Recordings That You Are Considering

[Mirror Image]

It's over 10 minutes since you posted... have you bought it already?

*Awaits update on the PT thread*

Nope. Amazon is out-of-stock right now. I wishlisted it though.

[mc ukrneal]

Considering a fifth Ring cycle. I'm thinking about this one...

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It also looks like the classic Bohm cycle is being reissued on Decca with their first release being Gotterdammerung. Hopefully, the rest of the cycle will follow. If it looks like they'll be released this could be my sixth cycle, but I could always go for the budget Bohm box.

The Bohm is aready out in a (cheapish) box. It is excellent. Sarge recently acquired this one (Janowski I mean), his 27th or something! It is a strong cast, though Brunnhilde is often considered its weak point. I have been considering it for ages myself and I find myself seriously tempted by this new price.

[Karl Henning]

It's over 10 minutes since you posted... have you bought it already?

*Awaits update on the PT thread*

Post of the month, Nav! : )

[Mirror Image]

The Bohm is aready out in a (cheapish) box. It is excellent. Sarge recently acquired this one (Janowski I mean), his 27th or something! It is a strong cast, though Brunnhilde is often considered its weak point. I have been considering it for ages myself and I find myself seriously tempted by this new price.

I've read many good reviews about the Janowski and also sampled some of it. It sounded really good. I don't imagine it replacing my beloved Karajan (my favorite of the four cycles I own), but there's always room for another Ring on my shelf.

[jlaurson]

I've read many good reviews about the Janowski and also sampled some of it. It sounded really good. I don't imagine it replacing my beloved Karajan (my favorite of the four cycles I own), but there's always room for another Ring on my shelf.

A 'singer's Ring' (reflected by the recording balance) -- excellent and luxuriously cast down to the Waldvogel... but a little, uh... anonymous in the orchestral contribution. Sort of a reverse Thielemann (or Haitink), in that regard. Stronger in most elements than the Sawallisch Ring (EMI), yet less than the sum of its parts... and I prefer the latter (live), because of the strong sense of character. (And because it's the swiftest Ring on I'm not bothering to compare to the first tier of Rings (Karajan, Boehm, and Solti), or various historical ones. Among that second tier (Barenboim, Haitink, Sawallisch, Janowski, Thielemann, Boulez, who else belongs?) it's a unique, distinct choice. Good for anyone who has room on their shelves.

Here's the current Ring-rationalization table:
[to be preceded with: "...but Honey, obviously I needed this __th Ring ..."]


Barenboim -> for the sense of drama & romantic weight. (Also best booklet)


Sawallisch -> for the humor, characters, and the fleet element in Wagner.


Thielemann -> for the 'invisible fast forward button', the conducting & orchestral contribution.


Haitink -> for the laser-clean orchestra stencilling the score into acoustic waves.


Janowski -> for the focus on the singing and every singer.

 
Boulez -> (only if on DVD) for the far and away best direction of the Ring caught on camera.


Levine -> because you previously felt that the Ring just didn't last long enough.



Böhm -> for the perfect architecture, the long line.


Solti -> because otherwise people think you are a newbie. Also: for the anvils.


Karajan -> because Wagner really did love Italian opera.

[madaboutmahler]

Great post, Jens - haha, 'because you previously felt that the Ring just didn't last long enough'

Am considering these Prokofiev recordings for a small purchase, perhaps tommorow.

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[Mirror Image]

Great post, Jens - haha, 'because you previously felt that the Ring just didn't last long enough'

Am considering these Prokofiev recordings for a small purchase, perhaps tommorow.

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I seriously advise against that Prokofiev reocrding of Alexander Nevsky, Daniel. As I've told you, I've read some not so good things concerning the audio quality. The Temirkanov and Jarvi are both highly recommended by me.

[Sergeant Rock]

Good for anyone who has room on their shelves.

I didn't have room but bought it anyway. My 27th 13th Ring.

