What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Brian]

It's always chancy to rank works in order of importance/accomplishment, but there's a general consensus that some of Dvorak's tone poems are on the same plane as symphonies 7-9 and the cello concerto. Certainly The Water Goblin, The Noonday Witch and The Wood Dove qualify for that honour (as does the Serenade op 44 for Winds).

On a lower but still very high level are symphonies 5 and 6, The Golden Spinning Wheel, Scherzo Capriccioso, Symphonic Variations, the Czech suite and the ever-engaging violin concerto. Certainly anyone coming fresh to Dvorak should consider some of the non-symphonies or concertos for a neat overview of Dvorak's orchestral mastery.

And that's not even mentioning his chamber music. The man was so versatile that it's always a surprise to find there is indeed more to discover.

[George]

I've ordered the Tatrai's Op.20 today...

I don't love them across the board, but they bring a nice spirited energy to Haydn IMO. Finales are great. 

I was going to say that Bill approves, but he just did. 

[Bogey]

I don't love them across the board, but they bring a nice spirited energy to Haydn IMO. Finales are great. 

I was going to say that Bill approves, but he just did. 

Yes.  I really need to break out of my comfort zone with Haydn's SQ's and explore other ensembles and their interpretations.  That is one reasong why I am keeping a close eye on the Haydn HIP thread. 

[Peregrine]

You will not be disappointed.  Here comes the sun....

Cool...

Extensive research* points towards Op.20 and Op.76 being the high points of their traversal. I'm happy with my Op.76's but don't own an Op.20, so...



*Wading through reams of postings over at RMCR 

[Lilas Pastia]

Conductors and orchestras are real, the 7th is actually well known (and regarded). I have heard none of them, though single disc with 7th is in my listening pile (been there for months ).
Label is some sort of Membran sub, I think.

They're all from early stereo Vox Turnabout releases. Dates range 1957-1963. Playing in provincial german orchestras of the time was somewhat rough but they're probably well worth hearing. The Rosbaud (1957) has never left the catalogue, which would indicate it has some status among brucknerians. I, too, have never heard any of these. 

I will be much interested in comments about the interpretations, playing and sound.

[Peregrine]

Yes.  I really need to break out of my comfort zone with Haydn's SQ's and explore other ensembles and their interpretations.  That is one reasong why I am keeping a close eye on the Haydn HIP thread. 

A word of caution with the Mosaiques quartet. I know most like them, but I didn't. I find their playing fussy, slow and essentially boring, albeit exceptionally well recorded. I've owned their Op.20 and 33, as well as their Mozart recordings.

[George]

A word of caution with the Mosaiques quartet. I know most like them, but I didn't. I find their playing fussy, slow and essentially boring, albeit exceptionally well recorded.

Seconded.

[Que]

A word of caution with the Mosaiques quartet. I know most like them, but I didn't. I find their playing fussy, slow and essentially boring, albeit exceptionally well recorded. I've owned their Op.20 and 33, as well as their Mozart recordings.

I favour the (HIP) Festetics Quartet on Arcana, but that cycle is OOP...

Q

[George]

I favour the (HIP) Festetics Quartet on Arcana, but that cycle is OOP...

Q

My two main gripes about what little I have heard of them is the over-resonant sound and the too-polished playing. Neither of these things will prevent further acquisition, however. 

I have yet to find my favorite Haydn SQ interpreters. 

[Peregrine]

I favour the (HIP) Festetics Quartet on Arcana, but that cycle is OOP...

Q

Never heard them, but would like to - I've heard good things...

[not edward]

Thanks I was a bit suspicious about the names (I only recognised Rosbaud) because I couldn't find Hubert Reichert even on the German Wikipedia (usually it's reliable for conductors I haven't heard of) - only music store results. You seem to know everything about this stuff

For Bruckner recordings, the one-stop shop is John Berky's site at http://www.abruckner.com -- it has almost everything you could ever need.

I'm listening to airchecks of Pierre-Laurent Aimard with the NYPO under Maazel in Carter's Dialogues and Stravinsky's piano concerto. Refreshingly different interpretations compared to the ones I have on CD.

[SonicMan46]

 

See my comments HERE.

Q - agree w/ you on the selection above (I have an older release of the same performances - came in a double jewel box) - I've never really look further than these particular performances!  

[Lilas Pastia]

I've heard the Mosaiques' Haydn and Mozart discs, and they did nothing for me. I find it has a touch of the glacial and aloof.

[Que]

My two main gripes about what little I have heard of them is the over-resonant sound and the too-polished playing. Neither of these things will prevent further acquisition, however. 

I have yet to find my favorite Haydn SQ interpreters. 

I can't confirm either - but you've heard their 1st cycle on Hungaroton?

Q

[George]

I can't confirm either - but you've heard their 1st cycle on Hungaroton?

Q

I have some from that cycle and one CD from Quintana/Harmonia Mundi 1991 (Op. 77 and 103.) I believe that is from the second cycle, no?

I should also clarify. When I say over-resonant and too polished, I mean for my taste, not that they are ridiculously so, just that I like my SQ to sound like they were performed in a small hall as opposed to a medium or large hall. As for the polished comment, I am conflicted because they sound goddamn beautiful! Just too beautiful for me.     

[SonicMan46]

 

Innovative in its day [1968] but sounding hopelessly dated and 'clunky' today this foray into transcribing Bach's keyboard works into flights of fancy for the Moog synthesizer is a charming blast from the past. You can't help but smile at some of the sounds and cringe a little at others. I loved this album as a 19 year old, but today its going onto the 'For Sale' pile 

SW - boy, that album brings back memories!  I bought it when first released - just starting medical school @ the University of Michigan; everyone seemed to like that stuff back then!  BTW, Wendy was then Walter in those days (pic added above - isn't that machine gigantic!) - 

[George]

I have some from that cycle and one CD from Quintana/Harmonia Mundi 1991 (Op. 77 and 103.) I believe that is from the second cycle, no?

I should also clarify. When I say over-resonant and too polished, I mean for my taste, not that they are ridiculously so, just that I like my SQ to sound like they were performed in a small hall as opposed to a medium or large hall. As for the polished comment, I am conflicted because they sound goddamn beautiful! Just too beautiful for me.     

I should add that the above comments apply to the Quintana/Harmonia Mundi release that I have.

I just put on the Hungaroton CD (Op. 9, 1989) and find it to be much more closely recorded, less resonant and having less polish, more "bite." This is excellent, indeed. I sit corrected.

[Wanderer]

Most enjoyable! 

[Lilas Pastia]

SW - boy, that album brings back memories!  I bought it when first released - just starting medical school @ the University of Michigan; everyone seemed to like that stuff back then!  BTW, Wendy was then Walter in those days (pic added above - isn't that machine gigantic!) - 

I had no idea they were one and the same person, but seeing the pic I can see why !

[Peregrine]

I love some opera on a Satdee evening...

Un Ballo in Maschera from this Legendary collection: