Classical Corner Classical Music Corner

That Cortot set was lovingly mastered/transferred by Studio Art and Son of Paris. Whenever I see their name on a historical release, I do not hesitate.

 

The review on Arkivmusic said that they utilised previous transfers for some of the material. Which wouldn’t surprise me, since they would have had to otherwise transfer almost thousands of 78s. Not to speak of having to locate copies first. I wish labels would be more forthcoming about the sources they use. And it would be nice to be able to preview some tracks before buying, but I can’t find any previews online.

 

In my comparisons, thankfully, I did not notice that anything in the new box that sounded like any previous EMI transfer, but then I didn't own every one.

I agree about both points. They really should be more forthcoming. And samples are certainly reasonable, given the amount of investment people would potentially be making.

 

That's the one. But I'm not sure why Amazon has it OOS. I'd order from here for half the price, even with shipping: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (complete) - BIS: BISSACD1825/26 - 5 SACDs | Presto Classical

 

By the way, you can also get the Haitink Beethoven cycle along with two other SACDs for GBP 25 direct from the LSO - their shipping to the USA tends to be quite cheap also: Christmas selection box

 

What great art in the slow mov. of #25:

 

First spin (work and performance), from the big box. Only a few minutes in, but the playing is lovely.

 

The box had a very good review here: My Favorite Classical-Music Release of 2017

 

Image isn't showing for me, which disc is it?

 

Rudolf Serkin, Reger* - Variations And Fugue On A Theme Of J.S. Bach, Op. 81 / Haydn: Sonata H.XVI - 50

 

Thanks, I've never had much luck having Discogs images show up when directly linked with IMG tags. Anyone else?

Finished listening to Serkin playing the Hammerklavier 1969/70 recording from the Serkin box. A very fine performance, one I'll be playing often. The one I still have seared in mind is Gilels' last live recording, also great. @George P or anyone else have you heard Serkin's earlier recording of the Hammerklavier from the early 60s? I did some searching but can't seem to find out which disc this would be on. Or how about the BBC Legends performance from 1971?

Will try Discogs again, does this show up?

 

Nope. This is the first I am hearing of it.

Nope.

Yup.

 

@hvbias - Serkin has two performances of Op. 106 that were released. The SONY studio one in the big box and a live 1968 performance on BBC Classics.

Rudolf Serkin discography - Youngrok LEE's Music Page

 

Thank you, that's very helpful.

Here is an excerpt from a review where I read about the 1960 performance.

 

Listening to this version of Beethoven's Ninth on the turntable:



MONO DGG tulip, first pressing from November 1962.

I finally learned how to read deadwax codes on Deutsche Grammophon LPs. There are codes there denoting the month (represented by a letter) and year of the pressing (represented by a single-digit number). The month codes work as follows:

A = January
B = February
C = March
D = April
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = August
J = September
K = October
L = November
M = December

(“I” is omitted for being to similar to “J”)

The year is represented by a single digit, i.e. both 1955 and 1965 are the number “5”.

So, my pressing has the code “L 2”, meaning November (L) 1962. This should once and for all allow you to date your German-pressed DG vinyl.


P.S. It seems that after 1970, the year code became two-digit (“70”). The codes also seem to have been dropped altogether after 1972 or so.

 

Discig links are hit or miss for me too.

 

Happy Holidays

An einsamer Quelle (Beside the Spring; Op.9:II)
Jascha Heifetz, violin with Árpád Sándor, piano

Recorded: 27 March 1934
Abbey Road Studios, Studio 3, London, England
Victor 14369
Released: August 1937

 

np:

 

Now enjoying a recent Xmas gift from my girlfriend's brother. I have never heard these composers before, so the music is a treat. The composers are among the very first American composers. The CD is from the Smithsonian Folkways Archival series and can be bought on amazon.

 

Hi, George,

A couple of other very early American composers who might repay your attention are William Billings and Anthony Philip Heinrich. Billings was a tanner in Boston, where he was born before the Revolution; Heinrich was a transplant from Bohemia who played a notable role in the founding of what would become the NYPO. Both wrote in extremely personal styles. William Schuman incorporated music by Billings into his "New England Triptych."

Merry Christmas to you and to all our friends here at CMC!

 

I have the exact same one. Beautiful rendition.

 

Thanks!

Same to you, buddy!

 

I have the Karajan Beethoven 9th from 1962 on stereo SACD and agree it is a beautiful rendition. It is my favorite recording of the 9th.

 

Mine too!

The slow movement on the 1977 version is a bit more coherent (the 1963 has a clumsy edit that breaks the line at one point), but the intensity on the 1963 is awesome.

 

Found this Monique Haas set for a reasonable price - it's OOP and quite pricey on most sites. A wonderful but sadly almost forgotten pianist.




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