What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Dana]

It's been a while since I posted in this thread, so let me thus exclusively reveal to the GMG community my listening, as of 6:56 AM local time, to Brahms' 'Tragic' Overture, courtesy of Carlo Maria Giulini and the Vienna Philharmonic on Deutsche Grammophon.

I bought it approximately two years ago, but the exact date is unclear.



On a more serious note, this whole cycle (of the symphonies, the Haydn Variations and the above) is exquisite. I don't see it mentioned quite often enough - in fact, when M happened to recommend it (cue righteous forum fury), I had no idea it even existed.

We're honored by your presence!

On a more serious note, how do you think this set compares to the more widely known sets, like Bohm & Klemperer?

[Dana]

      On an even more serious note, I'm currently listening to Das Lied von de Erde in depth for the first time. Come to think of it, this is my first exposure to any of Mahler's songs, unless you count the fourth movement of the Resurrection Symphony. It's not what I expected.

[FideLeo]

I'm intrigued by those!

Yes I imagine you would

The Kuijken's Haydn does everything decently in my book - speed, dynamism,
articulation - and the recordings, being Denon reissues, are cheap and have
fine sound.  I wish there was more wit and humour than occasionally put
on display by the players, but alas, not every HIP SQ is an Apponyi  

[Renfield]

On a more serious note, how do you think this set compares to the more widely known sets, like Bohm & Klemperer?

Giulini is slow. But with the VPO (compared to a miss - IMO - in the 4th symphony with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), he uses the slower tempi to bring out a myriad of colours in the notes, and lovely little phrases from the orchestra that can go unnoticed.

He's like a less agogic, more consistent Bernstein, in a way. Come to think of it, his approach is not dissimilar to Bohm in essence, though it's certainly a lot more unaffectedly cantabile, if that makes any sense in the context of a Brahms symphony!

[Novi]

      On an even more serious note, I'm currently listening to Das Lied von de Erde in depth for the first time. Come to think of it, this is my first exposure to any of Mahler's songs, unless you count the fourth movement of the Resurrection Symphony. It's not what I expected.

How are you finding it? I found it easier to get into Das Lied than the symphonies when I first came across Mahler.

[Lethevich]

Canto Ostinato

[jlaurson]

     On an even more serious note, I'm currently listening to Das Lied von de Erde in depth for the first time. Come to think of it, this is my first exposure to any of Mahler's songs, unless you count the fourth movement of the Resurrection Symphony. It's not what I expected.

I imagine it wasn't. Man did that take me a long time (years) to even appreciate, much less like. But like so much music, it is worth the repeated exposure until it 'clicks'.

[Elgarian]

Have you perused this set much? I grew up on Boult's first cycle, and am curious as to how it compares.

I grew up on Boult too, and I can't get on with Haitink's set. First, for some reason I have a dynamic range problem with the discs; I just can't find a satisfactory level for listening - to hear the soft parts I have to be blasted out of the house in the loud bits, or to avoid scaring the neighbours I have to turn the volume down so that I can't hear the quiet bits.

But in terms of the music, I find that Haitink misses that mystical dimension that Boult (or Handley) gets. I don't think he understands the English pastoral tradition that inspires English folk song, and artists like Blake and Samuel Palmer; I don't hear that feeling for 'the land' - at least, by comparison with Boult.

[Christo]

But in terms of the music, I find that Haitink misses that mystical dimension that Boult (or Handley) gets.

Speaking for myself, I find the Haitink cycle a dismal failure, and I avoid it completely. Literally all other cycles are better. Even my other compatriot, Kees Bakels on Naxos, is superior in almost all respects.  

[Drasko]

Scheeer-zaaa, infiii-daa......

http://www.youtube.com/v/pcV2Vs83jPc

[Catison]

[Harry]

Speaking for myself, I find the Haitink cycle a dismal failure, and I avoid it completely. Literally all other cycles are better. Even my other compatriot, Kees Bakels on Naxos, is superior in almost all respects.  

I quite agree with this vehement statement.
I nearly broke all the CD'S in this box, so irritating they where to me.
I found a new home for them, and they seem to be well respected by the new owner.
O, well.

[Henk]

Speaking for myself, I find the Haitink cycle a dismal failure, and I avoid it completely. Literally all other cycles are better. Even my other compatriot, Kees Bakels on Naxos, is superior in almost all respects.  

Can't compare with others, but what I heard of Haitink's set, I quite liked it.

Henk

[DavidRoss]

      On an even more serious note, I'm currently listening to Das Lied von de Erde in depth for the first time. Come to think of it, this is my first exposure to any of Mahler's songs, unless you count the fourth movement of the Resurrection Symphony. It's not what I expected.

Terrific.  Which DLVDE recording did you choose for your maiden voyage, Dana?  Mahler's songs are not to be missed.  Below is a sample, Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, sung by one of my current faves, Katarina Karnéus.  

http://www.youtube.com/v/YXBAllqCpJ8&feature=related

Thread duty: was listening to vivaldi double concertos with Mullova & carmignola but now, thanks to Dana, I'm searching youtube for Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen recordings!

[Harry]

Thus in my player this afternoon I find again the XI volume of the Baryton Trio's as played by the Esterhazy Ensemble.
Nos. 74-80.

Still not many people on GMG have this box, I am only aware of Que and Dave. That surprises me, for apart from the wonderful performances on authentic instruments, it leaves nothing to be desired in terms of recording or completeness. I would have liked better documentation with it, and paid happily for that but alas.
The enormous amount of colours Haydn put in these compositions is astounding.

[Henk]

Thus in my player this afternoon I find again the XI volume of the Baryton Trio's as played by the Esterhazy Ensemble.
Nos. 74-80.

Still not many people on GMG have this box, I am only aware of Que and Dave. That surprises me, for apart from the wonderful performances on authentic instruments, it leaves nothing to be desired in terms of recording or completeness. I would have liked better documentation with it, and paid happily for that but alas.
The enormous amount of colours Haydn put in these compositions is astounding.

Interesting, Harry. Just ordered it.

[Henk]

[Harry]

Interesting, Harry. Just ordered it.

Capital!

[George]

Brahms
Op. 116
Wilhelm Kempff
DG
Mono

Morning, friends! 

[Harry]

What a glorious recording, what marvelous performance!