Looks like ClassicsToday's David Hurwitz, who's usually quite positive about Bernstein, doesn't approve of this release - I'm not an "insider" on his site, so couldn't read the whole review.
This is another one like the Karajan complete - a nice piece, but not worth it for those of us who bought the earlier DG boxes. Hopefully they release the DVDs collected in another box.
Hurwitz did not complain about this box but about another new Bernstein box (there are so many), the 100 CD box from Sony.
Presto Classical has the release date 19th Jan 2018. Karl Böhm: The Operas - DG: 4798358 - 70 CDs | Presto Classical
I want this. Badly. Bohm was one of the great opera conductors and many of these recordings are stunning.
Understood. I, on the other hand, am a huge opera fan and this is an incredibly significant release. I've been enjoying the Bohm boxes that DG has put out related to his orchestral work, and I can't wait for this one. On another note, my copy of the Bernstein 100 years box was delivered on Friday. I get larger orders delivered to my office rather than my home, so I'm just beginning to explore it this morning. I don't like Hurwitz, but I would be interested in his criticisms if anyone has access to those. My first impressions are that this box is a lovely thing. Sturdy box, elegant and comprehensive book, and the 100 CDs. Very similar to the Gould/Perahia/Ma/Rubinstein boxes. I am personally very fond of the replica LP CD covers, and they look splendid. I read somewhere that his contains approximately 1/3 of Lenny's complete Columbia output. I love him, and would purchase other boxes if they put those out with the rest of the content, but there is something to be said for a more selective approach. I think Bernstein was a genius, but like most he was better at some repertoire than other parts of it. If they nailed it in the selections here, this is plenty of Lenny for 99%+ of the population.
He seems mystified by the selection of what to put in and what to leave out, that the original jackets don't always match what's on the disc and that they didn't fix some mastering problems. Specifically, he complained about A mastering defect in The Sorcerer's Apprentice that was there on previous releases Original jacket of Harris's 3rd symphony includes symphonies by Randall Thompson and David Diamond, which aren't included in the box. Instead the Harris symphony is accompanied by Bernstein’s “Jeremiah” Symphony. No complete symphony cycle. Since I have both Sony Bernstein Symphonies and Concertos boxes, I already have everything from Sony, so this box doesn't interest me.
It's just a bizarre release, neither fish nor fowl. Presumably most Bernstein fans got the much more interesting Symphonies and Concertos/Orchestral Works boxes, and are waiting on the vocal/miscellaneous box. Sony could have included all of those along with a "greatest hits" assortment to reach 100 CDs, but instead they just did a potpourri. I suspect the Bernstein 100 set they actually created was made more to put purchased than listened to. As someone who didn't get the previous DG boxes, the new one is really interesting. The liberal inclusion of 36 DVDs, and the Beethoven Symphonies on blu-ray audio, makes it even more tempting. I suspect I'll let the price drop a little more, but the asking price is hardly unfair.
I've listened to about 20 from the Mozart box and a few from the LvB box. I'm impressed enough to have the Schubert box on the way and a couple of others in my cart. I'll probably get the Bach box after the holidays. How are the BC Vivaldi, BC Dvorak & the BC Brahms editions? Customer service at Brilliant Classics is outstanding. I sent this e-mail @ 2:25AM Their reply with .pdf attachment that I received @ 5:46AM
well i dont like so much Karajan, many other people feel the same to example: " Names to avoid Karajan, Ashkenazy, Kissin, Lang Lang, Maazel, Mrs Mills and Richard Clayderman. Forget you ever knew these people." The 168 best classical music recordings for me this one looks more interesting: Luciano Pavarotti the complete operas others Haydn Edition 2017 | Box set Alkan: Edition Box set Milestones Of A Legend 2017 | Box set by Alfredo Campoli I looking for tips box of music played in Steinway & Sons piano
The Vivaldi box is great. The Frescobaldi box is another good one. I also recommend the Shostakovitch box. I'd get it if I didn't already have around 1/3 of it as smaller sets from Brilliant. I have the symphonies, concertos, miscellaneous orchestral works, chamber works, some songs and some piano works. Another good one is Messiaen Edition Volume 1. It's the complete piano works, organ works and songs. I bought it specifically for the piano works by Peter Hill. The box was cheaper than the individual Peter Hill CDs and I got the organ works and songs as a bonus.
The Vivaldi box is one of my favorites. I've been rotating between it, the Quartetto Italiano, and Bernstein boxes.
Completely agree. I hope they are working on a volume 2! I also got it because I wanted the Peter Hill Catalogue d'Oiseaux, which are OOP and hard to find. For a bit more than the cost of those CDs I'm glad to have the rest of the works as well. I haven't listened to his Vingt Regards yet but I am looking forward to it.
Not a new set... Abbado Symphony Edition 41 CD set, which had been overpriced for a long time, is US 64.00 at moment on Amazon Canada. It is 83 canadian dolars, which converted into US Dollar means 64.00 dolars. I bought one now, specially for the recording of Mahler´s Second Symphony (Ressurrection) with Lucern Festival Orchestra, which is my very favorite recording of one of my favorite pieces, and also for his Brahms´ symphony cicle which I have not listened to yet but is regarded as one of the best "modern" cicles. https://www.amazon.ca/Symphony-40-C...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00BN1QV0S
I am sure this set has been mentioned but I think it is worth bringing up again. The performances are superb and the sound quality is beautiful! And amazon has this 10 disc set for under $25 new! Not to be missed!
George have you heard Arcadi Volodos play the solo works? Funny I posted a few days ago in the discussion thread I was looking for another complete cycle to complement the Katchen.
