The Classical Music Guide Forums

Brian, you are correct. Presto's price WAS lower. Normally I check Presto out but apparently didn't this time. I have a lot of CDs from Preston, which is an excellent site and very well operated. So, on this one I bit the bullet with an approximate loss of $10/USD. And yes, I note, too, that Amazon'...

The Jansons Tchaikovsky six symphonies along with Capriccio Italien (6 Chandos discs) arrived today all with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. I'm delighted. I thought I would never want to invest in another complete set of these symphonies until I heard his "Little Russian." One has to look around f...

Indeed, we do!

I eagerly await his next recording. Any idea when?

I can't believe an artist the caliber of Mark Viner had to use a six-foot Yamaha piano (regardless of the piano maker) to play publicly! He should not have done it, especially for a program like the one presented. I have observed other pianists playing on non-concert instruments and it most assuredl...

Kudos to Mr. Volpe. That Boston Symphony, which I have seen many times in Boston and Tanglewood, remains my most favourite American orchestra going back to the Koussevitzky era. I was less enamoured with Ozawa, but had a great regard for Monteux, Munch, Steinberg, Leinsdorf and Levine. It is a wish ...

I was looking at doing a series of radio programs on Anthony Goldstone including his pianist-wife, Caroline Clemmow. Near as I know, I have just about everything he has recorded including two-piano, four-hand works with his wife. The Divine Art catalogue is rich with much wonderful music-making by a...

You are right on, Brian. We collectors of great music have quite a legacy in our own right. And I completely concur - where do we put it all? We simply make the space - somewhere! Laundry room, furnace room … wherever. The other problem is trying to find discs when you really need one, especially me...

Philippe Entremont was quite the pianist in his heyday, and he's stilling going at 85. While I ordered his complete concerto boxed set when first issued (it actually wasn't complete) [Sony 01327, 19 CDs], as now apparently unavailable (and going for high prices). Sony has since come forth wih a 34-...

Well, on discs, he leaves his fans quite a legacy for sure. I have heard something about one of his hands giving him problems - like so many pianists who experience this at some point. You mention his German repertoire, I have his complete Beethoven sonatas, but was more impressed with his boxed set...

That was a quote about Ari Aster's film "Midsommar." I happened to be in Atlanta during the summer of 2019 and attending a theater to see another movie, which was sold out. My party decided to take a chance on seeing "Midsommar." I can only say that it was one of the most shocking films I have ever ...

Barney, a lovely tribute to a great artist. I once heard him give a lecture at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. Of course, I have many, many of his recordings and always collected his recordings with great interest. It seems impossible to me that he was 88. You will remember this friendship for a...

Despite my overwhelming schedule, my brother and I went to see the film 1917 today. What a work of art - and a tear-jerker. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Acting superlative by all involved. While I have always hated wars of any kind … I hated war even more after seeing this. Plot: At the height of the First W...

I rarely miss this one, but pianos keep calling! Our long-time CMGer DONALD ISLER has had a birthday and we hope it was a happy one! [And I know, I need to do a review for you!]

We music lovers are, indeed, very rich to be able to have to many of the words past and present performing artists on record, for study or pure enjoyment. There has never been another time quite like the time we are living in. I am most appreciative. We will never hear everything, for sure, but our ...

Thank you for this! I have many of Le Sage's recordings on myriad labels. Fine pianist and collaborative artist. Labels include Alpha, Naïve, Denon, Auvidis/Valois, EMI/Warner, RCA, RCA France, Erato.

Thank you! It means people ARE reading! Makes me happy. I certainly know better that Argerich was from Argentina. Funny how the mind works sometimes. I have since corrected the original post. I do try for accuracy! The Brazilian pianist has an imposing discography on Sony, Decca, Philips, and EMI/Wa...

Just my kind of a recording! ENCORES. Freire just celebrated his 75th birthday as a concert artist. [ Read more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Freire ] The Brazilian pianist has an imposing discography on Sony, Decca, Philips, and EMI/Warner and DGG (performing with Argentinian...

Well, I saw that post but thought it was only temporary. There has always been some friction between the music boards and the Corner Pub. If it is music you really enjoy, I suggest people stick to the music boards. I don't visit there myself very often. My blood pressure is already being monitored! ...

I have had my eye on the 34-CD Scribendum set since it was first issued. I already have around 40 CDs of Sofronitsky's work, mostly on the original Melodiya, some on Vista Vera, Brilliant (excellent 9-CD set, now pricey), and many other labels, including Arlecchino, Classound and SMC (both Russian l...

Near as I know, EMI released all of Solomon's Beethoven on CDs over the years, and Testament issued a large series as well, taken from EMI masters. No doubt about it, Solomon was one of the very great pianists of all time who remains unknown to present-day musicians and collectors. His work is not t...

I can't believe what is happening with wildlife in Australia! People are even loading their cars with Koalas. And this thing with the camels, which are absorbing much-needed water and having to "do away" with many thousands of camels. This has got to be an horrific time in Australia. It seems like t...

My copy arrived today and it is well put-together, for sure. The monos, recorded between 1945 and 1955 and cover much Bartok, as I expect it would. And then there is more Bartok recorded in the late 1980s and through the mid-1990s. The surprises for me were his Bach, Liszt and Schumann recordings wh...

