Spinning Today (Classical version)

[morris_minor]

From the Surrey trip:



Looks like it, Bob, but that's no bad thing, especially considering what I paid for them... Anyway, it's not a bad 'doubler' to have, and one pressing might sound better than the other! ;)

Marco.

I know I've duplicated stuff before ... :doh: But as you say the pressing's will vary, probably, or the wear. Enjoy your haul. :cool:

[Marco]

Churz - after running them all through the RCM, the records (and music) are sounding mighty fine!

If you own an RCM, are careful what you buy second-hand, and can therefore transform old but superbly recorded classical albums on vinyl to virtually 'as new' condition, it's amazing the bargains you can obtain, considering how much some of this stuff costs new on CD (and SACD), providing you can even find some of these (rather awesome) vintage recordings on digital, in the first place! ;)

Marco.

[MartinT]

Nice job lot there, Marco. I'd say the Tchaikovsky Karajan 4th and 5th would be well worth listening to. I especially love the 5th, my favourite symphony of his.

[Marco]

Yup, all the Karajan stuff on Deutsche Grammophon (vinyl) is superb! Music aside, I've never heard classical recordings sound as good as that on CD, or even SACD.

Marco.

[jandl100]

I found this at the local library while the kids looked for books. I decided to give it a go.

Elmer Bernstein: Concerto for Guitar
Christopher Parkening, guitar
London Symphony Orchestra


... and ... what's it like? Worth investigating? :scratch:

A curious world wants to know! ;)

[jandl100]

yesterday, whilst eating far too many mince pies! ...

Bernard Stevens - violin concerto & 2nd symphony on a Meridian CD. Not exactly bursting with melody, but an interesting listen now & then!
Bernard Stevens - string quartets and sting trio - on a Unicorn Kanchana CD. Ah, this is more my sort of tipple. Very fine chamber music writing, I like this a lot.

[MartinT]

Yesterday, also:

Bach: Violin Concertos, Nishizaki, Jablokov, Dohnanyi, Capella Istropolitana

Shostakovich: Piano Concertos, Alexeev, Maksymiuk, ECO

[Marco]

Just out of curiosity, Martin, I presume that most of the classical music you own is on a digital format? Or if not, roughly what's the percentage divide in your collection with classical music, between vinyl and CD or SACD? :)

Availability of desired titles aside, I know that many people prefer listening to classical music digitally, due to the potential disturbance from noise with vinyl during quiet passages.

However, after having tried it now on numerous occasions, I'm very pleasantly surprised at the virtual complete lack of any noise (once records have been cleaned thoroughly on an RCM) with even vinyl pressings that are over 50 years old! And the production and recording quality on some of those albums is phenomenal, often surpassing much of what is produced now....

It was just a thought, as you also own an RCM (and a top-notch T/T), and so you may find that, like me, routing through the used vinyl in charity shops unearths many classical music gems at, quite frankly, ridiculously cheap prices, considering the quality of the recordings on offer, and so one can quickly amass a fairly large classical music collection for peanuts. I now have around 300 classical music albums on vinyl, in near mint condition, which have probably cost me less than a £1 an album!

It doesn't get much better than that, dude :cool:

Marco.

[WOStantonCS100]

Shostakovich The String Quartets Fitzwilliam String Quartet

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/e6/5f/e34881b0c8a09ca0fa229110.L.jpg

[MartinT]

Just out of curiosity, Martin, I presume that most of the classical music you own is on a digital format? Or if not, roughly what's the percentage divide in your collection with classical music, between vinyl and CD or SACD? :)

Very roughly 50% CD, 10% SACD, 40% vinyl.


Availability of desired titles aside, I know that many people prefer listening to classical music digitally, due to the potential disturbance from noise with vinyl during quiet passages.

It is strange but I really do like classical from SACD or CD source, although I'm very slowly coming around to listening to classical on vinyl again. However, some of my recordings, although effectively brand new, are noisy and I find that far more distracting with classical than with rock/pop. I have many older LPs with tape hiss and bad surfaces (especially the Melodiyas I bought in Russia), which don't help.

There's more to it; perhaps the laid-back stage for classical recordings works better with digital than my preferred up-front presentation for rock?

Another factor: I bought all my vinyl classical earlier in life. Since the age of digital, I have studied classical composers more thoroughly, been to far more concerts and used the Penguin guides to buy the best recordings and performances I can on CD and SACD. So my digital collection more naturally has the performances I reach for when playing a piece.

Whatever the reasons, by osmosis I seem to have fallen into playing almost all modern music on vinyl and almost all classical on digital. Needs some further analysis, I think :scratch:

[royzak]

Gluck - Orphee et Eurydice. von Otter,Hendricks and Fournier conducted by John Eliot Gardiner. 1989.
It's a long time since I heard this,a nice way to spend a dull afternoon.

[Marco]

Very roughly 50% CD, 10% SACD, 40% vinyl.



It is strange but I really do like classical from SACD or CD source, although I'm very slowly coming around to listening to classical on vinyl again. However, some of my recordings, although effectively brand new, are noisy and I find that far more distracting with classical than with rock/pop. I have many older LPs with tape hiss and bad surfaces (especially the Melodiyas I bought in Russia), which don't help.

There's more to it; perhaps the laid-back stage for classical recordings works better with digital than my preferred up-front presentation for rock?

Another factor: I bought all my vinyl classical earlier in life. Since the age of digital, I have studied classical composers more thoroughly, been to far more concerts and used the Penguin guides to buy the best recordings and performances I can on CD and SACD. So my digital collection more naturally has the performances I reach for when playing a piece.

Whatever the reasons, by osmosis I seem to have fallen into playing almost all modern music on vinyl and almost all classical on digital. Needs some further analysis, I think :scratch:

Lol... S'ok, dude, I getcha. However, as a cheap and quick way of building a decent collection of classical music, IMO, you can't beat the charity shop route, where one's RCM becomes and integral and invaluable tool. Especially for someone like me who, until about 3 years ago, didn't own one classical album on vinyl! ;)

When I was younger, classical music just didn't get a look in (all I was interested in was rock, pop and dance music). However, now I'm older, I rather enjoy a session of listening to quality classical choons, especially whilst sipping a nice Armagnac or Rémy Martin... Oh the joys of maturity! :eyebrows:

Marco.

[MartinT]

Don't worry, the local charity shops must be starting to know me (not a good thing). The British Heart Foundation shop, in particular, seems to regularly acquire whole collections dumped by their owners. A veritable treasure trove :)

[Marco]

Popped into the PDSA charity shop in Wrexham today and obtained the following, as usual all on minty vinyl:

Symphony No.4 in E Minor, Op.98, with The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Herbert Von Karajan, on Columbia records from 1954 - Brahms.

Catulli Carmina, Rundfunkchor - und Rundfunk-Sinfonie with Orchester Leipzig, Ute Mai (Soprano) and Eberhard Buchner (Tenor), conducted by Herbert Kegel, on Phillips records from 1976 - Carl Orff.

Symphony No.2 in D Major, Op.36/Piano Sonata No.30 in E Major, Op.109, with Ernst Von Dohnayi (pianist) and The London Symphony Orchestra, on World Record Club records from 1958 - Beethoven.

Fauré Requiem, Victoria de los Angeles, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, with Elisabeth Brasseur (Choir), Henriette Puig-Roget (Organ) and The Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, conducted by Andre Cluytens, on EMI from 1963 - Fauré.

Symphony No.29 & Symphony No.39, with The Sinfonia of London, conducted by Colin Davis, on World Record Club records from 1959 - Mozart.

Symphony No.3 in F Major, Op.90, with The Houston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski, on World Record Club records from 1958 - Brahms.

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Op.77, with Endre Wolf and The Sinfonia of London, conducted by Anthony Collins, on World Record Club records from 1959 - Brahms.

Symphony No.5 in E Flat Major, Karelia Suite, with The Sinfonia of London, conducted by Tauno Hannikainen, on World Record Club records, from 1957 - Sibelius.

Piano Concerto No.1/Klavierkonzert No.1 in D Minor, Op.15. with Clifford Curzon (piano) and The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by George Szell - Brahms.

Images for Orchestra, Gigues-Iberia-Rondes de printemps. Prelude a L'Apres-Midi d'un Faune, with Peter Lloyd (solo flute) and The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andre Previn, on EMI from 1979 - Debussy.

Concerto No.1 in D Major, K.412/Concerto No.3 in E Flat Major, K.447/Concerto No.2 in E Flat Major, K.417/Concerto No.4 in E Flat Major, K.495, with Dennis Brain and The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Herbert Von Karajan, on EMI from 1954 - Mozart.

All for £1 each... Time for some more cleaning and then playing! :cool:

Marco.

[MartinT]

Fauré Requiem, Victoria de los Angeles, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, with Elisabeth Brasseur (Choir), Henriette Puig-Roget (Organ) and The Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, conducted by Andre Cluytens, on EMI from 1963 - Fauré.

That's a superb performance and recording, Marco. A real desert island disc.

[Marco]

Cheers, Martin, and noted. I'll let you know what I think when I listen to it :)

What's disappointing so far is that I haven't managed to find any Shostakovich, as he's my favourite composer... Perhaps he's not as popular as Beethoven, Tschaikowsky, Mozart, etc, whose compositions on vinyl are generally 'ten-a-penny' in charity shops?

Marco.

[MartinT]

Shossie is definitely not as popular as he is generally seen as 'difficult'. It's a shame as he wrote some wonderfully easy music for the ears, such as the Piano Concerto No. 2, The Assault on Beautiful Gorky and Music for Gadfly.

For me, it's the darker works such as Symphony No. 8 and, especially, 13, that reward with further listening, not to mention some of the string quartets.

[Marco]

I'm going to start building up my Shossie collection on vinyl. This is currently the only one I have, superb as it is:


http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/3254/61dxhfechlsl500.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/859/61dxhfechlsl500.jpg/)


On another note, I'm currently spinning this very album, which is absolutely superb:


http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/1317/sdd144.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/sdd144.jpg/)


The vintage Ace of Diamonds stuff is brilliant, in terms of genuine audiophile quality recordings!

Btw, has anyone ever come across this website: http://www.rareclassicalvinyl.com/?page=shop/index&CLSN_3463=1325207536346377941729f28ba4f152

Looks interesting :)

Marco.

[WOStantonCS100]

The vintage Ace of Diamonds stuff is brilliant, in terms of genuine audiophile quality recordings!

Btw, has anyone ever come across this website: http://www.rareclassicalvinyl.com/?page=shop/index&CLSN_3463=1325207536346377941729f28ba4f152

:doh: uggghh... You should not have posted that. I really didn't need another bookmark. My wife (and my wallet) may start sending you hate mail. :)

[JJack]

Also Sprach with Reiner, Britten Peter Grimes interludes (on fantastic Keith Johnson recording).

Just getting into Britten, wonderful stuff.

If someone could recommend a modern Peter Grimes (I have the composer's version) I would appreciate any advice.

[jandl100]

..... What's disappointing so far is that I haven't managed to find any Shostakovich, as he's my favourite composer...

One of the treasures of my LP collection is a double LP I picked up for £1 in a charity shop.

It's on the Supraphon (Czech) label, historic live recordings from the Prague music festival. The featured artist is the Russian violinist David Oistrakh.
Mozart violin concerto #3, Brahms double concerto, Beethoven's Romance #2 for violin & orchestra ..... and ...... my jaw dropped when I saw this on the rear cover ... Shostakovich's 2nd piano trio (one of his greatest works, imo) with Oistrakh (violin), Milos Sadlo (cello) and .... wait for it .... Shostakovich himself playing the piano part. Recorded in 1947 in very serviceable mono. It sends shivers down my spine just typing this in (it really does!) ... as for listening to it, oh boy ... I am not worthy.
:youtheman:

[Marco]

Wow - nice one, Jerry... And I bet you can't get that recording on digital either! ;)

Marco.

[BTH K10A]

I'm going to start building up my Shossie collection on vinyl. This is currently the only one I have, superb as it is:


http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/3254/61dxhfechlsl500.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/859/61dxhfechlsl500.jpg/)


On another note, I'm currently spinning this very album, which is absolutely superb:


http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/1317/sdd144.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/69/sdd144.jpg/)


The vintage Ace of Diamonds stuff is brilliant, in terms of genuine audiophile quality recordings!

Btw, has anyone ever come across this website: http://www.rareclassicalvinyl.com/?page=shop/index&CLSN_3463=1325207536346377941729f28ba4f152

Looks interesting :)

Marco.

Yes, Decca's Ace of Diamond series has some fantastic recordings. The early ones were mainly re-issues of what are now some very expensive SXL releases whilst on some of the later issues there are some fantastic new recordings recordings. The early ones with FFRR on the label (often with a groove) used the same stampers as the SXL's. I have a few copies of SDD144 and wouldn't part with them. I've only had time to listen to a couple of records over xmas and SD144 was one of them. The other was Suite Espanola by Albeniz, another supurb Decca recording.Not sure if it was re-released on AOD as I've never seen one but it's well worth picking up if you see it.


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/111-1139_IMG-1.jpg

[Marco]

Hi Andy,

Good to see you again, matey! Hope you had a nice Christmas? :)

That's interesting, and noted. I intend to amass quite a collection of vintage classical recordings. Other favourite labels are Decca FFRR (red), RCA Victor, EMI (His Master's Voice), Columbia and Deutsche Grammophon, the recordings on the latter I find are particularly stunning :eek:

Have a lovely new year, dude, and don't be such a stranger here in 2012! :cool:

Marco.

[BTH K10A]

Hi Marco, had quite a good christmas thanks although I am in the doghouse. The wife didn't appreciate me starting redecorating the hall stairs and landing. It's not a small task and as the ceilings both up and down are so high I've had to have scaffolding put up on the stairs.:whistle:

She's getting her revenge with the wallpaper though. It's £90 a roll and I need 20 plus she wants to completely renew the lincrusta below the dado and add a freize above the picture rail. :eek:

I've not contributed much recently as I've been extremely busy at work(big job at Cambridge station) and having battles with planners who have morals and ethics that make Rachman seem like Mother Teresa.

Glad to hear you will be expanding your classical collection. There's an abundance of great classical music from the mono era and a mono cartridge with the correct dia tip gives great results.

I would agree that the DG recordings are generally supurb. It's a shame that there was a period in the 80's when their pressing quality was often dubious. I've found the earlier german pressings with tulips around the label to be the best and also the late digital pressings which are outstanding.

[synsei]

£90 a roll??? :stalks: What's it made of, gold??? :lol:

[MartinT]

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/111-1139_IMG-1.jpg

Fantastic, Andy, that I think is the recording I was trying to identify in this thread http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13543. The XRCD is mighty fine but I would love to get hold of the vinyl.

[BTH K10A]

£90 a roll??? :stalks: What's it made of, gold??? :lol:

Nearly

http://designerwallpapers.co.uk/cole-and-son/a-collection-of-flowers/the-india-paper/65-1002

Good news is it's £5 cheaper than she told me :mex:


Bad news is that she's also now ordered 12 rolls of Hummingbirds paper for one of the bedrooms :rolleyes:

[http://designerwallpapers.co.uk/cole-and-son/a-collection-of-flowers/humming-birds/62-1003

Apparently block printed by hand

[jandl100]

Wow - nice one, Jerry... And I bet you can't get that recording on digital either! ;)

Marco.

Heh - you got that right! :)

A partly Bloch-ian day yesterday ...

Ernest Bloch - works for viola & piano with Simon Roland-Jones violaing on an ETCETERA CD.
Ernest Bloch - complete works for piano on 2 Marco Polo CDs. Really lovely pieces. Some intense, some stretching (& breaking) the bounds of tonality, some meltingly beautiful. Yum.

Malipiero - Sea symphony on Naxos CD.

David Gilmour - Live in Gdansk. Oops - a classic, but not classical. :nono:

[BTH K10A]

Fantastic, Andy, that I think is the recording I was trying to identify in this thread http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13543. The XRCD is mighty fine but I would love to get hold of the vinyl.

Martin, yes it's definitely the one.

Original issues usually go for around £100+ but it was reissued by speakers corner.
There has also been a twin disc 45 rpm version issued

http://www.vinyl-records.biz/Albeniz.htm

[MartinT]

Original issues usually go for around £100+ but it was reissued by speakers corner.

Thanks Andy. Sadly seems to be long deleted? I'll keep a lookout for any that come onto the market.

[morris_minor]

Currently playing (and recording to FLAC):

Shostakovich - Symphony No.1 & Age of Gold Ballet: Jean Martinon/LSO (Decca Eclipse LP).

I don't know about other folk who digitise their LPs, but I always like to hunt out the original cover art for the album to display (in players, iPad controller etc).

My Eclipse issue (which I bought new back in the day :wheniwasaboy: - early 70s) has a Cumbrian landscape (Lingmell) on the cover. Very Russian! :lol:

On it's first issue by RCA a rather surreal image of a reclining lady holding a football with some swords adorns the sleeve. The Ballet is a cynical look at Capitalism, but I'm not sure of the exact "plot" as it were, so can't really comment on how appropriate this is. :eyebrows:

A later Victrola issue has a drawing of someone wrestling a horse. :scratch:

I wonder what goes through the heads of label marketing types when deciding on cover images? You can see why there are loads of websites devoted to covers that suck. :lol:

http://www.revalia.co.uk/s/rb16170.jpg
http://www.revalia.co.uk/s/vics1184.jpg
http://www.revalia.co.uk/s/ecs-580.jpg

[Marco]

Bastid - all that lurvely Shossie on vinyl! :stalks: :rolleyes:

Jealous, moi? :eyebrows:

Marco.

[morris_minor]

Bastid - all that lurvely Shossie on vinyl! :stalks: :rolleyes:

Jealous, moi? :eyebrows:

Marco.

Did you spot the Kondrashin Shostakovich 8 on Melodiya on the floor in my office pics (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15016) queuing up for spinning? :)

[MartinT]

Ok, some Shostakovich vinyl from my collection going on now:

Chamber Symphony & Symphony for Strings, Bigg, Phoenix CO, Phoenix (1983)

Suite from the Gadfly, Kondrashin, Symphony Orchestra Cinematographia, Melodiya (1961) as best as I can translate from Cyrillic

Violin Concerto No. 1, Oistrakh, M Shostakovich, New Philharmonia, EMI (1970)

The Chamber Symphony is particularly melancholy and beautiful, orchestrated from the 8th String Quartet.

[MartinT]

Did you spot the Kondrashin Shostakovich 8 on Melodiya

I have the Mravinsky 8 on Melodiya!

[morris_minor]

..... as best as I can translate from Cyrillic


. . . probably better than I could :rolleyes:

While we're on Shostakovitch, another Kondrashin recording I have is Symphony 4. (ASD2741)

http://www.justclassical.org/db/dbpictures/091124/3258-3419-org0.jpeg

[MartinT]

On Melodiya vinyl I have the 3rd (Roshdestvensky), 6th (Svetlanov), 2 x 7th (Mravinsky & Svetlanov), 8th (Mravinsky), 11th (Kondrashin), 15th (Mravinsky).

I also have the absolutely superb 15th (Roshdestvensky)* and 12th (Roshdestvensky) on JVC Melodiya CDs.

*this is worth hunting down as the recording, for Melodiya, is superb and it is extremely well performed.

[morris_minor]

I have a number of gaps in my Shostakovich symphonies, so will look out for some of these. Mind you, I see Marco's on the hunt now so I might not get a look in :lol: .

[royzak]

Schubert - String Trio D 581.Gaede Trio.Nicely played and as usual very well recorded on a Tacet cd.
Spotted a funny miss print in the booklet Franz Schubert (1707-1828):)

[BTH K10A]

The recent postings reminded me I haven't listened to any shostakovitch for quite a while. Have played the VC tonight and lined up four more for the rest of the week. I have about 20 recordings on vinyl so I might need to start filling the gaps too. :)

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1110.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1113.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1109.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1111.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1112.jpg

[Marco]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGG GGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH...... :unfair: :unfair:

:mad: :chainsaw:

:wetkipper:

Marco.

[jandl100]

Shostakovich lovers! ... you really have got to hear this performance of the 1st violin concerto.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hartmann-Concerto-Funebre-Shostakovich-Violin/dp/B00008XVJO/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325661268&sr=1-1

The violinist, Erxleben, takes it sl-o-o-o-o-o-w. The Passacaglia slow mvt is 20 minutes compared to Oistrakh at 12 minutes.
I play this to visiting Shosty fans - they sit there totally entranced for the whole 20 minutes! Exquisite, and so moving. Unbelievable.

[The Grand Wazoo]

The postie came knocking today, bringing this:

http://content.answcdn.com/main/content/img/amg/classical_albums/cov200/cm100/m197/m19739fg8dj.jpg

Fantastic sound quality, as you said Martin. The packaging is rather special too. I'm currently biding my time & can't wait until later on, when I can apply some extra 'twisty' to the volume knob! From what I've already heard there will be some frightening dynamics on display.
Yum yum

[MartinT]

I have a few XRCDs now and they're all superb for sound quality. The Albeniz is good to listen to, with great orchestration :)

Coincidentally, I have just found out that this is an Absolute Sounds recommended recording and a High End Audio Demi-God! Not surprised at all.

[JJack]

These photos are killing me.

You've inspired me: I have a Melodiya of the VC1 that I'm playing tonight, and will work up to my Jarvi 13th for the weekend.

[MartinT]

Shostakovich - Symphony No. 15, Rozhdestvensky, USSR Ministry of Culture State SO, JVC/Melodiya [cd]

I recommended this further up the thread and couldn't resist putting it on. Fabulous playing and quite the best Melodiya recording I have, with excellent mastering by JVC. Alright, the engineer plays with the levels throughout, but then Shossie's 15th is mad in a good way. The bass drum just makes me laugh out loud. This is a must if you're a Shostakovich fan.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5155PW6TEAL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[BTH K10A]

The face of the man on Meloydia.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1114.jpg

Don't forget LINN. Their issue of the 8th is most enjoyable

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1115.jpg

[MartinT]

This is probably the best photo of him that I have on Melodiya.

http://www.mtc.me.uk/images/P1000503.jpg

[Gromit]

This is probably the best photo of him that I have on Melodiya.

http://www.mtc.me.uk/images/P1000503.jpg

Aha! I've got that one - rarely played though.

Today:

Shostakovich 11 (Haitink/C'bouw)
Vaughan Williams 6 (Thomson/LSO)
Rachmaninov - Suites for 2 Pianos/Symphonic Dances (Ashkenazy/Previn)

[JJack]

Listening to the Ravel G major concerto on MHS vinyl, Daniele Dechenne conducted by Zinman, Hague Phil. Stunning music for late-night listening.

[morris_minor]

This afternoon it's

Respighi - The Pines of Rome, The Fountains of Rome: Rafael Fruhbeck De Burgos/New Philharmonia (Columbia Studio 2)

[MartinT]

Respighi - The Pines of Rome, The Fountains of Rome

Ooh nice. My preferred recording is Lane/Atlanta SO on Telarc but I have several.

[morris_minor]

Ooh nice. My preferred recording is Lane/Atlanta SO on Telarc but I have several.

This is my only one. It's kind of like Vivaldi's Four Seasons or Beethoven's 5th - every collection should have one (at least). I was looking up who else has recorded it - every man and his dog it seems. The Gramophone over the years have rated Muti quite highly for his OTT approach, and Batiz on Naxos gets mentioned in dispatches. I hadn't come across your Atlanta version . . .

[Marco]

Found a superb little book shop in Shrewsbury today that also specialises in sales of new classical CDs.

Unfortunately, I was with my parents, and so it would've been unfair of me to spend hours browsing through the stock, not to mention totally impractical, but I did head straight for the Shostakovich section and grabbed a double CD of 24 Preludes and Fugues for solo piano Op, 87, with Tatiana Nikolayeva, on the Hyperion label.

I haven't played it yet, but apparently it is a, quote: "Gramophone Award Winner Classic CD Top 100 CDs of All Time". I love solo piano music :)

So, looking forward to spinning it later! :cool:

Marco.

[jandl100]

Congrats, Marco - that is an utterly superb pair of CDs, far & away my fave version of the music.
And the music is fantastic, too. :)

[BTH K10A]

Mahler's 7th tonight

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1124.jpg

[JJack]

Mahler's 7th tonight

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1124.jpg

I recently bought the Zinman Mahler 7 but haven't had time to listen yet. I'm afraid I've never heard the whole piece, so I'm excited to block off some time to hear it.

At my demo day at the Harbeth dealer today I pulled out a $1 CBS LP of David Oistrach playing the Sibelius concerto. Only one of the 5 other guys likes classical but their jaws were dropping at his cadenza. As I say to my daughter; "um, don't you thing HE practised his scales every day?"

[jandl100]

Of late:

Jola Braga Santos symphonies 1,2, 4 & 5. On Naxos CD (1 & 5) and Marco Polo CDs (2 & 4). Very very fine large scale post-romantic symphonic music, nicely recorded. 2 & 4 are particularly wonderful.

Vaughan Williams symphonies 2 & 8. Handley on EMI CD. I thought I'd try Handley again - previously I'd not really got on with his VW symphonies. Whoa - kind of bowled over by his 2nd especially, although the 8th is very good. Have now ordered more from Handley's cycle. My tastes definitely change as tme goes by.

Malipiero string quartets. On an ASV 2 CD set. I've been impressed by some orchestral works I've invested in, so thought I'd try some chamber. Must admit, I'm having trouble getting to grips with this. They seem kind of amorphous and unstructured on first listen - MLR - more listening required!

Dussek fortepiano sonatas on DHM CD. Interesting music, but these are played by Andreas Staier, who I have never really come in tune with. Good technique (well, OK, superb technique!) but a bit soulless.

[vinylspinner]

Prokofiev on vinyl,

Alexander Nevsky, conducted by Eugene Ormandy with the Philadelphia Orchestra on RCA Red Seal

Found it in a charity shop yesterday, 99p...mint and stunning sound.

Nigel

[morris_minor]

:wow:

I've liked E.J.Moeran's Symphony in G minor ever since I bought Neville Dilkes recording of it back in the 80s, and followed it with with Tod Handley's Ulster version and Boult's splendid recording on Lyrita.

Quite by chance I came across this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418WcSyQz2L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Moeran's sketches for his 2nd Symphony have been completed (Payne-like) by Martin Yates, who conducts the RNSO on this Dutton recording.

This is a spectacular success IMO and well worth a listen if you're attuned to 20th Century British music. Yates has captured Moeran's idiom perfectly - melody/harmony/scoring could have been by the man himself. With an overture orchestrated from a piano score (based a lot on the G minor symphony), and an orchestration of a John Ireland piano suite, this disc is full of wonderful music and heartily recommended. :thumbsup:

Details here (http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7281).

[WOStantonCS100]

Vinyl finds, yesterday, nothing exotic; but, half pound each, mint condition and sounding very nice, indeed... :)

Rachmaninoff Concertos Nos. 1 and 4
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Andre Previn, cond.
Leonard Pennario, piano
RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2788

Handel Water Music (Complete)
Bath Festival Orchestra / Yehudi Menuhin, cond.
Angel S 36 173

Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
London Symphony Orchestra / Pierre Monteux, cond.
London Treasury Series STS15158

[BTH K10A]

I recently bought the Zinman Mahler 7 but haven't had time to listen yet. I'm afraid I've never heard the whole piece, so I'm excited to block off some time to hear it.


The Zinman Mahler recordings are excellent. Is yours on SACD? I find his recording of the 1st symphony magical. I'ts one of those recordings that impels you to play it often.

The Maazel cycle is very good too.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1137.jpg

Andy

[jandl100]

Moeran's sketches for his 2nd Symphony[/B] have been completed (Payne-like) by Martin Yates, who conducts the RNSO on this Dutton recording.

Details here (http://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=CDLX7281).

Thanks Bob - I've just ordered this from Dutton. :thumbsup:

Curiously, Amazon list it as being available from 12 Jan at a rather higher cost than Dutton! :scratch:

[morris_minor]

Thanks Bob - I've just ordered this from Dutton. :thumbsup:

Curiously, Amazon list it as being available from 12 Jan at a rather higher cost than Dutton! :scratch:

Hope you like it Jerry! I got mine from Amazon at the same price as Dutton :scratch: .

[JJack]

The Zinman Mahler recordings are excellent. Is yours on SACD? I find his recording of the 1st symphony magical. I'ts one of those recordings that impels you to play it often.

The Maazel cycle is very good too.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1137.jpg

Andy

My 7 is from that same series as your 1st. Just listened to my Kubelik 1st yesterday (paired with Wayfarer Songs sung by some hack German baritone, Fisher-something-or-other;);

[jandl100]

Oooo, this is nice.

Dvarionas violin concerto.

Who?

Just listen ;)
AflzFb82DTc

[MartinT]

That is nice, Jerry. I've never heard of him.

[JJack]

Vinyl finds, yesterday, nothing exotic; but, half pound each, mint condition and sounding very nice, indeed... :)

Rachmaninoff Concertos Nos. 1 and 4
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Andre Previn, cond.
Leonard Pennario, piano
RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2788

Handel Water Music (Complete)
Bath Festival Orchestra / Yehudi Menuhin, cond.
Angel S 36 173

Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
London Symphony Orchestra / Pierre Monteux, cond.
London Treasury Series STS15158

Is that a blue label Angel? I have dozens and I've had no luck with them in the past.

However, I just sold my expensive cart and plopped in a $60 Shure 97xe and I'm finally getting some music out of those Angels. Just had a listen to two of Schwartzkopf's 4 Last Songs; I'm thrilled that I'm finding some music in those grooves, rolled-off top end and all.

I know the STS (orange?) will sound great.

[JJack]

http://www.qualityquest.ca/LP14/LP18088.jpg


Listening to the balls-to-the-wall Shostakovich 13 under Kondrashin on Melodiya LP. After I sang a 13th I never listened to Tschaikovsky the same way again.

I think I need to go on a buying spree of Moscow and Leningrad Philharmonic recordings while they're still available. No one has every played like these people did.

[MartinT]

That's a stunning symphony, Jack. My personal favourite is the Andre Previn 13th, he has a special understanding of Shostakovich and that old EMI recording is excellent, unnerving and with real menace.

[morris_minor]

This afternoon:

Various orchestral pieces by Ravel - Previn/LSO (EMI) and Paray/Detroit SO (Mercury)

[royzak]

Shostakovitch - Violin Sonata. Oistrakh/Richter.

[JJack]

This afternoon:

Various orchestral pieces by Ravel - Previn/LSO (EMI) and Paray/Detroit SO (Mercury)

Yay! My hometown band.

It was the DSO that I sang with in the Shostakovich 13 that I mentioned a few posts back, with Neeme Jarvi conducting

[JJack]

Shostakovitch - Violin Sonata. Oistrakh/Richter.

Hacks.
;)

[JJack]

That's a stunning symphony, Jack. My personal favourite is the Andre Previn 13th, he has a special understanding of Shostakovich and that old EMI recording is excellent, unnerving and with real menace.

I'm not sure I can take any more menace than Kondrashin, but I will be on the lookout for a copy of the Previn, thanks.

[morris_minor]

Yay! My hometown band.

It was the DSO that I sang with in the Shostakovich 13 that I mentioned a few posts back, with Neeme Jarvi conducting

Cool! :cool:

[Marco]

Now, on vinyl:

Schönberg - Verklarte Nacht, Streichtrio Op.45. Phantasy fur Violine und Klavier Op.47, with the Schönberg Ensemble, on Phillips from 1986.

Marco.

[royzak]

Hacks.
;)

:)

[MartinT]

Schönberg - Verklarte Nacht

Edgy stuff, Marco. How do you find it?

[BTH K10A]

Cage 4'33"

I may also attempt a live performance of this most difficult of works later in the evening. My instrument will be the piano. :piano:

[MartinT]

Cage 4'33"

I find that reproduction of this difficult work is improved by turning all amplification off.

[BTH K10A]

I find that reproduction of this difficult work is improved by turning all amplification off.

As I wanted a perfect presentation with real depth to the soundstage I pulled the mains plugs from the sockets too.

[Reid Malenfant]

I find that reproduction of this difficult work is improved by turning all amplification off.


As I wanted a perfect presentation with real depth to the soundstage I pulled the mains plugs from the sockets too.
:rfl:

ROFLMAO :eyebrows:

[Marco]

Edgy stuff, Marco. How do you find it?

I like it, Martin. It's rather dark and brooding, but that appeals to me. There's some very nice violin playing, and the recording quality is superb.

It's my first taste of Schönberg, and I'm very happy with it :)

Marco.

[morris_minor]

This afternoon:


Rachmaninov - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Piano Concerto No.2: Jean Phillipe Collard, Orchestra of the Capitole, Toulouse/Michel Plasson (Pathe Marconi/EMI)
Elgar - Symphony No.2: LPO/Boult (EMI)


Doubly nice because Richard from Vantage had brought my newly serviced SL7 back this morning and I christened the new Jico SAS stylus I got for my P22 :).

[royzak]

Beethoven - Sonata in C Minor,Op 13.(Pathetique). Solomon.

[BTH K10A]

Thea Musgrave, supposedly influenced by Schoenberg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_1145.jpg

[jandl100]

Cage 4'33"

I may also attempt a live performance of this most difficult of works later in the evening. My instrument will be the piano. :piano:


I find that reproduction of this difficult work is improved by turning all amplification off.


As I wanted a perfect presentation with real depth to the soundstage I pulled the mains plugs from the sockets too.

:hmm: 4'33" of silence?
Nah, of course not!

You miss the point. ;)

The pianist walks onto the platform and sits at the piano as if about to play.
Cage wanted to capture the undeniable tension and ambience in a concert hall of the period just prior to music starting.

So having the power turned off defeats the object! .... Cage wanted you to hear the gradually diminishing audience noise as the tension mounts, as part of the effect.
Although the whole effect is reduced on the hifi at home.

It was an interesting idea, investigating an aspect of the concert hall musical experience not previously addressed.
Curiously, it is perhaps the one musical "composition" that really needs to be experienced live in a concert hall as part of an audience. A hifi just doesn't cut it!

Much maligned.

Understandably so! :)

OK, yeah, it is weird! :eyebrows:

_____


You could do the same with non-classical music. Only it could run for much longer and be even more effective (affective?) .... Imagine the start of a rock concert with the huge foot-stomping excitement building up in a packed stadium .... after 10 minutes or so of increasing tension and anticipation, the band runs on stage, the crowd erupts in excitement and enthusiasm.
The end. .... Apart from the ensuing riot by disgruntled fans, of course! :lol:

Come on, anyone who has attended live music of any sort knows that this kind of pre-musical tension is very real and a genuine part of an enjoyable live musical experience.

Kudos to John Cage for having the insight to investigate it in one of his works. :thumbsup:

[jandl100]

Vaughan Williams - Sea Symphony. EMI CD - Handley, Liverpool PO & Chorus.
Hmm. Bit of a mixture, this. Magnificently wonderful music, of course. Handley's pretty good overall, but the tension does slacken into mere note-spinning now & then. And the baritone isn't really up to it, and the chorus have their off-key moments.
Very dynamic recording that demands to be played loud.
Haitink and his EMI engineering team do it so much better, tbh.
Handley is enjoyable nonetheless - but I doubt I'll play this one again.

[morris_minor]

Handley is enjoyable nonetheless - but I doubt I'll play this one again.
I rarely play mine, preferring Boult - but it's the least played, anyway, of the RVW cycle.

Do you have Richard Hickox's "London" on Chandos, Jerry? With the cuts VW made restored.

[morris_minor]

This morning -

Various Vivaldi concertos from a number of Argo LPs - Marinner/ASMF.

Now -

Moeran's "Second Symphony" as per a few posts ago. Definitely repays repeat listens :)

[Barry]

Some odds 'n' sods:

Philip Glass - 'Violin Concerto', 'Company' and 'Akhenaten'
Adele Anthony, violin. Ulster Orchestra cond. Tako Yuasa.
Naaxos 8.554568

Jean-Phillipe Rameau - 'Overtures and Suites'
Orchestra of the 18th Century, cond. Frans Bruggen; Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, cond, Gustave Leonhardt and New Philharmonia Orchestra, cond. Raymond Leppard.
Philips 468 169-2

Beethoven - 'Symphony No. 3' and 'Coriolan Overture'
Wiener Phiharmoniker, cond. Claudio Abbado.
1987 DGG 419 597-2

Berlioz -'Symphonie Fantastique'
Berlin Philharmoniker, cond. Karajan.
1975 DGG 2530 597

Haydn - 'Symphonies 94 and 101'
Berlin Philharmoniker, cond. Karl Richter
1970 DGG SLPM 138782

Tchaikovsky - 'Symphony No. 5'
Berliner Philharmoniker, cond. Karajan
1976 DGG 2530 699

[JJack]

I still have equipment on demo at my house, so I've been listening to a lot of stuff (often, alas, not complete works as I'm "evaluating" and not just listening).

Beethoven 5, Walter/CSO on SACD

Schubert 8, Walter/NY on SACD (entire work)

Beethoven Op 127, Italian Quartet, on vinyl (entire work)

Brahms Piano concerto 1, Kovacevich/Sawallisch/London Phil on EMI CD (entire work)

Gieseking, some Debussy preludes on the incredible 4-CD EMI set. A must-have and one of the best mono recordings ever.

Mravinsky, Wagner orchestral pieces on Erato CD. The Lohengrin Act 1 prelude, maybe the most intense soft string playing I've ever heard. I'm going to play it again right now (1:10 am)

Mravinsky, Tschiakovsky 5 on Russian disc CD, 1983 recording. Snippets of other pieces from this double-disc set.

Liturgy of St. John, Slavyanka on HM CD. Sam Tellig raved about these guys once. I didn't care for this disc.

Canteloube songs of the Auvergne, Upshaw/Nagano on Erato CD. Wow.

Lots more but I'll stop there. I've been comparing a Naim Supernait to a Luxman 505u, and having LOTS of fun playing with this expensive stuff. One of them is going back next week. Hopefully I can get a good price on the other one.

[jandl100]

Moeran's "Second Symphony" as per a few posts ago. Definitely repays repeat listens :)

Ditto - my copy arrived yesterday.

Yup, interesting, but more listening required. :) A nicely ear-catching opening, and a sound definitely reminiscent of Moeran's only completed symphony - you are definitely in the same musical world here! I look forward to becoming more familiar with this - thanks for the reccie, Bob!

Also ...
Malipieri string quartets again. Hmmm, these are definitely growing on me! :thumbsup: They kind of remind me of the Villa Lobos string quartets, and that is praise of a high order from me.

Vaughan Williams Symphony #8. Handley, EMI CD.
Hmm. Handley doesn't quite do it in RVW, does he? :scratch: Lots that is good, but also bland patches, and it doesn't cohere as a whole musical experience.
I much prefer Handley's Elgar. :thumbsup:

And to end the evening on an entirely positive note - a Weiss Solo Lute sonata - on Naxos CD. Bliss, pure bliss. :) the sound quality on this series is near perfect, too - the transient rich but mellow sound of a solo lute captured, nicely focussed, in an entirely believable acoustic space. Fab!

[jandl100]

Ummmm .... can I put in a plea here? :)

How about more folk doing some commentary on what you've heard?

Knowing that someone has listened to, say, Roger Norrington conducting Brahms 3rd symphony is mildly interesting.
But knowing what they thought of it would be interest of an entirely more interesting kind! ;)

How about it folks, at least for some of the things you list? Should I rush onto Amazon and order it? - or should I steer clear? And why?! What performances have you heard that you prefer, what 's the sound quality like ....? etc etc.

Some folks are doing this already, good on yer! :thumbsup:

____

To be honest, endless lists of what had been listened to without much, if any, commentary is what killed off the Wigwam forum's classical "spinning today" equivalent thread.

[morris_minor]

Ummmm .... can I put in a plea here? :)

How about more folk doing some commentary on what you've heard?
Will try harder :rolleyes:. Think quality over quantity maybe . . :scratch:

Just about to put on "13 Faces of Lightning Head" for the first time . . oh, wrong thread . .:lol:

[morris_minor]

While we're on Shostakovitch, another Kondrashin recording I have is Symphony 4. (ASD2741)

http://www.justclassical.org/db/dbpictures/091124/3258-3419-org0.jpeg

Just listened to this. It's first outing in about 10 years I think :scratch:.

What a stunning piece! Exciting, manic climaxes, moody woodwind melodies, and a spooky coda with a real cock-a-snoop final note on the celesta (?). No wonder the authorities came down on him! This performance was recorded in 1962 only year after its first performance - some 25 years after it was composed.

The Soviet recording is a bit rough and ready in places; there's some tape wobble, and a few pre-echoes, but nothing to get hung up on. Russian orchestral tone adds "authenticity" - hollow woodwind, fruity brass with a bit of extra vibrato/tremolo, and gutsy strings.

My copy cleaned up nicely, and sounded good with the new Sony XL-MC104P cartridge I got yesterday - will definitely do a needledrop of this for my "other devices" . . . :eyebrows:

Edit: was that better Jerry? :)

[Barry]

Ummmm .... can I put in a plea here? :)

How about more folk doing some commentary on what you've heard?

Knowing that someone has listened to, say, Roger Norrington conducting Brahms 3rd symphony is mildly interesting.
But knowing what they thought of it would be interest of an entirely more interesting kind! ;)

How about it folks, at least for some of the things you list? Should I rush onto Amazon and order it? - or should I steer clear? And why?! What performances have you heard that you prefer, what 's the sound quality like ....? etc etc.

Some folks are doing this already, good on yer! :thumbsup:

____

To be honest, endless lists of what had been listened to without much, if any, commentary is what killed off the Wigwam forum's classical "spinning today" equivalent thread.

Oh well - no more posts from me then!

[jandl100]

Oh well - no more posts from me then!

Oh dear. :(

Don't you have opinions that you would be kind and generous enough to share, Barry?
I thought that was what forums were about - sharing opinions / thoughts / views / experiences / recommendations.

Anyway, you don't have to do what I suggest. I've not been made King yet. ;)

[jandl100]

Edit: was that better Jerry? :)

Well, yes. Personally I think so.

What do you think of the comments I make about my listening experiences?
Am I just wasting my time (and risking going blind ;)), or do you find at least some of it interesting/useful/entertaining? :scratch:

[jandl100]

Of late:

Praetorius Mass - DG CD. Gabrieli Players - Paul McCreesh. Absolutely mind-blowing! HUGE choral and orchestral forces recorded in a reverberant cathedral-like setting. Tip-top recording, too. Just awesome, man. :peace:

Vaughan Williams 2nd Symphony - Handley followed by Haitink, both on EMI CDs. Interesting that Haitink is so much slower. I kind of like both, actually. Haitink is majestic, Handley is vibrant. I'm happy to keep both. :)

P.S> No, Bob, I've not heard Hickox's recording of the original - is it worth getting?

[morris_minor]

Well, yes. Personally I think so.

What do you think of the comments I make about my listening experiences?
Am I just wasting my time (and risking going blind ;)), or do you find at least some of it interesting/useful/entertaining? :scratch:

Yes, keep it going Jerry! :D

[morris_minor]

P.S> No, Bob, I've not heard Hickox's recording of the original - is it worth getting?

It's an interesting listen Jerry. The balance of the work is different, and TBH the cuts that RVW made did make it a better work. The original sprawls a bit and the cuts tighten things up quite a lot. But it is a fascinating experience hearing what was first played. I think, from memory, that it's coupled with a piece by Butterworth (Banks of Green Willow?), and of course it's a good Chandos recording. I think it's one for the RVW collector, rather than a general listener, but I'm sure :rolleyes: you'd find it good, Jerry. :D

[jandl100]

Oh, OK, you've convinced me.
(The rave reviews on Amazon had nothing at all to do with it, of course!)
I've just ordered it on Amazon. :)
.... I'll send you the bill if I don't like it, Bob. :eyebrows:

[morris_minor]

Oh, OK, you've convinced me.
(The rave reviews on Amazon had nothing at all to do with it, of course!)
I've just ordered it on Amazon. :)
.... I'll send you the bill if I don't like it, Bob. :eyebrows:

:lol:

[JJack]

Ordered my first-ever CDs from Amazon this week.

Just got the first one today: Britten's War Requiem, Carlo Maria Guilini/BBC classics series. Powerful stuff and stunningly, stunningly recorded.

Inspired by all the Shostakovich posts, I've also ordered two 8ths by Mravinksy, the 1960 and the 1982 recordings. Because of our holiday on Monday, I won't see these until next week.

Also listened to the Bruckner 7, BBC/Reginald Goodall. More great music, but this one has the glassy violins one often finds in DG recordings.

Finally, listening to Tchiakovsky Winter Dreams (Symphony 1) on a Westminster LP, Bolshoi orchestra on decent mono. Good performance.

[jandl100]

Ordered my first-ever CDs from Amazon this week.


:eek: Blimey.

You do know about "Amazon Market Place" aspect of the site where you can get some stunning used and new bargains, often at a tiny fraction of the RRP?

[JJack]

:eek: Blimey.

You do know about "Amazon Market Place" aspect of the site where you can get some stunning used and new bargains, often at a tiny fraction of the RRP?

Nope. I did a composer and performer search, and then listed them by lowest price to highest. Bought a couple of things for .01 plus the $2.98 shipping, including Rostopovich doing Bach cello suites 2, 4, and 5.

I'll check it out though, thanks.

One thing I can't figure out is how the UK-based sellers can ship to the US and only charge the same $2.98 shipping when some of the CDs they're selling are less than a dollar.

[JJack]

Just cleaned off this LP that I got for 50p - cannot believe how good it sounds as I've always had terrible luck with bad Angel blue pressings:
http://www.shugarecords.com/images/records/c0b76e90-c316-4491-a3c8-ebe5fcf4c8c8-0.JPG

Also found this gem from my favorite pianist. This got a great review in Gramophone in its original issue. The budget label Alto is reissuing some great stuff (although I have sound issues with my Alto Peter Grimes)

The sound quality is good, and this is a mix of live and studio. There are a couple of strange things between tracks, but nothing to ward off a purchase if you like Richter.

http://amuletts.com/musicalmerit/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ALC1136.jpg

[MartinT]

What do you think of the comments I make about my listening experiences?

I find them useful, Jerry. I also try to make comment on what I'm listening to. These days, if I don't think what I'm listening to is of interest (or I've posted about it before), I don't bother. The same goes for the main What are you listening to right now thread.

[jandl100]

..... The same goes for the main What are you listening to right now thread.

:scratch: What do you mean "main" thread? THIS is the main thread now! :lol:

[jandl100]

Re: Amazon Market Place ...


Nope. I did a composer and performer search, and then listed them by lowest price to highest. Bought a couple of things for .01 plus the $2.98 shipping, including Rostopovich doing Bach cello suites 2, 4, and 5.

Yup, that's it. You've got it sussed. :)


One thing I can't figure out is how the UK-based sellers can ship to the US and only charge the same $2.98 shipping when some of the CDs they're selling are less than a dollar.

Yes, I know, baffling, isn't it! :scratch:
Perhaps it all works out for them OK over a large number of sales, across the price spectrum?

[MartinT]

:scratch: What do you mean "main" thread? THIS is the main thread now! :lol:

:rfl:

[Chops]

Put this on the wrong (Spinning Today) list I guess yesterday. Sorry, I'm new to the forum.

Vivaldi Four Seasons from Linn Records, Avison Ensemble, 96khz/24bit. I love the performance and the clarity of the recording/hi-Rez.
http://www.linnrecords.com/img/album/larger/ckd-365.jpg
Chopin Waltzes, Stephen Hough, Hyperion. CD quality. Nice recording. Great interpretation/technique.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41uTCmcVp6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Pergolesi concerts and follies ..., Fone (96khz/24bit download from Linn). I really like the reverberant acoustic, which isn't to everyone's taste. Some great tunes and plenty of detail for those who like it listening to the hi-Rez recording.
http://www.linnrecords.com/img/album/larger/sacd-066.jpg

[MartinT]

Fone

Welcome, Chris!

Great label, Fone. I bought some Vivaldi concertos on that label on SACD and thought the recording was excellent.

[morris_minor]

Er, slightly OT, but can Shostakovich aficionados give me their opinions of complete cycles of Sh. symphonies, please?

I have a number collected piecemeal over the years, but feel the full set is "needed" now (:eyebrows:).

Petrenko/RLPO on Naxos seems to be getting some good notices. Then there's Barshai, and of course Kondrashin on Melodiya (though that would mean doubling nos. 4 & 8).

Ideally more than one set is required, but I'd like to start with a good allrounder.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
Bob

[MartinT]

I would say Previn but I don't think he recorded them all and they're not available as a set as far as I know.

Haitink recorded a very good cycle.

[Gromit]

Hi Bob,

As a broad sweep of choice I always keep coming back to the Haitink LPO/Concertgebouw set - there's not a duffer amongst them and as a woodwind player, the C'gebouw have just about the finest woodwind sound I've heard. :)

Technically, all of the discs are superb - the 15th is especially so, recorded in analogue at the Kingsway Hall.

The 11th is epic...and then some, and along with RVW 3 & 6 possibly my favourite symphony of all time. Awesome.

[Marco]

I was in Oxfam in Liverpool today, and picked up the following (all minty vinyl):

Das Lied von der Erde, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, James King, with the Vienna Philharmonic (conducted by Leonard Bernstein) on Decca Jubilee, from 1977 - Mahler.

Aus der Neuen Welt (From the New World), Symphonie Nr.9 (5) op.95, with the Berliner Philharmoniler, conducted by Herbert Von Karajan, on Deutsche Grammophon, from 1964 - Dvořák.

'Three Cantatas': Cantata Misericordium, Rejoice in the Lamb - Festival Cantata, Cantata Academica, with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Britten, on Decca FFSS, from 1974 - Britten.

Paukenmesse (Mass in Time of War). Choir of St John's College Cambridge, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-fields (Stephen Cleobury - organ), leader Neville Marriner. Director: George Guest, on Decca Argo, from 1970 - Hadyn.

I shall write a thesis on them later, for Jerry... ;)

Marco.

[morris_minor]

Hi Bob,

As a broad sweep of choice I always keep coming back to the Haitink LPO/Concertgebouw set - there's not a duffer amongst them and as a woodwind player, the C'gebouw have just about the finest woodwind sound I've heard. :)

Technically, all of the discs are superb - the 15th is especially so, recorded in analogue at the Kingsway Hall.

The 11th is epic...and then some, and along with RVW 3 & 6 possibly my favourite symphony of all time. Awesome.

Thanks for this, Martin also. Two votes for Haitink . . . :) As an ex-clarinet player (only amateur!) I too listen out for the woodwind sound. It's one of the aspects of the Kondrashin recordings I like (4 & 8) - the Moscow clarinets seem especially "hollow" - don't know how else to describe it :scratch:. I'd be interested to know if it's their instruments or playing technique.

I don't know the 11th at all. Will wait a bit to see if anyone else chips in, though . . .

Cheers,
Bob

[MartinT]

I can vouch for Haitink's 8th, 12th & 13th as being excellent (although Previn's 13th is even greater and his 10th is superb).

Yep - on reflection, I would still try to get all the Previns as separate recordings and the Haitinks as a set.

[morris_minor]

I do have Previn's early 5th for RCA on a worn dynagroove. Have played that one to death over the years :D

Will keep a lookout for these too. Thanks Martin.

[Gromit]

Thanks for this, Martin also. Two votes for Haitink . . . :) As an ex-clarinet player (only amateur!) I too listen out for the woodwind sound. It's one of the aspects of the Kondrashin recordings I like (4 & 8) - the Moscow clarinets seem especially "hollow" - don't know how else to describe it :scratch:. I'd be interested to know if it's their instruments or playing technique.

I don't know the 11th at all. Will wait a bit to see if anyone else chips in, though . . .

Cheers,
Bob

Well worth checking out the 11th Bob - if you know the film 'Dune' very well, you may recognise where they got the idea for some of the soundtrack on hearing the 1st movement.

The only slightly 'off' symphony in the Haitink set is probably (for me - this is just opinion) his 10th. That's probably because I love Karajan's version with BPO where there's a richness, not only of sound, but at the start of the 1st movement the Berlin strings are peerless. I've still not heard the horns sound better in the 3rd movement, where, when the movement really takes off it's absolutely breathtaking.

[morris_minor]

I too have Karajan's 10th. :)

Will certainly check out the 11th ...

[morris_minor]

Notwithstanding your recommendations (:eyebrows:) I'm just downloading this (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/Mar10/Shostakovich11_BIS1583.htm) from eClassical (just over a fiver). Will report back . . .;)

[jandl100]

Er, slightly OT, but can Shostakovich aficionados give me their opinions of complete cycles of Sh. symphonies, please?

I have a number collected piecemeal over the years, but feel the full set is "needed" now (:eyebrows:).

Petrenko/RLPO on Naxos seems to be getting some good notices. Then there's Barshai, and of course Kondrashin on Melodiya (though that would mean doubling nos. 4 & 8).

Ideally more than one set is required, but I'd like to start with a good allrounder.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
Bob

I'd avoid Petrenko on Naxos.
I bought the 8th and the 10th having seen some rave reviews.
Urgh. Awful - zilch Russian feeling, sounded like a day out for an English church parish orchestra!

I wouldn't buy any full set .. I think you are best off getting them individually.
Although if you insist, then yes, Haitink is a safe reasonable allrounder, with excellent sq.

Lessee ... Previn for the 5th, 13th and especially the 8th (DG). Jarvi for the 10th. Rostropovich for the 11th. Nanut for the 7th.

I have the Barshai full set, but it's a disappointment, really.
Rozhdestvensky is an excellent allrounder, too

[morris_minor]

Thanks Jerry. You'll see i've started with a BIS recording of the 11th . . .:) I think you're right about complete sets, BTW.

[MartinT]

Lessee ... Previn for the 5th, 13th and especially the 8th (DG). Jarvi for the 10th. Rostropovich for the 11th. Nanut for the 7th.

Haitink for the 12th, Rozhdestvensky for the 1st and 15th. Previn's 13th on EMI (or was your DG reference for the 8th only?)

[morris_minor]

:wow: :wow: :wow:

Just played this:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/Mar10/Shostakovich11_BIS1583.jpg

What a piece of music. :eek:

Mark Wrigglesworth has the most un-Russian sounding name, but boy, can he deliver the goods. As can the Netherlands Radio orchestra - again not a name that immediately springs to mind in this repertoire.

I've never yet come across a duff BIS recording, and this one impresses immensely, with a stunning dynamic range from whisper quiet ppp to what must only be sfff. And the studio in Hilversum is a great acoustic for this music too.

I don't know that I can comment in detail on the interpretation, since this is first time I've heard the work :eyebrows: but MW seemed to have the measure of the structure and tempi since nothing seemed awkward. Very impressive were the desolate, almost inaudbile, pianissimos following on immediately from the bombastic passages - a terrifying vision!

It was good, too, to have a detailed album note from the conductor; I hadn't thought about the parallels to the Hungarian uprising.

I'll definitely seek out more Shostakovich from this outfit . . :cool:

[jandl100]

Haitink for the 12th, Rozhdestvensky for the 1st and 15th. Previn's 13th on EMI (or was your DG reference for the 8th only?)

Yep, just the Previn 8th on DG. The 5th and 13th on EMI.
I'm not a great fan of aged-Previn, he seemed to lose the getup&go that so characterised his fiery younger days.
But the DG 8th is a happy exception, he really captures the atmosphere, for me - superb sq, too.

[jandl100]

Of late ...

The Vaughan Williams resurgence continues apace at Jerry Towers -

RVW 9th Symphony. A very difficult piece for me. A lot of orchestral note-spinning, at first listen. And 3rd and 5th listen, come to that! What was the great man up to, or had he lost it a bit in his old age? He was well into his 80's when he wrote this.
Haitink, then Slatkin, then Previn.

3 very different takes on the music. Haitink is as magisterial as ever. Slatkin is somehow more solid, but seems a bit less convinced of the music. The Previn recording surprised me - wow, excellent transparent sound quality, very realistic strings and real bite on the brass. Lovely. A very enthusiastic interpretation, too. Hmm, this is the best of the three.

I have only listened to Previn's Sea Symphony recently, and was disappointed by the sq - the 9th is in a different league - I'll be having a go at all the rest of Previn's RCA cycle. It's the one I've had longest, and has been ignored a bit for that very reason!
I still have Handley's 9th to listen to, then I'll go back to Previn.
I am determined to get into this symphony!!

[jandl100]

..... I love Karajan's version {of Shostakovich's 10th} with BPO where there's a richness, not only of sound, but at the start of the 1st movement the Berlin strings are peerless. I've still not heard the horns sound better in the 3rd movement, where, when the movement really takes off it's absolutely breathtaking.

:scratch:

I find that I have deep feelings of insecurity when I disagree so strongly with a professional musician. :(
The same happened when I invested in Richard's strong reccie for Leister's recording of the Mozart Clarinet Quintet. I hated it! :mental: And Richard is a professional clarinettist, ffs. My lack of formal musical training becomes all too evident, I fear. :(

Anyhoo .... these are my opinions, and I guess I just have to live with them! :)

So, is that the 1966 Karajan recording of the Shosty 10, Richard, or his later one? Or both?
I have the '66 version and tried it again last night.

For me, he rushes the fast bits and dawdles on the slow bits. For me it's a characterless central European interpretation rather than a soulful Russian one.
The recording is tonally anaemic in the mids, with accentuated treble on the violins and not much in the way of bass at all.

I should also point out that the Gramophone guide gives both Karajan recordings top reccie.

I think I'll give up! :lol:

___

EDIT: for the princely sum of £2.67 (inc delivery!) I have just ordered HvK's 1980's digital recording of the 10th from Amazon. Perhaps I will see the light with this one?

[MartinT]

For all you Shostakovich lovers...

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showpost.php?p=286182&postcount=80

[JJack]

Alas, the Previn 13th is out of print and only available as an MP3.

Going to scour the used records shops for this one after all the recommendations.

[MartinT]

There's a sealed LP here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANDRE-PREVIN-SHOSTAKOVICH-No-13-Babi-Yar-SEALED-Dimiter-Petkov-TAS-List-SS-/320814849022?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item4ab20e1bfe

[jandl100]

RVW 9th Symphony. A very difficult piece for me. ..... I am determined to get into this symphony!!

Yes! Whodathunkit? ... Handley's the boy for me on an EMI CD. He lays it open and presents it in a very articulate and dynamic way.

For the first time I hear the ending of the last movement as a true apotheosis of the whole symphony cycle! :wow:

Bravissimo! :clap:

[morris_minor]

Yes! Whodathunkit? ... Handley's the boy for me on an EMI CD. He lays it open and presents it in a very articulate and dynamic way.

For the first time I hear the ending of the last movement as a true apotheosis of the whole symphony cycle! :wow:

Bravissimo! :clap:

:thumbsup:

Have you heard Handley's Bax cycle on Chandos, Jerry? That's awesome, too. :)

[MartinT]

In preparation for Martha...

Ravel - Piano Concerto, Paray, Haas, Orchestre National Paris, DG [vinyl]

http://fischer.hosting.paran.com/music/dgg-lps/dgg-images/24876654_300x300.jpg

Ravel - Piano Concerto, Michelangeli, Gracis, Philharmonia, EMI [cd]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hHGwRPl9Rms/SNZuaQ9ievI/AAAAAAAAAWM/NRQmMEe-89Y/s320/67.jpg

[jandl100]

:thumbsup:

Have you heard Handley's Bax cycle on Chandos, Jerry? That's awesome, too. :)

No, I've got the Naxos set with David Lloyd-Jones. I've had it ages, and I investigate it now and then, and I am gradually finding my way into Bax's sound world. I can't say it's an easy journey, though!

Maybe I should sample Handley?

[jandl100]

Last night ...

I fancied some pyrotechnic frivolities, so ...
Paganini - violin concertos 3 & 4. DG CD with Accardo/Dutoit.
Ha Ha - amazing! :D

Then some samples from a Harmonia Mundi sampler CD I picked up somewhere.
Barbara Strozzi - baroque aria for soprano and orchestra. Interesting as there are very few Barqoue female composers.
OH - MY - GOSH :wowzer:. I was dumbstruck with how amazing this music sounds.
Had to go online and order a full CD of the lady's work (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opera-Ottave-Arias-Cantatas-Strozzi/dp/B00005RZVG/ref=pd_ybh_2?pf_rd_p=138755991&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=02JZJE9RXHAM0GHDBNCY) from Amazon. I can hardly wait to get it!
Also a solo violin piece by Pisendel (no jokes, chaps, this is amazing, too!).

Bach - organ works; Concerto BWV592, Trio Sonata BWV525, Pastorella BWV590. Kevin Bowyer on a Nimbus CD. Awesome, the bass just rolled out of the speakers and across the living room floor and lapped in waves around my feet!

And over an extended period ...
William Bolcom - violin concerto & 5th symphony on an Argo CD.
Hmmm .. I hated this music to start with, but something kept me coming back to it. I'm now really beginning to enjoy it a lot! Strange how that happens sometimes. :scratch:

[morris_minor]

No, I've got the Naxos set with David Lloyd-Jones. I've had it ages, and I investigate it now and then, and I am gradually finding my way into Bax's sound world. I can't say it's an easy journey, though!

Maybe I should sample Handley?

I have the Naxos set as well, plus the odd earlier Chandos disc of no.4 with Bryden Thompson (another sadly underrated conductor), and a Lyrita disc of no.5 with Raymond Leppard (definitely not an expected combination, but pretty successful). Plus Handley's very early recording of no.4 with the Guildford Phil. on Barrington-Coupe's Revolution/Concert Artist label; a sign of things to come . . .:). Talking of Barrington-Coupe - the Joyce Hatto fiasco comes to mind. Hatto and Handley recorded Bax's Symphonic Variations; this really was her, as I saw her perform this two days before the recording. I think this was her last real recording . . . :rolleyes:. It has been available on a Concert Artist CD and is well worth a listen.

Comparisons between Handley and Lloyd-Jones to my mind come out pretty even. I play the Handley discs (actually files) much more as I prefer the Chandos recordings, and these would be my desert island choice. The set makes a nice memorial to the guy. It includes a CD of Handley talking about the symphonies, too, and some excellent notes.

[jandl100]

Ah, yes, "Joyce Hatto". :whistle:

Oh dear - a lot of egg on a lot of faces! :eyebrows:

[Gromit]

Hi Jerry - sorry only just saw your posting ref DSCH 10, mine's the later HvonK one (the digital recording). I think as much as anything this recording was one of the first Shost symphonies I ever heard and it's remained in my mind as a personal definitive of it - I just love it.

I've often accused the BPO brass of being a bit gutless - certainly when compared to the finest brass section in the world (the LSO) but in this recording the BPO do their upmost to prove me wrong. Sure Karajan does milk the proceedings a little in places but the sheer momentum he creates, especially the terrifying machine-like tour de force which is the 2nd movement...wow. :)

Strangely I too have been working hard, trying to get into RVW9 (great minds think alike!! :D ) but I'm not quite there yet. Only recording I've got is the older Previn one, part of the boxed set on vinyl, and I'm not sure it's the right one for me just yet. As for the whole set, it's something of the curate's egg for me.

Oh...listening at the moment:

Chopin - Preludes (Perlemuter/Nimbus 45rpm vinyl) :)

Bob - glad you like the Shost 11, if ever there was a symphony written by a composer who'd been recently let off the political leash it's this. The 10th was a 'celebration' of Stalin's death - the 11th was certainly a confirmation of it.

[morris_minor]

After a few weeks in the dark world of Shostakovich I entered the sunlit uplands of roasting swans and naughty monks with Previn's Carmina Burana tonight, on a half-speed mastered Mofi disc that hasn't seen the light of day for years. I thought it'd be a good test for a new cartridge (a Technics P540) - which passed quite happily.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/6135gI9oYML._SS500_.jpg

[jandl100]

Hi Jerry - sorry only just saw your posting ref DSCH 10, mine's the later HvonK one (the digital recording) ...... I just love it.

......but the sheer momentum he creates, especially the terrifying machine-like tour de force which is the 2nd movement...wow. :)


Having been VERY underwhelmed by HvK's 1967 recording, the 1982 digital remake arrived at Jerry Towers yesterday.

... I can only confirm your "wow" comment.
My Gawd - I can't believe what 15 years has done to deepen his interpretation. :eek:
Sure, it's still a mid-European take on the music, rather than a Russian one, imo. But it works, and the the 1967 recording did not, in my (ever so) humble opinion. ;)
And yes, that "Stalin Allegro" is a genuine tour-de-force - it leaves shockwaves in its wake and the wind playing can only be described as totally demented! :lol: The brass don't really keep up with that, sounding a bit tame and cautious, but it's still stunning stuff.
It's interesting, also, the different sonic focus of the respective recording teams at DG and Chandos. A very different take on the percussion in the Chandos recording (Jarvi) . The tympani thwacks at about 3 minutes in to the 2nd mvt are stunning in their impact on Chandos but they barely register on the DG, whilst there are very ominous deep bass rolls elsewhere in the symphony that come across on the DG disc but not the Chandos. Hmm. :scratch:

The Chandos Jarvi recording remains my fave for its Russian flavour, but the HvK 1982 recording comes a close 2nd and is a a truly excellent performance of the whole work, very well recorded. Many thanks for tempting me to get hold of it, Richard. :thumbsup:

... the Chandos recording also has the considerable benefit of a 'filler' The Ballet Suite No. 4. Every Shosty fan should hear this totally awesome piece of music - the first mvt contains one of the most powerful and moving orchestral crescendos DSCH ever wrote! :stalks:

[Gromit]

Thanks Jerry - I'll check out the Jarvi 10. :)

The later BPO recording was done in the Philharmonie in Berlin which does have a particular 'sound'. It's fairly dry, up-front and as the orchestra sits in what is basically the centre of a 'round' it creates a very intimate acoustic which I really like.

[MartinT]

Has anyone tried the Haitink Shostakovich 12th? It's great fun and a much better symphony than it's given credit for.

[jandl100]

Re: RVW 2nd symphony - original score, Hickox, Chandos CD


It's an interesting listen Jerry. .... I think it's one for the RVW collector, rather than a general listener, but I'm sure :rolleyes: you'd find it good, Jerry. :D


Oh, OK, you've convinced me.
(The rave reviews on Amazon had nothing at all to do with it, of course!)
I've just ordered it on Amazon. :)
.... I'll send you the bill if I don't like it, Bob. :eyebrows:

Rest assured, Bob, the bill is not in the post!!

It's wonderful.

Tbh, it's kind of difficult to tell if it works better or worse than the revised/cut version as Hickox and the LSO and the Chandos recording team pull out all the stops and give a simply superb recorded performance.
The 1st mvt is the same in both versions, and I was blown away by this recording.
The extra 50% on the Lento slow mvt was just mind-bogglingly wonderful.

Thanks for a top reccie, Bob! :thumbsup:

[morris_minor]

Thanks for a top reccie, Bob! :thumbsup:

You're welcome, Jerry! :)

This has made me want to play it again now .... :D

[royzak]

Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade. Beecham and the RPO. On a first label (white and gold)
What a great performance and recording this is from 1957 and less noisy than some of my recent lp purchases.

[sparrow]

I bought the Solti version of Wagners The Ring last week. I'm no opera fan but having listened to the first two discs of fifteen it is a very impressive work and I still have thirteen discs to go..I paid sixty quid for it so I had better ike it.:mental:

[jandl100]

I bought the Solti version of Wagners The Ring last week. I'm no opera fan but having listened to the first two discs of fifteen it is a very impressive work and I still have thirteen discs to go..I paid sixty quid for it so I had better ike it.:mental:

Ha ha !! - marvellous. :)

Talk about throwing yourself in at the deep end! :D

I hope it works for you - some folks seem to organize their whole lives around pilgrimages to Bayreuth to see and hear The Ring in its proper locale. Have you booked your tickets yet? Be quick - you have to get in years in advance! :lol:

[royzak]

Boulez - Pli selon Pli the Christine Schafer version this I presume will be the final one although he has been messing with it since 1957 this is 1989.
It is just beautiful music,despite his protestations about mathematics he seems to me a true romantic at heart,he can't help writing truly listenable music.
I have three versions of this piece,all conducted by him and all delicious.
my only problem is the comb over,as a bald person this I do not understand or trust.

[morris_minor]

This afternoon a long forgotten LP.

Beethoven 9th (bits of . . ), Rossini's Thieving Magpie and William Tell overture, a bit of Purcell, and some original compositions by Walter (Wendy) Carlos.


"O my brothers, Kubrick kopatted Clockwork and, with no appy polly loggy to anyone, he made it come to jeezny for the sinny. Then did all the chellovecks creech with radosty at him . . . . as the critics lubbilubbed in print and on TV to the genius of this dobby moodge, S.K."

From the days when synthesizers were bloody hard work, I give you . .

http://images.hhv.de/catalog/detail_big/00064/64696.jpg

[jandl100]

Boulez ..... It is just beautiful music,despite his protestations about mathematics he seems to me a true romantic at heart,he can't help writing truly listenable music.

Hmm. Boulez :scratch: What little I have heard has been a bit 'difficult'. ... with or without comb-over ... where would you suggest a new-comer to his music should start, Roy?

[jandl100]

Recently ....

Bach Goldberg Variations - Christianne Jaccottet playing harpsichord on an old but mint Concert Hall LP. I have the CD of this as well, the LP is so much better! Lovely performnace, too.

Bruch Violin Concerto #1 - Christian Ferras / Walter Susskind conducting on a MfP LP. Ferras is one of my fave violinists (his Sibelius concerto is head & shoulders above all others, imo). What a tragedy he topped himself in 1982 aged 49 after suffering all his life from depression. :(

Beethoven 3rd Symphony - Schmidt-Isserstedt / VPO on a Decca LP. Wow, this is how Beethoven should be played - magisterial, leonine - as if chiselled from granite! Great Decca recording from the 1960's Golden Years, too.

Beethoven Kreutzer violin sonata - Szeryng & Rubinstein - RCA mono LP. Picked this up yesterday in the Penarth Oxfam shop along with 19 other classical LPs. Average price, 59p. :) It's 52 years old and Mint for the most part! And what a performance!! Stunning - & I've never even heard of this recording before.

[Barry]

Been having a bit of a Beethoven 'fest' of late (or a bit of "Ludwig van" as he is referred to in the film 'Clockwork Orange', vide supra).

Over the last couple of days I have played all nine symphonies as performed by Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, conducted by John Eliot Gardiner. (5 CD set. DGG Archiv 477 8643, 1994)

The Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique play period instruments, the same as would have been used in Beethoven's day and intruments for which he composed. I have found that, in general, period compositions always sound better when performed on instruments of that period. Whilst modern instruments are louder and more dynamic, performances of period works can often sound dull, pedestrian and lack excitment when they are used.

I have several versions of all of the Beethoven symphonies, and whilst this set is not necessarily the definative version, it certainly has excitement and is a joy to hear. A far cry from the late Karajan recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic.

Highly Recommended!

[jandl100]

I've got a single CD of Gardiner in symphonies 3 &5.

Yup, I agree they are fizzing with excitement and very nicely recorded. Very good indeed ... if I wanted yet another set it may well be Gardiner's.

[JJack]

Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade. Beecham and the RPO. On a first label (white and gold)
What a great performance and recording this is from 1957 and less noisy than some of my recent lp purchases.

Found out that I had this on a compilation disc, will have to give it a listen tonight.

Was just listening to the Previn Rachmaninov 2nd, what a fantansic record.

[JJack]

Been having a bit of a Beethoven 'fest' of late (or a bit of "Ludwig van" as he is referred to in the film 'Clockwork Orange', vide supra).

Over the last couple of days I have played all nine symphonies as performed by Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, conducted by John Eliot Gardiner. (5 CD set. DGG Archiv 477 8643, 1994)

The Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique play period instruments, the same as would have been used in Beethoven's day and intruments for which he composed. I have found that, in general, period compositions always sound better when performed on instruments of that period. Whilst modern instruments are louder and more dynamic, performances of period works can often sound dull, pedestrian and lack excitment when they are used.

I have several versions of all of the Beethoven symphonies, and whilst this set is not necessarily the definative version, it certainly has excitement and is a joy to hear. A far cry from the late Karajan recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic.

Highly Recommended!

People seem to be all over the map on this set. I think the whole historically-informed performance creates more debates than actual listening.

For me, this is the set that really speaks to me, especially in the uptempo 5th symphony. The stunning ensemble, great recording, and unique take on this warhorse of all warhorses is something to behold. The 5th is one of my favorite recordings in my collection.

I also like #1.

For #6 I have to go with perhaps my all-time second favorite record, Bruno Walter conducting the Columbia SO.

[Gromit]

Been off sick today, so been putting in some lengthy-musical-work listening...

Bach: St Matthew Passion (Gardiner/Baroque Soloists on DG Archiv).

Got an M2Tech Evo dac/psu/Evo on trial and it don't sound too shabby ;)

[MartinT]

Gardiner does such good Bach, his St Matthew Passion is gorgeous.

[jandl100]

For [Beethoven] #6 I have to go with perhaps my all-time second favorite record, Bruno Walter conducting the Columbia SO.

As yes, Walter is wonderful.
(Have you heard his stereo Brahms symphony set on CBS/Sony? .... :stalks:)

And don't forget Bohm / VPO in the Pastoral on DG. I've got it on LP and CD ...the LP is better, natch! :thumbsup:

Yesterday ....

Beethoven violin concerto - Leonid Kogan / Paris Conservatoire Orch / Silvestri on a CfP LP. Lovely lovely flowing line from the well recorded soloist. :drool: ... the recording of the orchestra is a bit ill-defined but who cares with violin playing like this? Not me! :nono:

Telemann - concertos for violin, recorder, 3 violins and 2 horns (4 separate concertos, that is!) on a Penguin Guide Rosette winning Naxos CD (8.550156). This is just simply glorious! An exact contemporary of JS Bach, Telemann seems to be overlooked, I have no idea why, this is great!

Handel - Firework Music - Collegium Aureum -on an EMI LP. Were Collegium Aureum the original original instrument band? Could be! :) ... this is nice, although the sound is a bit bland. Increase the 2KHz band by a tad on my graphic equaliser and the recording bursts into life! ;) - lovely.

[JJack]

As yes, Walter is wonderful.
(Have you heard his stereo Brahms symphony set on CBS/Sony? .... :stalks:)

And don't forget Bohm / VPO in the Pastoral on DG. I've got it on LP and CD ...the LP is better, natch! :thumbsup:

Yesterday ....

Beethoven violin concerto - Leonid Kogan / Paris Conservatoire Orch / Silvestri on a CfP LP. Lovely lovely flowing line from the well recorded soloist. :drool: ... the recording of the orchestra is a bit ill-defined but who cares with violin playing like this? Not me! :nono:

Telemann - concertos for violin, recorder, 3 violins and 2 horns (4 separate concertos, that is!) on a Penguin Guide Rosette winning Naxos CD (8.550156). This is just simply glorious! An exact contemporary of JS Bach, Telemann seems to be overlooked, I have no idea why, this is great!

Handel - Firework Music - Collegium Aureum -on an EMI LP. Were Collegium Aureum the original original instrument band? Could be! :) ... this is nice, although the sound is a bit bland. Increase the 2KHz band by a tad on my graphic equaliser and the recording bursts into life! ;) - lovely.

I only have Walter's Brahms 1, but, again, one of my favorite discs. It's an old CD from the 1980s and it just sounds wonderful. I think I'll listen to it this weekend, thanks!

I have the complete Bohm Beethoven set on LP. I'm in the middle of redoing my entire stereo, so the turntable is not optimally set up, but I'll certainly be listening to the Bohm once I get a new cartridge fitted.

[morris_minor]

At the moment:

Gerald Finzi - Clarinet Concerto: John Deman, New Philharmonia/Vernon Handley (on Lyrita).

This is a piece of music of music that never fails to put a smile on my face, and almost a tear in the eye with its wistful, rapt moods. Put simply it's one of the most tuneful, glorious pieces of music I've ever heard. The Naxos issue with Robert Plane and the Northern Sinfonia is good, but the Lyrita recording is excellent in every area. Heartfelt playing and a warm, sumptuous recording. Perfection.

[jandl100]

I only have Walter's Brahms 1, but, again, one of my favorite discs. It's an old CD from the 1980s and it just sounds wonderful. I think I'll listen to it this weekend, thanks!

Get the rest. ;) All are superb - the 4th is as if carved from granite! :drool: Such wonderful sound quality, too.

[MartinT]

Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 6, New Philharmonia, Boult, EMI [Nimbus vinyl]

I haven't played this in a while but all the recent RVW talk prompted me to. An absolutely stunning performance and recording and a prized Nimbus pressing.

http://www.audiophileusa.com/covers400water/8195.jpg

[morris_minor]

Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 6, New Philharmonia, Boult, EMI [Nimbus vinyl]

I haven't played this in a while but all the recent RVW talk prompted me to. An absolutely stunning performance and recording and a prized Nimbus pressing.

http://www.audiophileusa.com/covers400water/8195.jpg

I remember that, way back in about 1972, I traded this disc in at The Gramophone Exchange in London for the just released box set of all Boult's EMI VW symphonies, along with, I think, Antarctica. Not Nimbus pressings I suspect . . . but fantastic music making. :)

[Gromit]

At the moment:

Gerald Finzi - Clarinet Concerto: John Deman, New Philharmonia/Vernon Handley (on Lyrita).

This is a piece of music of music that never fails to put a smile on my face, and almost a tear in the eye with its wistful, rapt moods. Put simply it's one of the most tuneful, glorious pieces of music I've ever heard. The Naxos issue with Robert Plane and the Northern Sinfonia is good, but the Lyrita recording is excellent in every area. Heartfelt playing and a warm, sumptuous recording. Perfection.

Agreed - up there with the very finest wind concertos ever written imho. Check out my avatar and you'll see a small part of the slow movement. ;)

Robert Plane's recording is extremely sweet - if you haven't heard it, check out also the one he did of the Finzi 5 Bagatelles arranged for string orchestra (instead of piano). A sheer delight.

My personal Finzi-favourite of the concerto is probably the Andrew Marriner recording - with Ian Bostridge singing Dies Natalis on the same disc it's a wonderful pairing. :)

[morris_minor]

Agreed - up there with the very finest wind concertos ever written imho. Check out my avatar and you'll see a small part of the slow movement. ;)

Robert Plane's recording is extremely sweet - if you haven't heard it, check out also the one he did of the Finzi 5 Bagatelles arranged for string orchestra (instead of piano). A sheer delight.

My personal Finzi-favourite of the concerto is probably the Andrew Marriner recording - with Ian Bostridge singing Dies Natalis on the same disc it's a wonderful pairing. :)

Yes, I have the Naxos disc too. As a very amateur clarinet player I gave a couple of public performances of the Bagatelles; some dodgy moments, but very rewarding :). My sympathies with the Concerto go towards the Denman, not least because it was the recording that introduced me to the concerto, but because of local associations - Tod Handley was then still Music Director of the Guildford Phil, and John Denman, who I think was Professor of Clarinet at Trinity, was the orchestra's principle. Handley's London associations, and his winning way with players meant that half the Guildford Phil were London players, and for a while Hugh Bean was its leader. Watching Prom broadcasts by the LPO, Philharmonia, RPO you could play spot the Guildford Phil players.

My own minuscule addition to the Finzi discography was as a choir member on Handley's Lyrita recording of Intimations of Immortality with Ian Partridge.

I have to admit I did try to read the music on your avatar - but didn't guess it . . :doh:

As far as Dies Natalis goes, I have an old LP of Finzi's son, Christopher, conducting Wilfred Brown, and haven't wanted to stray from this . . .

I think one of Finzi's greatest gift was being able to write choral/vocal settings in a very naturalistic, almost speech like manner, that sidesteps all the mannerisms and extended vocalisations that seem to dog a lot of compositions. His words speak very simply and directly, and with his glorious melodic inventions, communicate all the better for it.

[Gromit]

Hi Bob - didn't realise John Denman was a Prof at Trinity, didn't he also move to the States some years ago? Hard to believe it's over 10 years since he died.

I'll check out his Finzi as it's not one I know very well at all - thanks for the tip.

[Gromit]

At the moment...

Shostakovich 15 (LPO/Haitink).

Probably one of the finest orchestral recordings (technically) that I own. Stunning sound - Decca analogue/Kingsway Hall. :)

[morris_minor]

Shostakovich for me too this afternoon.

Working my way through some new arrivals from Amazon marketplace to plug gaps in my Sh. symphonies:

Ashkenazy/RPO no.9, with Piano Concertos 1 & 2 (Jablonski and Ortiz)
Rostropovich/LSO nos. 2 and 3
Haitink/Concertgebouw nos.6 and 12 (Thanks for the tip off on this one, Martin - though I do have a Leipzig GH / Duran recording of no.12)

Still got 6 and 12 to go, but the Ashkenazy disc is great, need to listen again to the Rostropovich . . .

So it's only 13, 14, and 15 to go, and by the sounds of it Haitink's 15 is the one to go for. Any tips for 13 or 14?

[morris_minor]

Hi Bob - didn't realise John Denman was a Prof at Trinity, didn't he also move to the States some years ago? Hard to believe it's over 10 years since he died.

I'll check out his Finzi as it's not one I know very well at all - thanks for the tip.
John Denman went to Arizona. Have just found this obituary (http://perfartists.tripod.com/jdenman.html) . . .

I must dig out the disc of the second Spohr concerto referred to in the obit. Not my cup of tea musically, really, but I can appreciate the skill and artistry of the performance.

[royzak]

Yet more Shostakovitch.Suite on verses by Michelangelo. Nestorenko,Barshai.

[MartinT]

Haitink/Concertgebouw nos.6 and 12 (Thanks for the tip off on this one, Martin - though I do have a Leipzig GH / Duran recording of no.12)

Hope you enjoy that one :)

[morris_minor]

Hope you enjoy that one :)

I'm sure I will.

The finale of the 12th though seems to over egg the pudding somewhat with it's Hoffnung-esque false endings. A bit like Arnold's Grand, Grand Overture, but minus vacuum cleaners and guns :lol:

[The Grand Wazoo]

We had a bit of a classical music frenzy in the house today (mostly DG vinyl):

Schumann; Dino Ciani – Novelletten Op. 21
Sibelius; BPO/Karajan - Symphonies No. 6 & 7
Borodin; Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Davis - The Three Symphonies & Prince Igor Overture

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gBRzGySQL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Rachmaninov; Concertgebouw/Ashkenazy - Symphony No.2
Tchaikovsky; BPO/Karajan - Symphony Nr. 4
Mahler; Dresden State Orch./Suitner - Symphony No.1

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412BtCuVItL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Mahler; LSO/Schwarz - Symphony No.5
Rodrigo / Yepes; Orquesta Sinfonica RTV Espanola/Alonso - Concierto De Aranjuez/Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre
Mozart; Boston Symphony Orch./Munch/Benny Goodman - Clarinet Concerto/Clarinet Quintet




http://www.soundfountain.org/rem/everestmahler233.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71959EePKwL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[WOStantonCS100]

Saint-Saens
Symphony No. 3 in C minor with Organ
The Paris Conservatoire Orchestra - Georges Pretre, cond.
Maurice Durufle, organ
(vinyl)

http://www.classicalnotes.net/classics4/saintsaens-pretre.jpg

[MartinT]

Wow - the Saint-Saens with Durufle playing the organ?!! Now that I'd like to hear.

[Border Riever]

Rodrigo -- Complete Orchestral Works..

[JJack]

Barber complete piano music, played by his friend John Browning.

Great music that is well-served by this excellent quality recording.

[WOStantonCS100]

Wow - the Saint-Saens with Durufle playing the organ?!! Now that I'd like to hear.

This music is new to me. I like it; might even become one of my favorites. I was expecting the organ to be more prominent throughout the piece. Nevertheless, when it comes in, it sets 10,000 to flight. ;) :) It sounds very grand on this recording, as an organ should.

[MartinT]

Biff - I actually love the subterranean organ pedals in the quiet 2nd movement where it takes sizeable speakers and some considerable drive to reproduce well. As for its entry in the 4th - well yes, that does seriously stress the structure of my room :)

[WOStantonCS100]

Biff - I actually love the subterranean organ pedals in the quiet 2nd movement where it takes sizeable speakers and some considerable drive to reproduce well. As for its entry in the 4th - well yes, that does seriously stress the structure of my room :)

Quite right, Martin.

I've kept my current loudspeakers because of the 15" woofers and their extension into the low 20's. The Mark IIIA has no problems "pushing air". But, I do not like the mid-bass suck out (currently corrected with eq). After two years of looking, I'm still stuck on which speakers to replace them with. :(

[jandl100]

Of late:

Alwyn symphonies 1 & 4 - Alwyn himelf conducting the LPO on a Lyrita CD. I need to play more Alwyn, I really enjoyed this. It inspired me to order the violin concerto with McAslan on Naxos. :)

Shostakovich 2nd piano sonata - Emil Gilels on a RCA mono LP. By gum, this is good!
Also the Liszt sonata on t'other side of the same LP. You know, Emil Gilels wasn't too bad at tinkling the old ivories! :lol:
Without a doubt, this LP is one of the treasures of my collection.

Beethoven violin sonatas opp 12 2 & 3, and op 30/2. Zukerman & Barenboim caught live in Italy in 1972 on an Ermitage CD. By gum, Zukerman goes for it :eek: - far from the cleanest violin playing you'll ever hear, but passion & excitement by the bucket load!

[JJack]

Of late:

Alwyn symphonies 1 & 4 - Alwyn himelf conducting the LPO on a Lyrita CD. I need to play more Alwyn, I really enjoyed this. It inspired me to order the violin concerto with McAslan on Naxos. :)

Shostakovich 2nd piano sonata - Emil Gilels on a RCA mono LP. By gum, this is good!
Also the Liszt sonata on t'other side of the same LP. You know, Emil Gilels wasn't too bad at tinkling the old ivories! :lol:
Without a doubt, this LP is one of the treasures of my collection.

