Classical Recommendations/Reviews - Page 2

shrugs · November-20th-2003, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stonemonkts
The consensus among people who are not enamored with his WTC is that he is not nearly as engaged with the compositions as when he plays the Goldberg Var., for instance. I believe Gould commented that he found much of the opening phrasing tedious and he admitted he rushed through much of them to relieve his boredom.

On another thread I recommended Wanda Landowska's WTC as the complete flipside to the Gould. She emits a fiery passion for the works. I listen to the Gould as much as her readings, so I'm not one of those who entirely dismiss Gould's recordings of WTC. I listen to him aware of how he feels about the pieces, at times I'm amused by how he does indeed hurry through the opening bars of many of them. I'm a huge fan of Gould.

That's interesting and I think you may have posted that in the past. I'll have to listen to my set and see for myself.

Salvador Dali Lama · November-20th-2003, 02:22 PM

what stonemonkts said. it just doesnt bowl me over, but then I havent exactly given it many thorough listens. I should. Especially since I'm working on that stuff myself right now, criminy!

Shurgs, I don't know if I have already, but I must comend you on your avatar. I love I jah.

stonemonkts · November-24th-2003, 03:30 PM

Bringing this thread up again, with Bach in mind.

I've been listening to the Bach Cello Suites and I was wondering what your favorite recording(s) are, and why. I was first exposed to the pieces by Casals, but I must admit I enjoy others too and a few a bit more. I love the Casals versions, so it was a revelation when I heard Rostropovich play them. Casals is ponderous and heavy (at times) compared to Rostropovich. Casals playing of # 3 though is unsurpassed, IMO. I've never heard the Fournier recording but have read good things about it. I know the Ma sets well and have seen him perform them numerous times. I'm not a fan of Ma generally speaking but I will say he does a beautiful job with Bach.

Anyone care to share their favorites?

I'd also be interested in reading what others favor for the other masterpieces.... chamber, choral, orchestral, any of it that anyone cares to share. I'll offer one here:

Brandenburg Concertos - Los Angeles Chamber Orch. (Gerard Schwartz) - This is still my favorite recording after all the years and versions I've acquired since the LPs came out in the late 70's. I usually prefer period instruments but in Schwartz' case it doesn't matter. His choice of tempi is perfect to my ears, and the virtuosity of each of the soloists is top notch. Quite an acomplishment when you consider how diverse the compositions really are, with each concerto featuring a different combination. My favorite of them compositionally is # 6. I was immediately attracted to the sound of all those violas, and I just adore the melancholic joy of the movements. The third movement usually brings me to tears.

Also, I've been re-listening to the Gould WTC I and II and must say I enjoyed them probably more than ever, for some reason. I would still not hesitate to say that Gould's WTC is not as brilliant as his other Bach recordings, but be that as it may, I thoroughly enjoyed the hours spent with them of late. I'd recommend them to anyone's library with the caveat that other versions should be acquired too.

walto · November-24th-2003, 03:51 PM

I have some budget Brandenburgs that I like very much, but I'll have to get back to you on them. BTW, I went to a nice choral concert (Oriana Consort) last night. Heard works by Scheidt, Byrd, Ives, Barber, Debussy, and Virgil Thompson. The male choristers weren't too good, but the women were excellent. Anyhow, the gig jogged my memory on the greatness not only of Scheidt and Byrd, but also of Gibbons, and, of course, Schutz. I also think Binchois is nicely weird.

Squaredancecalling Steve · November-24th-2003, 04:14 PM

I'm dying to hear the Rostropovich Cello Suites, having heard nothing but great things about them! I hve Casals on vinyl, which is one of my favorite recordings, and Ma on disc, which I think is quite nice.

Let me commend to your attention a veryvery small (4'35"), obscure little piece of music which I find incredibly beautiful, other-worldly and unjustifiably neglected: "Pie Jesu," by Lili Boulanger, the younger sister of Nadia Boulanger, who died in her early 20s, and completed the piece as she lay dying. There are some strings here and there, but the focus is on a boy soprano and the lowest-toned pedals on the organ. Igor Markevitch conducts and Nadia Boulanger directs, on Everest.

