Recordings That You Are Considering

[Marc]

I recently purchased Bach: Organ Works by Walcha - is there a consensus on that set?

I hope not. Consensuses are the deathblow to boards like these.

Here's just one opinion:

Walcha, either in the mono (Membran) or the stereo (DG) set, is solid and reliable, but he's a bit (too) strict IMO. Bach's counterpoint is made very clear, which is definitely a pro. But some of Walcha's fugue playing, by relying too much on 'building the tension' through his choice of registrations, is a bit out-dated and does not work for me.
I wouldn't advice him as the only set(s) to have.
Still, for Bach-addicts he is a must have.

For more information:

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,638.0.html

[Mandryka]

Emanuel Krivine Beethoven Symphonies

[asin]B004H6P2QA[/asin]

[Conor71]

Conor, I think we've talked about these early mono VL recordings before, but let me tell you that I think they only serve as historical documents, which, for me, music is about enjoyment and I don't really have a nagging urge to hear VL conducting a mediocre orchestra while seriously ill. This, to me, isn't a sound purchase. Have you checked out Roberto Duarte's VL recordings on Marco Polo? These are essential purchases in my opinion for VL fans. Also the set on BIS is a no-brainer, but I know you already have one set with the Bachianas Brasileiras, but this set contains the Choros as well, which I highly recommend. Then there is are two recordings of Forest of the Amazon that are you may want checkout as well. Two other sets to checkout are the set of solo piano music on Naxos and the symphonies on CPO. Both are fantastic.

It's your money, of course, but I just thought you should know some of your other options.

Thanks for the recommendations MI - I think you are right and I will plump for the Bis Box as I have been wanting to get that one for ages and it also has the full set of Choros as well which I am interested in hearing.
I might still get the Mono Box as well as the Bis because I want to own at least one complete set of Historical recordings in my collection and for some reason I am fascinated by this set even though i know the sound and performances are'nt that great! 

[jlaurson]

I recently purchased Bach: Organ Works by Walcha - is there a consensus on that set?

To the extent there is any such thing as consensus on Walcha, it's that the stereo set is extremely fine.

The mono set (I only know the Archiv version, not the super-cheapos) is highly valued by some, but I dare say that at least part of its reputation was built on myth-building (due to unavailability for some time, and also due to the way it's simply chic to opine that "Dude, the earlier MONO recordings are really where it's at". Same with the Kempf and Backhaus Beethoven cycles. [Though I think it might actually be true in the case of Kempf.] Anyway, I found the Walcha-Mono rather a disappointment (at a high level, but what's the point of that with so much great Bach-on-the-organ), compared to the delight I got from the stereo set. And it's not primarily the sound that makes the difference...

[jlaurson]

Thanks, Marc & Jens - that was the kind of info I was looking for.  "Consensus" was not the word I should have used since what I wanted was a survey of the various opinions.  I did not even know there were two sets, mono/stereo - and am assuming the one I bought is the mono one:

Nope... you bought the STEREO one.

The mono box on Archiv looks / looked like this:


Bach - Walcha - 1947-52 Recordings

[MishaK]

Neither transparent nor driven are the words I would primarily associated with Dohnányi 's Mendelssohn, but I do rank it as my favorite set by a considerable margin. It contains the best 2nd Symphony I've heard... the playing is absolutely amazing... and where Karajan (also exquisite in Mendelssohn, believe it or not) is a little... well... not "thick", per se, (because HvK isn't that in Mendelssohn, either) but 'heavily lyrical', Dohnányi is classically-propelled. In short: Bargain and a stunner.

Thanks for that. I agree about Karajan, BTW. I'm not a big Karajan fan, but I do love his Mendelssohn. I like that the Dohnyani set includes a lot of filler material of which I don't have good stereo recordings.

[Mandryka]

I'd like to know what you think of the way he plays the  Cantus Firmus  Choral Preludes in your stereo box, Leon.  I like them myself.

