Best single performance of any piece. Limit:1.
My answer is actually easy. The a cappella part-song Yonder comes a courteous Knight by Thomas Ravenscroft performed by Pro Cantione Antiqua on the album Purcell in the Alehouse. They bring not only astonishing tone and ensemble singing but catch every nuance of irony, and make the melody soar.
What do you mean? Best performance when only recorded once? Or favorite single recording of anything?
Enescu performing Bach's Violin Sonatas
Quote from: DavidW on February 27, 2014, 09:20:36 AM
What do you mean? Best performance when only recorded once? Or favorite single recording of anything?
The latter, like Karajan Eroica 1962 or Lang Lang Liszt sonata.
Any time someone uses the word best it's simply subjective, so bearing this in mind, I choose as the best performance Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe conducted by Charles Dutoit with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra on Decca. For me, this is a desert island recording.
Quote from: Ken B on February 27, 2014, 09:24:36 AM
The latter
Favorite single recording of anything?!?!?!?
Not playing this time 0:)
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 27, 2014, 05:31:49 PM
Any time someone uses the word best it's simply subjective, so bearing this in mind, I choose as the best performance Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe conducted by Charles Dutoit with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra on Decca. For me, this is a desert island recording.
Subjective is what's wanted. Not that you don't get bonus points for choosing a Canadian orchestra!
It's a sensational disc.
Quote from: Ken B on February 27, 2014, 05:39:12 PM
Subjective is what's wanted. Not that you don't get bonus points for choosing a Canadian orchestra!
It's a sensational disc.
Well, as Chamber Nut (Ray) would say, Canada has several fine orchestras. Besides the MSO, the Toronto SO, Winnipeg SO, Orchestre Metropolitain du Gran Montreal, and Vancouver SO are all first-rate orchestras. It's too bad that the rest of the world doesn't get to hear recordings from them that often.
Easy...
[asin]B000003FEJ[/asin]
...and awesome cover art. I purchased the record just so I could have it framed!
Quote from: EigenUser on February 27, 2014, 07:51:53 PM
Easy...
[asin]B000003FEJ[/asin]
...and awesome cover art. I purchased the record just so I could have it framed!
An incredibly fine recording and still my favorite
Concerto for Orchestra performance. Interestingly enough, I'm not sure if told you this, but this was the second classical purchase I made. My first being Bernstein's Ives recording on DG (
Symphony No. 2,
Central Park in the Dark, etc.).
Mahler: Symphony No. 9 Zurich Tonhalle Orchester, D. Zinman conducting
Come back in 30 minutes and I'll undoubtedly have picked a completely different one, of course.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on February 27, 2014, 08:00:13 PM
Come back in 30 minutes and I'll undoubtedly have picked a completely different one, of course.
Me, too.
Quote from: EigenUser on February 27, 2014, 07:51:53 PM
Easy...
[asin]B000003FEJ[/asin]
...and awesome cover art. I purchased the record just so I could have it framed!
Very Saul Bass.
That is great. I heard it a week or two ago. First time I every really got the CFO, and saw it as more than an show piece.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on February 27, 2014, 08:00:13 PM
Mahler: Symphony No. 9 Zurich Tonhalle Orchester, D. Zinman conducting
Come back in 30 minutes and I'll undoubtedly have picked a completely different one, of course.
Never heard that. I think highly of Zinman's Beethoven.
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Bach Cantata bwv 82
[asin]B0000AOVTI[/asin]
Such haunting, lyrical singing.
Mahler Symphony No. 6 - Bernstein - CBS
[asin]B005SJIP1E[/asin]
Here's one for Harry ;)
Satie - Socrate - Patricia Rosario, Eileen Hulse & Susan Bickley (sopranos), Richard Bernas & Music Projects/London
[asin]B000FZEQJG[/asin]
Too many possibilities to count. So I'll just go with the first that comes to mind: Janet Baker doing the Mahler song cycles with Barbirolli.
Quote from: DavidW on February 27, 2014, 08:42:34 PM
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Bach Cantata bwv 82
[asin]B0000AOVTI[/asin]
Such haunting, lyrical singing.
I wouldn't mind seconding this one.
Quote from: springrite on February 28, 2014, 04:18:55 AM
I wouldn't mind seconding this one.
two votes!