[Walter: the soprano's name is Alain Fauqueur -- not sure why I couldn't find it last time.]

walto · November-24th-2003, 04:19 PM

FWIW, I'm not a big Ma fan--sounds like a computerized synthesizer with a good, if not terribly warm, cello patch.

stonemonkts · November-24th-2003, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by walto
FWIW, I'm not a big Ma fan--sounds like a computerized synthesizer with a good, if not terribly warm, cello patch.

Rostropovich and Casals are both at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to Ma. It seems to be a trend, at least in my lifetime, where the most acclaimed soloist is also the most boring, or one dimensional (usually very strong on technique, weak on the other facets). Perlman is another very popular musician who I think fits the bill, James Galway another. Sometimes huge popularity and artistry go hand in hand, IMO Rampal is an example (although I'm the first to admit he was an enormous ham).

That could be another great topic within this thread....musicians who haven't received widespread acclaim but deserve more attention...Walter Trampler is one who comes to mind immediately. I used to drive far out of my way to attend anything with Trampler.

Of course among pianists Richter is someone I feel should've been viewed with the same adoration as Rubinbstein or Horowitz.

Among singers for me there's no one in the same class as Jussi Bjorling. I ignored Opera until a workmate way back when loaned me a recording of Arias sung by Bjorling. Holy shit.

Walto - That sounds like a wonderful recital. Those names have me combing my collection for works by them and also of Monteverdi. I have a handful of cassettes I made when one of the NYC stations (WKCR perhaps) had a Medieval Music festival (it also skirted early Baroque) and on one day they played Monteverdi for 24 hours. It is always night and day seeing these works performed live, vs. listening to a recording. I miss having such easy access to NY area concerts.

Other Steve · November-24th-2003, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stonemonkts
Jan Dismas Zelenka - (1679-1745) - Czech composer who wrote mainly choral music, but also some superb Trio Sonatas for Two Oboes, Bassoon, and Continuo. Also a collection of Capriccios with the same instrumentation.

Heinz Holliger's amazing recent double-CD set on ECM is the way to go here. (He'll be playing a bunch of this repertoire in NYC in February -- yum!)

Quote:

Heinrich Biber - (1644-1704) - Early Baroque Czech composer and one of those truly far ahead of his time.

I'll join the chorus singing this composer's praises. The Battaglia is like nothing that came before it, and precious little after until you reach Ives. The literally converging anthems on the battlefield, the fife-and-drum effect created with a high violin and a double bass with parchment over the strings -- unbelievable. The Mystery Sonatas are also remarkable. John Holloway's recordings are very, very fine, and his latest ECM disc will inevitably lead you to another "fantastic" (in the sense of creating extraordinary effects well in advance of his day) composer, Schmelzer.

I'm actually not the biggest Baroque fan in the field, but other recordings I wouldn't want to be without include the Bach Brandenburgs played with incredible energy and elan by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (Virgin); Correlli's Op. 5 Violin Sonatas (Andrew Manze) and Op. 6 Concerti Grossi (English Concert is good, but there are others in contention as well); and, believe it or not, Guiliano Carmignola's fire-breathing second recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons on Sony Classical, issued just two years ago, and already reissued with different "bonus material" (namely, selections from a fantastic Locatelli CD available everywhere in the world except the USA -- grrrrr! I'm so pleased that Carmignola has left Sony for Deutsche Grammophon...). Even if you think you know the piece, or couldn't be bothered to ever hear it again, Carmignola kicks ass.

Other bits in response to later posts:

* The Argerich Prokofiev 1/3/Bartók 3 is spectacular. But you could have guessed that.

* There are many worthy recommendations for Sibelius symphonies and cycles; I'm currently favoring the Paavo Berglund complete Bournemouth/Helsinki cycle, but the new Leif Segerstam cycle currently coming out on Ondine may just trump them all.

* Much as I love much of Haitink's Shostakovich cycle (and Fred K's idiosyncratic connoisseur selection!), I have absolutely no reservations about urging instead Rudolf Barshai's WDR box-set on Brilliant Classics. Not only are the performances at least as consistent as Haitink's, but many of the performances are more passionate... and depending on where you shop, this complete box is likely to only cost you between $25 and $50 dollars (I got it for $30).

