Marcelle Meyer - 17 CD EMI Box

George · January 12, 2009, 04:32:41 PM

Arrived today:

17 CDs!

This box was very cheap via amazon.uk, $34 shipped.

I am starting with CD 1 - Works by Chabrier, a composer I have never heard (nor heard of) before. The first work is for two pianos and she plays with none other than Frances Poulenc.

Very cool.

Found this review at Classics Today

Nice amount of noise on this one suggests that little or no NR was employed.

haydnguy · January 12, 2009, 04:50:59 PM

George that has been one of my favorite finds of the last year.

You can find more about her a this blog:
http://www.markainley.com/music/classical/meyer/index.html

After I got the EMI boxed set, I got this one:

George · January 12, 2009, 04:55:28 PM

Thanks for the link!

SonicMan46 · January 12, 2009, 05:28:17 PM

Quote from: George on January 12, 2009, 04:32:41 PM
I am starting with CD 1 - Works by Chabrier, a composer I have never heard (nor heard of) before...............

George - good evening!

Chabrier, Emmanuel composed some wonderful music, for those who may be interested; his Espana Suite et al on an old (50 yrs!) Mercury recording is remarkable (and cheap); Piano Music w/ Hewitt quite good; and Stott in the piano works, also - have not compared the overlap w/ the latter discs, but much to be explored - only discs of this composer that I own -

George · January 12, 2009, 05:30:33 PM

Hey Dave! Love the cover on that third one!

SonicMan46 · January 12, 2009, 05:49:49 PM

Quote from: George on January 12, 2009, 05:30:33 PM
Hey Dave! Love the cover on that third one!

Hi George - have Stott on the Complete Faure Piano Works (4-CDs) - believe a 'cheap' purchase from BRO, but some excellent performances, mixed reviews, but she's quite excellent in this repertoire - Dave

George · January 12, 2009, 05:57:37 PM

Quote from: SonicMan on January 12, 2009, 05:49:49 PM
Hi George - have Stott on the Complete Faure Piano Works (4-CDs) - believe a 'cheap' purchase from BRO, but some excellent performances, mixed reviews, but she's quite excellent in this repertoire - Dave

Thanks Dave, I went the Collard/ Brilliant Classics route for that one. Faure's music is special indeed.

Todd · January 12, 2009, 07:25:12 PM

Quote from: SonicMan on January 12, 2009, 05:49:49 PMsome excellent performances, mixed reviews

I must disagree here. Stott's Faure is one of the biggest disappointments I've come across. At times brittle, often sharp, and displaying an overall unpleasant sound and boring demeanor in some glorious piano music. This is definitely a case where British magazines were far too charitable to a fellow Briton. On the evidence of this recording, Stott is third rate at best. Compared to Sanchez or Thyssens-Valentin or even Collard, she's well out of her depth. I can only imagine what she'd do to Chabrier's music. (I've got Rena Kyriakou's less than compelling take on the complete works, and would like to hear more, but Stott will not be the one for that. Probably not Hewitt, either. Naida Cole shows what can be done, but she no longer records.)

SonicMan46 · January 12, 2009, 07:52:07 PM

Quote from: Todd on January 12, 2009, 07:25:12 PM

I must disagree here. Stott's Faure is one of the biggest disappointments I've come across. At times brittle, often sharp, and displaying an overall unpleasant sound and boring demeanor in some glorious piano music. This is definitely a case where British magazines were far too charitable to a fellow Briton..............

Todd - thanks for your thoughts on this 'box set' - as mentioned in my comments, the set has received 'mixed' reviews - the Amazonians have been mixed w/ top ravings & others w/ comments similar to yours; the newest issue of the Penguin Guide gave this set a 'key + rosette' (of course, a British publication); fortunately for me, the BRO purchase was cheap -

I love Faure, and would like to hear some other interpretations - cannot offer alternate opinions @ the moment - Dave

Peregrine · January 12, 2009, 09:36:12 PM

Quote from: Todd on January 12, 2009, 07:25:12 PM
Naida Cole shows what can be done, but she no longer records.

Todd · January 13, 2009, 06:08:48 AM

Quote from: SonicMan on January 12, 2009, 07:52:07 PMI love Faure, and would like to hear some other interpretations

Without question, try some Thyssens-Valentin. Her discs have popped up at BRO, but they're worth full price, even given their age.

dirkronk · January 14, 2009, 04:50:15 AM

Quote from: Todd on January 13, 2009, 06:08:48 AM

Without question, try some Thyssens-Valentin. Her discs have popped up at BRO, but they're worth full price, even given their age.

I concur. Out of pure curiosity (since I knew nothing about her at the time), I purchased the Testament of her doing Faure's 13 barcarolles and Theme & Variations a number of years ago, and was most pleasantly surprised and impressed. Haven't yet found any other recordings by her, however.

Not that familiar, either, with Marcelle Meyer. Perhaps the purchase of the box set currently under discussion would be in order...