[Antoine Marchand]

Thanks, Marc & Jens - that was the kind of info I was looking for.  "Consensus" was not the word I should have used since what I wanted was a survey of the various opinions.  I did not even know there were two sets, mono/stereo - and am assuming the one I bought is the mono one:

[asin]B00004SAAX[/asin]

As Jens has pointed out, you bought the stereo set, Leon. Anyway, if your interest for Walcha is not totally satisfied with just one set (which is not improbable in this case), a cheap way to get the mono set is purchasing the Documents set (originally an Archiv release, but now not protected by copyright). It's a recording surprisingly good for the age (probably taken from old Archiv vinyls, Premont dixit) and the performances are, as usual with Walcha, outstandingly fine:

[asin]B000E6UL6I[/asin]

[karlhenning]

As Jens has pointed out, you bought the stereo set, Leon. Anyway, if your interest for Walcha is not totally satisfied with just one set (which is not improbable in this case), a cheap way to get the mono set is purchasing the Documents set (originally an Archiv release, but now not protected by copyright). It's a recording surprisingly good for the age (probably taken from old Archiv vinyls, Premont dixit) and the performances are, as usual with Walcha, outstandingly fine:

[asin]B000E6UL6I[/asin]

Thanks for the suggestion (and (: premont 's rec)!

[karlhenning]

Disc 1
Trio Sonata #1 In E Flat, BWV 525 (Allegro, Adagio, Allegro)
Trio Sonata #2 In C Minor, BWV 526 (Vivace, Largo, Allegro)
Trio Sonata #3 In D Minor, BWV 527 (Andante, Adagio E Dolce, Vivace)
Trio Sonata #4 In E Minor, BWV 528 (Adagio, Vivace, Andante, Un Poco Allegro)
Trio Sonata #5 In C, BWV 529 (Allegro, Largo, Allegro)
Trio Sonata #6 In G, BWV 530 (Vivace, Lento, Allegro)

Disc 2
Prelude & Fugue In C, BWV 531
Prelude & Fugue In D, BWV 532
Prelude & Fugue In E Minor, BWV 533, 'Little Prelude & Fugue'
Prelude & Fugue In F Minor, BWV 534
Prelude & Fugue In G Minor, BWV 535
Prelude & Fugue In A, BWV 536
Prelude & Fugue In G, BWV 541
Prelude & Fugue In A Minor, BWV 543

Disc 3
Prelude & Fugue In B Minor, BWV 544
Prelude & Fugue In C, BWV 545
Prelude & Fugue In C Minor, BWV 546
Prelude & Fugue In C, BWV 547
Prelude & Fugue In E Minor, BWV 548, 'Wedge'
Prelude & Fugue In G, BWV 550
Prelude & Fugue In A Minor, BWV 551

Disc 4
Toccata & Fugue In D Minor, BWV 538, 'Dorian'
Toccata & Fugue In F, BWV 540
Toccata, Adagio & Fugue In C, BWV 564
Toccata & Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
Prelude & Fugue In E, BWV 566
Passacaglia & Fugue In C Minor, BWV 582

Disc 5
Fantasie & Fugue In C Minor, BWV 537
Fantasia & Fugue In G Minor, BWV 542, 'Great G Minor'
Fantasie & Fugue In C Minor, BWV 562
Fantasie In G, BWV 572
Fugue In G Minor, BWV 578, 'Little G Minor
Canzona In D, BWV 588
Allabreve In D, BWV 589
Pastorale In F, BWV 590

