GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 08:54:00 AM

Title: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 08:54:00 AM
For some reason, I was curious about which conductors have issued the most recordings over their career.  Although this may not be the most accurate method, I went to Arkivmusic and clicked on their link of "Most Popular Conductors".

No surprise as to who's number one, but it's still a bit of an eye-opener to see the extent to which he outdistances the pack.  The one I'm surprised to see on the list is #9.  I don't think I have a single recording by him.  Anyway, the list:

1. Herbert von Karajan (778)
2. Neville Marriner (564)
3. Leonard Bernstein (403)
4. Claudio Abbado (360)
5. Georg Solti (332)
6. Colin Davis (327)
7. Karl Bohm (319)
8. Zubin Mehta (311)
9. Neeme Jarvi (305)
10. Eugene Ormandy (300)

Of course, the accuracy of the list is skewed by only including recordings currently in print on CD.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Drasko on May 15, 2007, 09:09:46 AM
Quote from: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 08:54:00 AM
The one I'm surprised to see on the list is #9. 

I'm surprised that he is that low on the list.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Don on May 15, 2007, 09:25:51 AM
Who is the most recorded singer of classical music?
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: uffeviking on May 15, 2007, 09:31:16 AM
Instead of just having yet another list, why not carry it further and now discuss why Herbert von Karajan is the most recorded conductor - at the present of course.

He realised very early the importance of recorded music being widely available throughout not only his native country but the entire world. He formed his own company, Telemondial and installed in his house in Anif and St. Moritz $40,000. worth of cutting cables. He was the one who immediately accepted the CD and worked hard with his friends at Sony to develop the Laser Video Disc system.

That's why he is on top of the list, he not only conducted he also marketed recordings of his performances!  ;D
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on May 15, 2007, 09:37:03 AM
Quote from: Don on May 15, 2007, 09:25:51 AM
Who is the most recorded singer of classical music?

If I have to guess it would be Schwarzkopf, or maybe Callas. For males probably DFD.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: knight66 on May 15, 2007, 09:53:33 AM
I have read several times that Arleen Auger was the most recorded singer, due to her being involved in so many Bach recordings. Callas would be no where near. Caballe must have quite a few, Sutherland also. I agree that DFD may hold title for the males, even Domingo looses out to him due to the number od song discs DFD made and Domingo has never been into the oratorio works.

Mike
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Don on May 15, 2007, 10:02:20 AM
Quote from: knight on May 15, 2007, 09:53:33 AM
I have read several times that Arleen Auger was the most recorded singer, due to her being involved in so many Bach recordings. Callas would be no where near. Caballe must have quite a few, Sutherland also. I agree that DFD may hold title for the males, even Domingo looses out to him due to the number od song discs DFD made and Domingo has never been into the oratorio works.

Mike

Based on what's listed in ArkivMusic, Domingo is by far the most recorded singer (male or female).
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: uffeviking on May 15, 2007, 10:05:54 AM
What happened to the original thread containing the word Conductors?  ???
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Bunny on May 15, 2007, 10:11:26 AM
Quote from: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 08:54:00 AM
For some reason, I was curious about which conductors have issued the most recordings over their career.  Although this may not be the most accurate method, I went to Arkivmusic and clicked on their link of "Most Popular Conductors".

No surprise as to who's number one, but it's still a bit of an eye-opener to see the extent to which he outdistances the pack.  The one I'm surprised to see on the list is #9.  I don't think I have a single recording by him.  Anyway, the list:

1. Herbert von Karajan (778)
2. Neville Marriner (564)
3. Leonard Bernstein (403)
4. Claudio Abbado (360)
5. Georg Solti (332)
6. Colin Davis (327)
7. Karl Bohm (319)
8. Zubin Mehta (311)
9. Neeme Jarvi (305)
10. Eugene Ormandy (300)

Of course, the accuracy of the list is skewed by only including recordings currently in print on CD.


What happened to George Szell?  He certainly should be on this list.  Who compiles these statistics? 
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Todd on May 15, 2007, 10:14:13 AM
Arkiv's recording listing isn't really an accurate guide to who recorded how much.  Somehow you'd have to figure in all the repackagings of the same recordings (good luck with that) as well as factor in all the recordings not available.  I'll bet Karl Bohm made more recordings than listed above, for instance.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: knight66 on May 15, 2007, 10:14:46 AM
Quote from: Don on May 15, 2007, 10:02:20 AM
Based on what's listed in ArkivMusic, Domingo is by far the most recorded singer (male or female).

I can't help thinking that DFD has by far more recordings, but they may not all be available.

Mike
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: knight66 on May 15, 2007, 10:15:38 AM
Quote from: Todd on May 15, 2007, 10:14:13 AM
I'll bet Karl Bohm made more recordings than listed above, for instance.

Yes, that is a good point.

Mike
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: karlhenning on May 15, 2007, 10:18:23 AM
Quote from: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 08:54:00 AM
The one I'm surprised to see on the list is #9.

I think that all but about 15 of those 305 recordings were rushed through for the Prokofiev centenary  8)
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: AnthonyAthletic on May 15, 2007, 10:25:22 AM
Quote from: uffeviking on May 15, 2007, 09:31:16 AM
Instead of just having yet another list, why not carry it further and now discuss why Herbert von Karajan is the most recorded conductor - at the present of course.

That's why he is on top of the list, he not only conducted he also marketed recordings of his performances!  ;D

Karajan may be top of the list, but look at how many re recordings of works he did? 4 Beethoven cycles....ye gods  ;)

Now a list of different works, on cd would no doubt have Sir Nev on top  ;D
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: uffeviking on May 15, 2007, 10:31:24 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 15, 2007, 10:11:26 AM
Who compiles these statistics? 

