Recordings That You Are Considering

[sporkadelic]

I mean to buy this when I'm getting a regular paycheck once again:



After hearing Ohlsson play Scriabin on the radio program Saint Paul Sunday, I think he may be the right artist to give us a complete Scriabin cycle.

[George]

And George?:

Replied by PM.

[Daverz]

Dvorak's Third + Glazunov's Saxophone Concerto + Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue

That's an unusual program.  Is it a concert?

[Haffner]

Wagner Siegfried Act III "Brunnhilde's Awakening" (Solti)

Gorgeous. "Heil  dir Sonne..."

[SonicMan46]

I mean to buy this when I'm getting a regular paycheck once again:

 

After hearing Ohlsson play Scriabin on the radio program Saint Paul Sunday, I think he may be the right artist to give us a complete Scriabin cycle.

The box set below w/ Maria Lettberg has been on my 'want list' for a while - believe excellent reviews on this forum; just have not 'pulled the trigger' yet - listing for $80 on Amazon; not sure about the 'status' of this label (some have ended up as Brilliant boxes?) - would be interesting to have another 'complete' cycle released! 

[George]

The box set below w/ Maria Lettberg has been on my 'want list' for a while - believe excellent reviews on this forum; just have not 'pulled the trigger' yet - listing for $80 on Amazon; not sure about the 'status' of this label (some have ended up as Brilliant boxes?) - would be interesting to have another 'complete' cycle

Who do you own BTW?

I love Askenazy and Ogdon's sets. Richter's Scriabin PS5 on that Praga CD with Chopin is a must IMO.

[jlaurson]

The box set below w/ Maria Lettberg has been on my 'want list' for a while - believe excellent reviews on this forum; just have not 'pulled the trigger' yet - listing for $80 on Amazon; not sure about the 'status' of this label (some have ended up as Brilliant boxes?) - would be interesting to have another 'complete' cycle released! 

Capriccio was dragged down by the bankruptcy of its parent company, Delta Music. For a while it was homeless, and Capriccio stock just lying around.
But now the liquidators have sold Capriccio to the owner of Phoenix Edition, who also used to run Capriccio. (And founded Phoenix to continue the Capriccio projects with the same artists.) That means that back-stock should be sale-able again. In any case, you could ask the American distributor of Capriccio (if you are in the US) and inquire about stock and prices... I'm sure they would be happy to sell... since Capriccio will re-start with a different distributor than before its bancruptcy. (I don't know off the top off my head who the dist. was, but I spoke with the chap who runs it not too long ago.) Since Capriccio itself (re)issues boxes that rival the Brilliant-price, I doubt they will be re-issued by them.
My colleague got the Lettberg Scriabin and reviewed her performance... he was disappointed by the performance but impressed with the Scriabin. I'd be intrigued... I only have "everything" with Ponti, who is a banger. [I can't imagine Ohlsson being particularly good in it, but then I can't imagine Ohlsson particularly interesting in anything...] Ashkenazy is good in what I have of him, I LOVE Austbo (Brilliant) and Glemser (Naxos) in Scriabin, found Ruth Laredo quite good (live, I don't have the CDs), and I think that Sudbin's Scriabin is kind of a "MUST".

[Bulldog]

I only have "everything" with Ponti, who is a banger. [I can't imagine Ohlsson being particularly good in it, but then I can't imagine Ohlsson particularly interesting in anything...]

Although I agree that Ponti is a banger, his rhythmic patterns are about a close to Scriabin's own as I've heard.  Ohlsson can be disappointing, but I am impressed with his Goldberg Variations which is as gentle a reading as possible without any repeats (except for the last variation).

[SonicMan46]

My colleague got the Lettberg Scriabin and reviewed her performance... he was disappointed by the performance but impressed with the Scriabin. I'd be intrigued... I only have "everything" with Ponti, who is a banger. [I can't imagine Ohlsson being particularly good in it, but then I can't imagine Ohlsson particularly interesting in anything...] Ashkenazy is good in what I have of him, I LOVE Austbo (Brilliant) and Glemser (Naxos) in Scriabin, found Ruth Laredo quite good (live, I don't have the CDs), and I think that Sudbin's Scriabin is kind of a "MUST".

Jens - thanks for the comments above; so far, I have Elena Kuschnerova in the Etudes/Preludes (and am not planning to part w/ that disc) & Robert Taub in the Sonatas (a bargain purchase, good but could be persuaded).  The Lettberg recordings did receive a great review on MusicWeb HERE (as I remember, you may not be a fan of reviews from them?); and if the set is offered at a reduced price, then I'll probably make a purchase.  But I do enjoy those other performers, esp. like Austbo in Grieg's Lyric Suites, but have not heard his Scriabin.  Dave

 

[sporkadelic]

The box set below w/ Maria Lettberg has been on my 'want list' for a while - believe excellent reviews on this forum; just have not 'pulled the trigger' yet - listing for $80 on Amazon; not sure about the 'status' of this label (some have ended up as Brilliant boxes?) - would be interesting to have another 'complete' cycle released! 

Thanks, I did not know of this set.  When Ponti's was the only complete set I was happy to recommend it at its very low price.  He's fine in many of the smaller pieces where he doesn't need to play loud, but when he does, yes, the sound he makes is pretty ugly.