* That said, no collection should be without Bernstein's first Shostakovich 5.

* The Planets - Dutoit; Pictures at an Exhibition - well, Szell is a standard and it's newly remastered; my personal favorite is Valery Gergiev's first recording (paired with Tchaikovsky's Francesca da Rimini, not the more recent Vienna Phil take), which literally made me pull my car off the road to pay attention; Fireworks - Pinnock; Symphonie fantastique - Sir Colin Davis (either Philips original or more recent LSO Live will do nicely).

walto · November-24th-2003, 09:34 PM

The two inexpensive Brandenburgs I was thinking of were Ristenpart/Saar and Kehr/Mainz. They're both very nice. (Ristenpart brighter & flashier; Kehr warmer.) I don't know whether either is still available though.

BTW, I too am a big Trampler fan. He was the greatest! And for a relatively young violinist who doesn't sound like a machine, I recommend Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg: her Brahms is up there with Szyering's IMHO.

Tanager · November-24th-2003, 09:54 PM

I have no idea how it's viewed among the cognoscenti (among which I am most surely not counted), but the only Brandenburg I have is a set by Marriner/SMITF. I love it, and it wasn't overly pricey, either. I'm probably a bit easier to please than some of the more discerning listeners around here, however.

Being a classical guitarist, I of course have recordings of various Bach things on guitar, but I am in general not a huge fan of Bach when played on guitar vis-a-vis a number of later composers. Having said that, I always liked Parkening's renditions a lot.

stonemonkts · November-24th-2003, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tanager
Being a classical guitarist, I of course have recordings of various Bach things on guitar, but I am in general not a huge fan of Bach when played on guitar vis-a-vis a number of later composers. Having said that, I always liked Parkening's renditions a lot.

I bet you like Rodrigo.

I enjoy guitar transcriptions of Bach works, especially when performed by Parkening or Segovia. Yepes is another one I enjoy..speaking of Rodrigo, his recordings of Rodrigo compositions are wonderful.

stonemonkts · December-3rd-2003, 11:11 AM

Up with this thread.

For any fans of Prokofiev or Sviatoslav Richter, I highly recommend picking up this CD which can be purchased from BMG on sale (still running their sale, I believe):

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5, Opus 55
Sonata for Piano No. 8 in B flat major, Opus 84
(Deutsche Grammophon)
Warsaw National Philharmonic, Witold Rowicki - Conductor

I've never heard these pieces played so beautifully.

And for a real treat, pick up this gem:

Liszt - Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2
Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Nos. 10, 19, and 20
Sviatoslav Richter, piano
London Symphony Orch., Kirill Kondrashin - Conductor

This CD demonstrates why Richter is among my favorite musicians ever. Lyrical, subtle touch, vastly intelligent interpretations. One of the best classical CDs I've heard in a long time.

Tanager · December-3rd-2003, 11:22 AM

BMG is, in fact, still running that ridiculous sale - I just wish I had more budget right now. Stone, I've been listening to the Argerich/Detoit Prokofiev piano concerto CD from EMI (a BMG purchase), and I'm not very familiar with Prokofiev at all - where would you suggest I turn next to explore further?

walto · December-3rd-2003, 12:24 PM

For Prokofiev, I recommend the 1st, 4th and 5th symphonies, all 5 piano concerti, the 2nd violin concerto, both violin sonatas, "The Prodigal Son" (ballet) and "Betrothal in the Monastery" (opera). A lot of his piano music is very nice, too.

stonemonkts · December-3rd-2003, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tanager
BMG is, in fact, still running that ridiculous sale - I just wish I had more budget right now. Stone, I've been listening to the Argerich/Detoit Prokofiev piano concerto CD from EMI (a BMG purchase), and I'm not very familiar with Prokofiev at all - where would you suggest I turn next to explore further?

Tanager, I'd recommend the one I noted above with Richter, for sure. Even without qualifying for free shipping (if indeed you don't spend $30+), it is still a nice bargain at BMG.
This would complement the Argerich nicely.

