Spinning Today (Classical version)

[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?

[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.

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?

Yes, keep it going Jerry!

[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 you'd find it good, Jerry.

[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.

[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.

[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.

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]

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:


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.