Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #35)

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by George P, Mar 17, 2012.

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  1. Collector Man

    Collector Man Well-Known Member

    In the context of that statement (quoted) I made, it had been expressed people were eating and I assume. talking as well . Therefore music became the third most important consideration -'as background to that'. Oh! please! I think you are a little mistaken here. I am sure that that Long Play Fan and I have been having a pleasant friendly little dig - tease with no ill feeling , meant whatsoever.:righton:
    Truth be told, what he has been displaying, in highlights discs - I most very likely also own in the 'complete opera' version release of the same material. So be told , we in fact, both listen and enjoy the same works anyway. I cannot think that shows any trace of hostility or form of opposition.
    If these highlights recordings were not mentioned in any case , people here, might think Classics consisted of nothing in the vocal sphere.

    P.S And yes, I do like opera Highlights disc...when they are the only thing going- when a full complete recording was never ever made or part of the record label's agenda. And there are plenty of recorded examples of that.
     
  2. Graphyfotoz

    Graphyfotoz Forum Classaholic

    Location:
    South-Central NY
  3. John S

    John S Forum Resident

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    D899 No. 1 is one of those pieces that roll around in my head all day if I play it before I go to work. What a dramatic arc that little 10 minutes of music has. I really like the Lupu, but for that work my reference and preference is Brendel. This old Philips is hard to find now...

    [​IMG]

    ...but the same recording of the Impromptus is available on this 2-fer new from Amazon vendors for $13 shipped.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. John S

    John S Forum Resident

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    I certainly appreciate your thoughts on the LvB symphonies. I used to strut around crowing that B7 "is the greatest purely instrumantal symphony ever written." I don't say that anymore, but I still do rank it at the top of the 9 in question here. I know powerful cases can be made for B3 and B6, and I appreciate both more now more than ever.

    By the way, I enjoyed this very much a couple of years ago:
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    "Re-creating a historic moment -- June 9, 1804, when Ludwig van Beethoven unveiled his masterpiece "Eroica" (Symphony no. 3) to a select audience at the Lobkowitz palace -- this BBC production stars Ian Hart as the famed German composer. In attendance are his aristocrat host (Jack Davenport), self-styled music connoisseur Count Dietrichstein (Tim Pigott-Smith) and fellow composer Josef Haydn (Frank Finlay)."

    I agree with you concerning B9. One statement reminded me of Mahler's Eighth, Part II. After a promising opening
    In my opinion, Mahler bit off way too much text to get through.

    Thanks for the great post. :righton:
     
  5. Tangledupinblue

    Tangledupinblue Forum Resident

    Location:
    London, UK
    I have the first CD (different cover) of this:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00035VV78/ref=dm_dp_cdp?ie=UTF8&s=music

    I bought this in (I think) 1997 on the strength of (ironically) a good review in the Penguin Guide and it was my introduction to the Concerto for Orchestra - still enjoy it very much, particularly for the Dance Suite and Mikrokosmos arrangements. Would definitely recommend the whole set if that is anything to go by!

    Cheers. :) I'd completely forgotten that Haydn was still alive when the Eroica was first performed - he would have been an old man, at least by the standards of the 1800s. Assuming that film you mentioned is accurate, just what did he make of the music (coming from someone who was something of a pioneer himself and was Beethoven's teacher, it would be fascinating to know)?
     
  6. ShallowMemory

    ShallowMemory Classical Princess

    Location:
    GB
    The sin of omissions from comparisons is one thing Penguin can be pulled over for collector man, although I find them a usable starting point and after all they did give a rosette to that Mercury recording of the Firebird. :thumbsup:

    I've being enjoying Mendelssohn's symphonies from the LSO/ Abbado box (DG 471 467-2 4cds) with 7 overtures and a scherzo!
    When your bear in mind the original 1985 4 cd set was a lot dearer and only had a few overtures anyone buying today is getting a great deal and the performances here are really good.
     
  7. Collector Man is Correct!

    Thanks you for your warm perspective and posting your thoughts, via your well written notice.

    Collector Man and Long Play Fan, have been having lots of pleasant fun with the subject of Opera.

