What NEW discs/music are you adding to your collection?

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:32 am

Lance wrote:TCHAIKOVSKY

•Symphony No. 1 in g, Op. 13 {"Winter Dreams"} (r. 1961) [41:01]
•Romeo & Juliet Overture-Fantasia (r. 1963) [19:54]
Prague Symphony Orchestra
Václav Smetácek, conductor

For a newbie, there is something simultaneously inspiring and reassuring to find a man of your experience and knowledge, still happily snapping up such staple repertoire, with the enthusiasm of a teenager..

nut-job · Post by **nut-job** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:34 am

Need more Schumann....

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:46 am

On the strength of recommendations by my hero: the ever reliable Sir Chalkie and the increasingly reliable nut-job (except where Abbado is concerned of course) I bought a copy of the Harnoncourt Beethoven box set:

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:51 am

^^ don't ever ask me for a recommendation, Sean.. I'm not at all reliable...

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:52 am

Jared wrote:^^ don't ever ask me for a recommendation, Sean.. I'm not at all reliable...

Sorry Jared, have I said something to offend you mate?

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:06 am

Seán wrote:
Jared wrote:^^ don't ever ask me for a recommendation, Sean.. I'm not at all reliable...
Sorry Jared, have I said something to offend you mate?

sorry, bud, I didn't mean it like that!!..

just take it as I wrote it... ask chalkie & nj for the recommendations.. they know what they're talking about!..

(I don't...

)

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:28 am

Jared wrote:
Seán wrote:
Jared wrote:^^ don't ever ask me for a recommendation, Sean.. I'm not at all reliable...
Sorry Jared, have I said something to offend you mate?
sorry, bud, I didn't mean it like that!!.. just take it as I wrote it... ask chalkie & nj for the recommendations.. they know what they're talking about!..

(I don't... )

Hmm, I suspect that you are being too modest.

Post by **Lance** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 1:45 am

Jared:

I can't tell you how much greatness there is in "staple" literature recorded in the days of 78s through the LP mono and stereo eras. This particular "Winter Dreams" symphony of Tchaikovsky is positively thrilling and ear-opening under Smetácek's hands. The Prague Symphony captures the many colours of the work with conviction and precision. I can't think of a finer recording of the work than this, which I knew from the days of LPs. The transfer is also exceptional. The Romeo & Juliet Overture-Fantasia is a remarkable bonus, and the disc is budget-priced. It's performance, performance and performance that matters most to me done in the manner I hear in this recording.

A superb musician/conductor said to me recently that there are too many times with recent recordings where everything is perfect, technically, but the interpretations do not leave much for him to remember. He contrasted that with music performed by those that are legendary today whose musical statements made deep impressions. Previous musicians were from different schools, of course, but they are also gave us the foundation and, in my view, this should all be preserved and continue to enthrall the listener, but also teach . Anyway, thank you for the comments! I hope we can all inspire newbies and even oldies to continue to seek music that makes an indelible impression on us that lasts a lifetime.

Jared wrote:
Lance wrote:TCHAIKOVSKY

•Symphony No. 1 in g, Op. 13 {"Winter Dreams"} (r. 1961) [41:01]
•Romeo & Juliet Overture-Fantasia (r. 1963) [19:54]
Prague Symphony Orchestra
Václav Smetácek, conductor
For a newbie, there is something simultaneously inspiring and reassuring to find a man of your experience and knowledge, still happily snapping up such staple repertoire, with the enthusiasm of a teenager..

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:22 am

^^ well said, Lance.. it will be my hope and endeavour, to purchase more legendary recordings for comparison, when I become more familiar with the staple works myself..

david johnson · Post by **david johnson** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:53 am

Yesterday's orders -
the emi Mozart sym box, J. Tate (newer box with extra stuff)
Lenkins 'Armed Man Mass' and 'Diamond Music'
Schubert symphonies box/Bohm/Berlin/dg

in shipment -
the Karajan/Berlin Berg/Webern/etc. cds

arrived last week -
the Kempff mono Beethoven sonatas...love it!

dj

nut-job · Post by **nut-job** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:24 am

Attempts to get this set hit an impasse,

Out of stock at the distributor, says MDT. I'm not giving up.

Chung · Post by **Chung** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:50 am

...just arrived on my desk this morning.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:19 am

Exquisitely done, recorded in Grieg's home on Grieg's own piano....

