What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[FideLeo]

So, what is the other half? 
Please tell us more. I'm interested by a performance by Carmignola, who did an earlier Mozart cycle on Brilliant but which has not been generally well received...

Q

It's all (very) good -- if the sound isn't demonstration class.  Playing is very articulate and lively and tempi are brisker than most performances to date, period or not, that I have heard.  I have not heard Carmignola's previous Mozart (like you I was put off by its bad press), but I can't fault his interpretations on this set.  The orchestra is quite small (comparable to the one used in Biondi's recording on Virgin, which is somewhat better recorded) and there is a sense of chamber music playing, where close interaction is evident most of the time between the soloist and the orchestra.  Abbado applies some dynamic touches here and there, generally to good thrilling and dramatic effects. (But the basic tempi were suggested by Carmignola himself, as the booklet essay indicates.)  I think the use of period instruments is an important part of what I like so much about his recording (a particular mix of textures, timbres, articulations etc.) so until I hear otherwise, I won't be tempted to try its sister album of symphonies which is performed on modern instruments.

[karlhenning]

Dmitri Dmitriyevich
String Quartet No. 15 in E-flat Minor, Opus 144
Borodin Quartet

[Lethevich]

And I like it, too.

I have to fight off urges to recommend this to everyone ;_:

[Keemun]

More orchestral Scriabin.  This time Symphony No. 3 from this:

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

More orchestral Scriabin.  This time Symphony No. 3 from this:

One of my favourite symphonies. I don't know this recording, though...

[marvinbrown]

No, thanks.

 pourquoi pas ??

 marvin

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

 pourquoi pas ??

 marvin

Let the man live. 

[a set to die for]

[Hector]

The Busch Quartet in Beethoven's 11th, 12, 15th and 16th String Quartets.

I am not a great fan of 'Historical' recordings but these performances transcend the medium.

I do not expect to hear better than this. Have they been equalled? If they have I've not heard about it.

[karlhenning]

Let the man live. 

Grazie tante! 

[ChamberNut]

Brahms

Piano Trio in B, Op. 8
Beaux Arts Trio

Trio for horn, piano and violin, in E flat, Op. 40
Francis Orval - horn
Gyorgy Sebok - piano
Arthur Grumiaux - violin

Philips

[marvinbrown]

Let the man live. 

[a set to die for]

 I see Karl likes to take things literally...oh dear   oh my  ...........

 marvin

[karlhenning]

Well, another thing, Marvin, is that what I have heard of HvK conducting the Beethoven symphonies, vs. other accounts of the symphonies which I like very well, does not seem to me to indicate that (*ahem*) ownership of these pieces resides with this conductor.

But of course, you like it, so, rejoice, therefore!

[Philoctetes]

During the day, I listen to nothing, but at night, my current listening has been Bernstein's rendition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

[marvinbrown]

Well, another thing, Marvin, is that what I have heard of HvK conducting the Beethoven symphonies, vs. other accounts of the symphonies which I like very well, does not seem to me to indicate that (*ahem*) ownership of these pieces resides with this conductor.

But of course, you like it, so, rejoice, therefore!

 I also have the Gardiner set HIP which I enjoy very much!!  Who do you like?

 
 marvin

[Keemun]

One of my favourite symphonies. I don't know this recording, though...

This is my first time listening to it.  I like it so far, but I think it will take several listens before I can fully appreciate it. 

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

This is my first time listening to it.  I like it so far, but I think it will take several listens before I can fully appreciate it.

Well, it's a big work, but in a sense quite simple. Scriabin doesn't vary the mood very much within the three movements. There is the motto theme (I am), which opens and binds the work and for the rest it's mostly a surging and subsiding. The second movement is beautiful, full of bird song.

Knowing Segerstam, he'll milk it for all he can (no criticism)...

[bhodges]

Gershwin: Cuban Overture, Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris (Dutoit/Montréal) - Sparkling, delightful.  I've been listening to these same works done by Chailly and Cleveland a lot, but this is a wonderful recording--further testament to the fine work Dutoit did with this orchestra before the relationship went south. 

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

Knowing Segerstam, he'll milk it for all he can (no criticism)...

License to Milk

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

License to Milk

The name is Segerstam, Leif Segerstam.

[rubio]

Karajan's Beethoven 5 and 6 from the 80's cycle. This 5th is powerful but it lacks a bit profoundity for me. The balance between the orchestral sections are not entirely to my preference either; especially the woodwinds tend to drown. I miss some sense of mystery in the Andante. Still it comes along as quite exciting and I partly blame the production for the deficiences. Anyway, I prefer Karajan's 5ths from the 60's and 70's cycles. When it comes to the 6th I generally prefer other conductors in this work, and for Karajan I would rather reach for his earlier versions.