Several times year and especially if I have not heard it for a while, I am reminded of how brilliantly special this orchestra is.
Just today, for example, I heard Haitink's Tchaikovsky 5, which I have not heard before I was amazed. Mvarinsky has always been my favourite, but now this is a definite contender.
I think it is the luscious warmth that gets me everytime and is what makes many of their recordings my favourite. I wish Karajan conducted them - has he ever incidentally?
Chailly's Mahler was brilliant, Haitink's Shostakovich is still my favourite, despite Kondrashin.
What other symphony recordings might you recommend, and do you agree?
First let me point out that "Concertgebouw" is the name of the hall that the orchestra was named after (it means literally "concert hall").
(http://www.eleonorepameijer.com/MT/archives/concertgebouw.jpg)
The name of the orchestra is: Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra).
The prefix "Koninklijk" was added in 1988 when the orchestra celebrated its 100 birthday, it was called just "Concertgebouworkest" before that.
In the early years Philips had the custom to add "Amsterdam" for good measure, but that has never been part of the official name nor was it customary to call it like that in Holland. When I worked in a CD shop during my student years, a Japanese tourist came to me and asked of recordings by: "Amsterdam"!, "Amsterdam"! It took me a minute or so to realise that he was referring to the Concertgebouw Orchestra... ;D
To the recordings. From Haitink's days I would choose his Mahler and Brahms cycles. His Bruckner was good too, but not my taste. Haitink's LvB piano concertos with Perahia are great, as is the Brahms violin concerto with Krebbers.
The best Beethoven symphonies cycle is IMO with regular guest conductor Eugen Jochum.
With Chailly I like the late-Romantic/modern repertoire best: Stravinsky, Berg, Schönberg, Zemlinksy.
Dorati recorded wonderful Tchaikovsky ballets (Nutcracker & Sleeping Beauty)
And then there is of course Willem Mengelberg: great in the Romantic repertoire: the Tchaikovsky symphonies 4-6, the Mahler 4, Strauss, and some bits and pieces by Von Weber, Berlioz, Wagner, etc.
I haven't mentioned Eduard van Beinum yet, who came between Mengelberg and Haitink. Maybe others can recommend some of his recordings.
Q
Quote from: Michel on March 08, 2008, 06:49:52 AM
What other symphony recordings might you recommend, and do you agree?
Yes, I agree with you. Those marvelous Philips recordings from the 60s and early 70s were my introduction to so much music and I still maintain a fierce attachment to them. Some favorite recordings (not duplicating Que's): first this box set of Szell's Decca and Philips recordings:
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/febgmc/Szell.jpg)
The Concertgebouw performances include a marvelously suave Mozart 34, a blazing Sibelius 2 and my favorite Beethoven 5.
Other favorites: Bernstein's Mahler 1 and
Das Knaben Wunderhorn with Popp and Schmidt. Haitink's
Das Lied von der Erde with Janet Baker. Harnoncourt's Mozart cycle. Ashkenazy's Rachmaninoff symphonies. Colin Davis's Hen and Bear.
Sarge
Some of my own Concertgebouw favourites that spring to mind - Brahms' Violin Concerto (Haitink/Krebbers), Mahler's 7th (Haitink's second), Bruckner's 9th (ibid.), Rimsky's Sheherazade (Kondrashin), Rachmaninov's First, Second, Isle of the Dead, Symphonic Dances (Ashkenazy), and there must be more.
I was born in Amsterdam. When I was in the highest form of primary school (around 1972/3), there was a program of trying to interest children in classical music. So all the school children of Amsterdam went to the Grote Zaal one day to hear NOT the Concertgebouw Orchestra, but another orchestra that played there regularly - the Amsterdam Philharmonic, under its conductor Anton Kersjes (it has changed into the Netherlands Philharmonic). I still know what they played - Diepenbrock, Elektra, and Saint-Saëns, Introduction et Rondo capricioso.
A few years later I had a very musical friend who took me for the second time to a concert (Beethoven's Violin Concerto and Stravinsky's Sacre). After that I was hooked, and went to the Concertgebouw regularly.
It's years now since I last went. The programming is too unadventurous for me.
I too hate the same old stuff being played again...like the darn proms.
Quote from: Michel on March 08, 2008, 12:49:56 PM
I too hate the same old stuff being played again...like the darn proms.
