Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #58)

Fabulous. Thanks! Listening to it out of my computer speakers does it now justice

 

(TUDOR TUD09 03-17) thereof Sonate D Dur (Gasteiner) Op. 53 (D 850)

 

I have the CD version of this set in a twofer from this master violinist. He is in the same league as Arthur Grumiaux and Henryk Szeryng, those all-time greats ...

 

This is the version of the Kertesz VPO Dvorak New World Symphony to get. Beats the pants off the Speakers Corner and every version I have heard cut by Decca.

http://www.audiophileusa.com/item.cfm?record=5806&c=1&kw=Classical

 

I have to run the following set by our European members, as I have seen on another classical music-only forum whose European members appear to have VERY high opinion of Cafe Zimmerman. I already have so many versions of the works by JS Bach included in this set by many English and German ensembles and am not convinced CZ can do better, other than more modern sound. I listened to some of the tracks provided on Amazon and cannot say there is anything that really grabbed my attention ...

 

This is a great set. One of the better period-instrument - or, if you prefer, HIP - Bach sets in my opinion. Highly recommended, but your mileage may vary, of course

 

I already have versions of these works by the English Concert, AAM, Concentus Musicus Wien, Leonhardt Consort, Musica Antiqua of Koln and Freiburger Baoque, etc. While the sound of some of these sets may be ancient when compared to this set, it is really the performance that counts first ...

 

Claves CD 50-8506, released 1986

 

Now playing…my favorite Zarathustra of all time, CSO/Reiner, recorded 4/30 and 5/1, 1962. That brass section…God Almighty! Though their 1954 recording has more raw energy IMO, this one is hard to beat in terms of sonics. Picked up this CD in the late '80's/early '90's I believe.

 

This guy Johann seems to get a lot of attention around here.

 

Faure: Requiem (original version). Rutter, Cambridge Singers. UK Collegium

The only performance I enjoy of this work.

 

Agree. Though, I love the Steinberg/BSO too. And the red LP cover rockz. Unfortunately, I have the Originals version, coupled with Planets.

 

"Description: Long Out Of Print 180gm HQ With Obi. Istvan Kertesz Conducting The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This Title Was Originally Released As Decca SXL 2289, One Of The Rarest Deccas Which Has Closed At Over $1300 On epay."

That price tag makes me like my STS pressing all the more. Not to knock this remaster, I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled for it.

 

Now playing:

 

This is as close as I got to that one............ in terms of cover art only.

 

thereof Symphony 4

 

Like the cover and the sonics, find the performance way too German. Had the SACD. Odd but there is a German performance tradition for this work.

 

This is one of best small group versions of the Requiem. I haven't settled on a favorite large group version. I think Faure composed/arranged both versions?

 

I was talking about the performances, not about the sound quality.

 

Yes, I know what you're talking about. Although I hold the Kertesz in high regard, this is my all-time favorite Dvorak 9th:

 

For those who are wondering whose interpretation that is (the fine print is illegible and the photo is, well, not that great), it's Ferenc Fricsay's. One of the truly great conductors in my opinion.

 

Have not heard it, have no doubt that the performance is Electric. Just checked my shelf to see if I still have the Reiner SACD, don't, but do have the Colin Davis/Concertgebouw recording, very nice but a little cool.

 

Now Playing, the Borodin Quartet Plays the Borodin Quartet, London STS 15046:

 

thereof Symphony 4

 

One of the advantages of being a relative newcomer to intensive classical listening is a certain level of immunity to the "warhorse" syndrome of overexposure to the short list of compositions that true aficionados have heard too many times. Which is why I've been enjoying playing and reveling in various versions of perhaps the ultimate warhorse, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, for the past several days, especially this one from 1962:






Also played Ferenc Fricsay's 1958 rendition, also with the Berlin Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein's 1979 live recording with the Vienna Philharmonic; and Osmo Vänskä's 2006 version with the Minnesota Orchestra.

Another sign of my babe-in-the-woods status is that I often don't make any immediate confident judgements about which performance is my favorite and which is best and which misses the mark — the tendency toward sharply drawn comparative rankings and ratings that characterizes everything from the Penguin Guide to Amazon user reviews. Which is to say, I'm mostly focussed on the genius and beauty of the composer's work, and I fall under the spell of the recording I'm listening to, which becomes my favorite until I try the next one. In the case of Ludwig van's 9th, I'm thinking of next splashing out with a HIP version like John Eliot Gardiner's....

But any suggestions would be most welcome!