Recordings That You Are Considering

[Mookalafalas]

Those are good suggestions, thanks.
   BTW, I saw two excellent productions of "The Barber of Seville", one recorded in New York (I believe), and one in Italy. Both were fun and well done, but the leading lady in both was clearly 20-30 years older than the character she was playing. Maybe on stage it's no big deal, but on video it was a bit distracting. Similarly, one of the Verdi operas I watched was about a woman whom everyone was pursuing (the king, a bandit leader) due to their ardent passion for her beauty. But she was much closer to 300 pounds than 250, and wasn't as strong a singer as her handmaiden. I know opera requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, but they seem to be making it more challenging than it needs to be.

[Brian]

I recently saw Elektra live onstage and the lead actress was so out of shape that she was unable to dance at the end... instead they had her spontaneously collapse from a standstill.

[JBS]

I recently saw Elektra live onstage and the lead actress was so out of shape that she was unable to dance at the end... instead they had her spontaneously collapse from a standstill.

Elektra or Salome?

There is a clip on Youtube of Sutherland, Pavarotti, and Milnes performing the quartet from Rigoletto. And there is no way Sutherland could be imagined as Milnes' daughter.

[Karafan]

I am knew to the board, though have been collecting 30 years or so.  I am considering the box of Schubert piano sonatas recorded by Anton Kuerti. From what I've read he seems to divide opinion. Anyone got these IMP recordings and have a view on them please?

[Mandryka]

I am knew to the board, though have been collecting 30 years or so.  I am considering the box of Schubert piano sonatas recorded by Anton Kuerti. From what I've read he seems to divide opinion. Anyone got these IMP recordings and have a view on them please?

Well it's all on spotify you know so you can suck it and see easily enough.
 

[Karafan]

Thanks, but not a subscriber.  Oddly, doesn't feature on YT.  Given he appears to be somewhat polarising I thought there may be some committed views to share?

[Mandryka]

Thanks, but not a subscriber.  Oddly, doesn't feature on YT.  Given he appears to be somewhat polarising I thought there may be some committed views to share?

My view is that he's all about beauty of sound.  In long form music that can become tiresome for me sometimes. I want more changes of touch and mood. But I think you should check for yourself, I could well be being unfair to him, and what he does really is beautiful. Subscribe to spotify for a month!

(Just listened to him play the first movement of D894, and compared with Lupu. I much prefer Lupu for the reasons above - though Kuerti's voluptuous tone is really impressive.)

[Brian]

Any thoughts on Martin Helmchen's "Vingt regards"?

[Karafan]

My view is that he's all about beauty of sound.  In long form music that can become tiresome for me sometimes. I want more changes of touch and mood. But I think you should check for yourself, I could well be being unfair to him, and what he does really is beautiful. Subscribe to spotify for a month!

(Just listened to him play the first movement of D894, and compared with Lupu. I much prefer Lupu for the reasons above - though Kuerti's voluptuous tone is really impressive.)

thanks, Mandryka.

[Mandryka]

https://www.premiereopera.net/product/le-martyre-de-saint-sebastian-by-debussy-vienna-1984/

[Todd]

Any thoughts on Martin Helmchen's "Vingt regards"?

A bit late, but it's good.  Good to have if you are familiar with the work, but not a first choice.

[Todd]

I have a couple recordings of this work, so I don't need this one.  But it's different.  It was recorded in 1958 at Mt Angel Abbey, which I know from first-hand concert going experience is a magnificent venue for choral music.  I think I may need to buy.

[Mandryka]

[JBS]

I found the ZZZ (Zinman Zurich Zyklus) to be good throughout all its components.

[Mandryka]

I found the ZZZ (Zinman Zurich Zyklus) to be good throughout all its components.

Thanks I have it now. First impressions: thrilling, you could almost believe it's a really exciting concert performance. Light too, with a real spring in its step. Nothing zzz about this!

[JBS]

Thanks I have it now. First impressions: thrilling, you could almost believe it's a really exciting concert performance. Light too, with a real spring in its step. Nothing zzz about this!

There's a good chance you'll like piano concertos (with Bronfman IIRC) from that series.

[Mandryka]

[Mandryka]

This label, called Le Palais des Dégustateurs, has some interesting things, but the downloads are pricey and most aren't available on streaming platforms. David Lively has just made a new (and unreleased) recording of Art of Fugue for them.


https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/labels/3987/browse?size=10&view=large&page=2

[ShineyMcShineShine]

This label, called Le Palais des Dégustateurs, has some interesting things, but the downloads are pricey and most aren't available on streaming platforms. David Lively has just made a new (and unreleased) recording of Art of Fugue for them.


https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/labels/3987/browse?size=10&view=large&page=2

Well they sure aren't spending the money on graphic design. That typeface is one step away from Comic Sans.

[Mandryka]

Colin Davis's second Missa Solemnis