It is a problem. I've noticed that with many of the great orchestras...they've become museums. We wanted to go to Dresden, explore the city, hear the Staatskapelle at the Semperoper but when I checked the schedule last year, absolutely nothing turned me on...not anything that compelled a long journey. Maybe next season.
In the meantime, our local orchestra, the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, continues to provide an amazing amount of off-the-wall music. Thank god for the provincial orchestras ;)
Sarge
Rant on
The problem is - the Concertgebouw has turned into 'the living-room of the elite' (their own term), anxious to get business bums in seats, and the posteriors of everyone who is someone in, especially, Amsterdam circles. So here we have an amazing orchestra, capable of playing everything, mostly trying not to interfere too much in the much more important business of networking and being seen.
Bye bye Brian, Vermeulen, Hartmann, and every other composer who could blow this hallowed institution's roof off.
End of rant
Last month the Concertgebouw came for three concerts here in NYC, and although I went to all of them--and with pleasure--there wasn't much excitement, programming-wise. (Rattle and Berlin still get honors, in my book, for programming unusual repertoire.)
I really enjoyed the Chailly era, since he programmed Berio, Ligeti and other things--all of which this group can do beautifully (in addition to the other composers mentioned above). Maybe Jansons will rise to the challenge at some point.
--Bruce
The most annoying thing is, though, for me, is not even the lack of breadth, it is more than even within the most popular composers, they only play the most popular stuff.
Why can't we hear Beethovens first, for example? There is only so many times you can hear the 5th!
Having said that, I genuinly do prefer sitting at home listening and do not that often see live music, except at the opera, so I don't have much right to complain.
Quote from: Michel on March 08, 2008, 06:49:52 AM
What other symphony recordings might you recommend, and do you agree?
Yes, from what little I've heard, I have to say that this is indeed a very distinctive orchestra. Besides what has been mentioned so far, I would also like to point out this fantastic Philips duo of Debussy's orchestral works, all with Haitink except for the Berceuse Héroïque under Van Beinum:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DMJA40JQL._AA240_.jpg)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 08, 2008, 01:00:58 PM
In the meantime, our local orchestra, the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfaz ...
Now
Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz... :D
Quote from: Symphonien on March 08, 2008, 02:03:01 PM
Now Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz... :D
Yeah, I know. As if the old name weren't long enough ::)
Mrs. Rock's comment, on first hearing the new name: "Oh good, now our orchestra won't be confused with the American Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz"...located in New Jersey, we think.
Sarge
P.S. Haitink's Debussy...good call
Not that I'm an expert or anything, but Monteux's Eroica with this orchestra is superb. (Amongst a significant number of Concertgebouw recordings I have, other ones that stand out are Haitink's Debussy as already mentioned; and Chailly's superlative recording of Berio's Sinfonia).
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516aQqo8OlL._SS500_.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41P9PNFWP2L._SS500_.jpg)
As far as getting out of a rut program-wise, I had high hopes that the (relatively) new RCO Live label would introduce us to all kinds of new music, or at least different music, at the hands of the RCO. Especially since the arrival of Jansons signaled a new beginning of sorts. But so far the label's releases have been pretty standard. Hope that changes in the future...
Fortunately there are enough worthwhile recordings by this orchestra already that the loss isn't too dramatic.
If I had to pick one standout recording it would probably be Beethoven's Missa Solemnis conducted by Jochum. The earth moves under the spiritual weight of this reading. It's unfortunately OOP but I think ArkivMusic has it as an 'on demand' item.
I agree with others about the Chailly tenure. His Mahler, Stravinsky, and Schoenberg are all at or near tops for me. I'd add his fabulous Hindemith recordings to the list as well.
As far as Haitink, I, too, love his Shostakovich cycle. No, it isn't 'frenetic' Shostakovich but then it isn't really trying to be. It just is what it is with that iron sense of architecture Haitink is known for. Compelling stuff when it works so well, as here. His Debussy I find winning if not my favorite. The bits of his later (digital) Bruckner, however, are beautiful.
And of course wouldn't want some of the guest conductors to get lost in the shuffle. On record, there are some fabulous recordings by Hans Rosbaud, which can be found on a now OOP DG compendium (figures). Included are a wonderful Emperor concerto w/ Robert Casadesus on piano as well as an excellent Petrushka. Too bad there isn't more from Bernstein with the RCO. The Mahler he recorded along with his Schubert 9th are of a very high quality.
