Past Purchases (CLOSED)

[Lethevich]

I have that Sibelius set and I cannot remember it for the life of me. I seem to remember liking it - I'll try to give some listens over the next few days in the listening thread.

That sounds like Sibelius' piano music to me - highly enjoyable wallpaper music, but totally unmemorable. I would also be interested in whether you have a more favourable opinion - I am often harsh with my sweeping judgements.

[Brian]

Just own a single disc of Sibelius' solo piano works (on Naxos) - but saw the 5-disc set inserted above on Amazon USA @ a good price - should go in the considering thread, I guess - but still curious on some relative comments - 

I have to side with abidoful and Lethe here, Dave. Sibelius' piano music is definitely pleasant and good for playing in the background while you read a book, but it's not distinctive or interesting enough to warrant collecting all of it. And a lot of GMGers will happily agree that Olli Mustonen reigns supreme in that music (though Havard Gimse, whom you've got on Naxos, is very good too).

EDIT: Post #7777!

[Harry]

I have to side with abidoful and Lethe here, Dave. Sibelius' piano music is definitely pleasant and good for playing in the background while you read a book, but it's not distinctive or interesting enough to warrant collecting all of it. And a lot of GMGers will happily agree that Olli Mustonen reigns supreme in that music (though Havard Gimse, whom you've got on Naxos, is very good too).

EDIT: Post #7777!

Well let me be the one that disagrees then. Sibelius piano music has nothing to do with wallpaper, neither is it pleasant salon music. And no, Mustonen nor Gimse come close to Erik T on BIS who recorded the piano music complete and which is in my collection. Its distinctive memorable, well written music, that encompass many moods in a thoroughly well designed way. I happen to have the complete scores of all his piano music, that tells me how high the quality actually is, easily comparable with the colourful tone poems. Eva Knardahl also recorded much of it on BIS, and comes very close to Erik T. She is also far preferable to Mustonen and Gimse. Its my personal opinion, that I am well aware of. I just wanted to let you all know, that I think differently.

[Harry]

That sounds like Sibelius' piano music to me - highly enjoyable wallpaper music, but totally unmemorable. I would also be interested in whether you have a more favourable opinion - I am often harsh with my sweeping judgements.

Sarah dear, try to listen a bit more careful to Sibelius piano music, there is more to it as you think or hear.

[abidoful]

A ilttle debate here on Sibelius's piano works it seems

Some comments 

I really wouldn't dismiss him as a miniaturist like Brian. Nor, as Harry seems to do, compare his piano works with the Symphonies in signifigance.

Though clearly some of his piano works are slight (Valsette, from op.,40) overall they show the other side of Sibelius, the wonderfully spirited MINIATURIST.
And I really know what I'm talking about when I say that the collection by Mustonen is the best. Listen, I studied with Erik Tawastjerna and as a pianist the guy isn't no where near Mustonen.

[mc ukrneal]

I have that Sibelius set and I cannot remember it for the life of me. I seem to remember liking it - I'll try to give some listens over the next few days in the listening thread.

With all the discussion, I threw on the Servadei disc 1. I remember this disc now. It has several gems that are top drawer piano music mixed in with some other good pieces. The Romance in A major from Op.24 (for example) is a stunner in my opinion. I don't know if others hear it, but I am actually quite reminded of Grieg in many moments. I really like this and they keep my attention. I think I would have difficulty with this as pure background music (it's not boring or static enough for me to use for that purpose - and I think static is the opposite of what this music is). I cannot compare against others, but the music seems fresh and well played to me.  For the price, these seem a good buy to me.  But it seems there is varied opinion on the matter.

Some of you may think I'm a heathen, but I enjoy these more than the symphonies for sure (at least, the ones I've heard). 

[jlaurson]

The absolutely best, most charming Sibelius solo-piano disc....

That, and the disc with Glenn Gould playing Sibelius!

[The new erato]

A ilttle debate here on Sibelius's piano works it seems

Some comments 

I really wouldn't dismiss him as a miniaturist like Brian.