Outside of BMG, I'd second Walto's recommendations (although I can't speak for the opera or the ballet, definitely the symphonies and concertos he mentioned). As far as specific recordings, I'd see if you can find these:

Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5 - Scottish National Orch. - Neeme Jarvi (I'm a big fan of Jarvi). Actually I think Jarvi "specialized" in Prokofiev.

I know I've seen a recording with Jarvi conducting the Scottish orch which includes the opera or ballet Walto mentioned. Perhaps he has this one (I don't).

Prokofiev, Shostakovich: Violin Concertos no 1 / Rostropovich, Vengerov (I see it at Amazon, which also has a few decent reviews for your perusal).

Amazon link

In your searching, I would avoid any conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Unless you dig him (I don't at all). I much prefer George Szell.

This Recording is wonderful. I love Oistrakh. Man had the soul of a poet.

While this is not limited to Prokofiev, if you want a box set worthy of a freakin' pedestal, GET THIS ONE:

Milstein Box

stonemonkts · December-3rd-2003, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Other Steve
Heinz Holliger's amazing recent double-CD set on ECM is the way to go here. (He'll be playing a bunch of this repertoire in NYC in February -- yum!)

I'll be one of the first in line for the Holliger.

One of the most memorable concert experiences was when I saw Heinz Holliger accompanied by (in turn) a harpsichordist (I wish I could remember...maybe it was Christopher Hogwood) and a pianist (someone Holliger toured with regularly back in the late 70's/early 80's...name escapes me). This was at the concert hall at the Metropolitan Museum, a very nice little place to hear chamber music. I was a late walk-in, so when I went to the window to purchase my ticket, all they had left were "stage seats", the lady said with a frown. I replied, "stage seats, you mean I'll be on the stage with Heinz Holliger?". Well I sure was! What an astounding musician. After the concert I went to my record shop and purchased armfuls of his recordings, mostly Baroque (old favorite was a collection of Albinoni concertos).

Anyway, after that whenever I'd go to the Met for a concert, I'd request stage seats. It felt like they were playing in your living room. I get misty thinking of the people I've sat a few feet from, now long dead (and some not so long).

walto · December-3rd-2003, 02:14 PM

I haven't lived throughout the entire history of the world (appearances to the contrary notwithstanding) but I have the sense that Holliger is the greatest oboist that ever lived. Nobody ever seems to deny that--or even diffidently suggest otherwise.

Mike Goodbar · December-3rd-2003, 02:48 PM

I'm lately taken with double bassist Edgar Meyer's recording of Bach's 1st, 2nd and 5th unaccompanied cello suites. I've heard Yo Yo Ma's and of course the Casals version, and Meyer's effort holds up quite well by comparison, while in no way imitating either. As Meyer noted in the liners, the darker timbre of the bass brings out the music's more melancholy aspects, and his virtuosity is breathtaking, especially considering that he is playing the pieces at cello pitch (that is, up one octave from the written score).

He plays nearly vibrato-less, bringing to mind many of the bluegrass/classical cross-genre stuff he's recorded with guys like Mark O'Connor and YYM. Despite eschewing vibrato, he still manages to bring out much of the pathos of the slow movements by sheer virtue of phrasing and dynamics alone. A nice trick.

I admit I'm a double bassist myself, but in my opinion Meyer's Suites stand alone as a fine interpretation despite the temptation to designate it a novelty act.

walto · December-3rd-2003, 03:14 PM

FWIW, I've also enjoyed the first Bach suite played on viola and on trombone.

stonemonkts · December-3rd-2003, 03:37 PM

That Edgar Meyer recording is very nice. It's another one available at BMG. I picked mine up a year or so ago, and was quite pleased. Sounds great late at night with the headphones.

For some odd reason I enjoy Bach the most late at night. The sensation of drifiting between wakefulness and something between that and sleep, with Bach in your ears is sublime.

Other Steve · December-5th-2003, 11:54 AM

Relocated from the "What Are You Listening To?" thread, so as not to spoil anyone's party:

Quote:

Originally posted by walto
Steve, FWIW, I used to have a DG set of the first five Henze symphonies on LP. (Whatever the hell happenend to those LPs, anyway?) I really loved #3 (that's the one with the rock out tenor sax bit, right?), but the others left me kind of cold--especially compared with some of his other great orchestral music, particularly the film and incidental music. What's your take? I don't think I've heard any of his syms. after #5, BTW.

