What is the best sounding LP version of the Callas Norma from 1954 at La Scala? Should I look for an early original or is something like a later digitally remastered copy a better bet? Thanks
Now I'm no authority on classical music but earlier today while watching an episode of Minder, the very first episode actually, Gunfight At The OK Launderette, just when Terry attacks the hostage taker, a piece of music began which I instantly recognised. "Know what this music is?" I said to the wife, eager to impress. "Nope" she said, rolling her eyes. "Stravinsky's Firebird Suite" I said. Not a light. Married life is such bliss.
Acc. to Diapason of January 2019, the best recordings of Schumann's Manfred overture are: 1. Furtwaengler - BPO - 1949 - DG 2. Bernstein - NYPO - 1958 - Sony 3. Giulini - PO - 1958 - EMI/Warner 4. Sinopoli - VPO - 1983 - DG
and the best recordings of Mahler's 9th symphony (Diapason, 12/2018): 1. Bernstein - RCO - 1985 - DG 2. Karajan - BPO - 1982 - DG (live) 3. Abbado - LFO - 2010 - DVD/BD Accentus 4. Giulini - LAPO - 1976 - DG
and Schubert's Symphony no 8 (9) - The Great (Diapason, 6/2018): 1. Muti - BPO - 2009 - DVD EuroArts 2. Sawallisch - SD - 1966 - Philips 3. Bernstein - RCO - 1987 - DG 4. Harnoncourt - VPO - 2009 - DVD/BD
No Frederick Stock? No Furtwangler? Toscanini? Walter? Indeed, nothing at all from the pre-stereo era? Hmmm.........
I've been enjoying this new 7CD box set from Marston records. What a shame that this great pianist is so greatly underappreciated. Hopefully this set will gain him some more recognition. The recordings were made from 1941-1974, so the sound is more modern than one usually finds from this label.
I've also been enjoying the recordings of the 2nd and 3rd symphonies from the above box. Nice sound and performance!
Insane indeed. A wonderful set! (Though I do prefer the earlier performances of 1-13 on the Chandos set.)
Recently decided to take another trip through Sibelius's symphonies, this time with Ashkenazy as my guide. I've always loved his way with these works. His set was my first Sibelius set. My second was Bernstein on SONY, followed by Blomstedt on Decca.
Hi, George, speaking of little-remembered pianists, are you familiar with (Henri) Gil-Marchex? (On the record labels, he goes just by "Gil Marchex," a la Solomon Cuttner going by just "Solomon.") Some years ago a 78 RPM record more or less fell into my lap of this gentleman playing Golliwog's Cakewalk on one side and Le Bavolet Flottant ("The Flowing Ribbon") by Couperin on the other. Now, as you'll recall, when it comes to the French harpsichordists, I generally don't like their music on piano--their work is much less transportable from its intended instrument than, say, Bach's, at least to my ear. Gil-Marchex, however, pulled off the neat accomplishment of making Couperin not just work but be actually enjoyable on piano, and ever since I've been on the lookout for more of his records. Apparently he must not have made many, or at least they didn't sell very well; only today, all these years later, did I manage to add a second to my collection, courtesy of Larry Holdridge's annual auction of 78s, and that was the first I'd seen since the one I already had. How's this for an odd coupling? On one side, a rather delicate minuet in G by Rameau. On the other--Bartok's "Allegro Barbaro"! And he does both of them up proud, I must say. Too bad he's not better known, and I'll confess I would like to know him better than I do; four 10" 78 RPM sides is pretty slim acquaintance, I'm afraid, even if the repertory is pretty varied.