Past Purchases (CLOSED)

[DavidRoss]

Great recording there. Pay no attention to that Santa Fe Listener character. He writes so many reviews that it makes me question whether he actually listened to the music.

It might have been you who called this record to my attention. Debussy vocal works I don't know? Upshaw? Salonen? Worth a listen! (Thanks, Mog.) Worth a purchase, too, I thought, after hearing it.

You'd think classical record companies would be quicker to get a clue. Pop music sells big after kids have heard it a few times on the radio. Being able to hear things before buying them doesn't hurt sales...at least, not of good products.

Concerning SFL, he's been a source of amusement for years. Sometimes he's so over-the-top he's like a pompous character in a Monty Python sketch ... worse than anyone here (though not at CMG or elsewhere on the web, I dare say ). Occasionally I read his "reviews" just for laughs, but sometimes he's a fairly reliable "reverse barometer," at least when it appears he actually has taken the time to really listen to something before expressing his judgments about its merit.

He really can hear--he just doesn't always bother to make the effort, believing himself infallible while utterly unaware of how much his flagrant prejudices distort his perceptions. In other words, he's all too human, just like the rest of us, only somewhat more guilty of the same sins that cause classical music listeners to be stereotyped as insufferable twits.

[DavidRoss]

Plumped for Buchbinder's first cycle.

Better than what I've heard of his later one, IMO. More restrained, less interventionist (heavy-handed).

Decided I might as well try all of Gould's LvB, too.  I've not been particularly fond of the little I've heard, but who knows, maybe there are some gems in there.

Oh, my ... hope springs eternal!

[cjvinthechair]

Ah, no, Casella is not forgotten..in fact your mention has inspired me to put on his beautiful Concerto Romano - how to lift a dull evening !
See what you mean with Malipiero, but thoroughly enjoy so much of his that I'll put up with the occasional 'blip'...we all have them, eh ?!

Yes, my list wasn't in the least trying to be exhaustive...didn't start out as a list at all, of course, merely a reflection of my pleasure at getting to grips with E-Bay again. Then I just remembered how I'd found it strange that so many of the better Italian 'unsungs' happened to begin with 'P'.

So nice to hear from you again - it's been a while. 

[TheGSMoeller]

David, I wonder if The Dent even listened to it. Rushed? Much of the criticism I've read against this performance concerns Norrington's slow tempos in the last two movements. For comparison:

                      IV         V

Norrington   7:25   10:37

Colin Davis  6:31    9:59

Solti            4:54     10:06

Munch         4:27     8:35

Maazel        4:02    9:21


And the period instruments are a total delight and especially effective in the Marche au supplice.

I don't know if you and Karl will enjoy Norrington's Fantastique as much as I do (I've been a lone prophet in the wilderness) but I'm glad you guys are at least giving it a fair trial 

Sarge

Norrington's is rushed? Proof that Sante-Fe Listener is out his element, with even putting these listed times aside any ear could detect that the tempi is no where near rushed. I enjoy Norrington's quite a bit (in fact I enjoy most of his Berlioz) and I've become quite fond of the smaller, chamber-sized performances of these works.
Two others I own are Minkowski"s hybrid "live" recording with Les Musiciens du Louvre winds with the Mahler Chamber Orchestraand the newly released Ticciati/Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The Minkowski is fun, vibrant and rapid with glorious sound from the combined group. Ticciati's is a bit more subdued but lovely playing from the band, plus in very good SACD

[Mirror Image]

It might have been you who called this record to my attention. Debussy vocal works I don't know? Upshaw? Salonen? Worth a listen! (Thanks, Mog.) Worth a purchase, too, I thought, after hearing it.

You'd think classical record companies would be quicker to get a clue. Pop music sells big after kids have heard it a few times on the radio. Being able to hear things before buying them doesn't hurt sales...at least, not of good products.

Concerning SFL, he's been a source of amusement for years. Sometimes he's so over-the-top he's like a pompous character in a Monty Python sketch ... worse than anyone here (though not at CMG or elsewhere on the web, I dare say ). Occasionally I read his "reviews" just for laughs, but sometimes he's a fairly reliable "reverse barometer," at least when it appears he actually has taken the time to really listen to something before expressing his judgments about its merit.

He really can hear--he just doesn't always bother to make the effort, believing himself infallible while utterly unaware of how much his flagrant prejudices distort his perceptions. In other words, he's all too human, just like the rest of us, only somewhat more guilty of the same sins that cause classical music listeners to be stereotyped as insufferable twits.

That Debussy disc is a beautiful one and I'm glad you've enjoyed what you have heard so far. I've had a few run-ins with Santa Fe Listener and that was enough for me. Some of the responses were pleasant and some not so much. I think he's even called me a name or two, but, it's okay, this Internet is a huge place and he's easy to bypass.

Speaking of Debussy's vocal works, you should really check this recording out (if you haven't already):

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[trung224]

Concerning SFL, he's been a source of amusement for years. Sometimes he's so over-the-top he's like a pompous character in a Monty Python sketch ... worse than anyone here (though not at CMG or elsewhere on the web, I dare say ). Occasionally I read his "reviews" just for laughs, but sometimes he's a fairly reliable "reverse barometer," at least when it appears he actually has taken the time to really listen to something before expressing his judgments about its merit.

He really can hear--he just doesn't always bother to make the effort, believing himself infallible while utterly unaware of how much his flagrant prejudices distort his perceptions. In other words, he's all too human, just like the rest of us, only somewhat more guilty of the same sins that cause classical music listeners to be stereotyped as insufferable twits.

Perhaps I am minority here but generally I am on boat with SFL, especially when coming on old recordings (though I'm always disagree with him about Jochum and sometime Szell). He along with Jeffrey Lipscomb is two critics, who I have the same tastes. He prefers interventionist and hates HIP, that is his tastes and he shared in amazon. I do not think this action make money and I cherished this action, which is a wide range guide for young listener.

[Mirror Image]

      Perhaps I am minority here but generally I am on boat with SFL, especially when coming on old recordings (though I'm always disagree with him about Jochum and sometime Szell). He along with Jeffrey Lipscomb is two critics, who I have the same tastes. He prefers interventionist and hates HIP, that is his tastes and he shared in amazon. I do not think this action make money and I cherished this action, which is a wide range guide for young listener.

The problem is he comes across as a know-it-all, too good to be HIP (no pun intended), and overall an elitist bigot. There are better ways to get across your opinion other than personally attacking someone who doesn't agree with you.

[Que]

Q

[Scarpia]

Shipped today.

[asin]B008DBID4I[/asin]

The best price I've come across so far is at importcds.com

http://www.importcds.com//Music/2498271/L.V.-Beethoven-Beethoven-The-Complete-Works-For-Solo-Piano-CD

[Mirror Image]

Ah, no, Casella is not forgotten..in fact your mention has inspired me to put on his beautiful Concerto Romano - how to lift a dull evening !
See what you mean with Malipiero, but thoroughly enjoy so much of his that I'll put up with the occasional 'blip'...we all have them, eh ?!

Yes, my list wasn't in the least trying to be exhaustive...didn't start out as a list at all, of course, merely a reflection of my pleasure at getting to grips with E-Bay again. Then I just remembered how I'd found it strange that so many of the better Italian 'unsungs' happened to begin with 'P'.

So nice to hear from you again - it's been a while.

Yes, it's been awhile. The best Casella work, IMHO, is still Sinfonia "Symphony No. 3". I can't think of one Italian symphony that has had this kind of impact on me emotionally. That second movement is one of the most gorgeous moments in classical music I've experienced.

[Wakefield]

Come, cheer up.  You were considering this one a while back, weren't you? So you merely achieved your purpose of finding a good price 

[Wakefield]

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[Wakefield]

My second favorite recording of the Nocturnes.   And since my favorite is Rubinstein,  "second favorite" is an extremely high compliment.

Do you have Arrau, Jeffrey? Rubinstein is my second favorite, quite close to Arrau, but behind him.

[trung224]

 Celibidache's Bruckner 6th symphony is my favorite and I'm so curious what did he do when performing 8th symphony on 100 minutes 
[asin]B005HYNCTK[/asin]

[Sergeant Rock]

Arrived today: Mahler 2, a 1989 live performance by the London Phil, Tennstedt conducting. And ordered another Symphonie fantastique: Munch and Boston, recommended by Karl.




Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

....and I'm so curious what did he do when performing 8th symphony on 100 minutes

Took frequent naps.

I keed, I keed  ....it's one of my favorite Eighths.

Sarge

[trung224]

Arrived today: Mahler 2, a 1989 live performance by the London Phil, Tennstedt conducting. And ordered another Symphonie fantastique: Munch and Boston, recommended by Karl.




Sarge

This live Mahler 2 is my absolute favorite Mahler 2. I really hope you enjoy it.

[jut1972]

Landed recently, some cheapies from zoverstocks and similar...

[asin]B0002DD5UC[/asin][asin]B000026050[/asin]
[asin]B00005UW2E[/asin][asin]B000002SRM[/asin]
[asin]B0000266KG[/asin]

a nice recoding of the Finzi clarinet concerto..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000025RTW/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i02

I know nothing about period instruments so gave this a whirl but the sound is awful, no idea if its the instruments or the recording or a knackered CD or my ears
[asin]B00000FDDL[/asin]

A Rautavaara compilation..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004UB8L/ref=ox_ya_os_product

and waiting on these..
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and some non classical I'll post elsewhere...

[Madiel]

After a couple of weeks of other things going on, finally got around to taking the plunge with those boxes I was looking at...

[asin]B00002DEH4[/asin]
[asin]B0001Y4JH0[/asin]
[asin]B000BV5RCO[/asin]
[asin]B0085AXSE2[/asin]
[asin]B000026CFV[/asin]
[asin]B00005IA07[/asin]

Cover for the last one isn't right but the contents appear to match.

[jlaurson]

Celibidache's Bruckner 6th symphony is my favorite and I'm so curious what did he do when performing 8th symphony on 100 minutes 

Believers swear by it... believably those who had actually attended one of them live.
Judging solely from record, I don't think it quite works as well... certainly not nearly as well as the stupendous 3rd, 5th, and 6th.