In the shopping cart. (Not buying till my birthday.)
Well, if we're sticking with classical and I don't have to consider which Tori Amos live concert recording blows my socks off the most...
I think I'll go with Vladimir Ashkenazy playing Rachmaninov's Etudes-Tableaux, op.39.
[asin]B0000041ML[/asin]
This set has excellent performances of a number of works, including the op.33 etudes and the 2-piano version of the Symphonic Dances. But it's the opus 39 recording that takes my breath away.
I note a new set of Ashkenazy doing the complete solo piano works is coming out. No idea if it includes the same recordings or will have new ones.
Haydn Symphony No. 93 D major, George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra. Perfection from first note to last, including the most vulgar bassoon fart in recorded history 8)
[asin]B00223SCNU[/asin]
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 28, 2014, 05:36:11 AM
Haydn Symphony No. 93 D major, George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra. Perfection from first note to last, including the most vulgar bassoon fart in recorded history 8)
[asin]B00223SCNU[/asin]
Sarge
Barbirolli never recorded that one Sarge?
;)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 28, 2014, 05:36:11 AM
Haydn Symphony No. 93 D major, George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra. Perfection from first note to last, including the most vulgar bassoon fart in recorded history 8)
[asin]B00223SCNU[/asin]
Sarge
Fartissimo !!!
Quote from: orfeo on February 28, 2014, 04:41:43 AM
Well, if we're sticking with classical and I don't have to consider which Tori Amos live concert recording blows my socks off the most...
Oh! You solved my problem. Dave Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall.
[asin]B00005AWMW[/asin]
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on February 28, 2014, 04:11:23 AM
Too many possibilities to count. So I'll just go with the first that comes to mind: Janet Baker doing the Mahler song cycles with Barbirolli.
Oh, nice. Someone wrote my post for me.
If I had to narrow it down to one single performance from that disc, it'd have to be the non-cycle
Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen with the Halle.
Quote from: Ken B on February 27, 2014, 08:16:25 PM
Never heard that. I think highly of Zinman's Beethoven.
I rate Zinman's M9 very high because of the last movement--he makes it into an ascent into serenity, as opposed to the anguished fade to final death other conductors make of it. So if you prefer the anguished fade approach, you won't be as impressed as I am.
Zinman's Mahler cycle has at least one bad performance (10th--which may be due to the version he uses--as I understand it, he's the only conductor to record that particular version, so it's hard to compare), and several symphonies are somewhere between meh and fine as most of the rest out there--the only ones I would specifically suggest are the Third and Fourth, and this Ninth.
That LHL Bach CD is also one of the ones I might put in this slot, if I were in the mood--as well as Rubinstein's Chopin Nocturnes.
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances (Ashkenazy / Concertgebouw) - On the same recording, the performance of The Isle of the Dead is not far behind. This is the reissue, with a much less interesting cover; the original has the Arnold Böcklin Isle of the Dead painting.
[asin]B0000041YX[/asin]
--Bruce
Quote from: Brewski on February 28, 2014, 10:15:20 AM
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances (Ashkenazy / Concertgebouw) - On the same recording, the performance of The Isle of the Dead is not far behind. This is the reissue, with a much less interesting cover; the original has the Arnold Böcklin Isle of the Dead painting.
[asin]B0000041YX[/asin]
--Bruce
Easily one of the best orchestral recordings I've heard, good choice, Bruce.
Quote from: Brewski on February 28, 2014, 10:15:20 AM
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances (Ashkenazy / Concertgebouw) - On the same recording, the performance of The Isle of the Dead is not far behind. This is the reissue, with a much less interesting cover; the original has the Arnold Böcklin Isle of the Dead painting.
[asin]B0000041YX[/asin]
--Bruce
That reminds me---Solti's Tchaikovsky 4 with the CSO is another candidate for this slot, based on, among other things, the fact that he knew how to put the "fouco" into allegro con fouco.
(Reminded because my copy is from that same series of reissues).
Brahms Double Concerto: Nathan Milstein, Gregor Piatigorsky, Fritz Reiner and the Robin Hood Dell Orchestra, 1951. Lush tone and perfect tempos make this a desert-isle recording.
