There are not that many recordings by Watchorn out there and I bought all of them in the same order ...
Now on the turntable, record 1 from "Soler - 6 Quintets for Harpsichord and Strings" performed by Montserrat Cervera & Andrea Wachsmuth (violins), Andre Vauquet (viola), Marcel Cervera (cello) and Christiane Jaccottet (harpsichord) on Vox.
Now on the turntable, record 2 from "Mozart - The Symphonies Vol. 1" performed by The Academy Of Ancient Music led by Christopher Hogwood on L'Oiseau-Lyre. Symphony in G maj. K 74 Symphonies in D maj. K 97, K 95, K 81, K 87
Well, here I am again to annoy everyone with "She-who-could-do-no-wrong": Puccini, Tosca; Callas, Bergonzi, Gobbi; Pretre (1965--or was it 1964?).
My life wouldn't have been the same without Callas. It's as dramatic as that--and, for me, totally real.
My favorite for baroque soprano of the current generation is the Canadian Karina Gauvin. Are you familiar with some of her recordings? IMO, she is much better than Renee Fleming.
Now on the turntable, "Beethoven - Symphony No. 3" performed by The Academy Of Ancient Music led by Christopher Hogwood on L'Oiseau-Lyre.
(Quoting myself! Good grief!) My last post makes it hard to understand why I love schmaltz like this, but I really do: Oh well. I'm a walking, breathing, ancient paradox. Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman (1997?), "Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye)," which I think do not mean the same at all: "Con Te Partiro" means "with you I will leave," right? Versus "Time to Say Goodbye"?! Another paradox!
More challenging listening (and playing) today. The poor violinist rarely gets to rest during this 50 minute marathon!
Ohh I love the No. 2 as well. just did not post it in my comment, because I don't have that many different recordings of it (for now). 'Only' 5. Rubinstein was incredible, even at 90 and almost blind. I have that DVD actually with him playing Saint Saens and Grieg as well.
I am a big fan, but also big fan of a (very few) other sopranos. The Callas was certainly unique and left an indelible footprint in the path of opera....
I agree. Pollini is amazing with this stuff.....and the Hammerklavier as well. Makes sense...the Webern and Boulez pieces are children of the Hammerklavier.
Now on the turntable, record 2 from "Mendelssohn Piano Music (Complete) Vol. 2" performed by Rena Kyriakou on Vox. Preludes & Fugues, Rondo Brillante, Serenade & Allegro Gioioso
Your level of enthusiasm has definitely piqued my interest. Can you tell me a little bit about this one and its significance to you?
I've been collecting collecting the Quatuor Mosaïques' recordings of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven string quartets since the late 1980's and still consider their approach to the performance of this repertoire to be as good as it gets. The gorgeous string tone they get on their period instruments, the extremely well thought out and tasteful phrasing and discreet use of vibrato are coupled with reference quality sound on these recordings originally released on the Astrée label (1989-1998) and then for Naive in 2004 for Beethoven's Op. 18. The only serious rivals the QM have IMO is the London Haydn Quartet who are currently working their way through recording the complete Haydn cycle for Hyperion. You never know in advance if the new recordings will continue the very high standards of what this ensemble have accomplished previously but I have high hopes.
