Run to the hills all HIP sorts! Mozart, W.A Eine kleine Nachtmusik KV 525, Serenata notturna in D minor KV 239 + divertmentos KV 136,137&138 1966/8 1990 DG Mozart Masterpieces 429 805-2 Berlin Philharmonic cond (or 'bigged up' by) Herbert von Karajan A 1991 buy. This is probably as big band, thick as treacle Mozart as you get, I mean even Bohm with the V.P.O had a lighter touch in the 70's even if the woodwind is a delight to listen to in these performances recorded in a somewhat reverberating venue which detracts a bit at times. Sometimes I just love the opulence of it although it's good there are more stripped down alternatives
Interesting. The only time I have listened to that I found that Szeryng sounded uncharacteristically "scratchy". Maybe it's the way it was recorded. I don't have another favourite for that concerto, though.
Ivan Moravec - Chopin Scherzi, Etudes, Mazurkas (Supraphone) cd I love the touch he has on the keys. In my admitted limited experience he is one of my favorite classical pianists.
S for Schubert, Franz Piano quintet in A posth 114 D667 (aka "Trout") 2009 PentaTone stereo/surround sound sacd PTC 5186 334 Performed by Martin Helmchen, Christian Tetzlaff, Antoine Tamesit, Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Alois Posch and Aldo Baerten Coupled with the Variations on "Trockne Blumen"- "Notturno" this is a hugely enjoyable set of performances upto PentaTones usual very high standards
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique/John Eliot Gardiner
Run for the hills? Too late for me. I bought Karajan's "Big Band" Eine Kleine Nachtmusik on LP long ago. Unless you have some re-recording of it (and Karajan was notorious for re-recording everything possible), then your Karajan rendition of the KV 525 might be the same as mine-- from 1966-- sans the load of additional Divertimentos in your set. DG's liner notes on the back explain (almost apologetically) the reasoning behind the size of the orchestra used: "Mozart conceived this work as a string quintet for two violins, viola, cello and double bass; Herbert von Karajan follows the normal practice of employing a full body of strings, but he achieves a remarkable transparency of string tone perfectly suited to the intimate nature of this composition." Hmm. Well, that said, he does push the Berliners rapidly through the first movement and it comes off quite well. The second movement is okay, though taking all the repeats makes it seem interminable. In the third & fourth movements, however, Karajan paces & paints things a little too slow & sluggish where it should be light & sparkly. Ah, well... if you're in the mood for heavy, here it is.
Ah, Moravec... You've inspired me to reach for this 1984 Nonesuch LP of Schumann and Brahms: Perfect for this Friday afternoon.
Well, I'd say that's it but in the Mozart Masterpieces fairly plain cover, Wes, and the last two movement are a bit sluggish even though I'm more for modern instruments but in smaller groups for works like that.
Spotify Premium. The original version of the 4th. I have to say, it fits the chamber orchestra scenario well, even though I prefer the revised version. Julius Cesar Overture and Scenes from Goethe's Faust arranged for orchestra.
Never seen that before: "By cutting down only the cost of the sleeve..." Just the lack of the artwork?
I've a hazy recollection of that series would of been late 70's, early 80's being talked about in the context of what would of been the best value (classical) records.
This CD came with the September BBC Music Magazine. He had a messed up life. Kullervo, not Sibelius. Prom 58 “The silence speaks”: A gripping Kullervo | by Bachtrack for classical music, opera, ballet and dance event reviews
Finished listening to these today. I've been buying more than I can reasonably listen to--need to slow down a bit. (Oh my word, did I actually just type that??)
