Spinning Today (Classical version)

[m10]

Definitely in a Beethoven mood, so I am listening to the Eroica from the Schmidt-Isserstedt box on Decca -- way superior sound... The Vienna Philharmonic sounds fabulous. I'm going to enjoy re-exploring this box.

[Barry]

If you like that Malcolm, you might be interested in this:



Played on period instruments, cond. John Eliot Gardener.

"Exhilarating performances which have bite and imagination and a sense of spontaneity" (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs).

Failing that, listen to the Furtwängler recordings (in mono).

or

[MartinT]

You can almost never go wrong with John Eliot Gardiner.

[m10]

You can almost never go wrong with John Eliot Gardiner.

Agreed, and perhaps where you wouldn't expect it such as the lovely Merry Widow he did with Cheryl Studer.

I saw him conduct The Marriage of Figaro at Covent Garden back in October.. It was amazing.

[m10]

Vinyl.

[MartinT]

The Four Last Songs are a whole subject in their own right, Malcolm. Kiri's version is not bad at all. Not my favourite, though (I must have at least ten recordings).

[Andrei]

The Four Last Songs are a whole subject in their own right, Malcolm. Kiri's version is not bad at all. Not my favourite, though (I must have at least ten recordings).

Could you recommend a couple on Vinyl?
Something that is worth a go is Barbara Bonney singing with piano accompaniment. She already has a great voice and not having to compete with an orchestra really emphasizes the vocal line.

[m10]

The Four Last Songs are a whole subject in their own right, Malcolm. Kiri's version is not bad at all. Not my favourite, though (I must have at least ten recordings).

Indeed they are, I've got the Kiri above and Schwarzkopf/Szell on vinyl (better with the words, but less vocally alluring than Kiri), as well as both of these on CD. On CD, I also have Kiri Te Kanawa / Sir Georg Solti (probably my favourite by a nose), Jessye Norman (resplendent and glowing) and Renée Fleming's first recording on RCA with Eschenbach conducting. I couldn't pick between them, to be quite honest as they all have their charms.

[m10]

Could you recommend a couple on Vinyl?
Something that is worth a go is Barbara Bonney singing with piano accompaniment. She already has a great voice and not having to compete with an orchestra really emphasizes the vocal line.

A nice copy of the Elisabeth Schwarzkopf stereo versions with Geroge Szell. To say it's a safe recommendation isn't me trying to damn with faint praise - lovely sound, Schwarzkopf is excellent in every respect and a nice selection of songs on the flip side. Columbia label originally but it was redone on HMV later.

If you don't mind digital there a plenty copies of the Jessye Norman around - likely to sound good as it's a great recording anyway.

[m10]

This just came today - goosebumps at the Tuba Mirum in surround!