The Classical Music Guide Forums

Even if we double our lifetimes, we will never hear everything we have acquired, but still, at least some part of it will be heard, whatever may have been of interest at the time. Think Beetoven's five piano concertos of which there are countless complete versions (some more than one by the same pia...

Agree, there are those that want to hear the music as it was conceived and heard by the composer - those are the historical performance enthusiasts, of which there are many. On the other hand, Bach's WTC was not written for a modern-day concert grand piano, but a harpsichord. I like it either way, b...

Indeed, the Annie Fischer/Hungaroton set [41003, nine CDs] is a must-have. I read, somewhere, that it wasn't released until after she passed away because she was not happy with her Beethoven project. That set has garnered some high praise since it was issued. As I've mentioned elsewhere, most record...

Well, I agree with you. Costco, however, says it is a "perk" for members only . Others, non-members, do not buy anything else from Costco. Police it? You have to show a membership card in order to get the "deal." Members complain that lines are too long and it takes more time to get the mission acco...

While historically correct insofar as being "trio sonatas," most people hear them live or on recordings as cello and keyboard (piano or harpsichord) sonatas. I suppose that's now these works get the sonata nomenclature. Nonetheless, wonderful works they are! It seems peculiar when people refer to Ba...

All of these "situations" seem to eventually emerge. Think of them: Dutoit, Levine, David Daniels, Pletnev, Domingo - can't think of the others at the moment.

I never got that one, but thought enough of the great Abbado (who is sorely missed) that he was one of the conductors of my time that I invested in heavily as much as the wallet could stand. I have the 39 CD set of all his RCA and Sony recordings [04505] and his 41 CD set on DGG [479 1046], but oddl...

Unfortunately, no. But there's an idea for YOU! You could fill that gap.

By the way, did you see my post hereon about Joe Patrych? So happy you be involved in that Gramophone magazine tribute!

WOMEN OF THE PIANO by Susan Tomes The book finally arrived offering "a history in 50 lives." I suppose when you limit yourself to only 50 lives, some will be left out. There were more female pianists over the years than you might think, but not as many men. I was disappointed not to find Gina Bachau...

Mark, congratulations on the performance of your piece at Carnegie Hall in January 2025!

Belle - I've updated my original post showing available recordings I have. How did you make out in wanting to hear any of these pieces? Dvořák was quite the diversified composer! Always uplifting to hear his music regardless of the genre.

Lebrecht is right on! The "other" Davis ... too bad, and while I have more Colin Davis recordings, I didn't avoid Andrew and wondered, too, why he wasn't recording more for the Yellow label, or other major labels. It is obvious that music came first in his heart and the rest happened as fate would h...

Well, when you consider collecting CDs from their emergence, roughly 1985, that's almost 40 years of acquisition. The "problem" for me is that I am artist prone, hence so many renditions in all that time, and it becomes helpful in planning radio programs for the last 56 years. I don't discard CDs, t...

Lucky me ... I found that set on Pantheon for $10 (preowned copy) back in 2017. Nice to know somebody else has it as well. She's a fabulous pianist.

Tharaud is becoming among my favorite present-day pianists. I have dug deep into his recorded work and uncovered quite a few things that are, these days, hard to find, such as on the Dante label. This all-French recital looks interesting. Of the Couperin, my favorite is the Mysterious Barricades - a...

MRAVINSKY: Now there's a name in great conducting! The only recording I have with Mravinsky of Symphony #8 is the 1947 Melodiya, which was included in the second 10-CD set volume of the RCA/Melodiya edition [29459]. I have quite a few other Shostakovic symphonies with the conductor. The 8th must be ...

Some days are made for hearing Mendelssohn's music - there are many, in fact. But it was piano concerto night. If Mendelssohn's music can be considered highly virtuosic, it would be in his two piano concertos, No. 1 in g, op. 25 and No. 2 in d, Op. 40. My favourite recording of these works has alway...