Disc 6
Orgelbuchlein, Nun Komm' Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599
Orgelbuchlein, Gott, Durch Deine Gute, BWV 600
Orgelbuchlein, Herr Christ, Der Ein'ge Gottes-Sohn, BWV 601
Orgelbuchlein, Lob Sei Dem Allmachtigen Gott, BWV 602
Orgelbuchlein, Puer Natus In Bethlehem, BWV 603
Orgelbuchlein, Gelobet Seist Du, Jesu Christ, BWV 604
Der Tag, Der Ist So Freudenreich, BWV 605
Orgelbuchlein, Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm' Ich Her, BWV 606
Orgelbuchlein, Vom Himmel Kam Der Engel Schar, BWV 607
Orgelbuchlein, In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 608
Orgelbuchlein, Lobt Gott, Ihr Christen, Allzugleich, BWV 609
Orgelbuchlein, Jesu, Meine Freude, BWV 610
Orgelbuchlein, Christum Wir Sollen Loben Schon, BWV 611
Orgelbuchlein, Wir Christenleut', BWV 612
Orgelbuchlein, Helft Mir Gottes Gute Preisen, BWV 613
Orgelbuchlein, Das Alte Jahr Vergangen Ist, BWV 614
Orgelbuchlein, In Dir Ist Freude, BWV 615
Orgelbuchlein, Mit Fried' Und Freud' Ich Fahr Dahin, BWV 616
Orgelbuchlein, Herr Gott, Nun Schleuss Den Himmel, BWV 617
Orgelbuchlein, O Lamm Gottes Unschuldig, BWV 618
Orgelbuchlein, Christe, Du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619
Orgelbuchlein, Christus, Der Uns Selig Macht, BWV 620
Orgelbuchlein, Da Jesus An Dem Kreuze Stund', BWV 621
Orgelbuchlein, O Mensch, Bewein' Dein' Sunde Gross, BWV 622
Orgelbuchlein, Wir Danken Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 623
Orgelbuchlein, Hilf Gott, Das Mir's Gelinge, BWV 624
Orgelbuchlein, Christ Lag In Todesbanden, BWV 625
Orgelbuchlein, Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 626
Orgelbuchlein, Christ Ist Erstanden, BWV 627
Orgelbuchlein, Erstanden Ist Der Heil'ger Christ, BWV 628
Orgelbuchlein, Erschienen Ist Der Herrliche Tag, BWV 629
Orgelbuchlein, Heut' Triumphieret Gottes Sohn, BWV 630
Orgelbuchlein, Komm, Gott Schopfer, Heiliger Geist, BWV 631
Orgelbuchlein, Herr Jesu Christ, Dich Zu Uns Wend', BWV 632
Orgelbuchlein, Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier, BWV 633
Orgelbuchlein, Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier, BWV 634
Orgelbuchlein, Dies Sind Die Heil'gen Zehn Gebot, BWV 635
Orgelbuchlein, Vater Unser Im Himmelreich, BWV 636

Disc 7
Orgelbuchlein, Es Ist Das Heil Uns Kommen Her, BWV 638
Orgelbuchlein, Ich Ruf'zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
Orgelbuchlein, Ich Dich Hab'Ich Gehoffet, Herr, BWV 640
Orgelbuchlein, Wenn Wir In Hochsten Noten Sein, BWV 641
Orgelbuchlein, Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott Lasst Walten, BWV 642
Orgelbuchlein, Alle Menschen Mussen Sterben, BWV 643
Orgelbuchlein, Ach Wie Nichtig, Ach Wie Fluchtig, BWV 644
Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, BWV 645
Wo Soll Ich Fliehen Hin_, BWV 646
Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott Lasst Walten, BWV 647
Meine Seele Erhebet Den Herren, BWV 648
Ach Bleib' Bei Uns, BWV 649
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, BWV 650
Fantasia Super Komm, Heiliger Geist, BWV 651
Komm, Heiliger Geist, BWV 652
An Wasserflussen Babylon, BWV 653
Schmucke Dich, O Liebe Seele, BWV 654
Trio Super Herr Jesu Christ, Dich Zu Uns Wend', BWV 655
O Lamm Gottes, Unschuldig, BWV 656
Nun Danket Alle Gott, BWV 657

Disc 8
Von Gott Will Ich Nicht Lassen, BWV 658
Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
Trio Super Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 660
Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661
Allein Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr', BWV 662
Allein Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr', BWV 663
Allein Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr', BWV 664
Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 665
Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 666
Komm, Gott, Schopfer, Heiliger Geist, BWV 667
Vor Deinen Thron Tret'Ich Hiermit, BWV 668
Prelude & Fugue In E Flat, BWV 552, 'St. Anne'
Kyrie, Gott Vater In Ewigkeit, BWV 669
Christe, Aller Welt Trost, BWV 670
Kyrie, Gott Heiliger Geist, BWV 671
Allein Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr', BWV 676

