What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[George]

It's piano night in the George household tonight.  I have Saint-Saëns piano concertos to follow this (1979):

I am curious to hear your impressions of both when you get a chance! 

[RussellG]

I am curious to hear your impressions of both when you get a chance! 

The first thing that struck me is how good the sound is on the Richter.  It has very powerful dynamics and the piano has a lovely tone.  Great to hear the tape hiss all present and accounted for    What's the history of the Decca material on The Master series?  Has it previously been available on Double Decca and/or early 80's CDs?

The music is going to take some time to absorb - this is all new to me.  I am enjoying it very much, and Richter's talent is simply oozing out of the speakers 

[jlaurson]

Great writeup! I need to read more of your blog. 
One question - when you say "adore it" from afar, do you mean adore her from afar? Or is this a deliberate play on the objectification of models? 

Thanks for the kind words...

A "Supermodel" strikes me as 'neutral'. Not only because it could be a man or a woman (though in this case I'm probably suggesting a female one), but also because "it" exists out there... so "it" is used to heighten the sense of the unreal that would be undermined by personifying it with "her". Whether I went as far as to consciously ponder the state of objectification of models, I rather doubt. :-)

[karlhenning]

Saint-Saëns
Piano Concerto № 2 in G Minor, Opus 22
Jean-Philippe Collard
Royal Phil
Previn

[karlhenning]

Saint-Saëns
Piano Concerto № 4 in C Minor, Opus 44
Jean-Philippe Collard
Royal Phil
Previn

[ChamberNut]

Saint-Saëns
Piano Concerto № 2 in G Minor, Opus 22
Jean-Philippe Collard
Royal Phil
Previn

*Gulps some water as coffee is brewing*

For the Gurnmeister!

Haydn

String Quartet in G major, op. 76/1
String Quartet in D minor, op. 76/2 Fifths
String Quartet in C major, op. 76/3 Emperor

Kodaly Quartet
Naxos

[RussellG]

Camille over here too.  I was hoping for great things after hearing the superb VC3, and so far, I haven't been let down.   All circa 1978-80:

[karlhenning]

Because, once I've started with Saint-Saëns, the ears keep wanting more!

Saint-Saëns
Piano Concerto № 5 in F (Egyptian), Opus 103
Jean-Philippe Collard
Royal Phil
Previn

[karlhenning]

What the Hagens do to the Heiliger Dankgesang in op. 132 is almost creepy. They are to Beethoven what Boulez is to Mahler. You see (or hear, rather) details and connections that you can't in the score or other interpretations, because their playing is of the most nuanced order.

Ah, so you do agree that excellent Technique (and the exposure of detail) is in no way inimical to the Music.

Good.

[karlhenning]

And, because Saint-Saëns isn't the only vivacious composer in the sea (so to speak) . . .

Hindemith
Kammermusik № 6, Opus 46 / № 1
Wolfram Christ, viola d'amore
Members of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Abbado

[Brian]

"What the Hagens do to the Heiliger Dankgesang in op. 132 is almost creepy. They are to Beethoven what Boulez is to Mahler. You see (or hear, rather) details and connections that you can't in the score or other interpretations, because their playing is of the most nuanced order.  Theirs is Beethoven like that hot, unattainable supermodel. We adore it from afar, but we know that we are not going home with her. Our girlfriend is more approachable, cuddles with us, and eats Chunky Monkey ice cream on occasion. Our girlfriend's name is Vegh. Or Budapest, Juilliard, Guarneri, Italiano. Not Hagen. The chance to spend a night with her, alas, is irresistable. ...."

Wow, what a fine review!

[George]

Camille over here too.  I was hoping for great things after hearing the superb VC3, and so far, I haven't been let down.   

0:)

[Brian]

SCHUBERT | Piano Sonata D. 960
Malcolm Bilson, ye olde fortepiano

Listening only to HIP music until Gurn gets back. 

[George]

Very cool, Brian!

Me:

Beethoven
Appassionata
Gulda
Brilliant

[Keemun]

[Harry]

I put Volume XII, from the Haydn Baryton Trios in the repeat mode today. The Nos. 81-87.
Trio No 85 in D, has a most impressive third movement, that lingers long after it has stopped.
All in all excellent performances in very good sound, and on Authentic Instruments.
There are no wishes open.

[mc ukrneal]

Well, as already stated I have over 200 Hyperion/Helios CDs - these are quite well done regarding sound reproduction - I would not hesitate to purchase this label if the music is what you may want.  But, as always, check out the reviews or the opinions on this forum; Hyperion has an excellent website w/ brief summaries of comments made from reviews of their releases; plus, many other sources (Amazon, MusicWeb, ClassicsToday, Fanfare, and many others provide reviews) - also, if you're in the USA, checkout BRO - currently have over 500 CDs listed at about $7 per disc (these are 'new'); also, have a listing of their Helios selections - 

I second Berkshire. They have tons of Hyperion. If you are interested in their Schubert cycle, for example, they have 40-70% of the discs from that cycle at any given time. OR take the Romantic Piano Concerto series - they have at least a dozen of them at any given time. Brull highly recommended. And I have to agree the quality of the sound is consistently good. Their website has snippets of the music too (not available on most other sites).

[Harry]

I know this recording is very good, on a musical as performance level, and the recording is also something to be treasured.
A fine passing of the time with these well balanced Cello Suites.

[George]

I know this recording is very good, on a musical as performance level, and the recording is also something to be treasured.
A fine passing of the time with these well balanced Cello Suites.

Strongly seconded!

Hello Harry! 

[Harry]

Strongly seconded!

Hello Harry! 

Hi George, I hope all is well?