What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Sergeant Rock]

This hour of listening is dedicated to Teresa:




Sarge

[Antoine Marchand]

Luigi Cherubini - The String Quartets
Melos Quartett
3 CDs
Rec.: June 1973 - April 1974
Licensed from Deutsche Grammophon
Brilliant Classics

Totally rewarding first approach to these Cherubini's string quartets.

I don't know other performances of these pieces, but the Melos Quartett sounded absolutely first-rate to me. Excellent recorded sound. 

[Sergeant Rock]

And now for something completely different: Boulez Répons:




Sarge

[Gabriel]

Luigi Cherubini - The String Quartets
Melos Quartett
3 CDs
Rec.: June 1973 - April 1974
Licensed from Deutsche Grammophon
Brilliant Classics

Totally rewarding first approach to these Cherubini's string quartets.

I don't know other performances of these pieces, but the Melos Quartett sounded absolutely first-rate to me. Excellent recorded sound. 

Great purchase, Antoine!

[SonicMan46]

   

Luigi Cherubini - The String Quartets
Melos Quartett  3 CDs Rec.: June 1973 - April 1974 Licensed from Deutsche Grammophon Brilliant Classics

Totally rewarding first approach to these Cherubini's string quartets.

I don't know other performances of these pieces, but the Melos Quartett sounded absolutely first-rate to me. Excellent recorded sound. 

Antoine - I own the first 2 sets shown; apparently another has been released w/ Quartetto Savinio, the latter on 2 discs (skipping repeats) rather than 3 - a useful 'comparative' review on Amazon HERE - I've not done 'back to back' comparsions, but the Melos group is certainly quite good in these works!  Dave 

[SonicMan46]

Couple of new arrivals yesterday:

Haydn, FJ - Symphonies Nos. 88-92 w/ Kuijken & La Petite Bande - had the single disc of 3 of these symphonies, but the double-CD was so cheap (will give away or sell the other!) - now, I'd love to obtain the London Symphonies by this group but see the package offered expensively on Amazon USA - any cheaper options around?

Brunetti, Gaetano - Sinfonien w/ Concerto Köln - wonderful music & performances - I have only one other disc of this composer (i.e. SQs) - yet, another Italian in the Spanish court; although Scarlatti & Boccherini seem better know, Gaetano was quite well respected; I've not looked up his ouevre but assume that he was also quite prolific? 


 

[Antoine Marchand]

Great purchase, Antoine!

I think the same way that you, Gabriel. I purchased three Brilliant sets this week: Beethoven/Borodin Trio, Tartini/La Magnifica Comunità and Cherubini/Melos Quartett, and the latter was the best, being the Beethoven set a complete disappointment. Well, I also bought a fourth Brilliant set (Veracini/ La Magnifica Comunità), but I have not listened to yet.    

[DavidW]

I think the same way that you, Gabriel. I purchased three Brilliant sets this week: Beethoven/Borodin Trio, Tartini/La Magnifica Comunità and Cherubini/Melos Quartett, and the latter was the best, being the Beethoven set a complete disappointment. Well, I also bought a fourth Brilliant set (Veracini/ La Magnifica Comunità), but I have not listened to yet.   

Wow really?  I thought the Borodin Trio was pretty good in Beethoven, not tops for me (Beaux Arts Trio, Florestan Trio) but pretty good.   I am tempted by that Cherubini set though....

[Drasko]

Edit: actually, I can't understate how good the Chailly disc is - the Soldier's Tale suite is almost done and I'm going to have to repeat play it right away - it's the best performance I've heard of this piece (admittedly there isn't a huge amount of competition).

Soldier's Tale for me works best on stage. Seen it twice: as fully staged musical play and as concert performance with one actor doing all the roles. There is decent ballet version on DVD, by Jiri Kylian which I also like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCU3v9WNhno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EK6GIkBVnY

That piano should have been kept on a leash.

[Antoine Marchand]

Wow really?  I thought the Borodin Trio was pretty good in Beethoven, not tops for me (Beaux Arts Trio, Florestan Trio) but pretty good.   I am tempted by that Cherubini set though....

It's the awful truth, David. I found their performances anemic, deprived of vitality.

I also like the BAT and an almost unknown trio named "Trio Italiano" on Arts (quite cheap, but excellent; some samples HERE).