Well, of course, I know the "proper" answer, too. Twenty years ago (maybe more) we wouldn't even think of asking such a question. How our world has changed!

Of course, and good advice. Like you, I have no particular personal worries except worring about my friends who seem to be failing, as are some family members. I do worry about the situation in the world but try not to let it get personal. You're right: we have everything around us that we love ... ...

Could these be the same performances that appeared on Testament 3167 , 3 CDs, mono, recorded in London, 1952? Includes all four Brahms symphonies plus Haydn Variations and Tragic Overture. Strange as it seems given Toscanini's notariety as a conductor, few people seem to listen to his recordings the...

I was very sad to learn this, too. Fortunately, have some great remembrances on discs of the man as a conductor and pianist. He was 80 - when I hear that number, I began to "tremble!" [as in Messiah] Anything can happen especially at that age or shortly thereafter. Nobody escapes.

Thanks for reminding me about that Giannini recording; I've had that since 2009 but haven't given it a hearing for some time. I have a number of recordings on the Arabesque label with Gabriela Imreh , Bach, Liszt, transcriptions, and another Naxos disc of music by Howard Hanson, the latter of whom ...

You made me think CHAILLY ! I never thought of him as being underrated probably [and you are probably correct] because, from my own personal POV, I have so much of him on records. To be honest, most of it is in collaborations with pianists, singers, violinists and many other instrumentalists. In the...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/i-was-banned-from-my-ymca-because-i-dared-say-men-don-t-belong-in-the-women-s-locker-room/ar-AA1nhPu8?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=c6d86f13c8c34b229d6603bc0f6e6db0&ei=23 Here a site that popped up. What's your opinion? I had no idea this was happening in some places. ...

The "32" arrived, and I've listened to Sonata #32, Op. 111 - fine live performance, with one questionable spot in the first movement. I liked it, but it wasn't Solomon. I could have avoided this set, but much more listening is in store. Incidentally, a Steinway was used - not a Bechstein in these pe...

Interesting to read about York Bowen. I have a number of recordings of his music. Appian (APR) has a two-CD set of him at the piano, all taken from his 78s. There's quite a bit out there on disc by Bowen. I also enjoy Timothy Ridout's work. Thanks for posting this. Sonata No. 1, Op. 18 https://m.med...

I don't blame Bostridge one bit. I sit it many live concerts, for the music, appraising my pianos, acoustics of the place, etc., et al. I see everything in bad audience behavior - candy wrappers, phones beeping or ringing, people trying to take photos with phones, clapping inappropriately, picking t...

This was fabulous - and it should be on a CD? I don't ever recall seeing it. Did I miss it? Imagine a live concert of this music - to be played with such perfection (and fingers). I posted this 5-years ago, but worth repeating as I listen again today: Pianist Severin von Eckardstein's live , Alkan P...

Well, I don't have a yacht or a vacation home, and it's nice that I can "help" others who have these things - maintain them. How very nice, indeed. [But I do have music, CDs, books, etc. in abundance!] Insofar as mom-and-pop diners and restaurants, I sure do use them, know owners well and support th...

I took my brother for a doctor appointment today, so we decided to stop after at an IHOP restaurant as I had a strong urge to have just a plain old waffle , no fruit, nothing on it, just plain with a little maple-type syrup. The waffle was $13.49. I wanted four crispy bacon strips. It was $4.09 for ...

The Moffo? I sure do have it! How could I forget? What a combo; Stokie & Moffo. It is right at the top of great recirdings.

Hey, all I can say is I love you all being here. We have a great platform; not everyone will agree with what is said, but at least we can say it. I just wish for a more peaceful world. More great music, more art, more of everything that makes life better.

Wonderful to see the man, at this age, gently pat his glorious Steinway on the way, performing on stages in faraway venues from New York ... but he didn't show any sign of nervousness - I'm sure he was, usually was before a concert ... so much was "expected" of him. I'm happy I have lived while he w...

