What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Coopmv]

Now playing CD2 from this set.  CD1 was terrific.  Sir Colin and the RCO together are awesome and I am very pleased to have picked up this set at about $8 from MDT ...


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[Keemun]

This set appears to be quite popular ...   

. . . and for good reason. 

Now:

[bhodges]

Scriabin: Prométhée (Alexander Toradze/Gergiev/Kirov) - Some things Gergiev does so, so well.  He really has the measure of this mercurial, overheated score, and Toradze contributes glittering ebb and flow, meshing well with the Kirov.  Sound quality is excellent.  (Interestingly, the Firebird here was recorded in St. Petersburg, but the Scriabin was recorded in Mikkeli, Finland.)

--Bruce

[DavidRoss]

  This set appears to be quite popular ...   

Blomstedt's SFS Sibelius cycle is beautifully played and recorded, at least the equal of any out there and better than most.  Before re-release as this mid-priced box, used OOP individual issues commanded very high prices. 

[Coopmv]

Blomstedt's SFS Sibelius cycle is beautifully played and recorded, at least the equal of any out there and better than most.  Before re-release as this mid-priced box, used OOP individual issues commanded very high prices. 

Yeah, Bernstein and Blomstedt are the ONLY two native-born American conductors I follow and whose recordings I collect ...

[Harry]

Now playing CD1, another set that arrived from MDT a few weeks ago ...

In my view one of the finest performances of Elgar's Symphonies.

[bhodges]

Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (Jansons / Oslo PO) - A fine example of Jansons's work with this ensemble.  (I have the original release, but it's been re-released inexpensively with the cover below.)

--Bruce

[Coopmv]

In my view one of the finest performances of Elgar's Symphonies.

Agree.  Excellent interpretation and execution.  Most of my Solti's recordings have been operas on LP ...

[DavidRoss]

Yeah, Bernstein and Blomstedt are the ONLY two native-born American conductors I follow and whose recordings I collect ...

Wow.  You're missing out on Maazel, MTT, Kuchar, Pappano, Davies, Nagano, Christie, Zinman, Alsop, Spano, Schippers, Levine, Wolff, and Slatkin, among others.

[Brünnhilde forever]

Wow.  You're missing out on Maazel, MTT, Kuchar, Pappano, Davies, Nagano, Christie, Zinman, Alsop, Spano, Schippers, Levine, Wolff, and Slatkin, among others.

In case you state those conductor you listed above are all born in the USA, strike Anthonio Pappano from above list, please:

Pappano was born in Epping, England to a family having its origins in Castelfranco in Miscano, near Benevento, Italy.

[Coopmv]

Wow.  You're missing out on Maazel, MTT, Kuchar, Pappano, Davies, Nagano, Christie, Zinman, Alsop, Spano, Schippers, Levine, Wolff, and Slatkin, among others.

Maazel was born in France and William Christie is really more French (think he is now a naturalized French citizen), though he was born in the US and I do have a number of Handel's recordings by him.  I do have a small collection of CD's, LP's and some prized open-reel tapes on works of Sibelius and Tchakovsky by the VPO and Maazel.  Indeed, I have zero recordings on the remainder of your list except Slatkin.  BTW, Isn't Marin Alsop English?

[Dundonnell]

No. Marin Alsop is American(born NYC).

[bhodges]

Respighi: Feste romane (Maazel/Cleveland) - Possibly my favorite Maazel recording, with impeccable playing by the orchestra.  The sound quality must have floored people in 1976, and still packs a wallop today.

--Bruce

[Bulldog]

 BTW, Isn't Marin Alsop English?

No.  Born and raised in New York City.

Listened last night to the Staier recording of Schumann works "Tribute to Bach".  Enjoyed the Album for the Young pieces very much; the fortepiano has a very appealing sparkle that Staier captures perfectly.  I'm not convinced yet with his readings of the two major works - Waldzenen and Kinderszenen.  There are times when I feel the tempos are too quick and the emotional depth lacking, although I realize that Staier is using Schumann's metronome markings.  Well, just an initial hearing, so I'll see what happens in future listenings.

[Coopmv]

No. Marin Alsop is American(born NYC).

Didn't she conduct some British orchestra for a while?

[Dundonnell]

Nor am I convinced that you can really call Herbert Blomstedt American. Ok, he was born in Massachusetts but his family moved back to Sweden aged 2, grew up and was educated there and he regards himself as Swedish.

[Bulldog]

 

Didn't she conduct some British orchestra for a while?

Something like 6 years for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, but that doesn't change her origins.

[Dundonnell]

 

Didn't she conduct some British orchestra for a while?

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra(2002-08).

[Bulldog]

Nor am I convinced that you can really call Herbert Blomstedt American. Ok, he was born in Massachusetts but his family moved back to Sweden aged 2, grew up and was educated there and he regards himself as Swedish.

Right, but he's still a native-born American.  We need all the good conductors we can get.

[Coopmv]

Nor am I convinced that you can really call Herbert Blomstedt American. Ok, he was born in Massachusetts but his family moved back to Sweden aged 2, grew up and was educated there and he regards himself as Swedish.

The US has this dubious policy that any baby born in the US automatically becomes a citizen.  That is why we have immigration problems up to our eyeballs.  While someone of Blomstedt's family background is highly desirable, I cannot say the same for 98% of the situations we have been experiencing in the US over the past 20 years ...