Past Purchases (CLOSED)

[Air]

Do you have the other one?

Unfortunately not.  I bought this one too fast and forgot to look around for other options.  This set is amazing though and includes much of the other set as well as the complete Debussy Preludes played really (really) well.

[haydnguy]

Unfortunately not.  I bought this one too fast and forgot to look around for other options.  This set is amazing though and includes much of the other set as well as the complete Debussy Preludes played really (really) well.

I think I may have asked Dave when I bought them, but anyway the two sets have different actual performances of the same pieces. I agree, they are both good sets. 

[Air]

I think I may have asked Dave when I bought them, but anyway the two sets have different actual performances of the same pieces. I agree, they are both good sets. 

Oh, the headaches I have trying to figure out which Michelangeli performances are which!  Why can't we all be Lhevinne and put all our recordings into a simple 1-disc release?

[Elgarian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO2HBhwk05g

Oh that's wonderful! Lullymania indeed! (Je me demande qui s'appelle Jean, Paul, Georges, ou Richard?)

[Elgarian]

Correct! Behold.

Brilliant piece of detective work. Now we can be on a Rolly lull whenever we want!

Assuming I start with the historically less recent, would Psyche be a good place to start? I am intrigued by the subject matter.

I haven't listened to Psyche yet, though there's been such praise for it that I suspect you can't go wrong. But if we were to set that aside, I'd have to recommend two possible ways in:

1. Proserpine



If you have a weak spot for the subject matter of Psyche, I have an equivalent for Proserpine. And I love this recording. I wrote a longish review about it here:
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,1729.msg353548.html#msg353548

2. Cadmus and Hermione



Quite simply, the best opera DVD I have ever seen. The production is astoundingly fine. I wrote this about it, on another forum:

"The authenticity is palpable. Recognising that the most crucial factor in staging such a performance in 1673 was lighting, and integrating the lighting with the structure of the sets, these guys have done precisely that. The whole thing, as far as I can see, is illuminated with a mass of small naked flames, and this sets the stage apart in a world of its own, with this mysterious, very slightly shifting light (the changes consciously noticeable only when you look for them). So visually, it's very beautiful because of the lighting. But equal attention has been lavished on the costumes, the sets, and even the carefully articulated and rehearsed gestures and expressions of the singers. I can't imagine we could ever see anything closer to what Lully wanted his audience (the King primarily, one supposes) to see. The DVD is like a window into a world over 300 years old, yet bristling with life, and in no sense museumified.

And as to what we hear ... the music is stupendous. There never seems to be a dull moment; the orchestral playing is brilliant as far as I can tell, and the singing totally convincing. The whole is far, far more than the sum of its parts, and while watching I found myself being deeply moved - not identifiably by the music, nor the lighting, nor the gestures, nor the sets - but by the magnificent synthesis of all of these. When Gramophone gave this a rave review, they got it absolutely right.

I'm haunted by it. Images from it keep floating into my head at quiet moments. The expressive gestures - the focus on the hands of Cadmus and Hermione which, as the opera evolves, move closer and closer without touching until, finally ... they do. I have never seen hands used with such expressive power. And that is just one tiny aspect of this production. The finale is so formal, and yet so moving. The combination of Lully's superb music and the shifting tableau of characters on stage is perfect; I'll tell you, I found tears hovering all the way through the finale - not the gut-wrenching emotionalism of a Puccini opera, but something far more delicate, arising from the sense of great care lavished on every detail, the perfection of the way it's blended with the music. Yes, it has a 'happy ending' - but what's so moving is not so much the happy fate of the characters, but the astounding perfection of the art, and the sense of privilege at being able to see something so perfectly formed, both visually and musically. We all now can watch something made, with no expense or effort spared, for a King. And not just any king at that, but the Sun King himself. Great Art, indeed."

[Renfield]

Duly noted, Elgarian. Thank you: I wouldn't be surprised if either Proserpine or Psyche found their way to my hands before long.

(I'd prefer starting with a purely listening experience before going audiovisual, purely for the sake of acquainting myself with the idiom.)


In other news, I believe I am certifiably on a Rolly lull.

[Elgarian]

Duly noted, Elgarian. Thank you: I wouldn't be surprised if either Proserpine or Psyche found their way to my hands before long.

I've now listened to the first three acts of Psyche, and I can say that it's worth buying purely for the astonishing performance of Carolyn Sampson as Psyche, backed up by Karina Gauvin as a frighteningly vengeful Venus. Really, the portrayal of Psyche is superb. It's not just great singing - it's great drama: the delicacy of the little nuances in her voice is such that I feel I could never quite get to the bottom of it no matter how many times I listen. When she comes to L'Amour's palace, it seems that every inflection in her singing has dramatic meaning as well as beauty.

