Now enjoying Op. 59 from the above box set. Op. 18 was great, with moments of terrific intensity. One thing I don't always love is the sound of their instruments, which can often be thin and lack beauty found in other recordings, like the Quartetto Italiano set on Philips.
I'm listening to this stunningly beautiful music on Qobuz. I'm afraid I'm going to have to cough up for the CD. It's too good not to be in my collection.
Another charity shop find in excellent condition from 1977. I'm sure you'll know the music and she plays it well to my untrained ear however the piano does have a slightly strange quality which is difficult to describe (slightly tinny?) and may just be the recording.
One of my favorite Nelson Freire recordings is a live version with Kurt Masur conducting a French orchestra in Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky.
From the Barbirolli box set, the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings and the Arensky Variations On a Theme of Tchaikovsky are wonderful to hear for the performances and the excellent recorded sound from 1964. The balance engineer was Neville Boyling in Kingsway Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra. The new remaster from Studio Art & Son, Annecy probably helped.
I've enjoyed exploring this series by Thomas Demenga on ECM, and I just completed the set with this disc. Now playing: Bach: Suite no.3 for cello / Carter: Chamber works. Thomas Demenga, etc. ECM
I like them a lot, they introduced me to some new composers and works that were at the time a lot different from anything else I'd heard -- they were one of my introductions to this challenging, "modern" style. I like the pairing of Bach with other composers, as it helps you to listen to both styles with new ears. The series isn't available in a single set, but IMO they're definitely worth checking out. There's one complication, which is that Demenga re-recorded the Bach Suites again on ECM, and I actually like those versions better.
This is an excellent Manfred Symphony by Tchaikovsky. I appreciated Muti's dynamics. Riccardo Muti Philharmonia Orchestra Tchaikovsky Manfred Symphony EMI, 1982 Hmm, I wonder if it sounds the same in the new Muti big box?
That Hero is my favorite. The 2001 thing by Reiner is among my faves but not the first. That goes to HVK. Pickup the other Reiner /Strauss SACDs if you get a chance.
I have been thinking of getting that set but man I really don't need anymore PIT symphony set unless it is really special.
Thanks, I will keep an eye out, though, to be honest, with me, a little Strauss goes a long way. Now enjoying a second spin of this set. Performances are superb, sound is impeccable. By far, my favorite set of the Beethoven violin sonatas:
The only CD IMO you should think of buying that I think is essential because of the works on it is this one. It has my favorite work by Strauss which is Death and Transfiguration. Along with the Reiner and the 2 CD set of Karajan, you will have all of the essentials IMO.
A fine performance of these Dvorak pieces in SACD. Jakub Hrusa PKF-Prague Philharmonia Dvorak Symphonic Variations Slavonic Rhapsodies Pentatone, 2016
Seems to be 1969 for Metamorphosen, 1973 for the other two. And that two-CD set is one of my favourites.
Unfortunately with this as your only "Four Last Songs" you are missing the superb and extremely moving performances of Jesse Norman and Soile Isokoski. However, each to their own as they say.
I have the performance by Norman and Isokoski and prefer it to any other I own. However, my choice was solely based on getting @George P mostly the main orchestral works and the songs. My choice was based on economy and not necessarily quality.
Edit-I see @George P already has the Last Four Songs on his Karajan Two Fer so my choice does have some duplication.