[Bulldog]

Jens - thanks for the comments above; so far, I have Elena Kuschnerova in the Etudes/Preludes (and am not planning to part w/ that disc) & Robert Taub in the Sonatas (a bargain purchase, good but could be persuaded).  The Lettberg recordings did receive a great review on MusicWeb HERE (as I remember, you may not be a fan of reviews from them?); and if the set is offered at a reduced price, then I'll probably make a purchase.  But I do enjoy those other performers, esp. like Austbo in Grieg's Lyric Suites, but have not heard his Scriabin.  Dave

 

That Kuschnerova disc is a gem, especially her performance of the Op. 11 Preludes; it drips with sensuality.

[jlaurson]

The Lettberg recordings did receive a great review on MusicWeb HERE (as I remember, you may not be a fan of reviews from them?);
But I do enjoy those other performers, esp. like Austbo in Grieg's Lyric Suites...

No... I have no problem with MusicWeb reviews per se. They have some very fine reviewers. I think I took issue with a particularly bad review, though... of which there are some. (But there are bad reviews in Fanfare, ARG, and Gramophone, too.

Austbo is particularly good in Scriabin, I find... in fact, he's something of a specialist in Scriabin and synesthetics.

[Harry]

The box set below w/ Maria Lettberg has been on my 'want list' for a while - believe excellent reviews on this forum; just have not 'pulled the trigger' yet - listing for $80 on Amazon; not sure about the 'status' of this label (some have ended up as Brilliant boxes?) - would be interesting to have another 'complete' cycle released! 

This cycle cost me 19,95 euro's from JPC, and it is the best set I bought last year, concerning Scriabin's music.  Your not getting a complete set of music of this composer anywhere else. that has so much quality. To hell with the reviewers that have plugs in their ears, and deem this set worthless. Did they ever erect a statue for music critics? No, they haven't.
Yes, I am really happy with this set, but whom am I to say huh?

[SonicMan46]

That Kuschnerova disc is a gem, especially her performance of the Op. 11 Preludes; it drips with sensuality.

Don - now don't get me too excited!    I'll have to spin that disc tonight, and it will stay in my collection no matter what else is added - 

This cycle cost me 19,95 euro's from JPC, and it is the best set I bought last year, concerning Scriabin's music.  Your not getting a complete set of music of this composer anywhere else. that has so much quality. To hell with the reviewers that have plugs in their ears, and deem this set worthless. Did they ever erect a statue for music critics?

Harry - boy, that was a great bargain! (Now, listed @ 33 Euros @ JPC - just checked today; of course, a hefty shipping charge for me!); the MusicWeb review that I linked was quite complimentary to this set (a recording of the month), so I'm quite comfortable w/ purchasing the box @ a good price!  Dave

[Brian]

That's an unusual program.  Is it a concert?

It's unclear. ArkivMusic and MDT have no information whatsoever about the release...

[jlaurson]

To hell with the reviewers that have plugs in their ears, and deem this set worthless. Did they ever erect a statue for music critics? No, they haven't.

...actually...

[Brian]

So I am making another MDT run and have room in my wallet for one more big box set (unless certain forum members convince me that life is too short to not just buy 'em all  ). Trouble is, I can't decide which I want. If there are any you particularly think I should not get, or any that are particularly great, out of this panel of finalists, please say so!

      

      

      

I am balking at the Richard Strauss because I already have much of the music (Zarathustra, Tod und V, Metamorphosen, 4 Last Songs, Alpensinfonie, Don Juan, Till E) and am balking at the Oistrakh because, though I don't have any of that violinist's recordings, I have most of the works represented; also for all the Historic Russian sets, sound is a concern. I have some of the Barenboim Beethoven on MP3, after checking them out from my library, but not 1, 2 or 9.

Am leaning towards Gilels, Mozart/Muti, or Guarneri/Beethoven, so comments on those especially appreciated.

EDIT: Also in consideration is Naxos' box set of the complete Mozart symphonies.

[Haffner]

If it's the same set, you just might really want the Guarneri/Beethoven. The opps.130 and the Grosse Fuge are very good, but the op.127 is the best ever, in my humble opinion. I also don't think those quartets are very expensive, but anything under $50.. is a deal for the best op. 127 recorded.

Again, this is entirely my opinion.

[Daverz]

and am balking at the Oistrakh because, though I don't have any of that violinist's recordings,

I haven't heard this set, but isn't it old Soviet broadcasts?  I'd start with his commercial recordings.

Guarneri/Beethoven

Another budget Beethoven set to consider is the Suske Quartet on Edel.

[jlaurson]

I am balking at the Richard Strauss because I already have much of the music (Zarathustra, Tod und V, Metamorphosen, 4 Last Songs, Alpensinfonie, Don Juan, Till E) and am balking at the Oistrakh because, though I don't have any of that violinist's recordings, I have most of the works represented; also for all the Historic Russian sets, sound is a concern. I have some of the Barenboim Beethoven on MP3, after checking them out from my library, but not 1, 2 or 9.

Am leaning towards Gilels, Mozart/Muti, or Guarneri/Beethoven, so comments on those especially appreciated.

A.) Why Naxos' Mozart when you can have Mackerras' in a new money saving Telarc box??? Or sublime Krips with all the Mozart symphonies that are actually worth listening to on Decca??

B.) Barenboim's Beethoven--if you don't mind your Beethoven with rich old-European varnish--is an absolute MUST.

C.) Guarneri is _not_ the early RCA set but the otherwise out of print Philips set. Good, but hardly special.

D.) Strauss with Kempe is essential, no matter what you already have with Strauss. Not "overwhelmingly good", but sublime through surprisingly understated performances. Sound is good, not great.