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:57 am

I'm a happy man now:

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:59 am

nut-job wrote:Attempts to get this set hit an impasse,

Out of stock at the distributor, says MDT. I'm not giving up.

MDT have a particularly 'hit & miss' relationship with Warner... if something doesn't arrive within the first batch from Germany, you could be waiting for a very long time..

nut-job · Post by **nut-job** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:10 am

Jared wrote:MDT have a particularly 'hit & miss' relationship with Warner... if something doesn't arrive within the first batch from Germany, you could be waiting for a very long time..

If any other website gave me any hope that they have the disc in stock with a reasonable price I'd cancel and re-order. Some sites don't list is, other sites list it in a way that implies they will have to obtain it from the distributor anyway, others have used copies of the original full-price issue for prohibitive cost. Given the options I will sit tight with MDT, who say they will send it when stock becomes available.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:15 am

nut-job wrote:
Jared wrote:MDT have a particularly 'hit & miss' relationship with Warner... if something doesn't arrive within the first batch from Germany, you could be waiting for a very long time..
If any other website gave me any hope that they have the disc in stock with a reasonable price I'd cancel and re-order. Some sites don't list is, other sites list it in a way that implies they will have to obtain it from the distributor anyway, others have used copies of the original full-price issue for prohibitive cost. Given the options I will sit tight with MDT, who say they will send it when stock becomes available.

I waited for three months for Barenboim's Bruckner set, before giving up and cancelling... I spoke to them about it a couple of times, as they admit to never keeping stock in; always ordering it from the distributor, from whom they have weekly parcels. Let's put it like this, they have particular stock issues with Warner, and didn't exactly talk me out of cancelling...

still, look on the bright side... it'll make a lovely Xmas present..

nut-job · Post by **nut-job** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:47 am

Jared wrote:
nut-job wrote:
Jared wrote:MDT have a particularly 'hit & miss' relationship with Warner... if something doesn't arrive within the first batch from Germany, you could be waiting for a very long time..
If any other website gave me any hope that they have the disc in stock with a reasonable price I'd cancel and re-order. Some sites don't list is, other sites list it in a way that implies they will have to obtain it from the distributor anyway, others have used copies of the original full-price issue for prohibitive cost. Given the options I will sit tight with MDT, who say they will send it when stock becomes available.
I waited for three months for Barenboim's Bruckner set, before giving up and cancelling... I spoke to them about it a couple of times, as they admit to never keeping stock in; always ordering it from the distributor, from whom they have weekly parcels. Let's put it like this, they have particular stock issues with Warner, and didn't exactly talk me out of cancelling...

still, look on the bright side... it'll make a lovely Xmas present..

At 6 CDs for less than 12 pounds, I'll let it ride (especially since they don't charge until it ships). On the other hand, if the exchange rate slips to 20 dollars to the pound three months from now, I may have to reconsider. I'm keen on the entire thing just because for the oboe and piano pieces, which are not easy to find on oboe (often played on clarinet instead).

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:52 am

maestrob wrote:

Exquisitely done, recorded in Grieg's home on Grieg's own piano....

I had suggested previously that I was not too impressed with this disc, so, I played it again yesterday, the pianism is wonderful but the piano sound stops me from enjoying the disc, and I would agree with anyone who would sugests that this is the best recording of these works since Gilels reading for DG, if only Andsnes had used a new piano and gone to a Studio rather than Greig's home, there is a Disc of Dvorak's music played on his piano and it's even worse than Greig's, I understand the logic of using the Composers piano, I jut don't think it sounds right in this day and age...

Post by **Lance** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:20 pm

david johnson wrote:Yesterday's orders -
the emi Mozart sym box, J. Tate (newer box with extra stuff)
Lenkins 'Armed Man Mass' and 'Diamond Music'
Schubert symphonies box/Bohm/Berlin/dg

in shipment -
the Karajan/Berlin Berg/Webern/etc. cds

arrived last week -
the Kempff mono Beethoven sonatas...love it!
>>>Just knew you would!<<<

dj

Post by **Lance** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:23 pm

It's not a full concert grand instrument, however, it's interesting to hear because it largely emulates the sound as Grieg heard it, especially if the piano has been refurbished to original condition since Grieg used it last.