Beethoven violin sonatas opp 12 2 & 3, and op 30/2. Zukerman & Barenboim caught live in Italy in 1972 on an Ermitage CD. By gum, Zukerman goes for it :eek: - far from the cleanest violin playing you'll ever hear, but passion & excitement by the bucket load!

That's two "by gums" in one night of listening - must have been a good one!

[jandl100]

By gum, it was!

This evening so far ...

The one, the only ... Algernon Ashton Piano sonata #4. On a Dutton 2 CD set of piano works. 1859-1937, an obscure Brit composer who shouldn't be. Obscure, that is, not Brit. This 4th sonata published in 1925. This sounds remarkably (& wonderfully) like Schubert at times. Well worth exploring. :thumbsup:

Rachmaninov Symphony #2 - Ashkenazy / Decca LP. By gum, this is good, too. :) Great performance, great recording. By gum.

[royzak]

Just played the Rachmaninov 2,Previn,hadn't played it for ages,agree with all you say.
Now enjoying Beethoven String Quartet Op 127, Quartetto Italiano,on Philips.Another beauty.

[Chops]

Mozart Divertimenti, Freiburger, Harmoni Mundi
Chopin Ballades, Mr Ashkenazy, Decca

[jandl100]

Ended the day with .... Dvorak Cello Concerto - Rostropovich / Karajan / DG LP. Great performance, but I knew that ... but I was blown away by the excellence of the recorded sound! :scratch: ... my LP rig must be coming along nicely. :)

[morris_minor]

This last week I've been doing some vinyl rips of a Beethoven symphony cycle I inherited from my Dad: Classics for Pleasure reissues of Andre Cluytens/Berlin Philharmonic EMI recordings from the late 50s/early 60s.

Decent recordings and some very good pressings. Classical/Romantic music is not my usual listening, but I've enjoyed these greatly. Even the 5th. I've a Carlos Kleiber Vienna recording of this that I've always rated, but Cluytens' more measured approach, for me, had a greater, more powerful impact. Kleiber seemed a bit frenetic at times. Need to listen again to the cycle, and maybe post-Baroque pre-Impressionist music isn't all that bad after all :eyebrows:.

[morris_minor]

Hi Bob - didn't realise John Denman was a Prof at Trinity, didn't he also move to the States some years ago? Hard to believe it's over 10 years since he died.

I'll check out his Finzi as it's not one I know very well at all - thanks for the tip.

Richard - I've just been doing a rip of the second Spohr concerto - which John Denman seems to have discovered, and hunting around for a picture of the disc cover I came upon this little website:

www.johndenmanclarinet.co.uk

They seem to be offering a CD limited edition of the Onyx LP (which has the Stamitz 3rd concerto as well as the Spohr). Just wondered if you were interested . . .:rolleyes:

Incidentally the sleeve note confirms he was a Professor at Trinity, and also Principal of the Sadlers Well Opera (with which orchestra the Spohr disc was recorded).

[JJack]

I finally finished my new stereo (after two months of building it up, selling off old gear, etc).

It's posted in the Gallery now but I thought I'd share one shot I took of some LPs, two old favorites and two new purchases today:

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh632/eljack1/albums.jpg


I'll throw in one shot of the system, since you all seem to like vinyl:

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh632/eljack1/VPI2.jpg

Okay two shots, because I kind of feel proud of this and it sounds so damn good with all the Shostakovich you guys have been forcing me to buy:

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh632/eljack1/Harbeth2.jpg

[jandl100]

Oh wow ! - Bruno Walter Brahms 4th :thumbsup::thumbsup: the best there is, imho. :) I've got it on CD - just looking for a decent copy on vinyl now. :drool:

[MartinT]

Very nice deck, Jack. Is that a VPI arm?

[JJack]

Yes, it's a VPI JMW-10. I've had it (and the VPI Mark 3 'table) for 13 years now. I am looking to upgrade the cartridge, which is the wonderfully smooth Shure M97xe, a bit out of place on this system but actually sounds really good. I need to sell off some more old gear before I do that (unless I just get my old Blue Point Special retipped).

---------------------

On the Brahms 4th - yes, yes, yes find a copy somewhere! I have it on SACD, vinyl, and CD. One of my desert island discs

[morris_minor]

This afternoon:

Havergal Brian - Symphonies 10 and 21 (Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra/James Loughran and Eric Pinkett), Unicorn LP RHS 313

It must be thirty years or more since this one got a play :eek:.

Amazing music, unlike any other composer, really. This was the first ever commercial recording of Brian's music, made a few months before he died, aged 96. Produced by Robert Simpson, who, as a BBC producer had been promoting Brian's music and had got the BBC to agree to broadcast all of Brian's 32 symphonies (22 written after Brian was 80).

For a youth orchestra, the LSSO play remarkably well. It's only the occasional loose ensemble or slightly off intonation that gives their amateur status away. The recording suffers (if that's the right word) from an enormous dynamic range, and muted, distant trumpets could be in the next county.

The music is powerful and uncompromising. There's something of a Shostakovichian (is that a word?) feel to the bleak, desolate passages in the 10th, and the tremendous impact of thunder and wind machines is all the more impressive when it comes, not as a spectacular effect, but as an inevitable consequence of where the music's going. There are some wistful, nobilmente moments (a la Elgar), but comparisons are useless really as the music is totally individual, quirky, and unexpected.

That Brian actually heard very little of his own music didn't seem to matter to him that much, as it was the composing that was important to him. There's a few more recordings around now, so I feel I have to explore more . . . :)

As an aside, with the state of music education in schools these days, could a similar undertaking be made today? Are there County Youth Orchestras any more? With funding cutbacks, music-making is a soft target . . . .

[JJack]

This afternoon:

Havergal Brian - Symphonies 10 and 21 (Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra/James Loughran and Eric Pinkett), Unicorn LP RHS 313

It must be thirty years or more since this one got a play :eek:.

Amazing music, unlike any other composer, really. This was the first ever commercial recording of Brian's music, made a few months before he died, aged 96. Produced by Robert Simpson, who, as a BBC producer had been promoting Brian's music and had got the BBC to agree to broadcast all of Brian's 32 symphonies (22 written after Brian was 80).

For a youth orchestra, the LSSO play remarkably well. It's only the occasional loose ensemble or slightly off intonation that gives their amateur status away. The recording suffers (if that's the right word) from an enormous dynamic range, and muted, distant trumpets could be in the next county.

The music is powerful and uncompromising. There's something of a Shostakovichian (is that a word?) feel to the bleak, desolate passages in the 10th, and the tremendous impact of thunder and wind machines is all the more impressive when it comes, not as a spectacular effect, but as an inevitable consequence of where the music's going. There are some wistful, nobilmente moments (a la Elgar), but comparisons are useless really as the music is totally individual, quirky, and unexpected.

That Brian actually heard very little of his own music didn't seem to matter to him that much, as it was the composing that was important to him. There's a few more recordings around now, so I feel I have to explore more . . . :)

As an aside, with the state of music education in schools these days, could a similar undertaking be made today? Are there County Youth Orchestras any more? With funding cutbacks, music-making is a soft target . . . .

It's sad to hear that the UK is doing the same thing that's been done in the States. Musical enrichment classes largely ended in the 1970s. Performance classes are still popular but have to fight every year to not get cut in favor of math and science classes.

[JJack]

Just ordered this Barbirolli 10-cd box set. I can't believe the treasures that are in here (many out of print) for a very reasonable price:
Mahler, Elgar, Sibelius, RVW, etc


http://img3.douban.com/lpic/s4709583.jpg

[jandl100]

Just ordered this Barbirolli 10-cd box set. I can't believe the treasures that are in here (many out of print) for a very reasonable price:
Mahler, Elgar, Sibelius, RVW, etc


Ah yes, I got that one. For years I thought I didn't like Glorious John's conducting, so I decided to give him a proper try-out with this set.

Yup !! -- I still don't like his conducting! :lol:
.... You missed a bargain on ebay when I sold it on! ;)


This afternoon:

Havergal Brian - Symphonies 10 and 21 (Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra/James Loughran and Eric Pinkett), Unicorn LP RHS 313

It must be thirty years or more since this one got a play :eek:.

Amazing music, unlike any other composer, really.

Yeah, a bit of a Brian revival going on. Loads of his symphonies coming out cheaply on Naxos.

And there was his 1st Symphony - the gi-normous choral Gothic symphony - at the opening night of the Proms a year or so back. :stalks: ... also available on an excellent Naxos 2 CD set.

[jandl100]

Of late ....

Vaughan Williams 2nd Symphony - Barbirolli / Halle EMI Eminence LP. :zzz: Why do I find Barbirolli so boring? :scratch: This up for sale soon on my charity sale thread!

Vivaldi flute concertos. William Bennett - EMI Eminence LP. Another from yesterdays's charity shop haul. Pleasant enough.

Beethoven 3rd symphony. Klemperer 1955 mono EMI LP. Zounds! - superb Beethoven conducting!

Dvorak 9th Symphony (New World). Rostropovich / LPO EMI Eminenece LP. A Russkie cellist conducting a Brit orchestra in a Bohemian's American-inspired music. :eyebrows:. I'm surprised at how good this is! ... and the top-notch sound quality doesn't hurt at all.

Dussek - piano sonatas. Markus Becker on a CPO CD. Kind of Haydn'esque-going-on-Beethoven, I guess, which is a huge compliment from me. Very enjoyable.

Penderecki Violin Concerto #2 - Mutter / Previn - a live recording off radio on a Mini-disc. Difficult music at first listen, but this grows & grows!

[JJack]

Ah yes, I got that one. For years I thought I didn't like Glorious John's conducting, so I decided to give him a proper try-out with this set.

Yup !! -- I still don't like his conducting! :lol:
.... You missed a bargain on ebay when I sold it on! ;)


....

Oh no! Ah well, I really liked his Mahler 9 so I gave the box set a try for $35.

[MartinT]

His Mahler 9 is brilliant.

[jandl100]

Yes, Don't worry, Jack - it's just me & Barbirolli don't get on. He's music making is much loved by many!

[Barry]

Of late ....

Vaughan Williams 2nd Symphony - Barbirolli / Halle EMI Eminence LP. :zzz: Why do I find Barbirolli so boring? :scratch: This up for sale soon on my charity sale thread!

Vivaldi flute concertos. William Bennett - EMI Eminence LP. Another from yesterdays's charity shop haul. Pleasant enough.

Beethoven 3rd symphony. Klemperer 1955 mono EMI LP. Zounds! - superb Beethoven conducting!

Dvorak 9th Symphony (New World). Rostropovich / LPO EMI Eminenece LP. A Russkie cellist conducting a Brit orchestra in a Bohemian's American-inspired music. :eyebrows:. I'm surprised at how good this is! ... and the top-notch sound quality doesn't hurt at all.

Dussek - piano sonatas. Markus Becker on a CPO CD. Kind of Haydn'esque-going-on-Beethoven, I guess, which is a huge compliment from me. Very enjoyable.

Penderecki Violin Concerto #2 - Mutter / Previn - a live recording off radio on a Mini-disc. Difficult music at first listen, but this grows & grows!

Klemperer's reading of the Beethoven 3rd? That's about as exciting as watching paint dry and takes about as much time! (Only my opinion of course.)



I've just been listening to

Rachmaninov - Symphony No.2 in E minor, Op.27 and his Fantasy for Orchestra, Op.7, "The Rock". CSR Symphony Orchestra, cond. Stephen Gunzenhauser. 1989 Naxos 8.550272

The only version I have, picked up cheap in a charity shop, I can't say it has made much impression on me, though I enjoyed the Fantasy.

Will need to listen to it again to be able to form a more positive opinion.

[morris_minor]

Of late ....

Vaughan Williams 2nd Symphony - Barbirolli / Halle EMI Eminence LP. :zzz: Why do I find Barbirolli so boring? :scratch: This up for sale soon on my charity sale thread!



At the risk of seeming cheeky :eyebrows: could I "pre-order" this, please, Jerry? Unless you change your mind of course. :D

[keiths]

I picked up a 6 LP Barbirolli box-set from the local charity shop a while back. It's still in the 'to be cleaned' pile (big pile) - will get my arse in gear and try and get a couple of dozen or so LPs cleaned over the weekend.

[jandl100]

Klemperer's reading of the Beethoven 3rd? That's about as exciting as watching paint dry and takes about as much time! (Only my opinion of course.)


Nah - not imo - Klemps only got turgid as he got into old age, the mono Eroica I was listening to was recorded 1955 or earlier, and is quite a different proposition to his later stereo recordings.
... mind you, I've got a bit of a soft spot for those, too! - the best of them have a kind of granitic strength that doesn't sweep you off your feet but does enthrall with its purposeful inevitability. But yes, quite a bit of late Klemperer is way too stodgy for me as well.

[jandl100]

Re; Glorious John's London symphony LP ...


At the risk of seeming cheeky :eyebrows: could I "pre-order" this, please, Jerry? Unless you change your mind of course. :D

;) No problem. It needs a more caring home than it has got at the moment. :D

Last night's listening (& viewing) ....

Bach - Well tempered clavier (excerpts) - Wilhelm Kempff, DG LP. Sigh ... what glorious, glorious music. :youtheman:

Liszt piano sonata - Yundi Li - DVD of 2004 concert in Baden-Baden. Golly gosh (& by gum) he goes for it. Mesmerising playing. :thumbsup:

[morris_minor]

Re; Glorious John's London symphony LP ...

;) No problem. It needs a more caring home than it has got at the moment. :D



Thanks Jerry. :thumbsup:

Last nights listening included some, er, Debussy, kind of . . .

Art of Noise - The Seduction of Debussy. :lol:

(Is this the wrong thread :scratch:)

I've had some "borrowed" :eyebrows: mp3s of this for a while and only just got round to listening - mesmeric stuff, with the gravelly tones of John Hurt too . . .

[Chops]

Last night, I heard some voices....

Hildegard of Bingen
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61BapFsZjIL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Allegri's Miserere - Tallis Scholars - 96/24
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sv55O5Y4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[jandl100]

Last night, I heard some voices....

Hildegard of Bingen
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61BapFsZjIL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

One of the all-time classics, imo! Did you enjoy it?

[Chops]

One of the all-time classics, imo! Did you enjoy it?

Bought it a few years ago and it keeps getting played :) Just love it.

