Beethoven Missa Solemnis

[knight66]

Much as I admire Davis, all you are doing is adding another middling version of the piece to your collection. That may be fair enough in a number of pieces, but with this one, middling simply will not do.

Mike

[Coopmv]

Much as I admire Davis, all you are doing is adding another middling version of the piece to your collection. That may be fair enough in a number of pieces, but with this one, middling simply will not do.

Mike

My collection on this work is not where it should be and I will remedy it in time.  Here are the other two versions in my collection ...

[ccar]

Does anyone here know Horenstein's recording of the Missa Solemnis?

Is it a great one?

Yes !



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5vnZAEVqMA&feature=PlayList&p=ADD86816414E7DB9&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=20

[kishnevi]

My collection on this work is not where it should be and I will remedy it in time.  Here are the other two versions in my collection ...

I had to do a double take with your second version.  I have this one:


If you can't see the smaller print, the soloists are Janowitz, Ludwig, Wunderlich, and Berry.   (On 2 CDs because it's approximately 85 minutes long). 
Always preferred the Mozart with which it was coupled because Karajan made the MS sound bombastic in many places.  Having been a member of a chorus that sang it, I know it doesn't have to be.

I've also got the Davis in the Brilliant release you have.  Nothing to raise my enthusiasm.  The only other version I have is Zinman's,  which also misses in some places but far fewer than the others.

[Coopmv]

I had to do a double take with your second version.  I have this one:


If you can't see the smaller print, the soloists are Janowitz, Ludwig, Wunderlich, and Berry.   (On 2 CDs because it's approximately 85 minutes long). 
Always preferred the Mozart with which it was coupled because Karajan made the MS sound bombastic in many places.  Having been a member of a chorus that sang it, I know it doesn't have to be.

I've also got the Davis in the Brilliant release you have.  Nothing to raise my enthusiasm.  The only other version I have is Zinman's,  which also misses in some places but far fewer than the others.

Colin Davis is a much better interpreter of Berlioz's works than he is for Beethoven's.  I was somewhat underwhelmed with his Beethoven cycle.

No doubt I will get the Missa Solemnis by Karajan on DG at some point but it is not a high priority at this point ...

[knight66]

I rather like tht Karajan recording and prefer it to the later one with Baltsa. There are some elements that are suposed to sound militaristic, towards the end, but if you find it agressively bombastic, then it will not be pleasing you.

Bohm has advantages, but the choir is poorly integrated and single voices stick out.
Levive has a better second half than first.
Toscanini has fire and energy
There is a live Szell, it has everything I want from a performance.

I did not enjoy Zinman and got rid of it.

Mike

[Coopmv]

Here is the problem with big box, as I did not even realize that I actually have another version of Missa Solemnis buried in this set I bought last year, which I zipped through without having developed much impression for it ...

 

[not edward]

I'm still looking for a Missa solemnis to love.

Gardiner: as far as I am concerned, entirely misses the point.
Zinman: gets the ecstatic nature of some of the writing, but is a very superficial account generally.
Giulini: A rare case of me being convinced by consistently slow tempi in Beethoven, but I think it's more about Giulini than it is about the Missa.
Bohm '75: the closest I've found (and Gerhart Hetzel's solo in the Benedictus is spinechilling), but I think I'm more attuned to faster tempi.

[knight66]

Yes, I do like the Guilini, but find it a bit over reverent. I tend to agree about the Gardiner, I need to give it a bit of a spin.

Mike

[cosmicj]

Knight - Thanks for the eval of the Herreweghe.

[knight66]

No sweat.

Mike

[Verena]

Here is the problem with big box, as I did not even realize that I actually have another version of Missa Solemnis buried in this set I bought last year, which I zipped through without having developed much impression for it ...

This is my favorite MS, and I think the only recording by Harnoncourt which I really like

[Coopmv]

This is my favorite MS, and I think the only recording by Harnoncourt which I really like

Really?  I should find time to give the Harnoncourt's version a second listen. 

[knight66]

This version has a lot going for it. All round excellence.

Mike

[Verena]

Really?  I should find time to give the Harnoncourt's version a second listen. 

Yes, I think it's wonderful; though it is also the first version I ever heard and one of my first CDs - perhaps that has something to do with it. However, IF Klemperer had had Karajan's soloists, then Klemper would probably be my favorite.

[Coopmv]

Yes, I think it's wonderful; though it is also the first version I ever heard and one of my first CDs - perhaps that has something to do with it. However, IF Klemperer had had Karajan's soloists, then Klemper would probably be my favorite.

But Elisabeth Soderstrom and Marga Hoffgen should be quite good.  No?

[knight66]

If you like lemon juice for a soprano. But I am probably in a minority of one regarding that performance.

Mike

[MN Dave]

This version has a lot going for it. All round excellence.

Mike

I think that's the one I have.

[Verena]

But Elisabeth Soderstrom and Marga Hoffgen should be quite good.  No?

The main problem for me is the tenor - Kmentt - no match for Karajan's Wunderlich. Hoffgen is OK, but Christa Ludwig (for Karajan) is my favorite mezzo soprano and has a much more beautifuly voice IMO.

[knight66]

Though to be honest, the Mezzo gets very little opportunity to shine in this piece. The other three get by far more rewarding and noticeable vocal lines.

I enjoy Baker as the Mezzo in the Guilini.

Mike