Spinning Today (Classical version)

[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? .... )

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

Yesterday ....

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

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? .... )

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

Yesterday ....

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

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! 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.

[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.

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.