    Bottom line is that we both enjoy OPERA and its "repertoire" of fine artists.

    Listening to a "complete" opera is like reading a good novel from cover to cover.

    Lights Out!

    Curtain Up!

    Start the Overture!

    By the way, I just finished listening to 3 hours and 50 mins of Borodin's Opera: Prince Igor. Whew! I had two intermissions between 3 CDs.

    After listening to this long Russian Opera, I put on some light weight, favorite Classical "Pop" selections via my LP collection. ha.

    Cheers, Long Play Fan
     
  8. NorthNY Mark

    NorthNY Mark Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canton, NY, USA
    Sorry I misread the tone of the exchange. Glad everything is friendly! :)
     
  9. George P

    George P Notable Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    NYC
  10. drh

    drh Talking Machine

    Unless anyone wants to engage in further discussion at blind performance comparison thread #7 (Scarlatti), I plan to open a new #8 sometime this evening. Wondering what work I have in mind? You'll just have to wait and see! (But you can narrow it down to two possibilities by reading a post I put up over at blind comparison thread #7 ;) .)
     
  11. John S

    John S Forum Resident

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    I have nothing to add except that I now feel the need to listen to more Scarlatti sonatas. :righton:
     
  12. John S

    John S Forum Resident

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    In the movie, Haydn came late to the proceedings while the band was playing the new piece. Of course, everybody in the room knew who Haydn was; his knowing smile showed both his appreciation for his former charge's creation, and that Beethoven had by then transcended any mortal’s tutelage. On the other hand, Haydn’s little grin could be interpreted as "boys will be boys." As I recall, Haydn had few lines in this movie. One of the more memorable scenes for me was when the arrogant music connoisseur Count Dietrichstein confronted Beethoven with his wisdom on how to salvage this musical disaster.

    The small group of musicians in the movie appeared to be holding period instruments, and if they were not actually playing they did a darn good job faking it. I liked how Beethoven would start each movement and then immediately sit down and listen. I suppose the practice of having a conductor direct every measure was not common in 1804.
     
  13. kevinsinnott

    kevinsinnott Forum Coffeeologist

    Location:
    Chicago, IL USA
    I know Mercury recordings are highly regarded among audiophiles, but some music lovers are put off by the close (in your face) recording style. Bob Fine certainly had a recording theology. Of course Mercury adherents will claim detractors' stereo systems or owners' hearing is deficient, but I think the Mercury Sound is definitely an acquired taste. Meanwhile, Dorati, while technically without peer, has been accused of being unsubtle. In exuberant pieces such as Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite he is right on and even critics acknowledge his ability. I also think of him as a Hungarian specialist, in composers such as Bartok. But, in some mainstream pieces (Brahms) he can seem a little stiff and unfeeling compared to specialists in those composers. I know of no conductor who satisfies everyone. Put Dorati and the Mercury sound together and you have a double whammy. Rimsky's Capriccio Espagnol is, however just the sort of piece Dorati is known for. I wouldn't hesitate and would also suspect the higher resolution might add some sweetness back to the strings. I thought Mercury used Telefunken mikes that were known for a pronounced treble boost that was at odds with early redbook digital. Anyway, I would go for it.
     
  14. Tangledupinblue

    Tangledupinblue Forum Resident

    Location:
    London, UK
    Just listening to this, my favourite Prokofiev symphony and probably amongst my top 10 classical pieces of all time:

    [​IMG]

    http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.553069

    It would be interesting to know if other CMCers have many Naxos CDs in their collection - I don't recall seeing them being mentioned often here, and perhaps that's understandable on a site largely populated by audiophiles who only want the best sound and performance quality, but even if the performers on this label aren't necessarily household names, there are some very good recordings of excellent value for money.
     
  15. ShallowMemory

    ShallowMemory Classical Princess

    Location:
    GB
    I do have a number of Naxo's mainly of North American composers and the more obscure Sibelius material. I don't find their to be much of a difference in terms of either performance or recording quality, like every label has it's misjudged recordings.

