Recent posts

#1

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: Indian Classical Music

Last post by Traverso - Today at 04:06:18 AM

I would like to bring this LP to your attention, which is part of my early introduction to this enchanting music.

https://archive.org/details/classicalmusicofindia

#2

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Que - Today at 03:24:04 AM

No booklet on Qobuz, but the sound is streaming.

Definitely going to order that one.

#3

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Que - Today at 03:22:20 AM

On Qobuz you can only hear two tracks, the complete CD is not available, weird!

Apple Music also has only two tracks. Some sort of marketing strategy perhaps. I've come across cases where only a few tracks are initially available, before the entire release is made available.

New releases are usually preceded by taster/teaser of one or two tracks available streaming. This has just been released and I ordered from jpc, which is usually one of the first.  So I expect this to become available streaming shortly.

#4

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Que - Today at 03:15:38 AM

Toccate e Partite - Libro Primo, Francesco Cera, harpsichord.

[Wagner]

#5

Opera and Vocal / Zurich Opera to livestream Wag...

Last post by brewski - Today at 03:05:26 AM

Over four nights — May 18, 20, 24, and 26 — the Zürich Opera will livestream Wagner's Ring. The performances will be available on demand (free) for a month after the broadcast.

-Bruce

[Les Troyens]

#6

Opera and Vocal / Re: What Opera Are You Listeni...

Last post by Tsaraslondon - Today at 03:01:01 AM

Finished Les Troyens. There was a lot of colourful action packed into the epic history. I just thought some of the music was a bit too jolly; it would be interesting to hear what a 20th century composer would have done with it.

I dread to think. Personally, I reckon it's Berlioz's greatest work and a startlingly original work. The music is jolly when it needs to be.

The Live Davis recording you were listening to is good, but I don't think it's as good as his earlier effort with Vickers and Veasey. It isn't perfect by any means (no recording of the opera is) buy on the whole the cast is better.

I would also never want to be without the recording of Janet Baker in the final scenes under Sir Alexander Gibson.

[Ariane]

#7

Opera and Vocal / Re: Massenet

Last post by Tsaraslondon - Today at 02:54:44 AM

Great topic where I want to mention some of my favorites.

First of all there is Manon with Cotrubas, Kraus and Van Dam. Great singing and conducting all around, and I want to mention the Cotrubas/Van Dam duet in the church, it is most moving (on oublie...) and one of the reasons I got addicted to Massenet.

Another great one conducted by Plasson is Hérodiade, again with Van Dam in his prime. Heppner and Studer also stand out.

For Werther I turn to Davis with Carreras/Von Stade.

And last but not least a recent recording of Ariane, an unknown gem. Where some of Massenet's works get long-winded in the last act (Werther almost becomes insufferable) Ariane has no weak spots, a joy from start to finish.

I don't know Ariane at all and I know a couple of arias from Hérodiade. There's another recording with Fleming and Heppner, conducted by Gergiev, but I think the one you posted looks a little more enticing, even if I'm not generally a fan of Studer.

For Manon I still prefer the old Monteux with De Los Angeles, which encapsulates a lost tradition of French performance, now lost to us in these more international times. It's mono of course, and the Plasson with Cotrubas and Kraus is probably the best of the stereo alternatives.

Werther has had so many good recordings and the Davis is definitely one of the best. Von Stade is a perfect Charlotte.

#8

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: Indian Classical Music

Last post by Traverso - Today at 01:56:51 AM

No, I haven't listened to that album. My familiarity with Kumar Gandharva is minimal, I'll pay more attention - thanks for the mention! His voice is magical.

Yesterday I found a copy of this LP from a seller from India and they ask more than 200 euros for it.In fact all what is available is expensive so what left is YouTube.It is as you say,his voice is magical and he was popular from a very young age.

#9

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Mandryka - Today at 12:50:36 AM

No booklet on Qobuz, but the sound is streaming.

[Norbert Burgmüller.SQ, Volume I.Mannheimer Streichquartett.Recorded in 1999.]

#10

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Harry - Today at 12:48:06 AM

Norbert Burgmüller.
SQ, Volume I.
Mannheimer Streichquartett.
Recorded in 1999.

Although the playing time is ridiculously low, just about 48 minutes, these performances are worth the investment anyway! The string quartets are absolutely  worth rediscovering and deserve a permanent place in the quartet repertoire in my opinion. Beautifully and appealingly works, well recorded and performed.