Sorry to take so long coming back to this, Walt. I actually have to admit that when it comes to Henze, I've actually been rather remiss. I've long eyed the DG set you've mentioned... it's been on CD for a long time (with the Sixth Symphony added), and might even be out of print. So I don't actually know any of the earlier work, though I'm sure I heard at least a few of those symphonies years ago. My initial exposure to Henze came through a Cleveland Orchestra radio broadcast of his opera The Bassarids, which, at the time, was too imposing and snaggletoothed a piece to inspire further investigation. Nowadays, my ears are much wider open.

I'm finding my way through the more recent stuff, partially inspired by having snagged a pair of tickets to hear Simon Rattle conduct the New York premiere of the Tenth Symphony with the Philadelphia Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in February, and partially because a couple of conductors I regularly follow on CD (Rattle and Ingo Metzmacher) are both Henze enthusiasts.

I don't know if I'd wholeheartedly recommend the two discs you spied in my "WAYLT?" list -- I'm still getting to know them. For what it's worth, the Wergo disc with the Piano Concerto No. 1 has attracted rave reviews and is up for several international awards this year (though naturally not a Grammy.) Similarly, Cambreling's recording of the Seventh Symphony (on Hänssler) I'll probably keep not for the rendition of the symphony, but for soprano Christiane Oelze's beautiful performance of Ariosi, a cycle on poems of Tasso. But here are the recent Henze recordings I've most wholeheartedly enjoyed:

Symphony No. 7; Barcarola per grande orchestra - CBSO/Rattle (EMI)
Requiem - Ensemble Modern/Metzmacher (Sony Classical)
Symphony No. 9 - Berlin Philharmonic/Metzmacher (EMI)
Drei sinfonische etüden; Quattro poemi; Nachtstücke und arien; La selva incantata - NDR Symphony/Ruzicka (Wergo)

That last one, in particular, really grabbed my ear and kind of started this ball rolling. The first three pieces are from the '50s; the last is from '91. Excellent performances, gorgeous recording.

walto · December-5th-2003, 12:06 PM

Thanks, Steve. Henze used to be a big fave of mine, but I've kind of lost touch. Of those you've posted, I think the only pieces that I've heard are the "Drei sinfonische etüden" and "Quattro poemi."

Other Steve · December-5th-2003, 01:05 PM

As I'm listening to it again after some months, my extreme enthusiasm for Henze's Requiem is returning anew. Essentially, Henze had a commission to write an instrumental piece for the London Sinfonietta. It should have been his Eighth Symphony, he says, but instead, he expanded upon an existing piece, the brief "Introitus: Requiem," that he had composed on the occasion of the death of the Sinfonietta's longtime artistic director, new-music champion Michael Wyner. Henze's ultimate response took the form of an all-instrumental Requiem, which effectively adheres to the traditional pattern of movements in the Catholic Mass, but in a completely abstract manner.

Subtitled "Nine Sacred Concertos," the Requiem is a virtuoso piece—practically a concerto for orchestra, with important concertante parts for solo piano and trumpet. Its moods range from lament to rage, as you might expect, and don't always take the form you might anticipate. A rude parade-band march suddenly erupts during the "Tuba Mirum" movement, for example. There's a beautiful passage for muted trumpet, first solo and then partnered with English horn, in the "Lacrimosa." The hushed opening of the "Sanctus" is about as sweet as anything in the string-orchestra literature.

I don't expect to ever hear a performance or recording as fine as the one by the Ensemble Modern under Ingo Metzmacher, issued in '94 on Sony Classical, back when that label still issued classical music. It's out of print, naturally, but I still see used and remaindered copies pretty regularly. If you're interested, Walt, I could snag the next one I see; PM or e-mail to let me know.

Other Steve · December-7th-2003, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stonemonkts
Bringing this thread up again, with Bach in mind.

I've been listening to the Bach Cello Suites and I was wondering what your favorite recording(s) are, and why.