Dirk

Todd · January 14, 2009, 06:10:19 AM

Quote from: dirkronk on January 14, 2009, 04:50:15 AMHaven't yet found any other recordings by her, however.

Testament has issued five discs worth of music, with at least a smattering of Faure on all of them. (I have only the three discs devoted solely to Faure.) There's also some Franck, Debussy, and Mozart on the other discs. Thyssens-Valentin doesn't have an extensive discography since, if memory serves, she took extended time off to raise children.

dirkronk · January 14, 2009, 11:34:10 AM

Quote from: Todd on January 14, 2009, 06:10:19 AM

Testament has issued five discs worth of music, with at least a smattering of Faure on all of them. (I have only the three discs devoted solely to Faure.) There's also some Franck, Debussy, and Mozart on the other discs.

Thanks for the info, Todd. I may just put her on my active search list. When I found the one disc I now own, it appeared in remainders of a Wherehouse store that was closing...and all classical was 50%, then 60, 70 and finally 80% off as the sale progressed. Great bargains for me, but MAN I miss that store. I'm not really surprised I haven't seen Thyssens-Valentin CDs in other bricks & mortar establishments here in south Texas...but maybe it's time I tried Amazon and other online venues to expand my knowledge of her recordings.

Dirk

SonicMan46 · January 14, 2009, 02:57:28 PM

Todd & Dirk - been checking around for the Thyssens-Valentin recordings of Faure - can't find a good deal; all available on Amazon for about $26 per disc (even the Marketplace offers them for $20 w/ S/H) - maybe others have found a less expensive location? Boy, would be a great choice for Brilliant to obtain some licensing rights!

Also curious about the 'age' of these recordings & the quality of the sound? Any comments? I do have a number of Testament CDs which date back a ways, but sound pretty good! Thanks - Dave

George · January 14, 2009, 03:13:46 PM

I just checked itunes, Dave, and they have a few discs of her Faure, mostly with other chamber players. The sound is fine, if a but murky.

Bogey and I have the Brilliant Classics (by Collard) recordings of this composer and I must they they are wonderful! Budget price no less, of course. I haven't been tempted to get any other interpretations and I can't say that about very many boxes of piano music that I own.

SonicMan46 · January 14, 2009, 03:25:56 PM

Quote from: George on January 14, 2009, 03:13:46 PM
I just checked itunes, Dave, and they have a few discs of her Faure, mostly with other chamber players. The sound is fine, if a but murky.

Bogey and I have the Brilliant Classics (by Collard) recordings of this composer and I must they they are wonderful! Budget price no less, of course. I haven't been tempted to get any other interpretations and I can't say that about very many boxes of piano music that I own.

Good evening George - thanks for the input; I've been eying that Collard box for a while - never have been thrilled w/ Stott (but a $24 purchase for 4-CDs at BRO) - will be curious to hear what Todd & Dirk have to save about the 'sound quality' of the Thyssens-Valentin recordings?

BTW - just checked Presto Classical in the UK - her discs are being offered for $14.50 each (can't remember what I've paid for shipping to the USA from there but not a big deal) - I'll be thinking on this one for sure! Thanks all - Dave

George · January 14, 2009, 03:33:16 PM

Quote from: SonicMan on January 14, 2009, 03:25:56 PM
Good evening George - thanks for the input; I've been eying that Collard box for a while - never have been thrilled w/ Stott (but a $24 purchase for 4-CDs at BRO) - will be curious to hear what Todd & Dirk have to save about the 'sound quality' of the Thyssens-Valentin recordings?

BTW - just checked Presto Classical in the UK - her discs are being offered for $14.50 each (can't remember what I've paid for shipping to the USA from there but not a big deal) - I'll be thinking on this one for sure! Thanks all - Dave

BTW, can you start a new thread for this discussion, please?

Poor Marcelle is getting neglected.

I listened to some more of the set last night and her Ravel is incredible! This set is already shaping up to be a very wise decision.

Novi · January 14, 2009, 04:26:54 PM

CD 9, track 13 0:).

(not, of course, that I don't listen to the whole Suite, but that track just has that 'goosebump' effect on me. Hmm, I've got it on right now and 'Le rappel des oiseaux' has a similar effect. Actually, I really like the whole of that E minor Suite 0:)).

Todd · January 14, 2009, 04:33:56 PM

Quote from: SonicMan on January 14, 2009, 02:57:28 PMAlso curious about the 'age' of these recordings & the quality of the sound?

The recordings are from the mid and late '50s, and sound quite good for their age, though some better recordings from the era are available. There's noticeable hiss, but nothing too bothersome. The loudest passages show a bit of strain, too, but again, nothing too bothersome. I find it easier to listen to the Testament recordings than to Stott's recordings. I should note that I got both the Stott and Thyssens-Valentin recordings from BRO - you just need to keep an eye out.