I have a variety of choral, generally earlier rather later. Any suggestions?

Chris

[Barry]

Nah - not imo - Klemps only got turgid as he got into old age, the mono Eroica I was listening to was recorded 1955 or earlier, and is quite a different proposition to his later stereo recordings.
... mind you, I've got a bit of a soft spot for those, too! - the best of them have a kind of granitic strength that doesn't sweep you off your feet but does enthrall with its purposeful inevitability. But yes, quite a bit of late Klemperer is way too stodgy for me as well.

Whoa! - Jerry with expressions like that, you should be writing for The Gramophone! :lol:

I guess my comments were based on late Klemperer. The only conductor to take an even slower reading was Furtwangler, but dispite that there is something about his recordings I do like.

Why is it that conductors when they are well into their career, often tend to offer the lifeless of interpretations? It happened with Karajan and clearly it happened with Klemperer. Are they sitting on their laurels, or is it only young conductors who are just starting out who are capable of providing new and refreshing insight?

Can't say John Elliot Gardiner is becoming stolid. Perhaps he is not old enough!

Regards

[Barry]

Last night, I heard some voices....

Hildegard of Bingen
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61BapFsZjIL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Allegri's Miserere - Tallis Scholars - 96/24
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sv55O5Y4L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

These two recording should be part of everybody's collection. Utterly sublime!

[Chops]

These two recording should be part of everybody's collection. Utterly sublime!

Could I also suggest some John Dunstable, and good value at that
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512bp%2BuRJdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

And maybe even The Powers of Heaven (Paul Hillier, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51w8mGdaaUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Any other personal recommendations would be very welcome;)

Chris

[MartinT]

Vivaldi - Gloria, Preston, AAM, Decca [cd]

One of the most sublime recordings I have ever bought. The singing in the Gloria is simply magical. I have loved it for years and it gets regular play - everyone who has ever heard it on my system agrees with me.

http://www.freecodesource.com/album-cover/416%2BE5QUBTL/-Vivaldi:-Gloria-in-D-major---Bach:-Magnificat-in-E-flat-major-(BVW-243a).jpg

[Chops]

Vivaldi Gloria lovely. I bought the Chandos Hickox/Kirkby version. I have a soft spot for Emma's work.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51O9xORd32L._SX300_.jpg

[MartinT]

I have a soft spot for Emma's work.

So do I - if you look carefully, you'll see that she plays in my version too :)

[Chops]

So do I - if you look carefully, you'll see that she plays in my version too :)

:doh: blame the iPod - screen too small

[jandl100]

Whoa! - Jerry with expressions like that, you should be writing for The Gramophone! :lol:

So, insults now, eh? What have I ever done to you? :scratch: :eyebrows:


Why is it that conductors when they are well into their career, often tend to offer the lifeless of interpretations? It happened with Karajan and clearly it happened with Klemperer.

Yep, and Previn, for the most part. His RVW remakes with Telarc were dead boring.
And, oh his Telarc Rachmaninov 2nd symphony. :nono: His early EMI recording is fantabulous.

I have the Karajan 1960's set of Beethoven symphonies - very fine. Oh dear, what a change with his later digital recordings. :doh: HvK's Bruckner lost its edge too, not that I'm a great fan of his earlier recordings, but they did have a certain zest to them, imo.

I guess we all lose it a bit as we get older! :wheniwasaboy: :lol:

[MartinT]

Klemperer's final Beethoven 9th is also an exercise in drawing it out.


Gunther Wand's final Beethoven cycle was very good.

[Chops]

Vivaldi - Gloria, Preston, AAM, Decca [cd]

One of the most sublime recordings I have ever bought. The singing in the Gloria is simply magical. I have loved it for years and it gets regular play - everyone who has ever heard it on my system agrees with me.

http://www.freecodesource.com/album-cover/416%2BE5QUBTL/-Vivaldi:-Gloria-in-D-major---Bach:-Magnificat-in-E-flat-major-%28BVW-243a%29.jpg

Martin, think I might have your recording as well, repackaged:
http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/imgs/s300x300/4557272.jpg

Its the same performers, AAD and recorded in the 1976.

The FLAC can be bought & downloaded here for those interested: http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/cat/single?PRODUCT_NR=4557272

Chris

[MartinT]

That looks to be the one, Chris. The solo and choral singing are just outstanding.

[Chops]

That looks to be the one, Chris. The solo and choral singing are just outstanding.

Thanks Martin.

Done a quick A/B of the two versions, just Gloria in excelsis and Et in terra pax.


Hickox runs a bit of a quicker pace on Gloria - I prefer the slower tempo of Preston. Hickox feels a little rushed. Track times 2:14 versus 2:22.
This is reversed in terra pax - 5:12 versus 5:00. I didn't notice when listening, though.
Preston sounds more closely miked, wider soundstage, more detailed, greater dynamic contrasts - voices more clear and apparant.
Preston is a little more musically dynamic. I noticed a few things more forward in the mix, not just the voices.
Preston sounds a little louder than Hickox.
I felt Preston's trebles sounded just a little too forward and 'breathy' (or maybe hoarse - I'm trying to find the right adjective here) at times.
In contrast, Hickox sounds maybe more 'romantic' (modern?) - it could wash over you more easily.


My vote would be for Preston, but then I like my hifi the same - detailed and dynamic, maybe at the expense of smooth. :)

I had a recent similar experience with Charles Avison - 12 Concerti Grossi after Scarlatti. I compared the Brandenburg Consort on Hyperion (http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/find.asp?f=avison&Submit=Search&vw=dc) with Avison Ensemble on Divine Arts (http://www.avisonensemble.com/listen-and-buy/default.html). You can hear the difference immediately on the samples you can play, eg No.3. I bought Avison Ensemble.

Chris

[MartinT]

Nice comparison, Chris. I like my hi-fi the same as yours, given the choice.

[morris_minor]

Just plugged the gaps in my Shostakovich Symphony list with a two-fer of 13, 14, and 15 (actually a FLAC download from Universal).

Neeme Jarvi conducting the Gothenburg Orchestra on DG. Maybe not the last word on the symphonies, but having played through no.15 twice now I've been bowled over by the music, the performance and the recording. :eek:

I have to admit classical solo vocalists are not my cuppa tea. <ducks for cover>Opera is spoilt by all the screeching! </ducks for cover>. So having dipped into no.14, I'm a little, er, apprehensive. But I'll get in the mood to try it one day . . . .:rolleyes:

[MartinT]

Try the 13th, Bob. It's dark and sobering and a little terrifying. The solo singing simply adds so much to the tension.

[morris_minor]

Try the 13th, Bob. It's dark and sobering and a little terrifying. The solo singing simply adds so much to the tension.

Yes - I certainly will Martin! My dislike for operatic divas (of either sex!) doesn't stop me listening to music which has, er, "other" qualities. :)

[royzak]

Bartok - String Quartet No5.Takacs Quartet.

Will be listening to this live at lunchtime at the Wigmore played by the Escher Quartet,looking forward to it.

[jandl100]

You do like your music challenging, don't you, Roy! :thumbsup:

Of late chez-Jerry ...

Beethoven Violin concerto, Schneiderhan DG. A vintage stereo classic. Played on a DG Ferric Oxide C100 cassette :eyebrows: and sounding damn fine and hugely better than the CD mastering I used to own. That CD had the solo violin waaaay off to the left (most of the time, it kind of wandered around a bit :scratch:). The cassette mastering has Schneiderhan just left of centre. Perfick! And what a lovely performance! :)
The other side of the cassette has LvB's Emperor piano concerto with Eschenbach. I'll play that later.

Brahms Piano Concerto #2 - Pollini / Abbado / VPO DG LP. Fine stuff. Pollini can really tinkle those ivories. Strong support from Abbado, too. An excellent recording.

Bax tone poems Tintagel, Christmas Eve. Bryden Thomson, Chandos CD. .... and what super sq! Magisterial! :drool:

[royzak]

Well that was great fun,in the first movement of the Bartok the first violinist got a nose bleed and had to leave the stage for about six or seven minutes.He returned with a roll of tissue in his nostril,as the second movement proceeded it got redder and redder,between movements he changed it and again in the next break,this time the tissue was about six inches long.
Felt really sorry for them and they made a grand job of each separate section but did lose the overall arch of the piece,shame they are a young band.
Can't wait to see how Radio 3 handle the recording on Saturday.


Playing George Crumb - Ancient Voices of Children now,just got it in Oxfam on the way home,99 pence superb recording on Nonesuch.

[Marco]

Went to my favourite little classical music/book shop today in Shrewsbury and bought the following CDs:

Brahms Symphony No1 - with The Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique and The Monteverdi Choir. Conducted by John Eliot Gardiner.

Milhaud. Music for Two Pianists - With pianists Stephen Coombs and Artur Pizarro.

And on (minty) vinyl:

Ravel Bolero Rapsodie Espagnole, Le Tombeau De Couperin, Menuet Antique, Alborada Del Gracioso - With the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra. Conducted by Andre Cluytens, on EMI from 1982.

Off to spin them now! :cool:

Marco.

[Barry]

Went to my favourite little classical music/book shop today in Shrewsbury and bought the following CDs:

Brahms Symphony No1 - with The Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique and The Monteverdi Choir. Conducted by John Eliot Gardiner.

Milhaud. Music for Two Pianists - With pianists Stephen Coombs and Artur Pizarro.

And on (minty) vinyl:

Ravel Bolero Rapsodie Espagnole, Le Tombeau De Couperin, Menuet Antique, Alborada Del Gracioso - With the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra. Conducted by Andre Cluytens.


Off to spin them now! :cool:

Marco.

You won't be disappointed Marco!

[royzak]

Or by Cluytens' Ravel.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Has anyone listened to the HiQ cut of Previn's version of Holst's the Planet Suite. I got this the other day and can honestly say I'm bowled over. ;)

[jandl100]

Yesterdays choons ...

Schubert piano sonata D.960 - Clifford Curzon Decca Jubilee CrO2 cassette. I didn't think I liked Curzon, but I really enjoyed this. He messes around with tempos a bit - sometimes speeding up a bit for the exciting bits, and that rather spoiled things - Schubert knew what he was doing, trust him, Cliff! ;) But very enjoyable overall.

John Foulds - Dynamic Triptych for piano & orch. Warner CD. Well, this is different. Early-ish 20thC Brit piano concerto. Vaguely pre-Prokofiev, but kind of romantically so. Well worth investigating. :)

Hoddinott - Pasaggio, Heaventree of Stars (violin & orch), Doubles (oboe, strings & harpsichord) and Star Children. Nimbus CD. A bit off the beaten path, and all the better for it! Vaguely challenging, but it wouldn't cause Roy (royzak) to sweat!

[morris_minor]

John Foulds - Dynamic Triptych for piano & orch. Warner CD. Well, this is different. Early-ish 20thC Brit piano concerto. Vaguely pre-Prokofiev, but kind of romantically so. Well worth investigating. :)


Interesting, Jerry. I have a Lyrita disc of this (paired with the RVW Concerto) from Howard Shelley and Vernon Handley. Didn't know there was another recording - who are the performers?

[jandl100]

Peter Donohoe (of course!) - with Aramo and the CBSO. CD released 2006.

[morris_minor]

Thanks Jerry.

[jandl100]

Of late ....

Vaughan Williams 2nd Symphony - Barbirolli / Halle EMI Eminence LP ... up for sale soon on my charity sale thread.


At the risk of seeming cheeky :eyebrows: could I "pre-order" this, please, Jerry? :D

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=297446#post297446

:thumbsup:

[morris_minor]

Have just won this on the 'Bay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/220952827304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1296wt_1141

More than I'd normally pay for an LP like this, but "new" and "unplayed"?
Got to be worth a punt. Was very surprised mine was the only bid - though I'd sniped it up a couple of quid in case . . .:eyebrows: My only other version of this is a rather lacklustre Naxos SACD. Hopefully this will be rather more involving.

Meanwhile this afternoon it's been:

Schoenberg - Verklarte Nacht - Ashkenazy/ECO on Decca LP (A hi-res rip of an LP from a digital master :lol:). Splendidly fulsome string sound and emotional playing. :thumbsup:

Before that was some Art of Noise . . .

[MartinT]

Bob - don't be surprised if it's crackly even from new. Many of the Melodiyas I bought in Russia were.

[morris_minor]

Yes, I'm not setting my expectations too high! It was available on an Olympia (?) LP in 1988 and the Gramophone reviewer rated it quite highly. We'll see .. :rolleyes:

[Gromit]

Earlier...

Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances (for 2 Pianos) Ashkenazy/Previn

At the moment...

Ian Bostridge/Julius Drake: The English Songbook*

*I can thoroughly recommend this, a disc of absolute beauty and musical richness. I love it. :)

[morris_minor]

Of late ....

Vaughan Williams 2nd Symphony - Barbirolli / Halle EMI Eminence LP. :zzz: Why do I find Barbirolli so boring? :scratch: This up for sale soon on my charity sale thread!



Overall, I quite like this on first hearing. But - "Glorious John" has a funny notion of Allegro Vivace in the Scherzo (more like Moderato), and Andante con moto in the Finale (rather senza moto!) - don't know the Italian for "plodding"*. It's all a bit like a cake with the middle that sinks when you take it out the oven :lol:. However there is a lot to enjoy - especially with (praise be) violins divided left and right as God intended (none of this sloppy conducting - lean left for treble, right for bass :eyebrows:).

Another outing for the Greensleeves from ASD521, too :rolleyes:.

Nice surfaces as well . . . so :thumbsup:, thanks Jerry.

* faticosa (according to Google translate)

[jandl100]

Hmm, yeah, Barbirolli. :scratch:

This eve ...
Mozart - Magic Flute - the legendary Ingmar Bergman production, on VHS video tape :eyebrows: ... sung in Swedish (with some very yummy Swedish ladies :drool:) and with English subtitles. Not the greatest picture or sound, but quite serviceable - but oh my! - what a glorious production and performance! :thumbsup:

[morris_minor]

This morning a new arrival off the 'Bay:

Villa-Lobos - Bachianas Brasileiras 2,5,6,9: Paul Capolongo/Orchestre de Paris with Mady Mesple (HMV).

http://www.revalia.co.uk/villalobos.jpeg

A real nostalgia trip. I first heard this recording on a disc borrowed from Westminster Library while I was working for the Civil Service in Whitehall for a year between school and university (early 70s :eek:). The "backup" I made on cassette has long gone, so this copy is most welcome - especially as it could be new. Not the most demanding of music to listen to but very enjoyable.