performance of Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto. (Oh, and I have the CD with the Elgar First Symphony on it. )

As an aside, I envy your (nearly) complete collection.

[Dundonnell]

Sorry!! Bear with me, please

I DO have the cover DVD of the Nielsen 4th Symphony with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vanska coupled with the Beethoven Piano Concerto No.4(Andrea Haeflinger and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Martyn Brabbins). Vanska not Segerstam.

[Mark]

Sorry!! Bear with me, please

I DO have the cover DVD of the Nielsen 4th Symphony with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vanska coupled with the Beethoven Piano Concerto No.4(Andrea Haeflinger and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Martyn Brabbins). Vanska not Segerstam.

You're absolutely right. I neglected to note that Segerstam's name was mentioned above.

[eyeresist]

Don't know why I thought it was Segerstam. Does Vanska have a big bushy heard?

[Dundonnell]

Don't know why I thought it was Segerstam. Does Vanska have a big bushy heard?

Eh....NO! At least, not the last time I saw a photo' of him

[Renfield]

Eh....NO! At least, not the last time I saw a photo' of him

I think he does have a beard now, actually, but neither big nor bushy.