New Releases

[Brian]

This is a dumb one. The "Pocket Symphony" decided to transcribe Beethoven's nine symphonies for as small a group as possible (ignoring the rather good Symphony No. 2 piano trio version). So for all but No. 9, they use one stringed instrument per part for a total of 5 string players, for most symphonies trumpets are completely omitted, Symphony No. 7 sounds (from clips) like it doesn't use French horns, the chorus in the Ninth is 5 voices per part, etc. The beginning of No. 5 is oddly clarinet-heavy in the balance. Tempos are all perfectly normal except the 57:34 Ninth.

The only justification for this choice in the booklet is that Beethoven transcribed music sometimes, so why not? The essay says that they knew they would have a hard time with No. 7, so their solution was - get this! - to work extra hard.

I only listened to a few choice moments on streaming, from 3, 5, and 7, but this could well contend for Worst Cycle Ever.

[kishnevi]

This is a dumb one. The "Pocket Symphony" decided to transcribe Beethoven's nine symphonies for as small a group as possible (ignoring the rather good Symphony No. 2 piano trio version). So for all but No. 9, they use one stringed instrument per part for a total of 5 string players, for most symphonies trumpets are completely omitted, Symphony No. 7 sounds (from clips) like it doesn't use French horns, the chorus in the Ninth is 5 voices per part, etc. The beginning of No. 5 is oddly clarinet-heavy in the balance. Tempos are all perfectly normal except the 57:34 Ninth.

The only justification for this choice in the booklet is that Beethoven transcribed music sometimes, so why not? The essay says that they knew they would have a hard time with No. 7, so their solution was - get this! - to work extra hard.

I only listened to a few choice moments on streaming, from 3, 5, and 7, but this could well contend for Worst Cycle Ever.

Now we need to see if their next project is Bruckner or Mahler.

[Madiel]

AAAAAAHHHHHHHH! They've finally done it! This was flagged on GMG years ago.

Interesting that it includes the Sinfonias/Kairos. Though it makes sense as it was the same conductor. I don't have the Da Capo version of that, I went for the BIS one. But for a number of the concertos, this series is really the only way to get them.

[The new erato]

Now we need to see if their next project is Bruckner or Mahler.

Somewhat like the circus that advertised they had the worlds largest midgets, only in this case it would be the smallest giants.

[Baron Scarpia]

Now we need to see if their next project is Bruckner or Mahler.

Mahler 8 for string trio, I'd buy that.

[Brian]

Mahler 8 for string trio, I'd buy that.

For the Second, all you would need is a violin, a double bass, a clarinet and horn, and of course all seven percussion players.

[Mandryka]

Xavier Diaz-Latorre, Robert de Visée

[Todd]

A proper cover shot.

Also, no picture yet, but there's a 22 disc Warner Icon box of Joseph Keilberth Telefunken recordings coming. 

[André]

I'll probably be in line to buy the Keilberth box. His Bruckners and Beethovens are formidable. There will probably be some long absent yummies too.

EDIT: contents here:


http://www.warnermusic.ch/catalogue_detail-n12-i190295689261-sF.html

[Wanderer]

This will be a February 9, 2018 release with the Hammerklavier most probably from May 7 Chicago recital

The booklet says that the Hammerklavier was recorded in Berlin in November 2016. Earlier that year (March 2016), I attended a recital of his at the Philharmonie de Paris, in which he played, among other works (his Brahms being especially memorable), Beethoven's op. 106; the recording bears many resemblances to the spell-binding rendition he performed that night.

[Brian]

More stuff for APRIL!





This ensemble is from Liechtenstein (!!!)



The Requiem, Mass in D, and Te Deum were VERY recently released on Naxos and are already getting the Brilliant treatment...





And finally, we must conclude with what everyone will agree is the single greatest album cover of 2018, and one of the greatest of all time:

[SurprisedByBeauty]

More stuff for APRIL!

That's tough-going music. But the blunt liner notes of Schleiermacher (who needs a haircut, goodness! Worse than Hamelin at his worst) are terrific.

And finally, we must conclude with what everyone will agree is the single greatest album cover of 2018, and one of the greatest of all time:

We simply MUST. 

It shows them in the vehicle with which they run over Bach's intentions.



#morninglistening to #Bach's #ArtoftheFugue w/#AustrianArtGang on #Gramola

: http://a-fwd.to/1a3jIhp

#DieKunstDerFuge explored between various genres: Jazz and World and Classical. "The Art of Improvisation"

Actually I quite like that disc, even though the saxophonist is perhaps trying a bit too hard in going all Jan Garbarek on us.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Now we need to see if their next project is Bruckner or Mahler.

You're too late to that party!

|

All part of their: "Honey, I've shrunk the Masterworks" Series!



#morninglistening to #Mozart #symphonies w/#Taschenphilharmonie (@Sony_Classical)

[Baron Scarpia]

I like it because they have dispensed with the familiar but stupid device of having the musicians hold their instruments, as if they are going to play their instruments in the inappropriate location.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

I like it because they have dispensed with the familiar but stupid device of having the musicians hold their instruments, as if they are going to play their instruments in the inappropriate location.

Absolutely. At least as far as sitting on a tractor is concerned, THAT'S how you would sit on a tractor, if you were five musicians. With a fag in your hand, not a cello. There's a certain amount of honesty to it that's readily appreciable.

[Karl Henning]

Absolutely. At least as far as sitting on a tractor is concerned, THAT'S how you would sit on a tractor, if you were five musicians. With a fag in your hand, not a cello. There's a certain amount of honesty to it that's readily appreciable.

Straight ahead!

[Brian]

I like it because they have dispensed with the familiar but stupid device of having the musicians hold their instruments, as if they are going to play their instruments in the inappropriate location.

I saw this one recently and wondered how they were able to control for all the possible things that could go wrong:



Seems like a recipe for losing your cello. But credited photographer Nikolaj Lund specializes in that stuff:



Why?!

[Baron Scarpia]

At least those have a certain artsy-fartsy character. These show a stunning lack of imagination for someone who is paid to take pictures:





The second one particularly. "Can I bring my clarinet along? And by the way, I didn't wear socks because I didn't think my feet would be in the picture. Is that ok?."

[ritter]

At least those have a certain artsy-fartsy character. These show a stunning lack of imagination for someone who is paid to take pictures:

...


The second one particularly. "Can I bring my clarinet along? And by the way, I didn't wear socks because I didn't think my feet would be in the picture. Is that ok?."

OTOH, if Mr. de Peyer had decided to wear socks with sandals on that (admittedly mediocre) picture, he'd become the of butt of jokes here in Spain (and in all of South America as well)  . And it would have been a pity, because he was a wonderful clarinetist. 

[SurprisedByBeauty]

OTOH, if Mr. de Peyer had decided to wear socks with sandals on that (admittedly mediocre) picture, he'd become the of butt of jokes here in Spain (and in all of South America as well)  . And it would have been a pity, because he was a wonderful clarinetist. 

True, that. There's no sock-wearing with sandals. And the picture is from -- what... the mid 70s? Early 80s at the latest? I like it, almost, for not being pretentious at all. Whereas the Sharon Kam one is.