Mendelssohn Piano Concertos 1 and 2: Rudolf Serkin, Ormandy/Philadelphia, late 50s.
Smetana Ma Vlast: Wolfgang Sawallisch and l'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, 1980.
Tchaikovsky Piano Trio: Martha Argerich, Gideon Kremer and Misha Maisky. 1997? Granted, I'm not familiar with any other recording of this, but it's one of those that's so good I just don't feel the need to seek out any others.
Quote from: North Star on February 27, 2014, 11:46:49 PM
Here's one for Harry ;)
Satie - Socrate - Patricia Rosario, Eileen Hulse & Susan Bickley (sopranos), Richard Bernas & Music Projects/London
[asin]B000FZEQJG[/asin]
I will second North Star's nomination of
Socrate (except that my cover as originally issued is waaay cooler!)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519XT81ftoL._SY300_.jpg)
The Schubert.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51E1eTlOgNL._SY300_.jpg)
OK, nailed it to one.
Quote from: NJ Joe on March 05, 2014, 05:15:27 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519XT81ftoL._SY300_.jpg)
The Schubert.
I've never heard this ( true of many choices here) have you heard the Cantelli?
Quote from: Brewski on February 28, 2014, 10:15:20 AM
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances (Ashkenazy / Concertgebouw) - On the same recording, the performance of The Isle of the Dead is not far behind. This is the reissue, with a much less interesting cover; the original has the Arnold Böcklin Isle of the Dead painting.
[asin]B0000041YX[/asin]
--Bruce
You're a "styler", Bruce.
This performance of Berg's Three Pieces for Orchestra is pretty definitive to me:
(http://static.qobuz.com/images/covers/62/84/0002894458462_600.jpg)
I mean it's Abbado and the Vienna Philharmonic. It doesn't get much better than this for Berg.
Quote from: Ken B on March 05, 2014, 06:43:26 PM
I've never heard this ( true of many choices here) have you heard the Cantelli?
I have not. The other performance that comes closest for me is Giulini/Chicago.
Quote from: Brewski on February 28, 2014, 10:15:20 AM
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances (Ashkenazy / Concertgebouw) - On the same recording, the performance of The Isle of the Dead is not far behind. This is the reissue, with a much less interesting cover; the original has the Arnold Böcklin Isle of the Dead painting.
My first recording of these pieces, and I doubt they could be done much better. :)
Quote from: Brewski on February 28, 2014, 10:15:20 AM
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances (Ashkenazy / Concertgebouw) - On the same recording, the performance of The Isle of the Dead is not far behind. This is the reissue, with a much less interesting cover; the original has the Arnold Böcklin Isle of the Dead painting.
[asin]B0000041YX[/asin]
--Bruce
*pounds the table*
First thing I thought of when I saw the word "performance":
Hildegard Behrens:
(http://www.metoperashop.org/prodimages/1028-DEFAULT-l.jpg)
http://www.metoperashop.org/shop/elektra-dvd-levine-behrens-voigt-met-opera-4098 (http://www.metoperashop.org/shop/elektra-dvd-levine-behrens-voigt-met-opera-4098)
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Karajan/BPO). I don't know if the whole Ring Cycle could count for a single performance since it comprises four operas; so, I'll choose this awesome recording by the great austrian conductor.
[asin]B0000254UT[/asin]
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on March 07, 2014, 01:28:43 PM
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Karajan/BPO). I don't know if the whole Ring Cycle could count for a single performance since it comprises four operas; so, I'll choose this awesome recording by the great austrian conductor.
[asin]B0000254UT[/asin]
I'll just have to nod my in full agreement here with Ilaria. A spellbinding performance from Karajan/Berliners. In fact, I consider Karajan's
Ring one of the greatest achievements in recorded history. It's just that good.
This is such a hard choice (and like a few others in the thread I could change my mind tomorrow), but for now I will choose Bach's WTC performed by Rosalyn Tureck as it holds a unique place in my mind and heart. It makes me drift off into a special timeless place of meditation and tranquility. I own many WTCs but I always come back to this one.....
[asin] B000031X83[/asin]
Janet Baker's Sea Pictures. EMI keeps reissuing this in various packaging. You can even get it as a 24/96 download. I can't say I know every recording, but it's hard to get her performance out of my head.