The stats were taken from Arkiv Music, as the originator of the thread explained.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: knight66 on May 15, 2007, 10:31:28 AM
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on May 15, 2007, 10:25:22 AM

Now a list of different works, on cd would no doubt have Sir Nev on top  ;D

How many of them remain top recommendations though?

Mike
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: AnthonyAthletic on May 15, 2007, 10:37:44 AM
Quote from: knight on May 15, 2007, 10:31:28 AM
How many of them remain top recommendations though?

Mike

Over Karajan? ....anything English  ;D

All that Karajan hyperbole to put the guy top of the list...I would like to know how many repeats he did....and shame on him, NO Elgar  :-X  The darned Coward "second rate Brahms"...my Arse ;)
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: karlhenning on May 15, 2007, 10:39:57 AM
Don't hold back, Tony; tell us how you really feel!  ;)
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: knight66 on May 15, 2007, 10:42:05 AM
Is your arse musical then?.....Had Karajan but known! But can we compile a list of memorable Marriner recordings? I like his B Minor Mass, a good DLVDE...there has to be more than that.

Mike

Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: karlhenning on May 15, 2007, 10:47:01 AM
Quote from: knight on May 15, 2007, 10:42:05 AM
Is your arse musical then?.....Had Karajan but known!

Two words, Mike:

Starlight Express
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: AnthonyAthletic on May 15, 2007, 10:48:44 AM
Quote from: knight on May 15, 2007, 10:42:05 AM
Is your arse musical then?.....Had Karajan but known! But can we compile a list of memorable Marriner recordings? I like his B Minor Mass, a good DLVDE...there has to be more than that.

Mike



Mike,

Why are you turning it into a fight between Karajan & Marriner, not once have I said I like or appreciate Marriner.

Read carefully

And yes my arse can appear as musical as much as the some of the crap people are talking within this thread
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: karlhenning on May 15, 2007, 10:50:05 AM
Dang, I've overstepped my bounds again . . . .
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: knight66 on May 15, 2007, 10:52:16 AM
I am not turning to any kind of argument, I have not supported Karajan at all. I agree, he re-recorded every time there was an advance in technology. But his work seems to have stood up better than Marriner's whose mainstay has been overtaken by the HIP brigade.

Mike
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: uffeviking on May 15, 2007, 10:56:17 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 15, 2007, 10:50:05 AM
Dang, I've overstepped my bounds again . . . .

On the contrary! Karl, you are breathing life into an otherwise dull 'another list!' thread.  0:)
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: MishaK on May 15, 2007, 11:55:41 AM
Quote from: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 08:54:00 AM
For some reason, I was curious about which conductors have issued the most recordings over their career.  Although this may not be the most accurate method, I went to Arkivmusic and clicked on their link of "Most Popular Conductors".

No surprise as to who's number one, but it's still a bit of an eye-opener to see the extent to which he outdistances the pack.  The one I'm surprised to see on the list is #9.  I don't think I have a single recording by him.  Anyway, the list:

1. Herbert von Karajan (778)
2. Neville Marriner (564)
3. Leonard Bernstein (403)
4. Claudio Abbado (360)
5. Georg Solti (332)
6. Colin Davis (327)
7. Karl Bohm (319)
8. Zubin Mehta (311)
9. Neeme Jarvi (305)
10. Eugene Ormandy (300)

Of course, the accuracy of the list is skewed by only including recordings currently in print on CD.


These numbers only indicate what is available through Arkivmusic, not the total recorded output of these individuals (which may be more or less, given that some reissues are listed twice or more often).
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 12:10:27 PM
Something I've wondered about Karajan.  He's certainly a controversial, polarizing figure, and my sense is that most music fans today have a negative opinion of him.  Was he this controversial when he was alive, or is this mainly a posthumous phenomenon?
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Don on May 15, 2007, 01:10:09 PM
Quote from: uffeviking on May 15, 2007, 10:05:54 AM
What happened to the original thread containing the word Conductors?  ???

It took a detour created by some contrary member.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: uffeviking on May 15, 2007, 01:10:48 PM
Quote from: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 12:10:27 PM
and my sense is that most music fans today have a negative opinion of him. 

There you have me frowning with a puzzled expression on my face. What makes you think that? Among my circle of music loving friends, the general opinion is positive. My friends live in many contries, not just patriotic Austrians, or even native Salzburgers.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Don on May 15, 2007, 01:12:22 PM
Quote from: knight on May 15, 2007, 10:42:05 AM
Is your arse musical then?.....Had Karajan but known! But can we compile a list of memorable Marriner recordings?


I tried, but there's nothing on the page.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Shrunk on May 15, 2007, 01:45:03 PM
Quote from: uffeviking on May 15, 2007, 01:10:48 PM
There you have me frowning with a puzzled expression on my face. What makes you think that? Among my circle of music loving friends, the general opinion is positive. My friends live in many contries, not just patriotic Austrians, or even native Salzburgers.

I guess I'm basing my impression on groups like this!
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Brian on May 15, 2007, 02:26:57 PM
Of course, those lists include things like "Best of So-and-So", "100 Great Arias", "Classics for the Baby", etc. I wonder which conductor actually made the most recordings.
Title: Re: Most Recorded Conductors
Post by: Don on May 15, 2007, 02:34:28 PM
Since a few of you are grousing about the accuracy of using ArkivMusic as a source, someone should investigate the matter further.  But it ain't gonna be me; I'm satisfied.