Indeed, these are wonderful songs - and fortunately there are quite a good number of recordings out. I favor those with Kiri Te Kanawa (Decca), Victoria de los Angeles (EMI/Warner), Veronique Gens (Naxos), Arlene Auger (Virgin), Kate Royal (EMI), Jill Gomez (EMI), Frederica von Stade (Sony or Orfeo)...

Indeed, you're right Brian. I had the Benackova with Firkusny (nice to see it on the RCA label, one would normally think Supraphon), but didn't manifest it saying "Biblical Songs," something I've learned to properly do where certain works are of major interest for me. Fortunately, there are many rec...

Who knows what to think any more? Everything is so convoluted. I just think it's all a big mess.

David, I have a number of recordings with the Lamoureux Orchestra ; the name most associated as a conductor is Igor Markevitch. I have another old recording with Stravinsky conducting his Violin Concerto [Biddulph], and a couple with Charles Munch conducting. The biggest commercial labels seem to be...

We have feral cats around here [Upstate New York] ... not nearly that large, look like normal cats, can be a tad friendly but mostly not. A friend has one and I went to pet it and it greeted me with an usually powerful right paw as if to say "hands off!" Love cats but not that kind.

Thanks for reminding me about that Giannini recording; I've had that since 2009 but haven't given it a hearing for some time. I have a number of recordings on the Arabesque label with Gabriela Imreh , Bach, Liszt, transcriptions, and another Naxos disc of music by Howard Hanson, the latter of whom I...

Among the many discussions we have had about Antonin Dvořák , I don't recall seeing much about his Biblical Songs , Op. 99, composed in New York City in 1894. Not everyone can pull these off. The old saying that the first recording you ever hear of a work makes the deepest impression. In the case of...

Mark, I thought you'd catch that about Ithaca ! Yes, me too ... dropped a bundle in all those stores over the years. It was great fun shopping in Collegetown. Wonderful memories for sure. Well, join the Opus Clavicembalisticum Club! I first got to "know" this work with British pianist John Ogdon 's ...

"There is something wrong with Esther." A music critic highly recommended the film Orphan to me, apparently out in 2009 by Dark Castle Holdings, which bears the Warner Bros. logo. According to what I read in an advert: "Tragedy seems to follow none-year-old Esther. She was orphaned in her native Ru...

Very interesting comments, Joe. Thank you.

Great comment - love it!

barney wrote: ↑
Tue Apr 16, 2024 3:24 am
Great name for an author.

Agreed. There is, after all, only so much room. We might not even have the time to hear everything we already have piled up. I've been trying to make more time. I thought if one gets older it would be easier but it doesn't seem that way. I bought his Sibelius cycle on a reviewer's recommendation, bu...

Interesting program - diversified! I know not the artists.

I have some of Susan Tome's well-written books and am looking forward to "Women and the Piano: A History in 50 Lives." It embraces, I've read, women at the piano in general, not just classical, but digs back into the past with Clark Wieck Schumann, Hazel Scott, the first Black female pianist of note...

Warner is at it again - I hope they always will be. Now we have a 42 CD [76615] set of Finnish conductor Paavo Berglund 's [1929-2012] complete EMI recordings. This one probably will not be for me. I have many of his EMI recordings, Sibelius' seven symphonies and other works, his collaborative work ...

Ah yes, another recording by Eckardstein ... all Schumann, on the German Avi label [8553366] . What we have here is Three Fantasy Pieces , Op. 111; Fantasiestücke , Op. 12, and the Fantasy in C Major, Op. 17. The disc was issued in 2017. I have always said that one can tell a lot about pianist by li...

I said I was done buying Beethoven's complete 32 piano sonatas . Well, that didn't happen. I've fallen in love with the music-making of Konstantin Lifschitz - 10 CD set on Alpha, all recorded live. Now, unless someone comes up with all 32 with Vladimir Horowitz, I'm done getting any more, and I know...

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