Havergal Brian a minituarist? I'll never......

[Coopmv]

Actually my favorite complete Sibelius symphony cycle is the one by Saraste. I just like it very much perhaps becouse it was the recording through which I first came to know those Symphonies. I'm pretty sure they are  live performances with the RSO (the finnish radio symphony orch) from St Petersburg where they went touring with the symphonies. The package was nice, Icy blue/white colouring, and YEAH (!); I believe it's a Finlandia label--darn, it may be hard to get...

He also has a Kullervo, (If I remember correct, the soprano soloist is Monica Groop in that one..), which is also pretty good if my memory serves me well.

What do you expect from WarnerMusic, an American-run record company?   

[SonicMan46]

That, and the disc with Glenn Gould playing Sibelius!

Jens et al - this Sibelius piano music issue has become interesting, esp. after Harry's vocalizations - 

Now, the Mustonen single disc is $10 on Amazon USA, while the Annette Servadei 5-CD set is $20 - kind of a 'no-brainer' if one wants to really hear the entire spectrum of this composer's solo piano pieces; plus, this excellent review on the gal's recordings on MusicWeb HERE is rather convincing for a purchase - NOW, $30 for 6 discs might be the best option?  Not sure - but will enjoy reading further posts - 

[Sid]

Schoenberg
Le livre des jardins suspendus, op. 15 (Colette Herzog/Jacqueline Bonneau)
5 pieces for orchestra, op. 16 (Gurzenich Orch. Koln/Wand)
Musidisc LP - got it for $5 & I bet it's not on cd (I've never heard these works before)...

[Mirror Image]

A few more on the way...



This will be my second Bluebeard's Castle. I have read several reviews of this particular recording (w/ Estvos/SWR Orchestra) and it is heralded by many to be the best modern recording of this work. Can't wait to hear it. My next Bluebeard will be Haitink's highly acclaimed recording on EMI with the always wonderful Anne Sofie von Otter.

[Scarpia]

Really didn't like the Panocha recording of the Dvorak quartets, sold it for a good price and am using the proceeds to pick this one up instead:

[asin]B00002DEH4[/asin]

[Coopmv]

A small Amazon order placed this evening ...

[Antoine Marchand]

Really didn't like the Panocha recording of the Dvorak quartets, sold it for a good price and am using the proceeds to pick this one up instead:

[asin]B00002DEH4[/asin]

You also purchased the Stamitz Quartet and, IIRC, your opinion was quite favorable.

[mc ukrneal]

Jens et al - this Sibelius piano music issue has become interesting, esp. after Harry's vocalizations - 

Now, the Mustonen single disc is $10 on Amazon USA, while the Annette Servadei 5-CD set is $20 - kind of a 'no-brainer' if one wants to really hear the entire spectrum of this composer's solo piano pieces; plus, this excellent review on the gal's recordings on MusicWeb HERE is rather convincing for a purchase - NOW, $30 for 6 discs might be the best option?  Not sure - but will enjoy reading further posts - 

SonicMan - I bought this set at roughly the same price at Amazon in Feb 2009 (came to $21-22 with shipping included), so as long as it is in print, I suspect the price doesn't change much (in case you decide to wait).

[Bogey]

[Scarpia]

You also purchased the Stamitz Quartet and, IIRC, your opinion was quite favorable.

Yes, based on listening to only one disc so far, though.  But the Stamitz gives the initial impression of being a gentle, lyrical approach and having a contrasting set with more "ooomph" was desirable.

[Sergeant Rock]

Arrvied today: Maazel's Brahms cycle with the Cleveland Orchestra:




Sarge

[Lethevich]

Really didn't like the Panocha recording of the Dvorak quartets, sold it for a good price and am using the proceeds to pick this one up instead:

[asin]B00002DEH4[/asin]

That's a nice one - the sound is about equally "compromised" as the Panocha (slightly harsh vs. slightly glassy) but I like the more wiry energy the Praguers introduce to the music.