Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #8)

Back to baroque, now playing CD1 from this set, which arrived early this week ...

 

Couperin

Guys: Got hold of Couperin's Pieces de Violes on Mirare recently (Pierlot/Balssa/Egues/Hantai). I was not disappointed - nice disc.

So, leaving out opera and "sacred" music, whatcha think should be the next Couperin disc to get?

 

In all fairness, even the best quality vinyl will not necessarily result in perfect grooves, which depend on the "cutting" process and that in turn has an impact on the perceived noise level. While early classical CD's were criticized as metalic and cold, they were perfectly quiet during soft passage. Classical SACD's are supposed to address all the shortcomings redbook CD's have been criticized for and give vinyl a run for the money in the "warmth' department.

 

Is the recording on WarnerMusic (or formerly TelDec)? I heard the division is getting shut down ...

 

Sorry, I can't help in that area.

 

Have you heard the piano transcription of some of Couperin's harpsichord works by Angela Hewitt?

 

Now playing CD2 from this set. The set is a very pleasant surprise. Soprano Susan Hamilton has such a sweet voice and she reminds me of the young Margaret Marshall who also sang soprano in Gardiner's 1983 Handel Messiah ...

This is the first Handel Messiah out of over 20 versions in my collection that was performed by a Scottish ensemble.

 

No, but I probably would prefer the harpsichord for Couperin's music.

 

Disc was made in EU: Sony Austria.

 

Christophe Rousset has a few recordings but they are largely OOP ...

 

OK, thanks for the reply anyway, GP.

 

Yep, I was browsing what still was available but not sure which had the best chamber music.

 

Seth Winner's Schnabel Beethoven concertos transfers for Pearl sound better than Obert-Thorn's for Naxos Historial, IMHO. It's not a great difference, but they are different enough for me to call Winner's superior. Also, Winner's work on Sony's Masterworks Heritage series was astounding. Buy them all.

 

Oh yeah, almost forgot because I haven't had a chance to play them yet, also have Couperin's Les Concerts Royaux and Les Nations (Savall). Any other suggestions for Couperin welcome.

 

I'd look into some of his harpsichord music. Zuzanna Ruzickova recorded a nice little collection for Supraphon on LP; dunno if it ever made it to CD.

I have one of the discs. Don't much care for it; as we discussed a while back, I think Couperin really requires the hpd. in a way that, say, Bach doesn't.

 

Now playing CD15 from this set - the most important work on this CD appears to be Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor Op. 65

 

You may want to check out Bob van Asperen and Ton Koopman, both outstanding harpsichordists, to see what Couperin works they have recorded. I will not hesitate to get some of their used CD's but have to make a trip to Academy Records in NYC? That is one of George's favorite used record stores ...

 

My solution for paying those accumulating vets bills incurred by my dear doxies is to sell some stocks, though this is not the best move in this lousy market. Not buying CD's for a year is a non-starter.

 

Yes, they were close, but on my copy there was a high pitched noise on one of the concertos that grated on my nerves. Plus I sold the whole set of the Pearl sonatas and decided to let go the Concertos as well.

I love the packaging too.

 

+1

 

Warner had a box set with the complete works by Olivier Baumont at a bargain price. I got it from MDT a year or so ago, but I'm not sure if it's still available. I've enjoyed it immensely (although I have no other peformance with which to compare it).

Edit - they still have it for about $45 which is more than I recall paying, but not bad for 10 discs. They also had what I would assume are single discs culled from the set and listed on other labels. Those are $8.00 each but you might do better in the U.S.

 

Thanks for the input, John and coop. Koopman is indeed one of my favorite harpsichord artists.

 

I also have an 11-CD set titled "4 Livres de pieces de clavecin" with
Borgstede on the harpsichord ...

 

Listening to the evergreen and jubilant rendition of the 9th from this expert set.

 

Incidentally, regarding Couperin, it's worth noting that the Couperins in France were a dynasty along the line of the Bachs in Germany:

Louis Couperin, 1626-1661

Francois Couperin, Le Grand, 1668-1733

Armand-Louis Couperin, 1725/7-1789

Gervais-Francois Couperin, 1759-1826

Just as, when you say "Bach," J.S. is assumed, so when you say "Couperin" it's generally taken to mean Francois.