    I did have on today Mendelssohn's second symphony (Hymns of praise) LSO/Abbado (DG) a work I hadn't heard before and was really impressed with.
     
  16. Arjan

    Arjan Senior Member

    Location:
    Amersfoort
    MDT = Hyperion Sale for 2 Weeks Only

    Any Specific suggestions for Hyperion discs? Thanks in advance

    Arjan
     
  17. Collector Man

    Collector Man Well-Known Member

    I am about to plough into the Rimsky Korsakov Opera box =5 operas=11CDs -Gregiev (Decca) that arrived the other day in the mail together with a whole heap of other various orchestral & piano works like Paul Crossley's Debussy box. To think only last week I thought , looking at my shelves "all this buying ..has to stop!'.
    Now I see Presto Classical has just announced a ton of classical Blu Rays from a wide range of labels with 30% off....resistance is becoming futile. Thinking to myself - " we only live once" :)
     
  18. Collector Man

    Collector Man Well-Known Member

    When I was able to buy their latest CD releases 'hot off the press' at super ridiculous prices at 5 or 6 dollars or less, I brought 'heaps'. It gave real 'composer depth' to my collection. I think I have about (gulp!) 800 in my collection. Some of the 'cycles' they did, whether symphonic, of string quartet, violin or piano can easily rank with the best. One can readily think of some of their artists that are hidden treasures. In fact I think some of their latest releases close 'any doubting gap' a bit better, Some of their material has been transported across from other prestigious labels as well as the expensive Marco Polo label, ( Naxos owns it) Think the all the Waxman- Steiner type film series recordings or their North and South American compoer series. One name that quickly comes to mind of an artist that records for Naxos, worthy of attention, is the pianist Konstanin Scherbakov. I find his Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and that of other composers, is exceptional ,producing both flashes of spontaneous dazzling playing coupled with great judged insight

    Recently I heard samples of the Strauss A Hero's Life conducted the conductor Wit, on Naxos. Although I have the various 'the ' versions of it, straightaway it struck me, this is something worth noting and having. I was taken by its gorgeous ascoutic as well. Who remembers Von Karajan's DG digital version of it? On first appearance its balance and ascoutic was judged 'an absolute true stinker', Then it was pulled off the market for a while, then totally rebalanced and re-released once more.
     
  19. kevinsinnott

    kevinsinnott Forum Coffeeologist

    Location:
    Chicago, IL USA
    Naxos broke the price point, or did it? I am surprised the major labels have not blamed Naxos for their woes, or have they? I think labels have other problems, but Naxos didn't help. They imported well-recorded East European artists doing the basic catalog. Then they went further and started recording obscure music. They took advantage of low production costs and lack of performer ego. It was unthinkable for an obscure Czech violinist to demand her microphone be turned up higher than the orchestra as someone like Perlman could (no offense to Perlman who is a deserving musician) and the recording was better for it.

    I have lots of Naxos. The vast majority is excellent. Some of their artists like Pianist Jeno Jando and conductors such as Antoni Wit are on par with the best of the West. The recording engineering errs on natural. The British recordings feature engineers such as Tony Faulkner who is state of the art of the digital age. Only those who cannot bear to hear a modern orchestra, or digital sound sources would avoid Naxos.

    The worst thing I can say about Naxos is it is very possible to buy one you already own due to their utilitarian cover artwork. No doubt Decca, RCA, DG and the rest put more into their covers.

     
  20. George P

    George P Notable Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    NYC
    Medtner PC 2 and 3. Great CD!
     
  21. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    More early music, now playing the following CD for a first listen ...

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  22. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    Order that was placed 2 days ago ...

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    [​IMG]
     
  23. George P

    George P Notable Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    NYC
    Is that the 1960s 2 and 3? Those are great!
     
  24. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    Indeed, I bought the below CD not long ago, also recorded in the 1960's. All other Brahms Symphonies BY HvK I have until recently were recorded in the 70's and later ...

    [​IMG]
     
  25. George P

    George P Notable Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    NYC
    The 1960s 4th is well worth seekig out too. It was issued on a budget label years ago.
     
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