After revisiting it today during the course of "Best of 2003" evaluations, I have to opine that Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's recently issued Nonesuch recording of the Cantatas BWV 82, "Ich habe genug," and 199, "Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut," with the Orchestra of Emmanuel Music, Craig Smith conducting, is one of those Bach recordings they'll still be talking about after decades, like Casals and Landowska and Gould and whoever.

Maybe it's because she performed both of these cantatas in dramatically staged versions directed by Peter Sellars, or maybe it's just because she's an uncommonly insightful interpreter, but Hunt Lieberson's performances of these two solo cantatas are unbelievably well-realized. Every emotional turn is vividly present, whether you know these pieces or not. And her diction is impeccable; if you know German, you won't need the notes; if (like me) you don't, it's incredibly easy to follow the text and translation on first listen -- and you won't need them a second time.

I kid you not, everything about this disc -- soloist, oboe accompanist, orchestra, conductor, interpretive style, recording quality, liner notes -- is first rate. In fact, if I have anything to complain about, it's that the packaging is so bland, it's easy to overlook what will almost undoubtedly rank as my top classical pick of the year.

walto · December-7th-2003, 07:58 AM

FWIW, I used to catch cantatas at the Emanuel Church on Sunday mornings occasionally before they (amazingly) booted Smith out of there. Each performance I went to was a perfect gem. They should have been recording them all along. (Of course, if they had, Smith would have been bounced sooner....)

Other Steve · December-7th-2003, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by walto
FWIW, I used to catch cantatas at the Emanuel Church on Sunday mornings occasionally before they (amazingly) booted Smith out of there. Each performance I went to was a perfect gem.

Yr a lucky man, Walt -- from what I've read, that series is legendary. You probably know that Emmanuel Music did record two collections of Bach cantatas and a St. John Passion, as well as three (I think) volumes of Schutz sacred music and John Harbison's Violin Concerto and Recordare, for Koch International Classics, several of them while I was PR mouthpiece there.

Koch probably should have recorded more Bach with Emmanuel Music, but I believe the label already had a commitment to record the cantatas with Jeffrey Thomas and the American Bach Soloists, a series that (unsurprisingly) was discontinued after six fine volumes and a Mass in B minor.

Salvador Dali Lama · December-7th-2003, 06:17 PM

so speaking of Bach....

I've only heard the Yo Yo Ma Bach Cello Suites, and I'm happy with that although I don't listen to it much.

I heard a brief bit of Ric Louchard's WTC and thought it sounded great. has anyone heard this?

I really like St Mathew Passion and St Johns Passion, what are other things in that vein I should check out?

stonemonkts · December-7th-2003, 06:51 PM

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Christmas Oratorio BWV 248

Magnificat in D major BWV 243

My favorites between those above and the ones you've already mentioned are the Mass in B minor, and St. John Passion.

There are umpteen versions of each and I'm sure I've yet to hear the very best (at least to my ears), but FWIW, I recommend the Mass performed by the Monteverdi Choir English Baroque Soloists, the Magnificat by the Choir of King's College Cambridge, and the Christmas Oratorio by Concentus Musicus Wien (Nicholas Harnoncourt).

walto · December-8th-2003, 07:02 AM

Some of the cantatas are surpassingly beautiful--even for Bach. Trouble is, there are so damn many of them. My particular fave is "Ein Feste Burg" with the Wie Selig Sind Doch Die canon (with oboe d'accacio--sounds like a soprano sax). A lot of the instrumental music is very good too, though! The sonatas for violin and harpsichord, e.g., are great!

stonemonkts · December-8th-2003, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by walto
Some of the cantatas are surpassingly beautiful--even for Bach. Trouble is, there are so damn many of them. My particular fave is "Ein Feste Burg" with the Wie Selig Sind Doch Die canon (with oboe d'accacio--sounds like a soprano sax). A lot of the instrumental music is very good too, though! The sonatas for violin and harpsichord, e.g., are great!

I love the bwv 1014-1019 violin sonatas. I have a cherished old lp box set of them played by Eduard Melkus and Huguette Dreyfus.

I failed to mention another beautiful reading of the WTC, this by Helmut Walcha on harpsichord (Archiv 5 LP set 2723 054).