I have to say that I don't actually know what a bad recording of a Lully opera would be like - I've never heard one. But this - well, even though I haven't reached the end yet, I can say unequivocally that it's well worth the asking price, and more. Lots of little b/w photos of a live production accompany the libretto - a nice touch.

In other news, I believe I am certifiably on a Rolly lull.

Keep us posted on developments.

[Henk]

A real bargain, the Messiaen.

[Gabriel]

At last I found the first volume (released 1992) of Krommer's flute quintets in Koch/Schwann (Meier/Stamitz-Quartett). Contains op. 55 (E minor), op. 58 (C major) and op. 109, which should be delightful late Krommer (G major). The other two volumes contained some of the best chamber music in late classicism, so I simply expect this one to follow the same trail.

I also purchased:

Michael Haydn: Sacred Choral Music (Missa Sancti Hieronymi, Timete Dominum, Sancti Dei, Christus factus est, Veni Sancte Spiritus, Ave Regina caelorum). Graden/Ensemble Philidor/St. Jacob's Chamber Choir (BIS).

Paisiello: Musiques pour la Chapelle de Napoléon Bonaparte (Messe en Pastorale pour le Premier Consul, Tantum Ergo, Gloria Patri, Tecum Principium). Brizio/Prague Symphony Orchestra.

[SonicMan46]

Fischer, Johann Christian - Oboe Concetos w/ Niesemann, Willens & Kolner Akademie on Ars

Hubay, Jeno - Violin Concertos Nos. 1/2 w/ Hagai Shaham & Brabbins + BBC Scottish SO on Hyperion

Jenkins, John - Fantasy Suites w/ Hamburger Ratsmusik on Phoenix

Koechlin, Charles - Saxophone & Piano Works w/ Mondelci & Stott on Chandos

Krommer, Franz - Partitas Winds w/ Amphion Wind Octet on Accent

Mendelssohn, Felix - Clarinet Works w/ Hacker et al on period instruments - Amon Ra

Pachelbel, Johann - Clavier Music, Vol. 1 w/ Franz Raml (Organ & Harpsichord) on MDG

Schroter, Johann - Piano Sonatas w/ Luigi Gerosa on Dynamic

 

 

 

 

[Harry]

Thanks to Que, this wonderful set is now on its way too me, and for a unbeatable price too.

[marvinbrown]

   I have been up to no good lately!  My appetite for opera is insatiable (doesn't anybody here buy opera recordings??  )  Ayway the following OPERA recordings arrived in my mailbox today:

 
 

  Plus from my wishlist thread   :



  I believe this should keep me busy for the next few weeks  !

  marvin

 

 

[DavidW]

Marvin, I thought you were going for the complete Dvorak chamber works?

[marvinbrown]

Marvin, I thought you were going for the complete Dvorak chamber works?

  I couldn't find the COMPLETE (IE the string quartets + piano quartets & quintets and string quintets & sextets) Dvorak chamber works on Supraphon at amazon.co.uk  so I had to buy these in pieces.  I already had the Supraphon quartets et al. box set, you know the one in the reddish-brown box (not quite sure what color that box is in  ):

 
  Anyway with this purchase of the string quartets I have got it all  !!

Incidentally now that I am back posting in this thread I forgot to mention one other opera that I picked up, this:



   Needless to say opera is what made me a die hard classical music fan. I say this with all due respect to instrumental music and other non-operatic vocal works. Finally I have learned that putting an excellent opera collection together can be quite..........COSLTY !!!! ......<sigh>......

  marvin

   

[Elgarian]

Thanks to Que, this wonderful set is now on its way too me, and for a unbeatable price too.

That is the best box of musical delights to have arrived in my home during the last two years. An endless source for exploration (and inspiration), with exquisite rewards.

[Opus106]

That is the best box of musical delights to have arrived in my home during the last two years. An endless source for exploration (and inspiration), with exquisite rewards.

Oh yes, I remember those "days of revelations" (your revelations) well.

[Elgarian]

Oh yes, I remember those "days of revelations" (your revelations) well.

Those were the days! D'you know, I still get a little thrill from visiting the website and hearing that fantastic bit of Piccini start up:

http://www.baroqueboxset.com/

I remember working my way through the CDs wondering who it was, and where to find it, until you tipped me off and identified it for me.

[Opus106]

Those were the days! D'you know, I still get a little thrill from visiting the website and hearing that fantastic bit of Piccini start up:

http://www.baroqueboxset.com/

[Coopmv]

Just ordered the following sets from PrestoClassical at great prices, the first order with a second UK e-tailer ...

[Bogey]

 

This is a wonderful set, Marvin.  You may also want to look into these performances as rec. by Gurn.  Fabulous stuff, but maybe you have these.: