Recordings That You Are Considering

[jlaurson]

I have been eyeing that myself. Guidance?

For what it's worth:

It's fine... it covers some good ground--most orchestral works, the piano works, some organ works, the Quatuor.

For orchestral works, EMI has picked those performances, that didn't compete with their other re-issues (of Rattle, for example)... none of which is bad, per se... and superbly interesting where it is Messiaen himself conducting (or playing), or Loriod. If that's an argument for anyone, this set is worth its low price (and spotty nature) for those performances alone... only the nearly-complete Warner Messiaen box has more Loriod.

DG's is the only complete one, and it has almost no weak spots. It might be too complete for many (although that's a matter of taste, too: some will want it for Saint Asissi, some will never listen to that work again), or too expensive. The inclusion of Latry's organ cycle is one of the strengths of this set.

Warner has everything but some recently discovered works and the opera--some terrific performances about on par with DGs.

Haenssler has the best box if you are just looking for the orchestral works. Cambreling is like a shimmering rainbow full of colors in how he conducts these works... fascinating every time.

EMI is an odd compromise... perhaps perfect for someone who is looking for something not-quite-comprehensive but also well beyond a collection of "greatest hits". Certainly it's the most competitive, price-wise.  While my own Messiaen- and listening-preferences make it less suited to me, I'm happy to have particular performances that come in this box that I'll go back to, time and again.

[nut-job]

Whey you say the EMI set has a "spotty nature" do you refer to the coverage of Messian's works, or to the quality of the performances?

[Coopmv]

Fanfare calls it the "missing link" between Schumann and Brahms:

It is that good?   

[Coopmv]

All the recordings of Charles Avison works made by this English ensemble ...

[Coopmv]

I also will pull the trigger on this set in the next week or so ...

[Mandryka]

All the recordings of Charles Avison works made by this English ensemble ...

Don't know that one -- but I can recommend the recording by Cafe Zimmerman.

[Coopmv]

Don't know that one -- but I can recommend the recording by Cafe Zimmerman.

Since my interest is baroque and early music, I always go after recordings that can help build out my collection ...

[Brian]

It is that good?   

I don't know; that's why I asked. 

[Coopmv]

I don't know; that's why I asked. 

If you have already bought the set, you will soon find out.   

[Lilas Pastia]

It's actually a wonderful combination, and very creative as well! We don't need another Berg compilation or complete Mozart disc. This is the way to go in my opinion. Unfortunately, i don't think Boulez understands the Gran Partita. I am an avid fan of Tetzlaff and Uchida, and Boulez is a name that speaks for himself, but simply....the Gran Partita is not good...they play it like a run through, with weird musical decisions on articulation, a terrible studio accoustic, and worst of all, the music is not allowed to breath at all. (For really good Gran Partita check out the Netherlands Wind Ensemble's recording on their own label).

Howard

I love both works and it's the pairing that actually caught my attention. They are almost identically scored (except for the violin and piano solos in the Berg). I already have a few K361 that I enjoy - but not the Netherlands Wind ensemble one - is it another one than the early seventies Philips release?? I love the gemütlich Collegium Aureum, the bold and elegant Ensemble Philidor and the luscious, piquant and creamy sounds of the Hungarian Opera winds. The latter is the only one I've heard where the instruments have a distinct corporate personality. Interpretively it's affectionate yet classical in feeling.

In the Berg my favourite is still the Supraphon with Josef Suk & Co. I also have the DG in the big Berg box, but it's rather beefy and unsubtle in comparison.

I guess that Boulez' Ensemble Intercontemporain doesn't cut the mustard in the Mozart 

[Que]

I love both works and it's the pairing that actually caught my attention. They are almost identically scored (except for the violin and piano solos in the Berg). I already have a few K361 that I enjoy - but not the Netherlands Wind ensemble one - is it another one than the early seventies Philips release?? I love the gemütlich Collegium Aureum, the bold and elegant Ensemble Philidor and the luscious, piquant and creamy sounds of the Hungarian Opera winds. The latter is the only one I've heard where the instruments have a distinct corporate personality. Interpretively it's affectionate yet classical in feeling.

Absolutely!



I was myself not entirely satisfied with the Ensemble Philidor. This is my HIP favourite:



Q

[knight66]

Opinions please.

A long time ago I owned an LP by pianists Eden and Tamar that had a two piano version of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. A new disc of the piece is reviewed in this month's Gramophone. The critic spends a lot of space denigrating the arrangement. I seem to recall it as being visceral and exciting. Does anyone know the two piano version? If so, what doe you think of it as a piece of music and can you recommend a version to me?

Mike

[jlaurson]

A long time ago I owned an LP by pianists Eden and Tamar that had a two piano version of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. A new disc of the piece is reviewed in this month's Gramophone. The critic spends a lot of space denigrating the arrangement. I seem to recall it as being visceral and exciting. Does anyone know the two piano version? If so, what doe you think of it as a piece of music and can you recommend a version to me?

If I could only have one recording of the Rite of the Spring (and I know this is going out on a limb, here), I'd take the Two Piano Version in the recording by Fazil Say.

Whatever you think about Say (wacky or genius, sloppy hack or inspired maverick {reviews here and here}), the Teldec recording of his Rite (playing with himself, thanks to double tracking) is amazing and insane. Short review here.

[Mandryka]

 Huseyin Sermet -- Liszt sonata and late pieces.

[Bulldog]

Shosty's 15th conducted by Pletnev.  I don't think I can resist this one.

[nut-job]

Shosty's 15th conducted by Pletnev.  I don't think I can resist this one.

Looks interesting, please report back if you get it.

[haydnguy]

[knight66]

If I could only have one recording of the Rite of the Spring (and I know this is going out on a limb, here), I'd take the Two Piano Version in the recording by Fazil Say.

Whatever you think about Say (wacky or genius, sloppy hack or inspired maverick {reviews here and here}), the Teldec recording of his Rite (playing with himself, thanks to double tracking) is amazing and insane. Short review here.

Thanks for that, I will certainly investigate it.

Mike

[DavidRoss]

Me, too.  Did you get it, Stuart?

[Coopmv]

Me, too.  Did you get it, Stuart?

Not yet.  I did buy the following Mullova's recordings over the past year.  They are all relatively recent releases ...