Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #2)

Variable, from tolerable to downright breathe out of your mouth bad.

 

Almost ready to play (once I am done with the Rubinstein's The Chopin Collection - 1 more disc to go): Franz Liszt Complete Organ Works by Stefan Johannes Bleicher. The first disc looks very interesting, as it appears to be some adaptations of Bach's works.

 

Like the dead NYC subway rats?

 

You've been there.

 

J&R downtown is where I bought my first Linda Ronstadt albums back in 1976.

 

No, I was just speculating. I don't even know when the Academy store is at?

 

Jay, so you know about NYC?

 

Yes. I lived there in the '70s. Plus, I grew up in NJ.

 

The very big used record store here, Jerry's, has a smell to it. My guess is that it's a combination record or cover mold, the smell of the magic markers they use to write on the plastic sleeves, and whatever they spray clean less-than-perfect LPs with.

 

I grew up in NYC but moved out of the city in the early 80's.

 

This disc is at the top of my Christmas wish list this year. Santa better be good to me because I'd really like to here this one!

Can you give me a preview? How is it?

 

I am not familiar with this particular recording and have never owned any recordings by Zubin Mehta since I have never cared for his conducting style based on my experience off the air. There are certainly many other versions that should be better than this version.

 

Just ordered this last night and can't wait for it to arrive next week.

 

Personally, I find the Mehta/LAPO Zarathustra to be among the best recorded performances I've ever heard — far more electrifying than the famous Reiner/Chicago performance. As with many Decca recordings of the period, this one is exceptional sounding.

 

I might be biased because I generally like Mehta, but this recording specifically is outstanding IMHO in both performance as well as sound quality. Unfortunately I don't have the Classic Records to compare it to. I do prefer this recording over the Reiner Living Stereo (which I just noticed have three times on CD - regular, gold and SACD, go figure).

 

I much prefer Andre Previn over Zubin Mehta as a conductor. I also do not have any versions of Also Sprach Zarathustra that were performed by an American orchestra.

 

I was in error, sorry. I was looking only at the album graphic and mistook it for the Mehta Planets. At any rate, I suppose I'll give this one a try (although the standard London CD release from the eighties is quite satisfactory).

In the spirit of this thread, my favorite classical recording just happens to be conducted by Zubin Mehta as well, although it's the contributions of Ileana Cortubas, Christa Ludwig and the Vienna Philharmonic that make this Mahler 2nd recorded by Decca in the mid-seventies tops on my list.

 

George, Here are more Wagner's pics. The full program on that Ormandy's Wagner Overtures LP-set (unlike the CD, it is 100% Ormandy's, no mix-and-match). There is also the LB's Wagner's overture, which introduced me to music of Richard Wagner and was the first Wagner's recording I bought.

 

Here are more pics of my LP collection.

 

BTW, here is the full program for that Ormandy's 2-LP Wagner Overtures set which should have been posted earlier.

 

LP's by Colin Davis, probably the greatest living interpreter of Berlioz's music.

 

No argument from me, I do prefer Previn over Mehta as well.

 

Fantastic cover art.

 

Agree! The CD era put an end to this art form.