Chalkperson wrote:
maestrob wrote:

Exquisitely done, recorded in Grieg's home on Grieg's own piano....
I had suggested previously that I was not too impressed with this disc, so, I played it again yesterday, the pianism is wonderful but the piano sound stops me from enjoying the disc, and I would agree with anyone who would sugests that this is the best recording of these works since Gilels reading for DG, if only Andsnes had used a new piano and gone to a Studio rather than Greig's home, there is a Disc of Dvorak's music played on his piano and it's even worse than Greig's, I understand the logic of using the Composers piano, I jut don't think it sounds right in this day and age...

Post by **Lance** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:18 pm

Finally, a private transfer of

Beethoven:

Piano Concerto No. 1 in C, Op. 15
Recorded February 14, 1954 - from Columbia LP ML 4914, mono

Piano Concerto No. 3 in c, Op. 37
Recorded March 22, 1953 - from Columbia LP ML 4738, mono

RUDOLF SERKIN, piano (Steinway)
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Eugene Ormandy, conductor

Recordings of Rudolf Serkin's Concerto No. 1 appeared at least six times during his lifetime as issued on both commercial and non-commercial performances. The above-named 1954 performance was his first commercial recording. A live recording from March 29, 1953 was issued on Music & Arts [1170] with the New York Philharmonic, Guido Cantelli, conducting. Subsequently, another live recording was made on June 3, 1958 [Europa Musica 051040] with the Scarlatti Orchestra-Naples, Franco Caracciolo, conductor. The commercial stereo remake on Columbia [37807 and alternate compilations] was recorded on January 14, 1965 with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The live October 5, 1977 appears on Artists [FED 067 and other labels] with the Bararian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Rafael Kubelik. Serkin's final commercial recording appeared on Telarc [80061, 3-CD set] with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa.

Serkin's traversal, commercial and non-commercial, of the Concerto No. 3 appeared at least six times, including the performance listed at the top of this page. A June 3, 1958 performance appears on Europa Musica [051040] with the A. Scarlatti Orchestra-Naples under Franco Caracciolo. The second commercial recording, made on January 20, 1964, appears on Columbia/Sony [38526 and other compilations from Sony] with the NYP under Leonard Bernstein. A November 4, 1977 appeared on VIP [5004, also on Orfeo d'Or 647 053] with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra under Rafael Kubelik. Serkin's final commercial recording appeared on Telarc [80063 or 80061, 3-CD set] with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa as recorded on October 2 and 4, 1982.

We thus have an opportunity to hear a great artist's work over a period of three decades.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:48 am

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melg%C3%A1s-Mor ... 377&sr=1-1

as an antidote to my present overdose of Bruckner; Corlyss will be sooo proud...

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:41 pm

Jared wrote:as an antidote to my present overdose of Bruckner; Corlyss will be sooo proud...

As long as she knows about Portugese Composers, that's pretty rare stuff actually, I don't have the Hyperion disc, but I do have a disc by The Sixteen from many years ago with a couple of Melga pieces on it...if you enjoy it you could check out Manuel Cardoso, try the Requiem 2 CD set by the Tallis Scholars, it also includes works by Victoria, Frei and both the Lobo's, Alonso and Duarte..

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:02 pm

^^ thanks Chalkie... Victoria is high on the priority list...

to be honest, I surprise myself every day by finding that I enjoy new music that I wouldn't have previously thought imaginable..

let me tell you, this disk is sumptuously performed and musically quite varied, given that most of the 24 motets are performed with a group of 9 tenors and counter tenors, and three bass, with very sparing organ, harp and dulcian accompaniment. I only own one other Pro Cantione Antiqua disk; a 40 year old work with Bruno Turner of Ockeghem & Josquin's sacred works, which has a similar feel.

thanks anyway for your helpful input.. I will in due course, make further inquiries..

Post by **Lance** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:46 pm

Have some of this material on LPs, but now, 76-plus minutes on CD.

CBC Records PSCD 2002, 76:48, ADD
Maureen Forrester, contralto
HANDEL ARIAS
[from Serse, Rodelinda, Ottone, Giulio Cesare, Jephtha, Theodora, Samson, and Hercules]

with:
Vienna Radio Orchstra, Brian Priestman, conductor
Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Robert Zeller, conductor
English Chamber Orchestra, Johanne Somary, conductor
I Solisti di Zagreb, Anotnio Janigro, conductor

Post by **Lance** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:44 pm

Finally arrived:

"Gulda Plays Bach"
•English Suite #2 in a BWV 807
•Italian Concerto in F BWV 971
•Toccata in c BWV 911
•English Suite #3 in g BWV 808
•Capriccio (on the Departure of his Beloved Brother), BWV 992
•Friedrich Gulda: Prelude and Fugue

DGG 477 8020, mono (except Gulda's P&F), 71:48, ADD

Never before-issued material. Liner notes by Gulda's son, Paul, are wonderfully informative. They make one want to listen immediately!

Post by **Lance** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:54 pm

Just arrived ... review copies:

[1] Vladimir Horowitz (pianist) - The Private Collection, Volume II [Live recordings previously unissued]
•Schumann: Fantasy in C, Op 17
•Balakirev: Islamey
•Chopin: Barcarolle
•Liszt: St. Francis Walking on the Water
[all recorded live between 1945 and 1950]
RCA Red Seal

[2] Sergei Rachmaninoff, piano [Zenph Re-Performance
13 selections - two versions each: one full stereo; the other binaural stereo for headphone listening
as Rachmaninoff himself would have heard it in front of the keyboard
RCA Red Seal

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:52 pm

The only recorded works of Joseph Wolfl, a contempory of Beethoven and long since forgotten, I was only able to find four recordings....

Piano Sonatas by Jon Nakamatsu on Harmonia Mundi
String Quartets Opus 4 by Authentic Quartet on Hungaraton
String Quartets Opos 30 by the Pratum Integrum Orchestra Soloists on Caro Mitis
Symphonies by Pratum Integrum Orchestra on Caro Mitis

Very fine works, recommended to anybody looking for interesting Compposers that are rarely recorded...on that note whatever happened to Frank (Febnyc) our Champion of such Composers...

nut-job · Post by **nut-job** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:19 pm

Hindemith, chamber music:

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:38 am

Here is another distraction from my Haydn exploration:

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:47 am

I see your Harnoncourt count is creeping inexorably upwards, Sean.. has Nut-Job planted a remote control chip in your brain?..

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:06 am

Jared wrote:I see your Harnoncourt count is creeping inexorably upwards, Sean.. has Nut-Job planted a remote control chip in your brain?..

That's a very interesting question. I am able to take the good ideas from nut-job like his Harnoncourt recommednations yet I totally reject his contempt for the work of the GREAT Claudio Abbado and his dismissal of Vivaldi's music. Well he can't be right about everyhting,

so I pick and choose what I want.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:09 am

Seán wrote:
Jared wrote:I see your Harnoncourt count is creeping inexorably upwards, Sean.. has Nut-Job planted a remote control chip in your brain?..
That's a very interesting question. I am able to take the good ideas from nut-job like his Harnoncourt recommednations yet I totally reject his contempt for the work of the GREAT Claudio Abbado and his dismissal of Vivaldi's music. Well he can't be right about everyhting, so I pick and choose what I want.

I'm with you, Sean... I like both Claudio Abbado and Vivaldi...

and Schubert? Personally, I prefer Sir Colin Davis..

nut-job · Post by **nut-job** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:36 pm

Unfortunately there is no Harnoncourt recording available of this music, so I had to compromise.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:55 pm

Seán wrote:Here is another distraction from my Haydn exploration:

Whatever about Harnoncourt my problem is that the Schubert symphonies do not really do it for me

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:11 pm

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:01 pm

^^ Darren's been shopping with his birthday money, I see...

my only purchase this week has been:

Beethoven: Missa Solemnis
Klemperer/ New Philharmonia/ EMI

but what a purchase! I love it!!

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:13 pm

God no Jared - that money has all gone!

Payday today though

Just ordered.......

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:30 pm

^^ its a stunner Darren, you shouldn't be disapointed, if you like large scale religious choral works... there's a real velvety richness to the performance, and they've done a great job on the sound reproduction...

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:42 pm

bombasticDarren wrote:

I have both CDs and I love them, Gergiev's Rite is a real tour de force and the Scriabin is superb too.

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:35 pm

Haydn Anniversary, Six Late Masses:

Svetlanov:

slofstra · Post by **slofstra** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:20 pm

I wish I had seen Sean's post before I filed my orders today. Tafelmusik and Haydn ... doesn't get much better. I see there's also a Haydn Symphony set by Tafelmusik and Weil. These are mid 1990s recordings that have just been re-released in budget sets; I wasn't aware of them before. Their recording of Creation was also made around that time and it's one of my favourite recordings. Let me know how it sounds, Sean.