[SonicMan46]

Wow really?  I thought the Borodin Trio was pretty good in Beethoven, not tops for me (Beaux Arts Trio, Florestan Trio) but pretty good.   I am tempted by that Cherubini set though....

David - concerning the Beethoven Piano Trios, let me put another 'contender in the ring':

Haydn Trio Eisenstadt - Complete Trios on 4 discs (packaged in a 2-CD jewel box) offered for $18 on the Amazon Marketplace - previously owned partial sets w/ the BAT & the Chung Trio - kept the Chung but disposed of the BAT - comments by Scott M. HERE, if interested - Dave 

[Sergeant Rock]

My first listen to Répons. Usually it takes awhile for me to warm to a new Boulez work but this was immediately appealiing, and enjoyable (except for Section 6 (track 7): first impression: too busy and static). I'll replay the entire work soon.

Sarge

[Antoine Marchand]

Wow really?  I thought the Borodin Trio was pretty good in Beethoven, not tops for me (Beaux Arts Trio, Florestan Trio) but pretty good.   I am tempted by that Cherubini set though....

I have thought about this again and I wouldn't want to be unfair with the Borodin Trio because it's an ensemble that I really admire. In fact, I bought the Beethoven set on Brilliant because I have several discs recorded by them on Chandos. I even have their recording of Rachmaninoff's trios three times (an unavoidable repetition: the original and two different boxes that included that recording). That said, maybe I'm not the listener for that Beethoven set.     

[DavidW]

Antoine, Dave some interesting alternatives there.   I am interested in more Beethoven piano trios recordings, but I was thinking along the lines of PI.  I had my eye on this recording in particular--



I might start a thread (or raise one from the dead).

[listener]

Malcolm ARNOLD   works for  with clarinet
      2 Concertos, 3 Shanties for wind quintet, Sonatina for clarinet and piano, Divertimento for flute, oboe and clarinet
           Emma Johnson               English Chamber Orch.      Ivor Bolton, cond.
Nice cheery pieces for a rainy morning.   The 3 Shanties are very popular, the Concerto 2 uses pop idioms and is rather unexpected for that.

BEETHOVEN   2 Romances for Violin and Orch.,
SCHUBERT Polonaise;  Konzertstück;  Rondo      - Violin and Orch.
           Gidon Kremer,       London S. O.        Emil Tchakarov,   cond.
Gemüt, I think

[Antoine Marchand]

Antoine, Dave some interesting alternatives there.   I am interested in more Beethoven piano trios recordings, but I was thinking along the lines of PI.  I had my eye on this recording in particular--



I might start a thread (or raise one from the dead).

I have it and it is a top choice, indeed.

I also have this one (another HIP option):



Some samples on AMAZON.

[Sergeant Rock]

Have you had a chance to check out this one ...

I haven't but had planned that as my next Boulez purchase. Price is right 

Sarge

[Antoine Marchand]

Well, I also bought a fourth Brilliant set (Veracini/ La Magnifica Comunità), but I have not listened to yet.   

Francesco Maria Veracini - 12 Sonatas for Violin and Basso Op.1
Enrico Casazza - violin
La Magnifica Comunità [Francesco Ferranini, cello, CD1; Marcello Scandelli, cello, CD2; Roberto Loreggian, harpsichord]
Recorded 2002 (Sonatas 1-6) & 2006, Chiesa della SS Trinita, Padova
Sonatas 1-6 licensed from Tactus
2 CDs
Brilliant Classics

Superb performances, great sound, nothing to be desired here, IMO.

HERE an excellent and very informative review by Johan van Veen on MusicWeb International. It should be noticed that the disc reviewed by van Veen  is not exactly the CD1 on Brilliant because the latter includes an additional sonata (the 7th). The second CD was entirely released by Brilliant and has, IMO, the same level of the first one on Tactus.

[WI Dan]

Music is like love, but different.

[SonicMan46]

I have it and it is a top choice, indeed.  I also have this one (another HIP option):

 

Antoine & David - I'd love to get a PI version of LvB Piano Trios, but would like a more complete set, kind of leaving Staier out (although I have a LOT of his recordings - maybe they will continue?) - the 2-CD Virgin bargain is a consideration?  In the latter, Lambert Orkis is on fortepiano (have several other recordings w/ him on this instrument) - great reviews repeated HERE - would love to hear more thoughts on the latter, please?  Dave