Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #26)

I have the first one on order from Presto Classical. It will probably arrive next week. Benno had that special touch with Chopin ...

 

Way back when, when I was shopping for a Mahler 9, HvK was recommended. I think I was deciding between the two recordings at the time and something (I forget what) swayed me to the later, live one.

 

Speaking of Chopin . . .

 

Now playing the following CD, which arrived a few weeks ago for a first listen ...

 

Joe,

Hope you are ok. I read another tremor hit some remote area of NZ ...

 

The second one has always been the more popular, always staying in print in CD, whereas the original has had two now OOP releases, from what I am able to glean (listen to me--a week ago I didn't even know the first version had even been released on CD). However, I've always liked the first version better.

Does anyone know if the second one (see pic) was ever released on LP? I think not, and that it was one of DG's first exclusive CD releases.

 

Only too pleased to help.

I ordered the second one (the Gramaphone Awards edition, not the one in the box) a couple of weeks ago but I am only halfway through it so far, so I can't say which one I like better. I've been much more in an M5 mood these days... I think I have four of them now.

 

Yes, Stuart, thanks, all fine down here, it was well offshore and we never even felt it (although it was felt a bit on the North Island).

 

i was unfamiliar with the piece got that performance when it came out because of the reviews but unfortunately never enjoyed the it... from what i remember the performance lacked characterization. some time later i got the hamelin on hyperion and it completely changed my appreciation of the piece... the performance resonated with me that much more.

 

I remember when they came out... The live performance followed the studio pretty quickly, maybe a year or two at the most. Unusual to say the least but the reviews at the time said that HvK was not satisfied with the studio recording and wanted another go at the piece...

 

I was organizing my bookmarks this morning and thought that some of you might like to have links to these sites. Most of them are stuff about classical pianists. I couldn't figure out how to cut and paste the name and the site, so I am posting an image of it all, with the links below. Some sites may no longer be open, as I have been accumulating these for years:



http://www.trovar.com/str/
http://www.doremi.com/sr.html
http://www.parnassusrecords.com/pacd96001_2.htm
http://members.fortunecity.com/petertaylor/img/Philips.html
http://www.mariayudina.com/index.cfm
http://www.sofronitsky.com/discography.html
http://www.kemalgekic.com/cdreviews.htm
http://music.guardian.co.uk/classical/page/0,,1943867,00.html
http://www.ivanmoravec.net/albums/al-su3165.html
http://fischer.hosting.paran.com/music/music.htm
http://fischer.hosting.paran.com/music/music.htm
http://fischer.hosting.paran.com/music/music.htm
http://www.arturobenedettimichelangeli.net/?l=en&p=wilson
http://www.panix.com/~checker/kempff.htm
http://www.emilgilels.com/index.php
http://web.telia.com/~u85420275/discography.htm
http://users.bigpond.net.au/nettheim/jonas/jonaindx.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~marnest/discrosen.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~marnest/remarkrosen.html
http://my.dreamwiz.com/fischer/music.htm
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/classical-recordings/messages/994?threaded=1&m=e&var=1&tidx=1
http://www.lib.umd.edu/PAL/IPAMpianofiles.html
http://www.classical.net/music/guide/defective.html
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/NonVocal/Klavier-WTC-Feinberg.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/8618/TheRach3Page.html

 

RE: Busoni Piano Concerto

This is my first time with this music. I'm not sure that the likes of Hamelin (or the highly touted Ogden recording) can penetrate this considerable wall of sound for me. Shortly after Busoni played the premiere of this, a critic commented that while Busoni was a gifted technician, his music lacked creative direction and focus. Busoni was a formidable theoretician, which is why Schoenberg liked him I suppose.

 

Nice list, thanks, George!

 

Cool links, thanks George!

 

You're both very welcome!

 

I've just finished the 9th transcription of the Beethoven symphonies by Liszt. And though there are very beautiful moments in this one as well, the last movement shows the limits of this concept for me. Still an interesting alternative for this too familiar piece.


And while I'm at it, I moved on to the Tchaikovsky piano concertos by Scherbakov. Lots of Russian passion in this performance.

 

Going to the Mariinsky Ballet in NYC on Monday. Anna Karenina with music by Rodion Shchedrin. I just found our Gergiev is conducting.

 

Actually, I really enjoyed the 9th from this set. IMO, it lacks nothing compared to the "heavier" Katsaris rendition, it's just another approach with lighter textures.

If there were some controversies and reservations (not fatal though), I would apply them to the 6th and 7th only. The former lacks some stormy power (as I already noted), while the latter is slightly mushy and "fake-sounding" in the first movement - it's probably more obvious since some consider this symphony (together with the 9th) the most tough to get right.

But overall it's a really thrilling "ride", and Scherbakov is the right "driver".

 

Now playing :

 

Now playing CD1 from the following twofer, which arrived yesterday from Qualiton - the importer for Hungaroton for a first listen. The twofer is unavailable on Amazon US but is available at Amazon UK for more than twice of what I paid (and brand-new) ...

 

Now playing CD2 from the following twofer for a first listen. What a dynamic duo and their performance belied their relatively young age. CD1 was excellent ...

 

Thanks for the link list, George.

 

Listening to a disc that arrived today. It was released this year but recorded a couple of years ago -- that often happens with Naxos recordings.

Saint-Saens String Quartets 1 & 2. Fine Arts Quartet



It seems to be well done. It was recorded in a Dutch monastery library, so you might want to sample the sound first before buying. The reverb-acoustic is acceptable to me, but it might not be your preference.

I hadn't heard these works before. By the way, is there another version you like?

 

I am listening to this double album I found at the used record store this morning.

I listened to this first, and I must confess it sounds amazing even though I'd never heard of the composer. On the back it lists some other "Angel Sonic Series" Recordings that I'd love to get my hands on.

Also picked up these as well.



The Van Cliburn is a "Living Stereo" series so I'm hoping it has great sonics.
Happy listening,
Jon