[asin]B0002IPZFK[/asin]
Quote from: Daverz on March 08, 2014, 04:53:56 PM
Janet Baker's Sea Pictures. EMI keeps reissuing this in various packaging. You can even get it as a 24/96 download. I can't say I know every recording, but it's hard to get her performance out of my head.
[asin]B0002IPZFK[/asin]
That is a wonderful choice Daverz! It actually crossed my mind as I was pondering this one item "list". In this case the companion piece with du Pre and Elgar is spectacular as well. Still, there is truly a timeless quality to Baker's Sea Pictures. I think I will take it for a spin later. Thanks for bringing it forward!
+2 that is a desert island recording!
Richter in
Dvořák's
Piano Concerto,
Michelangeli in
Rach4,
Argerich in
Burleske and
Prométhée. Maximum awesomeness score.
[asin]B00000I7VW[/asin][asin]B00003ZKRJ[/asin][asin]B0000028MY[/asin][asin]B00000296U[/asin]
Quote from: jochanaan on March 05, 2014, 12:42:47 PM
Tchaikovsky Piano Trio: Martha Argerich, Gideon Kremer and Misha Maisky.
Seconded. Argerich, especially, is here even more fiery and insightful than her usual exalted self.
Quote from: Moonfish on March 07, 2014, 10:27:21 PM
This is such a hard choice (and like a few others in the thread I could change my mind tomorrow), but for now I will choose Bach's WTC performed by Rosalyn Tureck as it holds a unique place in my mind and heart. It makes me drift off into a special timeless place of meditation and tranquility. I own many WTCs but I always come back to this one.....
[asin] B000031X83[/asin]
A wonderful choice; you beat me to it.
Quote from: Daverz on March 08, 2014, 04:53:56 PM
Janet Baker's Sea Pictures. EMI keeps reissuing this in various packaging. You can even get it as a 24/96 download. I can't say I know every recording, but it's hard to get her performance out of my head.
[asin]B0002IPZFK[/asin]
Absolutely in agreement with you there. No one has topped Dame Janet's performance yet.
Quote from: Wanderer on March 08, 2014, 11:22:41 PM
[asin]B00003ZKRJ[/asin]
This one was on my short list. Great choice.
Another one for me:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S3S4X-ttL.jpg)
I have yet to hear a violinist that brings as much tension, drama, and intensity to Berg's Violin Concerto as Mutter. She became this music and the way she weaves in and out of the orchestral fabric makes it seem like, especially in the climaxes, blood-curdling screams of anguish.
Quote from: Sammy on March 09, 2014, 08:45:16 AM
A wonderful choice; you beat me to it.
Are you a big fan of Bach on the piano Sammy?
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 09, 2014, 08:54:05 AM
Another one for me:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S3S4X-ttL.jpg)
I have yet to hear a violinist that brings as much tension, drama, and intensity to Berg's Violin Concerto as Mutter. She became this music and the way she weaves in and out of the orchestral fabric makes it seem like, especially in the climaxes, blood-curdling screams of anguish.
One thing I like about these lists is that it inspires me to listen to pieces I have not heard. Berg's Violin Concerto is one of those. Clearly any of the pieces on this thread is worth a listen since the member that posted views it as one of the ultimate recordings in his/her collection. I have lots of listening to do. The sheer number of recordings can be a bit intimidating!
I will take the liberty to post another one as well..... >:D
I was completely awed by Richter's performance of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto #2 with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under Wislocki. I heard it for the first time in the late 90s and know that it will always be close to my musical core - a desert island disc for me for sure.
(http://boxset.ru/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wislocki_karajan_richter_tchaikovsky_piano_concertos.jpg)
Quote from: Moonfish on March 09, 2014, 10:51:52 AM
One thing I like about these lists is that it inspires me to listen to pieces I have not heard. Berg's Violin Concerto is one of those. Clearly any of the pieces on this thread is worth a listen since the member that posted views it as one of the ultimate recordings in his/her collection. I have lots of listening to do. The sheer number of recordings can be a bit intimidating!
Are you familiar with the
Second Viennese School, Moonfish? If not, then I think Berg's
Violin Concerto is an excellent entry point.
