Spinning Today (Classical version)

[MartinT]

I'm afraid to admit that Sibelius has always been a bit of a blind spot for me. Must do better in 2012.

[jandl100]

So many folks not, or only recently, into Sibelius.
But it's wonderful!

Here's a tip - get to know the Sibelius violin concerto on any recording except one - then buy the version with Christian Ferras and HvKarajan and hear how it should be played!

But where to start with Sibelius? ... the tone poems probably, if you are new to the composer. Gibson, Karajan, Saraste, Ashkenazy ... so many excellent performances.
Then have a go with the symphonies ... 2 & 5 are probably the places to start. Then get into the more "serious" works ... 4, 6 & 7.

So much superb music to explore!

[jandl100]

Recent spinning things ...

Elgar 2nd symphony - Solti - Decca LP.
Mozart Concerto for Flute & Harp. Bennet, Ellis, Leppard on ASV LP.
Brahms 2nd symphony - Jochum EMI LP. Wonderful performance - taut and exciting! Might fine sq, too.
Malipiero orchestral pieces - Naxos CD conducted by the wonderful Peter Maag. Malipiero was an Italian contempory of Respighi - his music is really tuneful and accessible. I've ordered another CD, this time of some symphonies.

[Marco]

Just been listening to (all on minty vinyl), whilst sipping a glass of vintage Armagnac and devouring some of Del's home-made Crème Brûlée... Man, I LOVE Christmas!

Ninth Symphony in D Minor, Opus 125, 'The Choral', with The Leipzig Philhamonic Orchestra and the Cathedral Choir (augmented), accompanied by soloists Greta Schumann, Hanni Meltke, Emil Wolf and Friedl Hauptmann, and conducted by Hannes Ulrich Berchteld, on Lyrique Records from 1966 - Beethoven.

Symphony No.5, with The Cinicinatti Pro Arte Philharmonic, conducted by Cesar Duhamel, on Lyrique Records from 1967 - Tchaikovsky.

'A Night on the Bare Mountain', with The Philharmonia Orchestra and Sorotchinsky Fair, Khovantschina and others, conducted by Walter Susskind, on EMI from 1969 - Moussorgsky.

Sonata in B Minor, Opus 58, Ten Mazurkas with (pianist) Fou Ts'ong, on The World Record Club label from 1966 - Chopin.

'Scheherazade' Symphonic Suite, with The Leningrad Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ivan Vrotoshoff, on Lyrique Records from 1968 - Rimsky Korsakov.

Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op.16, Moura Lympany, with The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Herbert Menges - Grieg. Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op.54, Moura Lympany, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Constantin Silvestri - Schumann., on EMI from 1969.

Marco.

[Marco]

Still in Classical mode (all on mint vinyl).....

Symphony No.6 "Pastorale", with The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Eugen Jochum, on Heliodor Records from 1965 - Beethoven.

'Carmen', concert performance sung in French, with Franca Sacchi, Eddie Rhul, Antonio Boyer, Alberta Hopkins, Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Communale, Firenze, conducted by Erasmo Ghili, on Saga Records from 1966 - Bizet.

Favourite Choruses and Arias from Handel's 'Messiah', with The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Douglas Gamley, on Damont Records from 1972 - Handel.



Marco.

[morris_minor]

Still in Classical mode (all on mint vinyl).....

Favourite Choruses and Arias from Handel's 'Messiah', with The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Douglas Gamley, on Damont Records from 1972 - Handel.

Is this a "Stereo Gold Award" LP ? These were one of the first budget labels. I remember buying an 1812 and New World from Woolworth's for 49 pence in the early 70s.

[Marco]

Yes it is! That one cost me feck all, as it was amongst 250 albums I got for free, which were left in the garage by the previous occupant of the house my parents have just bought in Wrexham

Sounds fine for a budget label... The early 70s were before my record buying days, Pinky & Perky aside!

Marco.

[jandl100]

Yesterday ....

Rawsthorne - cello concerto, orchestral variations, sting quartets & duo for 2 violins 1, 2 & 3. All on Naxos CDs. Interesting stuff and surprisingly accessible (he has a reputation for being 'difficult'.)

Bax - Tintagel & 7th symphony (again) on Naxos CD

[morris_minor]

Yes it is! That one cost me feck all, as it was amongst 250 albums I got for free, which were left in the garage by the previous occupant of the house my parents have just bought in Wrexham

Sounds fine for a budget label... The early 70s were before my record buying days, Pinky & Perky aside!

Marco.

I've seen some of these Damont discs going for a BIN of £5 or more on fleabay. I needledropped mine a few months ago - bit crackly - even after a couple of washes, and a somewhat dubious acoustic but good to listen to.

[Marco]

£5? Lol, that's mad!

Mine's minty, though. I'm extremely particular about the used records I buy. I'll only buy them if they're a little dirty or dusty, so that once I run them through the RCM, they come up like brand new... Scratches and scuffs are strictly a no-go!

An RCM really is an invaluable (I would say essential) tool, if like me, you're an avid buyer of used vinyl

Marco.