What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[George]

I will check out Fricsay, though. I just hope we don't get a flood now from others recommending their favorite versions! Knowing this opinionated crowd, I'd have to buy another dozen CDs...minimum

Sarge

I've read that Richter wasn't happy with the second movement and wanted a retake, but didn't get one. I also heard some negtaive things about the Szell recording with regards to the second and third movements. This was enough to scare me away, in fact I don't own a recording of the Brahms Double Concerto because I haven't found one that I could put some faith into. Perhaps that one Que recommends?

[Que]

Mozart & Brahms clarinet quintets
Eric Hoeprich and the London Haydn Quartet
(Glossa)

See for the Brahms my post on the HIP Romantics thread, and for the Mozart my post on the HIP Mozart thread! 

Q

[Lilas Pastia]

Although the sound is a bit cavernous, the second EMI Brahms Double Concerto from Rostropovich (with Perlman, COA, Haitink) is really splendid. Expansive, bold, dramatic, juicing up the lyrical parts for all they're worth. Then there's the one conducted by Walter (Sony, Stern, Rose) which presents a more bracing, urgent view. Both are strongly recommended. I'm not sure about the availability of the EMI though.

[Haffner]

Mozart "Le Nozze Di Figaro" (Haitink at Glyndebourne/Fleming)




Excellent performance overall.

[George]

Triple Concerto:

[George]

^ Oh, yes, this ones a keeper! Great sound and great classical style and performance!

[Que]

Q - I've got the one discussed by Sarge, also; but like your comments on the set w/ Fricsay et al - I'm sure this is goin' to stimulate a 'flood' of other responses!  Dave

I prefer the Fricsay  - kind of a HIP conductor avant la lettre - because of his relatively "light" and transparent touch and his innate feeling for rhythm and grip on the musical structure. This pays off for both pieces, but especially the Beethoven which should be played like a chamber concerto with three soloists. The sheer joy in that performance!
In the Brahms Schneiderhan and Starker are perfectly attuned to each other - again beautiful transparency, which avoids "drowning" the interplay between the soloists in orchestral luster.

Although the sound is a bit cavernous, the second EMI Brahms Double Concerto from Rostropovich (with Perlman, COA, Haitink) is really splendid. Expansive, bold, dramatic, juicing up the lyrical parts for all they're worth. Then there's the one conducted by Walter (Sony, Stern, Rose) which presents a more bracing, urgent view. Both are strongly recommended. I'm not sure about the availability of the EMI though.

I second Lilas' recommendation for the Perlman/Rostropovich/Haitink. It's my only Perlman recording, which means it's extraordinarily good...
Another double concerto recording I like is Suk/Navarra/Ancerl.



For the LvB triple concerto, next to the Fricsay, is to be recommended the Shaham/Bronfman/Mørk/Zinman.
But I played it yestday and Zinman comes close, but can't really surpass Fricsay on this one. Let's say: best modern recording.



Q

[sound67]

BENJAMIN BRITTEN: Film Music
Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Martyn Brabbins (NMC)

A CD more notable for the void it fills in the Britten discography than for its intrinsic musical value. These are documentary film scores Britten wrote in his twenties (he composed just one feature film score, Love from a Stranger, a work even less remarkable than the scores here), and most of them fall back on ostinato figures and other "tricks of the trade" that enabled Britten to write this kind of music very quickly. His own style shines through now and then, but the material is  very slight indeed and does not lend itself to being listened to independent of the films.

Thomas

[Drasko]

[Bogey]

Good morning.

In order to become better acquainted with Bach's Cantatas, I am taking a page out of Gurn's How To Listen To Classical Music Manual and modifying it a bit by listening to one of these cantatas every Sunday morning.  (As you may know, Gurn listens to a recording of LvB's 9th each Sunday morning.)  Unfortunately, I only have two on the shelf.  Better get cracking and add some to the library.

I was fortunate enough to catch one on the radio today:

Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata #12 "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen" BWV 12
English Baroque Soloists / John Eliot Gardiner
Monteverdi Choir

[George]

Good morning.

In order to become better acquainted with Bach's Cantatas, I am taking a page out of Gurn's How To Listen To Classical Music Manual

Is this one out on paperback yet?

and modifying it a bit by listening to one of these cantatas every Sunday morning.  (As you may know, Gurn listens to a recording of LvB's 9th each Sunday morning.)  Unfortunately, I only have two on the shelf.  Better get cracking and add some to the library.

Indeed. Only two? 

[Bogey]

Is this one out on paperback yet?

Indeed. Only two? 

Actually 3!  I am covered through May 20th without worry of a repeat!  It would be nice to have at least 52 on the shelf and listen to a different one each week and then repeat the cycle at the beginning of each year.

[Que]

Actually 3!  I am covered through May 20th without worry of a repeat!  It would be nice to have at least 52 on the shelf and listen to a different one each week and then repeat the cycle at the beginning of each year.

Bill, I did that for years!
I started with Bach's cantatas when I was at University - I first did one cantata each morning. When I got through them all, I followed the liturgical year: each sunday and on festive days.

Q

P.S. Check the The Bach Cantatas thread!

[SonicMan46]

Good morning.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata #12 "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen" BWV 12
English Baroque Soloists / John Eliot Gardiner
Monteverdi Choir

Bill - good morn (although afternoon just starting on the east coast) - as discussed in the 'Cantata' threads, I've decided to 'expand' my vocal collection, and ordered about a dozen CDs - comin' at different times, but now listening to Suzuki performing BWV 46, 95, 136, & 138 - my first Suzuki in these works, but have several more on order.  Kind of a 'Sunday ritual' for me, also, i.e. to play 'something' vocal. 

[George]

Actually 3!  I am covered through May 20th without worry of a repeat!  It would be nice to have at least 52 on the shelf and listen to a different one each week and then repeat the cycle at the beginning of each year.

[Danny]

[AnthonyAthletic]

Timeless Beethoven, 1950's early '60's BPO under Cluytens.  Very powerful, expansive recordings up there with the best, as sets go.

I bought this a couple of months ago for under $30 from America new, and note its over $80+ now.

Is there something happening to cd pricing in the USA, or perhaps I just got lucky? 

[Que]

Is there something happening to cd pricing in the USA, or perhaps I just got lucky? 

What happened is that the dollar is in steady decline...

United States Dollar - Euro


Q

[PerfectWagnerite]

Timeless Beethoven, 1950's early '60's BPO under Cluytens.  Very powerful, expansive recordings up there with the best, as sets go.

I bought this a couple of months ago for under $30 from America new, and note its over $80+ now.

Is there something happening to cd pricing in the USA, or perhaps I just got lucky? 

If I am not mistaken that set is now part of the 50CD Beethoven Box released by EMI which you can get in Europe for about 40 Euro.

[Haffner]

LvB Symphony no.2 (HvK 1962)


Am paying particular attention to the violas, as I am learning the viola as a new instrument starting this week! Am VERY excited!