What were you listening to? (CLOSED)

[Antoine Marchand]

My box has 150 CDs! 

I love too much some discs of that box. They count for two! 

(My mistake. I was probably thinking in the original Bach Brilliant Edition).

[Antoine Marchand]

Yeah the 155 is the Bach set.  The Haydn is 150.  I guess I'm not the only owner of both.   That probably explains why 90% of my listening seems to be Haydn and Bach.

Sure, I have (and love) both of them. But not just that, I also own the original boxes of the piano sonatas, divertimenti and piano trios and, additionally, a great part of the string quartets. And I am not thinking to sell them (that small boxes are more "handy"). 

[jlaurson]

sick as a dog, but listening to some Rott for pick-up.


Hans Rott
Symphony No.1
Orchestral Prelude
Julius Cesar Overture


Paavo Jaervi has recorded a new version last weekend, out some time this fall on Sony/BMG/RCA, which might better all there has been so far. But I have to say, this Munich version is the version to have until then. Having heard it live (Sarge was there, too), I've won new, additional respect for this interpretation and how it deals with the work's inherent difficulties.

[karlhenning]

sick as a dog . . .

A Rottweiler, perhaps?

[Que]

Q

[Franco]

beethoven: the late quartets; #13, op. 130
takacs quartet

[SonicMan46]

Another new acquisition and yet another recommendation by Don here on this forum and also on the Bach Cantata Website HERE:

Bach, JS - French Suites performed by David Cates on a harpsichord made by Owen Daly in 1999 (pic below), after an instrument by Antoine Vaudry in 1681; liner notes by Cates - a 2-CD bargain ($10) from BRO HERE, and packaged in a double thin jewel box! - 


 

[Papy Oli]

good evening all 



No.4 

[George]

I've heard that his op 109 (no 30) is one of the best, but it is oop. I suppose I could cave in and pay the roughly ~$20 or so at Arkiv, but that seems excessive to me. Maybe I'll get lucky one day...

EDIT: Actually - it looks like you are playing that disc. Let us know what you think of that one too (please!).

It's a great CD, actually! I finished the rest at lunchtime. Somehow he makes these works sound fresh without interpreting them in a particularly unique way. Just great solid playing, with nice tempo choices. Nice technique as well. That said, he isn't among my top choices for any of the works played here.

[mc ukrneal]

It's a great CD, actually! I finished the rest at lunchtime. Somehow he makes these works sound fresh without interpreting them in a particularly unique way. Just great solid playing, with nice tempo choices. Nice technique as well. That said, he isn't among my top choices for any of the works played here.

Ok. Thanks. Just out of curiosity, which do you like for Op 109 (no 30)?

[Bulldog]

Another new acquisition and yet another recommendation by Don here on this forum and also on the Bach Cantata Website HERE:

Bach, JS - French Suites performed by David Cates on a harpsichord made by Owen Daly in 1999 (pic below), after an instrument by Antoine Vaudry in 1681; liner notes by Cates - a 2-CD bargain ($10) from BRO HERE, and packaged in a double thin jewel box! - 


 

An excellent choice, and the price is next to nothing - way to go!  I'm not aware of a better set of the French Suites, although the Curtis does match it.

[listener]

MacDOWELL  Piano Music vol.3     James Barbagallo       Naxos
Nice big sound here, makes the Sonata seem to be an important piece. - maybe it is, I'll have to listen again.  That's a plus, better than 'once is enough'.
For the pieces based on Heine poems Naxos supply the text and translation- give and extra point for the packaging.

[SonicMan46]

An excellent choice, and the price is next to nothing - way to go!  I'm not aware of a better set of the French Suites, although the Curtis does match it.  Re: David Cates on harpsichord!

Don - not sure that this post will soon be buried for you not to see it, but thanks for all of the advice on these 'keyboard' choices - has been quite helpful & enlightening!

Now, I own the 3 Alan Curtis discs of both sets of Suites - would like to obtain one other of the English Suites on harpsichord and was interested in the Peter Watchorn recording, but after reading your review and the responses, including one by Watchorn, I wasn't sure - I like this performer on a number of recordings, esp. the WTC Bks. on the pedal harpsichord - Dave 

[Brian]

I just recommended this to Sonic Dave and want to make sure I wasn't leading him astray!

[George]

Ok. Thanks. Just out of curiosity, which do you like for Op 109 (no 30)?

My Favorite (three way tie) - Annie Fischer, Pollini, Rudolf Serkin(m)

Then (in order) - Gulda, Schnabel, Barenboim (DG), Richter

[DavidW]

Sure, I have (and love) both of them. But not just that, I also own the original boxes of the piano sonatas, divertimenti and piano trios and, additionally, a great part of the string quartets. And I am not thinking to sell them (that small boxes are more "handy"). 

A nice collection.

I'm home so now I've looked at that cd, and it is performed by Stanley Hoogland on a Walter reproduction by McNulty, and we're talking sonatas (xvi) 11, 19, 35, 34 and 51.

[SonicMan46]

I just recommended this to Sonic Dave and want to make sure I wasn't leading him astray!

Hi Brian - thanks for your response in the 'considering thread' - I own the first 3 volumes of this Grieg interpreter - appears that I could just add a few more and be happy w/ my collection - I really don't have the space for a gigantic 14-CD box w/ each disc in its own jewel case - plus, a lot of material that may not be of interest?  Dave

[Brian]

Hi Brian - thanks for your response in the 'considering thread' - I own the first 3 volumes of this Grieg interpreter - appears that I could just add a few more and be happy w/ my collection - I really don't have the space for a gigantic 14-CD box w/ each disc in its own jewel case - plus, a lot of material that may not be of interest?  Dave

The answer to that last question is almost certainly yes; there is, for instance, a CD with the piano version of Peer Gynt, with a narrator... the only music I listen to from the Grieg piano set is S-N's magnificent performance of the Holberg Suite, the Norwegian Dances, some of the folk melodies on various CDs, and the unfinished piano concerto. 

[Harry]

Hi Brian - thanks for your response in the 'considering thread' - I own the first 3 volumes of this Grieg interpreter - appears that I could just add a few more and be happy w/ my collection - I really don't have the space for a gigantic 14-CD box w/ each disc in its own jewel case - plus, a lot of material that may not be of interest?  Dave

There is not a single disc in this fine collection that is not interesting. Grieg wrote beautiful music for the piano, and Nokleberg got  very good reviews. The sound is good, and the performer a very motivated Grieg addict. Naxos was lucky to get such a skilled musician under their wings. 

[Bulldog]

Don - not sure that this post will soon be buried for you not to see it, but thanks for all of the advice on these 'keyboard' choices - has been quite helpful & enlightening!

Now, I own the 3 Alan Curtis discs of both sets of Suites - would like to obtain one other of the English Suites on harpsichord and was interested in the Peter Watchorn recording, but after reading your review and the responses, including one by Watchorn, I wasn't sure - I like this performer on a number of recordings, esp. the WTC Bks. on the pedal harpsichord - Dave 

Concerning Watchorn, I'd go with my gut if I were you; you know you like him, and I never thought that his English Suites was not rewarding.  Also, the price of the set is getting low: ArkivMusic has it listed for under $15.

There are at least a few good ones on harpsichord.  The 'tried and true" like Leonhardt, Jaccottet, Parmentier and Gilbert.  Then there's Carole Cerasi on Metronome, Blandine Rannou on Zig-Zag and Elena Mustonen on Alba.