Disc 9
Dies Sind Die Heilgen Zehen Gebot, BWV 678
Wir Glauben All' An Einen Gott, BWV 680
Vater Unser Im Himmelreich, BWV 682
Christ, Unser Herr, Zum Jordan Kam, BWV 684
Aus Tiefer Not Schrei Ich Zu Dir, BWV 686
Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 688
Duet In E Minor For Organ, BWV 802
Duet In F For Organ, BWV 803
Duet In G For Organ, BWV 804
Duet In A Minor For Organ, BWV 805
Kyrie, Gott Vater In Ewigkeit, BWV 672
Christe, Aller Welt Trost, BWV 673
Kyrie, Gott Heiliger Geist, BWV 674
Kyrie, Gott Vater In Ewigkeit, BWV 672
Allein Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr', BWV 677
Dies Sind Die Heiligen Zehen Gebot, BWV 679
Wir Glauben All' An Einen Gott, BWV 681
Vater Unser Im Himmelreich, BWV 683
Christ, Unser Herr, Zum Jordan Kam, BWV 685
Aus Tiefer Not Schrei Ich Zu Dir, BWV 687
Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 689
Prelude & Fugue In E Flat, BWV 552, 'St. Anne'

Disc 10
Partite Sopra Sei Gegrusset, Jesu Gutig, BWV 768
Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm' Ich Her, BWV 769
An Wasserflussen Babylon, BWV 653B
Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm' Ich Her, BWV 700
Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen, BWV 727
Meine Seele Erhebt Den Herren, BWV 733
Nun Freut Euch, Liebe Christen, BWV 734
Valet Will Ich Dir Geben, BWV 736

[Scarpia]

Yes, thanks, Antoine - but since the low price offer ships from Germany, and the big box I've just bought will last me for a while, I daresay, I am not Walcha poor at the moment.

It seems superfluous to get two Walcha sets when there are so many other interesting exponents of the music out there.

[karlhenning]

I see both your points.  As this monaural set will be my only Walcha, though . . . .

[Antoine Marchand]

Thanks for the suggestion (and (: premont 's rec)!

You're welcome, Karl. 

[Mirror Image]

Thanks for the recommendations MI - I think you are right and I will plump for the Bis Box as I have been wanting to get that one for ages and it also has the full set of Choros as well which I am interested in hearing.
I might still get the Mono Box as well as the Bis because I want to own at least one complete set of Historical recordings in my collection and for some reason I am fascinated by this set even though i know the sound and performances are'nt that great! 

You're welcome, Conor. Anytime I can help other people out with one of my absolute favorite composers, then it's worth it.

[rubio]

How does this compare to the Timpani recordings?

[Drasko]

How does this compare to the Timpani recordings?

Don't know how it compares, but given all the pieces on Martinon disc I'd guess Cydalise is either cut or some sort of suite. Just Cydalise on Timpani disc runs to about 75 mins.

[Bogey]

Mainly for the Three Elizabethan Partsongs, which I heard on the radio this morning.  Beautiful.  I am sure the rest of the disc will be as well.

[mc ukrneal]

Mainly for the Three Elizabethan Partsongs, which I heard on the radio this morning.  Beautiful.  I am sure the rest of the disc will be as well.

I have recently accquired several songs discs (this being one of them) that I hope to report on in the relatively nearest future. If you like this sort of thing, the disc is wonderful (though I admittedly have no other to compare aganist). I realized that I enjoy Vaughn Williams in his songs and that it may be a good way into the rest of his music. I think you will love it.

[Scarpia]

Anyone familiar with McCabe's ballet Edward II?

[asin]B00004SSJ3[/asin]

[Brahmsian]

Anyone familiar with McCabe's ballet Edward II?

[asin]B00004SSJ3[/asin]

Nope, but for a split second I thought that was David Bowie on the cover.