There are some interesting things with Kondrashin, too (mostly OOP). A marvelous Scriabin 3rd symphony, as well as some winning Shostakovich on Philips.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PNGJGNY3L._SS500_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WR8X5PBFL._SS500_.jpg)
Quote from: Michel on March 08, 2008, 01:31:32 PM
Why can't we hear Beethovens first, for example?
Because it sucks, quite frankly. Why is it that when people complain about orchestras playing the same "old stuff" people usually demand subpar replacements?
Almost forgot about this beauty:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51W999Q4S6L._SS500_.jpg)
Hey, don't forget Chailly's Mahler cycle!!!
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X0VHE4P4L._AA240_.jpg)
There are some RSO Berlin in there as well.
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on March 08, 2008, 08:50:22 PM
Because it sucks, quite frankly. Why is it that when people complain about orchestras playing the same "old stuff" people usually demand subpar replacements?
Them's fighting words! :) A lot of us like "Classical" LvB, and I could hardly imagine someone seriously saying the 1st sucks. Not to their taste, sure, but sucks?
Quote from: Perfect FIFTH on March 08, 2008, 09:43:31 PM
Hey, don't forget Chailly's Mahler cycle!!!
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X0VHE4P4L._AA240_.jpg)
There are some RSO Berlin in there as well.
A fascinating set. The playing (and recording) is glorious, and Chailly is a fine Mahlerian, even if his tempi can be rather too casual for such tension-filled, exciting music.
Chailly's 9th is still my fave...
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 08, 2008, 01:00:58 PM
It is a problem. I've noticed that with many of the great orchestras...they've become museums. We wanted to go to Dresden, explore the city, hear the Staatskapelle at the Semperoper but when I checked the schedule last year, absolutely nothing turned me on...not anything that compelled a long journey. Maybe next season.
Someone I know just booked tickets for Staatskapelle Dresden playing Bruckner's Die Nullte and Wagner's Liebesmahl in Frauenkirche under Minkowski this June.
That looks like interesting program to me.
Quote from: Drasko on March 09, 2008, 07:17:00 AM
Someone I know just booked tickets for Staatskapelle Dresden playing Bruckner's Die Nullte and Wagner's Liebesmahl in Frauenkirche under Minkowski this June.
That looks like interesting program to me.
It does look interesting, very interesting (it should make Marvin salivate)...but the concert is in the Frauenkirche, not the Semperoper. Still, I'm considering it.
Sarge
I am a DIE HARD Concertgebouw Orchestra fan. Everything everyone listed here are legendary recordings by their own right, except the Boulez which i have never heard of. I cannot emphasize more how perfect those ballet recordings Dorati made with the Concertgebouw were, if only Swan Lake was ever recorded with the same forces! They also produced a wonderfully performed but badly remastered Ma Vlast available on Eloquence if one doesnt mind the over-noise reduction which i found rather annoying.
With Haitink, my favourite recordings are the Haitink Debussy (twofers), Ravel (twofers), Brahms (Piano concertos with Arrau, Violin concerto with Henryk Szeryng), and the tremendously under rated Tchaikovsky cycle.
Again the Scheherazde with Kondrashin to me has no competition, despite its lack of precision in certain places (the ship wreck scene here is the only one that has a real storm and sea!), and that Borodin 2nd, though not better than perhaps Rozhdestvensky's Chandos recording, literally shows how much the musicians enjoyed playing the symphony.
The Ashkenazy Rachmaninov recordings are ultra romantic, perfect is not even close to describing them. I don't understand why the piano concertos with LSO were chosen to be reissued rather than the RCO cycle with Haitink. The orchestra's strings are so warm here that Decca should be ashamed of themselves for reissuing the LSO instead, and in my very own humble opinion, Ashkenazy was on fire in these recordings, much more than he was on the LSO recordings. Oh the winds contribute so beautifully, i get goosebumps just by thinking of how beautiful the wind solos were, time to pop in Rach 4!
One recording that everyone should listen to if not yet is Ancerl's Dvorak 8th with RCO. There are many many spectacular Dvorak 8ths, but the horns here in the 4th movement brings shame everyone of them. Again the string playing here is sublime, an experience that stays close to my heart.
As for Chailly, Ravel's Daphnis, Hindemith's Kammermusik, Stravinsky's ballets, and the Bruckner cycle are some of my favourites. Bernstein did magical things with the Concertgebouw, and although small in number, are all worth mentioning.
Everything Harnoncourt did with the Concertgebouw are worth listening, check them out!
