Saw a copy (EMI reissue CDs) for $10 at a used book store across town last weekend; unfortunately, the line was too long and I didn't have time to pay for it and get to my next commitment. I expect to be back in the neighborhood in the next week or two, and I don't think the place has much turnover in its CDs, so if the set is still there maybe I'll pick it up.
New copies are not much more on amazon: Amazon.com: Buying Choices: Beethoven: The String Quartets (7CD)
Continuing on with my traversal of the Beethoven Violin Sonatas set by Francescatti and Casadesus today.
I'd love to hear the mono recordings, but--like others here--I only have the (very fine) stereo cycle. Mine are on LPs, issued by Seraphim in 3 volumes (example below): Liner notes state that the original (mono) recordings were made in 1953. This stereo set was recorded in Paris, 1966.
These always ranked very highly with me Some discussion- Gieseking's Debussy Preludes, his mid 50s recordings. I picked up the ART remaster which does indeed sound better than the Japan EMI SACD and earlier 90s CD with blue background. Curious what you guys think of these performances of Preludes Book 1 and 2 as these recordings have never grabbed me. I thought upgrading the sound quality might shed some new light but it hasn't. What I hear is a too romantic approach to Debussy; banging on the keyboard during climaxes (to the point of distortion) and brisk tempi just losing the dream like quality. IMHO I don't think these are pieces that should be open to a wide variety of interpretation (nearly all modern recordings I've heard are more similar than different) so maybe my view on that is what is holding me back from enjoying them more? FWIW my two favorites are Michelangeli's DGG and Samson Francois just for some perspective.
Yeah, Gieseking's Debussy was never near the top of my list either. Much like Rubinstein's stereo recordings, I don't get all the fuss. Like you, I enjoy Michelangeli. I like Richter (live, BBC) even more, but the sound is less than ideal. Arrau's set on has that gorgeous tone that few could match and fewer could accurately capture on recording. Luckily, Arrau recorded so much (including the Debussy) for Philips, as they seem to always do a superb job of recording his performances. And his playing is lovely as well. Zimerman is a nice athletic version, though I would imagine not to your taste. Then there's Jacobs, Fergus-Thompson...there's been so many great recordings of these works.
The box set remastered by the Paris mastering house that did the Cortot and Cziffra boxes. If you are asking for the year of recording I will check tonight. I will see if the library has that Richter recording, I've borrowed many of the OOP/expensive BBC discs from there, I absolutely love the Orfeo and Carnegie 1960 recordings of Suite Bergamasque but the sound quality is poor on both. The reason I brought up Gieseking in particular is I don't think I have ever read a single bad thing about these recordings, either classical forums or professional reviews so I was wondering if I was missing something...
Thanks and no thanks, I was just interested in which release you have. I know those sets. The pianists are not really favourites of mine.
His Richter in Spoleto CD has a decent amount of his Debussy, in good sound and is cheap. I know exactly what you mean. Kempff's Beethoven, Gieseking's Debussy, Rubinstein's (stereo) Chopin . . . I could go on and on with recordings that are revered that do little for me. I dont think you are missing anything. You are an individual, with a mind and taste of your own. I think that's a good thing.
Listening to a little Tales of a Thousand and One Dynagrooves today. This record (1968) should be more famous than it is. The performance (and sound) are very good. I don't remember ever seeing it on CD. anonymous pictures website
Ironically, I'm just getting ready to launch into Gieseking's 78 RPM set of the preludes, book 1, to decide between two copies (one a good bit later than the other, which is the favorite going in). Each prelude gets one 10" record side. As to Kempff, just this morning, while driving to work, I heard a good bit of his account of the Beethoven 4th cto. with Leitner and the BPO, and on the strength of his cadenzas I made a mental note to dig out my copy (in one of those dubious DG "Beethoven Bicentennial" boxes) and give it a more serious listen.
I have yet to work out the differences myself, but I understand that Gieseking was a very different pianist before the war than he was after it.
Yes, Dynagroove. Sound is not really unpleasant, but I'm sure an un-Dynagrooved LP or CD would sound much better. There was an 80s CD issue that I haven't heard. Recorded 12/14, 16/84. Producer: Richard Mohr. Engineer: Anthony Salvatore. I liked the performance.
As I was assembling the Naive Sokolov recordings that interest me the complete box shows up at my record store for $10. Probably so cheap because the jewel cases are cracked and there is a tear in the slip case (looks like someone used a box cutter to open a package and it went too deep and cut into the slip case). I like that Naive just repacked the individual CDs into a box so the liner notes are complete for every disc. I do hope he records D959 at some point with DGG. Now hearing this disc for the first time
Hi, everybody--any opinions about the William Steinberg/Pittsburgh SO Beethoven sym. cycle? I just picked up a copy on ABC/Command LPs for cheap.