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 09, 2014, 12:25:46 PM
Are you familiar with the Second Viennese School, Moonfish? If not, then I think Berg's Violin Concerto is an excellent entry point.
+1, and the 'pieces' sets from all three.
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 09, 2014, 12:25:46 PM
Are you familiar with the Second Viennese School, Moonfish? If not, then I think Berg's Violin Concerto is an excellent entry point.
I have been exposed to a tiny bit of Schoenberg and Webern, but I certainly would not use the term familiar. The Second Viennese School is virtually unknown to me. With your recommendation I will check out Berg's Violin Concerto.
Quote from: Moonfish on March 09, 2014, 01:27:29 PM
I have been exposed to a tiny bit of Schoenberg and Webern, but I certainly would not use the term familiar. The Second Viennese School is virtually unknown to me. With your recommendation I will check out Berg's Violin Concerto.
Great! I look forward to your comments. The Berg VC is certainly a 20th Century milestone. Enjoy!
Immediately thought of this one..
[asin]B00000613N[/asin]
(https://lh3.ggpht.com/yEFAKLExanncXjqEJmANlZ87nTwhVP4oikzNvU84jRm78xVO_3ZZjo8vDN9-f9OhcqRd=w300)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512k7e%2BnsVL._SY300_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CEJeg3IYL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)
Quote from: Bogey on March 09, 2014, 02:40:39 PM
(https://lh3.ggpht.com/yEFAKLExanncXjqEJmANlZ87nTwhVP4oikzNvU84jRm78xVO_3ZZjo8vDN9-f9OhcqRd=w300)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512k7e%2BnsVL._SY300_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CEJeg3IYL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)
Well I gave answer at the top and am sticking to it, but speaking of Slava, this makes a very short short list
[asin]B00E22799C[/asin]
Hmm. Given that not everyone has stuck with one, single disc, allow me to present this as my second choice. Utterly sublime.
[asin]B000002ZVF[/asin]
Quote from: orfeo on March 11, 2014, 02:23:00 AM
Hmm. Given that not everyone has stuck with one, single disc,
It's like herding cats around here. Clearly if I want to get a single choice from some people next time I have to ask for
zero!
;D
Quote from: Ken B on March 11, 2014, 08:12:59 AM
It's like herding cats around here. Clearly if I want to get a single choice from some people next time I have to ask for zero!
;D
Yeah! Start a list of your top zero composers! :'( :'( Perhaps we can do a composer of the century polling swirl?
Bruckner Symphony No. 9 Berlin PO, Furtwangler (1944).
5
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31%2Bo07gtQGL.jpg) (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/Playlist?source=CTRV&cat=77119&label=Sony%20Classical)
Side note: if anyone wants to hear my really noisy LP transfer of this classic and oddly hard-to-find album instead of buying the cdr (or the even more expensive cd) I can post it somewhere and you can call me a noob for recording it at too high a level and not cleaning the records properly beforehand (I can't redo it at the moment since my turntable is now in storage)
This is a tough (and probably senseless) question, and my answers would surely change form one day to another....
But thus recording would probably never fall from my personal Pantheon:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516hM7az19L.jpg)
One of those rare occasions in which a work I really adore is interpreted in a way I unreservedly admire... :)
Quote from: Moonfish on March 12, 2014, 10:26:13 PM
Yeah! Start a list of your top zero composers!
Make mine Bruckner ;D
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/aug11/bruckner01venzago.jpg)
Sarge
The first post doesn't enforce only one piece but single performance of a piece.
If it is one recording: Beethoven Piano Concerto No 4 Gilels/Ludwig/Philharmonia
If it is single performance of a piece:
Beethoven Piano Concerto No 4 Gilels/Ludwig
Elgar Cello Concerto du Pre/Barbirolli
Dvorak Cello Concerto Fournier/Szell
Beethoven Symphony 5 & 7 Kleiber
etc.
Quote from: ritter on April 08, 2014, 02:11:08 AM
This is a tough (and probably senseless) question..
Hear, hear!!!
Mozart Clarinet Concerto King/Tate
Schubert Sonata for Arpeggione Rostropovich/Britten
Schubert Impromptus Zimerman
Chopin Piano Concerto No 1 Zimerman with PFO