For any serious fan of the orchestra and the big conductors of the 20th century, the anthology of Concertgebouw is a must. Volume 3 is especially enjoyable, with the likes of Szell (The live Sibelius 2nd here is more blaring than the studio one, amazing! Apparently, he really liked working with the orchestra!), Monteux, Boulez etc.
The tradition of the Concertgebouw has been rapidly dying out since Janson's* tenure. More and more non-Dutch school musicians are hired because of their technical capabilities, but the sound that we have once come to know as the "Concertgebouw sound" is no where to be found. Sad....and to hear so much complain about the programming, who can possibly revive the orchestra to its former "glory"?
Howard
* The recent Shostakovich 7th is SPECTACULAR, but where is the sound? Perhaps the strings still play the same way, but the winds. What a pity!
Beautiful performance of Shostakovich's Jazz Suites!
http://forums.avro.nl/kco/kco%20podcast/82CF742B-8B27-486C-810E-83939D2E94AD.html
Forgot to mention that Chailly's Shostakovich rarities are some of my most revered cds as well.
Howard
That was a wonderful declaration of love you have written there, hautbois. I wish someone at the Concertgebouw would read it...
Quote from: edward on March 08, 2008, 03:54:42 PM
Not that I'm an expert or anything, but Monteux's Eroica with this orchestra is superb.
It's more then superb, it's utterly sublime. I can't believe this record has remained out of print for long. A re-issue is sorely needed.
Berstein's late DG recording of Mahler's 1st with RCO is also good, if not great.
Quote from: Perfect FIFTH on March 09, 2008, 08:32:20 PM
Berstein's late DG recording of Mahler's 1st with RCO is also good, if not great.
Right. Wonderful performance !
Anyone who loves the Concertgebouw should get some of these live radio broadcast recordings. The sets are a bit expensive, but worth every penny. Lots of unusual and 20th century repertoire (e.g. Martin, Vermeulen, Berio) plus wonderful performances by guest conductors (a Giulini Bruckner 9th, a Franck Symphony in D with Ancerl, etc.). The fact that all of these are live and taken over such a long span of time attests to the consistency and excellence of the ensemble.
Thne first one may be OOP.
(http://www.classicalcdreview.com/rcoaanth.jpg)
WAGNER: Flying Dutchman Overture (Bruno Walter, 15/3/36). BUSONI: Violin Concerto (Adolf Busch/Bruno Walter, 12/3/36). RAVEL: Concerto for the Left Hand (Paul Wittgenstein/Bruno Walter, 28/2/37). WEBER: Konzertstück in F Minor (Lili Kraus/Bruno Walter, 19/10/39). STRAUSS: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks (Paul Paray, 18/1/40). ROSSELLINI: Stampe della vecchia Roma (Paul van Kempen, 17/12/42). RAVEL: Mother Goose Suite (Ernest Ansermet, 19/2/40). FRANCK: Symphony (Willem Mengelberg, 3/10/40). BERLIOZ: Benvenuto Cellini Overture (Pierre Monteux, 12/10/39). SAINT-SAËNS: Piano Concerto No. 4 (Robert Casadesus/Pierre Monteux, 12/10/39). DEBUSSY: La Mer (Pierre Monteux, 12/10/39). FRANCK: Les Eolides (Pierre Monteux, 12/10/39). MAHLER: Das Lied von der Erde (Kerstin Thorborg/Carl Martin Oehman/Carl Schuricht, 5/10/39). MALIPIERO: Cello Concerto (Enrico Mainardi/Eduard van Beinum, 12/1/41). REGER: B–cklin Suite (Herman Abendroth, 20/2/41). ELGAR: Enigma Variations (Adrian Boult, 29/2/40). HONEGGER: Pastoral d'ÈtÈ (Jan Koetsier, 22/7/43). HAYDN: Piano Concerto in D (Gerard Hengeveld/Jan Koetsier, 22/7/43). MOZART: Symphony No. 40 (Eugen Jochum, 23 & 24/6/43). STRAUSS: Don Juan (Herbert von Karajan, Sept. 1943). OTTERLOO: Sinfonietta (Willam van Otterloo, 16/1/44). REGER: Violin Concerto (Georg Kuhlenkampff/Willem van Otterloo, 16/l/44). BRAHMS: Academic Festival Overture (Jan Koetsier, 5/3/44). MAHLER: Symphony No. 1 (Bruno Walter, 16/10/47). MENDELSSOHN: Fingal's Cave Overture (Otto Klemperer, 4/12/47). BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 4 (Otto Klemperer, 4/12/47). WAGENAAR: Cyrano de Bergerac Overture (George Szell, 1/7/48). ANDRIESSEN: Organ Concerto (Hendrik Andriessen/Pierre Monteux, 1/11/50). HINDEMITH: Symphony in E Flat (Paul Hindemith, 12/1/49). SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 7 (Rafael Kubelik, 9/2/50). BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 1 (Wilhelm Furtwängler, 13/7/50). BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 (Erich Kleiber, 28/4/50). BEETHOVEN: Leonore Overture No. 3 (Wilhelm Furtwängler, 13/7/50). BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1 (Wilhelm Furtw”ngler, 13/7/50).