Ordered from amazon.ca today:

1 of Shadows Of Silence: Ctos By Da <-- Has anyone noticed that amazon is getting pretty pathetic with some of their descriptions. Weird contractions like this, no track listings, spelling mistakes. Today I saw a listing for Tafelusik [sic].
By: Leif Ove Andsnes

1 of V2 1941-1972 Decca Recordings
By: Clifford/Various Curzon

DVD - 1 of Leif Ove Andsnes: Ballad for Edvard Grieg
By: Leif Ove Andsnes

1 of Clifford Curzon: Decca Recordings 1944-1970, Vol. 1 [Box Set]
By: Horst Gunter, et al

1 of Homage (CD & DVD)
By: James Ehnes

1 of Sons/Etudes
By: Yuja Wang

Ordered from mdt.co.uk today:

PUCCINI La Boheme. Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Bertrand de Billy. Axiom Films DVD

MOZART Symphonies Nos. 38-41. Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Sir Charles Mackerras. Linn Records 2SACDs £11.50 1

HOTTER, HANS - ICON The Great Bass-Baritone. Works by Bach, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, Loewe, R Strauss, Wagner, Wolf. EMI 6cd

GEORGES CZIFFRA The Complete Studio Recordings 1956-1986. EMI Classics France 40cds

MAHLER Complete Symphonies 1-10, Das Liede von der Erde, Kolner Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester / Gary Bertini. EMI 11cds

SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 4. Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Bernard Haitink. Live 2008. CSO Resound CD+DVD £10.28 1

SCHUBERT Late Piano Sonatas D 958, D 959, D 960, D 850. Leif Ove Andsnes. EMI 2cds

(DVD) MOZART Don Giovanni. Johannes Weisser, Marcos Fink, Alexandrina Pendatchanska, Freiburger Barockorchester; Innsbruck Festival C

That's it!

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:11 pm

Not a bad bunch, Henry, I would have gone for Pollini or Perahia in the Late Schubert Sonatas, but, you will enjoy all of those...

slofstra · Post by **slofstra** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:15 pm

Chalkperson wrote:Not a bad bunch, Henry, I would have gone for Pollini or Perahia in the Late Schubert Sonatas, but, you will enjoy all of those...

I've got Brendel, Richter and Lupu and Perahia too. One more can't hurt; eager to see what Andsnes can do with them.

The Cziffra set disappeared for a while, but MDT now has it at a very good price. A lot of repertoire in that set that's not widely recorded by others, especially the works of Liszt. The prices on the Hotter and Bertini/Mahler sets were too low to resist.

The Homage DVD with James Ehnes looks interesting. Have you seen it?

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:50 pm

slofstra wrote:The Homage DVD with James Ehnes looks interesting. Have you seen it?

Not yet, I played the CD but have not had a chance to watch the DVD...

Post by **Lance** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:49 am

MUSIC FOR FLUTE AND PERCUSSION
Piazzola, Lysight, Alec Wilder, Frederic Devreese, Keiko Abe, Karen Young, Ravi Shankar
Marc Grauwels, flute(s)
Josée Simard, percussion
(Recorded in Quebec, February 2004)
Naxos 8.557782, 65:39, DDD

I have developed a huge interest in flutist Marc Grauwels. He's first class ... another Galway or Rampal (both with whom Grauwels studied).

Odd repertoire for ME! But interesting, nonetheless.

Post by **Lance** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:04 am

Historical Recording

•Brahms: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77 (r. 1955)
•Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in e, Op. 64 (r. 1953)
IDA HAENDEL, violin
Southwest German Radio Orchestra
Hans Müller-Kray, conductor
Hänssler 94202, Mono, 67:24, ADD

There's a enormous resurgence of interest in this classy violinist who is still going strong!

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:06 am

Lance wrote:Historical Recording

•Brahms: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77 (r. 1955)
•Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in e, Op. 64 (r. 1953)
IDA HAENDEL, violin
Southwest German Radio Orchestra
Hans Müller-Kray, conductor
Hänssler 94202, Mono, 67:24, ADD

There's a enormous resurgence of interest in this classy violinist who is still going strong!

I have quite a number of her recordings, is that disc worth getting, she has one hell of a strong arm...

bombasticDarren · Post by **bombasticDarren** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:40 pm

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