Barenboim....for the sense of drama & romantic weight. (Also best booklet)
Sawallisch....for the humor, characters, and the fleet element in Wagner.
Thielemann....for the 'invisible fast forward button', the conducting & orchestral contribution.
Haitink....for the laser-clean orchestra stencilling the score into acoustic waves.
Janowski...for the focus on the singing and every singer.
Boulez....for the far and away best direction of the Ring caught on camera.
Levine...because you previously felt that the Ring just didn't last long enough.
Böhm...for the perfect architecture
Solti....because otherwise people think you are a newbie. Also: for the anvils.
Karajan....because Wagner really did love Italian opera.

Brilliant summaries, Jens  ( for Levine and Solti)

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

Thanks for that post, Jens. Very accommodating of you to summarize all of those.

[Sergeant Rock]

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Haven't heard it but Classics Today thinks it a poor performance, especially from the chorus:

"From the outset, the scruffy-sounding Stanislavsky Chorus represents the undeniable weak link here, deflating the proceedings with slapdash ensemble, tepid tenors, underpowered basses, and screechy sopranos....It almost makes you want to root for the Germans."



Abbado seems to be the consensus choice.

Sarge

[Henk]

There's a more recent release of Nevsky on Naxos. I think it's a good performance and recording.

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[madaboutmahler]

Haven't heard it but Classics Today thinks it a poor performance, especially from the chorus:

"From the outset, the scruffy-sounding Stanislavsky Chorus represents the undeniable weak link here, deflating the proceedings with slapdash ensemble, tepid tenors, underpowered basses, and screechy sopranos....It almost makes you want to root for the Germans."



Abbado seems to be the consensus choice.

Sarge

 

By the way, the Abbado is the one I already own and shall be listening to this evening.

Thanks Sarge and Henk.

What do you think about the other two Prokofiev cds I am thinking about? The Rattle 5 and MTT R+J?

[Sergeant Rock]

What do you think about the other two Prokofiev cds I am thinking about? The Rattle 5 and MTT R+J?

No opinion. I haven't heard them. I'm loyal to my roots in those works: Szell/Cleveland in the Fifth; Maazel/Cleveland in R & J.

Sarge

[Lisztianwagner]

Bohuslav Martinu
Piano Concertos

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This set looks absolutely brilliant, the Czech Philharmonic is the best performer of Martinu's music I've ever heard.

[mc ukrneal]

I didn't have room but bought it anyway. My 27th 13th Ring.
Sarge

See, I was close!

[Sergeant Rock]

See, I was close!

Damn close, Neal. And 27 Rings is what I'm shooting for 


Sarge

[Karl Henning]

You can still consider your 28^th, too, Sarge.

[eyeresist]

Am considering these Prokofiev recordings for a small purchase, perhaps tommorow.

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I would like to know about Rattle's Prokofiev recording - apparently the sound is rather dull and distant? I'm surprised he hasn't focused more on Prokofiev. I don't think we really needed a Beethoven cycle from him. I guess he feels the need to play the Great Maestro...

[kishnevi]

 

By the way, the Abbado is the one I already own and shall be listening to this evening.

Thanks Sarge and Henk.

What do you think about the other two Prokofiev cds I am thinking about? The Rattle 5 and MTT R+J?

I'll put in a word here for this one
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The only flaw is that it's sung in English, and even that doesn't come across as a flaw when you listen to it.  And the Khachaturian is pretty good too.

ETA: and you can get it on Amazon MP for under $8US!  That may qualify it for super duper cheap bargain status!

[Mirror Image]

I'll put in a word here for this one
[asin]B00004WFO9[/asin]
The only flaw is that it's sung in English, and even that doesn't come across as a flaw when you listen to it.  And the Khachaturian is pretty good too.

ETA: and you can get it on Amazon MP for under $8US!  That may qualify it for super duper cheap bargain status!

Sorry, I hate to say it, but there are better performances available. The Jarvi recording also offers better couplings: Scythian Suite and Le Pas d'Acier Suite. Daniel, BUY THE JARVI!!! If you want the film score then Temirkanov's will do nicely.