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XJT4W8AWL._AA240_.jpg)
Details here (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=168473)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QXTEPZ73L._AA240_.jpg)
Details here. (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=103596)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31dkcBkxT4L._AA240_.jpg)
Details here (http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=166476)
I can only chime in wholeheartedly with O Mensch on these boxed sets, which are the most amazing anthologies of any orchestra in the world. Many groups have released excellent sets (e.g., Chicago, Cleveland, NY Phil), but no one else has done so many, and over such a long span.
Some of them can be hard to find, but I've bought at least one on eBay. Some I purchased from Kuijper Klassiek, which is now defunct, alas, and at least one came from HMV Japan. Well worth seeking out.
--Bruce
Quote from: Jezetha on March 09, 2008, 11:22:37 AM
That was a wonderful declaration of love you have written there, hautbois. I wish someone at the Concertgebouw would read it...
Yes, a lot of passion in there, Howard! I have most of those recordings, too, and mostly agree with you in your assessments. I do think the orchestra's "sound" is still there, even with Jansons. If anything, though, he would impress me even more if he encouraged the group to
sound different, playing different pieces. When the orchestra came here last month, they sounded great--no doubt in the least--but I felt like all three nights had the same plush upholstery: Debussy sounded like Mahler. It's churlish to complain, of course, when the caliber of playing is at such a high level, but I wanted just a touch more variety.
And I forgot to mention my favorite Concertgebouw recording, which is with Chailly:
Mosolov:
Iron FoundryProkofiev: Symphony No. 3
Varèse:
Arcana--Bruce
Concertgebouw favorites:
Bruckner - Haitink
Dvorak - Harnoncourt
Mahler - Bernstein, Haitink
Bartok - Dorati
Martin - Chailly
Messiaen - Haitink
Prokofiev - Jarvi
Reger - Jarvi
Shostakovich - Haitink, Jansons
Stravinsky - Chailly
Quote from: BorisG on March 10, 2008, 10:12:10 AM
Concertgebouw favorites:
Dvorak - Harnoncourt
Reger - Jarvi
How could i have forgotten about these? A SIN! The Hiller variations are beau-ti-fully recorded! In my own opinion a very good representation of the Concertgebouw sound of that period, better than most of the Philips recordings that i know. The Dvorak symphonic poems are to die for. What a wonderful orchestra! ;D
Howard
Ashkenazy and the Concertgebouw are a perfect pairing in the Rachmaninoff Symphony #2 on Decca/London. A "beautiful thing" if there ever was one. Gorgeous playing, great recording, superb conducting.
Another absolutely great recording is on Phillips DVD. (Not sure if its available on cd). Beethoven Symphonies #4 and #7. Carlos Kleiber conducting.
The profound joy on Carlos Kleibers face as he conducts. The superb molding of each phrase (with visual cues eliciting exactly the appropriate sounds) and the razor sharp responses from the orchestra are wonders to behold.
Quote from: Iago on March 10, 2008, 11:45:04 PM
Ashkenazy and the Concertgebouw are a perfect pairing in the Rachmaninoff Symphony #2 on Decca/London. A "beautiful thing" if there ever was one. Gorgeous playing, great recording, superb conducting.
Another absolutely great recording is on Phillips DVD. (Not sure if its available on cd). Beethoven Symphonies #4 and #7. Carlos Kleiber conducting.
The profound joy on Carlos Kleibers face as he conducts. The superb molding of each phrase (with visual cues eliciting exactly the appropriate sounds) and the razor sharp responses from the orchestra are wonders to behold.
The list goes on and on. The sheer virtuosity of the wind section is apparent in the 4th symphony. These recordings of the 4th and 7th symphonies are MY definitive ones. Kleiber was in his top form. What a recording...
