Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #18)

I believe you were the one that inspired me to get this one!

 

Excellent twofer in original jacket, which is no longer available new except on re-issue. I bought the twofer a number of years ago ...

 

You need to check it out next time ...

 

It has been played in most English speaking countries during Christmas since 1741. In some way, it is an even greater masterpiece than SMP IMO. Sir Thomas's interpretation might have been a bit too Victorian for my taste. The only Victorian style performance of Messiah I have is the version by Malcolm Sargent on cassettes. I am also a junkie of this work since I have only twenty complete versions with format spanning CD, LP, cassette and open-reel, though most are on CD.

BTW, I do not have this version by Beecham.

 

Now playing CD3 from this SMP set featuring the great Dutch soprano Elly Ameling for a first listen. The sole purpose for getting this set is because of Ameling. Great voice is great voice and it does not matter if the orchestral performance is HIP ...

BTW, the conductor Johannes Somary is a resident of my state and still occasionally conducts - speaking of conductor on a cane or a walker ...

 

I agree, Barbirolli's performance is the one I keep coming back to. He has a unique way of integrating the finale whereas in most other performances it seems to be just something stuck on after the adagietto. There's still plenty of tension and drive in the lead up and the slow movement has quite an ardour without becoming sticky sweet, ala Bernstein. To me, in this piece Karajan seems to be trying to make Strauss of Mahler.

 

I love Barbirolli, especially his Mahler 6.

 

Messiah is definitely holiday fare, after all a big chunk of it is devoted to the nativity story ('For unto us a child is born', 'Hallelujah', etc.) although it's usually presented in truncated form during the season (first section w/ the hallelujah chorus from the second section stuck on the end). In fact, here in Toronto there's a 'sing along' Messiah every December...

BTW, the Beecham is a stone classic. Why does it seem like that can be said of just about everything Sir Thomas touched? In terms of more modern interpretations the Davis one is up there and if you're looking for HIP there's plenty to choose from...

 

That's a good summation. The orchestral texture and balance is what keeps the more dramatic passages powerful without being off-putting or furious. The lighter passages are better and more musical than I first expected, and contribute to the dramatic effect of the symphonies as a whole.

 

...lots of better choices out there afaic.

 

same here george... huge barbirolli fan! his sibelius 5 from '58 is another one i keep coming back to.

 

Thanks, mk ... Baribolli on EMI is on order.

 

Now playing this CD, which arrived a few weeks ago from Presto for a first listen ...

 

GASP!!
Now there is a rarity....Coop saying He don't have something!!

 

Of ALL the Bach I have....I should be slapped!!

Can't believe I don't have the Christmas Oratorio!!
I'm thinking of grabbing up this one during the season.



Or maybe this SACD version?

 

you won't be disappointed. there's a reason why some of these recordings are considered classics and still revered decades later! i remember when i was first getting into classical i would tend to buy whatever came out recently that got good reviews, and i never really understood why some pieces just didn't interest me... then later i found out that if you seek out the special performances, it'll make all the difference in your experience of a composition.

 

Even George, our pianophile and Richtervangelist extraordinaire does not have every recording by Sviatoslav Richter ... LOL

 

Absolutely!

 

I have both of these sets on both CD and DVD. Different performances by the same ensemble and same conductor. You should consider getting the DVD, seeing is believing.

 

Currently spinning one of Hindemith's greatest..Mathis der Maler..anyone else have recording recommendations?

 

You got the only one I have.

 

can't go wrong with those, but as in most things by bach it's hard to stop at just one, so:

 

It is time for a little French baroque; now playing this CD, which arrived from MDT a few weeks ago for a first listen ...

 

Good thinking!

 

I think it may be OOP so hold onto it.