I have a number of Petrenko's recordings, but so far they are all with Petrenko providing the orchestral portion to predominantly piano concertos. I like what I hear from him thus far.

The other day I heard Sirius/XM Radio in the car play Tchaikovsky's "Little Russian" Symphony (No. 2) with Mariss Jansons leading the Oslo Philharmonic, a recording on the Chandos label. I probably have all the Tchaikovsky symphonies with among the finest orchestras and conductors that have been rel...

Reading lots about the fires in Australia on The Weather Channel. It looks like it is getting worse. Please tell us how Sue and Barney are doing with this? Worried about you.

It is, indeed a treasure, as are all three of Dvorak's concertos. The piano concerto seems to have gained much more popularity over the years. Even Sviatoslav Richter recorded it!

I recall reading an article in the New York Times some years ago when pianist Artur Rubinstein was being interviewed. He said he had no objection to having applause between movements if the public was enjoying the work. The next day he gave a performance of a piano concerto and applause came after t...

I've been waiting for this one for a LONG time. Finally going to be reissued by Sony. Farrell had one of my favourite voices. Great Christmas present for me along with the Sandor set. Only problem: where to put it all! Too bad, however, they did not include her RCA Victor recordings since Sony owns ...

JANUARY •January 4, 2020: Rockwell Blake, tenor •January 11, 2020: Roger Norrington, conductor (Part 1) •January 18, 2020: Roger Norrington, conductor (Part 2) •January 25, 2020: Astor Piazzolla, composer FEBRUARY •February 1, 2020: Barry Tuckwell, French horn (Part 1) ---Music by Weber, Brahms, Ch...

Absolutely, a wonderfully gifted tenor. Have many of his recordings … have always appreciated his great art.

So far, everything I have heard by Trpceski is exceptional … and I have most if not all of his rrecordings thus far. This new one will be an acquisition.

Indeed, it has been excellent - so far! I wish the best in life and music for all CMGers.

#MeToo! I have most of those special RCA sets that came out years ago. No doubt that will be issued eventually in one set I suspect. He was also an organist. I've long been a huge fan of Fats Waller and stride piano. His version of 'Taint nobody's bizness' is one of my favourites. It has the line ab...

I am delighted with it. Don't like the packaging, however. If you don't hold the box correctly, the bottom containing the CDs/booklet might fall to the floor so be careful. More on this set llater.

Indeed, another great pianist, perhaps overlooked sometimes. His Hyperion recordings are excellent. He also made some recordings for AGPL (Germany), and ASV, but the bulk are on the very well-recorded Hyperion label. His Prokofiev Concertos 2/3 are also on Hyperion.

Yes, I have all of his recordings. The Vox are excellent. The rarest is the Dante CD but I was lucky to find that all-Schumann disc as well. Great artist, for sure.

Thanks! Looks like this is one for me, too! (Where do I put all this stuff?)

I can't recall ever having heard Walter either, though if I did, I would have been very young. So I know his work only through recordings. My first exposure to stereo recordings of Brahms symphonies were the Walter ones with the Columbia Symphony, and I was hooked on the conductor. (And there are in...

I'm surprised Australia isn't listing the 77-CD single-boxed set. Is it my understanding you cannot access Amazon/USA in Australia? This one to which I refer is one big, heavy boxed set, probably due to the big book that accompanies the set. The other Walter recordings I referred to appeared on EMI/...

Performed at Tokyo's Yamaha Hall. I wonder if he played a Yamaha concert grand or used his favoured Steinway? [Seems to me that may answer itself!] I heard this Radio Belgium Francaise broadcast earlier, or another with this same programme . The Feinberg’s rarely heard although so far I dont think H...

Sunday, the Amazon Prime service delivered a rather heavy double-boxed set of the complete Columbia recordings of Bruno Walter, who can also be heard as a pianist in some cases. The discs include all his monaural recordings (some new to CD) and remastered recordings of the stereo discs. The coffee-...

Can only imagine what John F would say about this. On the other hand, it might prove really interesting to see what the final put-together is like.

How wonderful to see this. While I don't understand German to any great degree, I felt this is a conductor I would personally like to have known. He seems such a gentleman and sincere soul.

And thank you to Lenny for showing the New York Times obituary notice.

Thank you, Kjell, for sending placing John Francis's obituary notice hereon. John had quite a wonderful background, and was, indeed, a scholar who accomplished much in his lifetime.

I keep watching Brooklyn NY obituaries but can find nothing on John Francis. Anyone else seen anything?

I see Mr. Pattrick is available on Linkedin. Perhaps a reminder to him for want of your tapes? Richter definitely never went to Australia, sorry. As to the death of BBC Legends, I think the BBC are basically a huge broadcasting company and their CD production was a rounding error, hence got cut. ICA...

John, it is so good to see you here. Wish you would spend more time here! I prefer the warmth and richness of Mr. Prey and appreciate he recorded so much lighter repertoire. I've come to love operetta. Here is a recording of a duet from Suppé's Boccaccio , "Rosen für dich", with Anneliese Rothenberg...

Strange, I've heard that from others with negativity regarding the saxophone and classical music. Well, I hope, at least in his new "home," John F will hear some music by Jean-Baptiste Singelée who wrote some fabulous music for the instrument. Saxophones worked with Monti's Czardas as rendered by Sa...

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