Rediscovering a fine pianist on my old library tapes: Monique Haas (French, 1909-87). The recordings are solo Ravel piano pieces, plus the piano four-hands version of Ma mère L'Oye with Ina Marika. These are from a 1980s Erato CD reissue of 1960s recordings.
I thought some Monique Haas recordings were mentioned not long ago on this thread ... The following box is available for under $20 on Amazon
@Scopitone, Have to post this, here is the other HH in a recording with his wife the harpist, Ursula Holliger ...
Yes, I believe she has been mentioned & quite favorably. I haven't listened to these tapes in probably 15 years & there are plenty of recordings & even artists I had forgotten hearing.
On the TT....only one singer on this LP I have to skip. No need for nightmares tonight - or any other night!
First listen to CD 3 from "The Choir Of St. John's College Cambridge - The Complete Argo Recordings" directed by George Guest on Decca. "John Stainer - The Crucifixion"
My dear fellow, you tempt me that much with those recordings that I end up spending coin of the realm on them!
You know, I recall seeing the advertisements for that as the Folio Society at the time advertised in what today we'd call 'lifestyle' magazines and supplements in a very literature savvy environment with termly lists of novels to go read and school theatre trips we attended.
Now listening to CD 3 from the "English Music" box set on L'Oiseau-Lyre. "Purcell - Dido And Aeneas" performed by The Academy Of Ancient Music led by Christopher Hogwood. Featuring: John Mark Ainsley Catherine Bott Emma Kirkby Julianne Baird David Thomas
A Documents box. I wouldn't recommend that label - see Crispi's and my comments here: Listenin' to Classical Music and Conversation Classical "Mega" CD Box Sets and Classical "Mega" CD Box Sets I mentioned Monique Haas a while ago. I got the DG set with her complete recordings for DG.
First listen to CDs 15 & 16 from "Ferenc Fricsay - Complete Recordings On DG Vol.2 - Operas, Choral Works." Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail performed by the RIAS-Kammerchor and the RIAS-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin Walter Franck, Rita Streich (soprano), Martin Vantin (tenor), Maria Stader (soprano), Ernst Haefliger (tenor) & Josef Greindl (bass)
As I'm typing Storm Georgina is producing some very unpleasant weather today! Just a word of warning for anyone tempted to buy a 180g release of the Curzon / Szell Brahms no 1 SXL 6023 that has been discussed. I bought a 'basic' 180g release that is utterly dreadful - I could only stand about 30 seconds of it before taking it off the deck. It sounds like it was ripped off a low quality mp3, it's that bad. Unsurprisingly there are no details on it about the mastering. Avoid like the plague. There are however two fully analogue options where you know exactly what you are getting. Speakers Corner do one pressed at Pallas Germany. Then there is a 2 disc limited edition 45rpm version, mastered by Bernie Grunman and pressed at RTI. I would love to purchase the latter but as you can imagine it isn't cheap!
Thank you for that background info! I'd never heard of the Folio Society before, but the packaging of these records struck me as something quite different when I spotted it some years ago in a "bargain bin." Excellent recording and copious liner notes.
ARS Produktion ARS 38 753 - Zala - piano music Spectacularly good. A brilliant performance. The recording is remarkable. It sounds just like a real Steinway concert grand in your living room, not just some piano sat on a stage way in front of you. Yes, all speakers are used to good effect - not just a bit of concert hall ambience/ambiance (how is it spelled?). The end result is stunning. The Brahms tracks are growing on me. It was the Chopin tracks that attracted me to it in the first place, and by heck they sound good. The last track, composed by Albena Petrovic-Vratchanska, didn't exactly impress me when I listened to the sample on jpc. But it turns out to be incredibly good when it comes belting out of the loudspeakers - a real tour de force. I bought it directly from ARS Produktion website. It took just a couple of days to reach me from Germany.
Indeed! And Mozart sounds just right this morning. While coffee is brewing, I'm playing his Symphonies 35 and 36, with Otto Klemperer conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra. Angel LP, 1962.
Do someone say Mozart? Hmm The second Mackerras Scottish Chamber Orchestra Linn sacd symphony set has been bought.