Howard
Quote from: Perfect FIFTH on March 09, 2008, 08:32:20 PM
Berstein's late DG recording of Mahler's 1st with RCO is also good, if not great.
Why is it not great, which it is, by the way, and only good?
Quote from: Hector on March 11, 2008, 07:47:37 AM
Why is it not great, which it is, by the way, and only good?
Erm, I think he
is saying it's great, Hector, but only tentatively ('if not' = 'perhaps even').
In addition to the anthologies by decade, there are also boxes assembled by conductor: Mengelberg, Van Beinum, Haitink and Chailly. My favorite is the Chailly box, which includes some excellent Berio and Stravinsky performances, along with a live Mahler Eighth Symphony from the Mahler Feest in 1995. (Track list here (http://www2.rnw.nl/mu/catalog/musiccds/classical/chaillylive?view=Track%20list), although they seem to have left off the recording dates. :() The final disc is a DVD with The Firebird Suite, Pulcinella and The Rite of Spring, all recorded inside the Concertgebouw from Christmas Day concerts, and it's almost worth the whole box by itself.
--Bruce
Quote from: bhodges on March 11, 2008, 09:04:19 AM
In addition to the anthologies by decade, there are also boxes assembled by conductor: Mengelberg, Van Beinum, Haitink and Chailly.
Apparently, then, they are ALL good. Haven't heard the Chailly myself, but the Mengelberg is a splendid collection, with a number of comparative rarities, and as a long time collector of his recordings, I was happy to get this box at any price. The surprise--for me--was the Haitink box. For years, I tended to avoid Haitink, finding him all too bland in too many studio recordings, but the Radio Recordings in the Concertgebouw box were an absolute revelation, presenting this conductor leading his orchestra in taut, amazingly focused and exciting readings. Very highly recommended.
Dirk
I had just the most blessed oppurtunity of listening to Carlo Maria Giulini conduct the Bruckner 9th with this revered orchestra. Best Bruckner 9th ever! Don't ask me how I got it =P
Other favorite RCO recordings:
- Mahler; Bernstein's M1, Haitink's M7 from RCO anthology, Chailly's M3
- Chailly's Shostakovich Jazz suites, Dance and film music. sublime!
- C.Kleiber's live Beethoven 4 & 7
- Brahms Violin Concerto with Szeryng/Haitink
Quote from: Jezetha on March 08, 2008, 08:36:20 AM
It's years now since I last went. The programming is too unadventurous for me.
I was there in January for the Carter day - among the works performed that day were Ives' The Unanswered Question and Carter's Double Concerto, as well as his Horn Concerto from 2006.
Quote from: bobby quine on March 13, 2008, 08:08:36 AM
I was there in January for the Carter day - among the works performed that day were Ives' The Unanswered Question and Carter's Double Concerto, as well as his Horn Concerto from 2006.
I didn't know that. Thanks.
Some Concertgebouw-related news:
For those interested in this kind of thing; Volume 6 of the Concertgebouw Anthology (spanning 1990-2000) has recently been released, at least here in the Netherlands, so it's bound to show up elsewhere soon. Since I have collected all 5 earlier boxes in the last year, which cost me quite some effort, I decided to buy this one immediately ;]
I think it's not the most exciting of the 6 volumes, but there will be enough to enjoy I hope.
(http://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/contentfiles/anthology6-150x150.jpg)
Tracklist can be viewed here:
http://www.concertgebouworkest.nl/ContentFiles/RCO11004-tracklist-short.pdf
Thank you so much for this news, Klaze! I have all of the other boxes and enjoy them immensely, so I will certainly get this one, too.
This one has some treasures - at least in my book, e.g., Disc 12 alone:
Stravinsky: Divertimento after the ballet Le baiser de la fée (conducted by Rozhdestvensky: April 27, 1997)
Morton Feldman: Coptic Light (Peter Eötvös: Oct. 23, 1998)
Luciano Berio: Sinfonia (Berio: May 16, 1997)
--Bruce
I agree, these boxes are definitely worth the effort!
That disc 12 is certainly an interesting one, and reminds me that I still have to dig into the Sinfonia.
Im also very curious at the Bluebeard with Ivan Fischer, and the couple of pieces by Dutch composers.
The Loevendie Piano Concerto, completely unknown to me, sounds pretty good (playing it right now).
Yes, the Bluebeard looks fantastic - great singers! And I've actually heard some chamber music by Loevendie a few years ago - and liked it - but nothing since then.
--Bruce