The Classical Music Guide Forums

maestrob

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81dl-aWgHnL._SX522_.jpg Vladimir Jurowski has been appointed as conductor of the State Academy Symphony Orchestra of Russia "Evgeny Svetlanov," and this is Jurowski's take on the world premiere version of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake (1877 version). Jurow...

maestrob

Here is Buchbinder/Harnoncourt/RCO Brahms PC # 2 recorded 2000, Teldec, Apex cd now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVMLcv00aS0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn23bYqxVY0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs3ML0kxvyo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jojsx0B0hw I will probably acquire, can live with...

maestrob

Am listening to Price's Symphony I and finding it well-crafted but not particularly distinguished. I'm interested enough to buy the CD, however, if only to hear her Symphony IV. It's about time Price got the recognition she so obviously deserves. Thanks for bringing her to our attention.

maestrob

Thanks for those.....will investigate........

maestrob

I'm also not fond of Norrington as a conductor. Happy 85th today, Sir Roger. I used to feel the same about Norrington (I tossed out his EMI Beethoven 9th disc) till I heard his RVW cycle with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin which was excellent. Just downloaded and am listening now to some ...

maestrob

"Les Troyens" in this set is anything but stellar. It's taken from concert performances in Strasbourg, conducted by John Nelson, and the only name artist in the cast is Joyce DiDonato as Didon. Other principles are Michael Spyres as Énée and Marie-Nicole Lemieux as Cassandre. Nelson conducted "Troy...

maestrob

I've never been a fan of Berlioz. Initially deterred by "Symphonie Fantastique", I never went any further with the composer. I was friendly with one of our broadcasters on our national FM network and he was a HUGE Berlioz fan; he particularly liked " The Childhood of Christ " and tried to arouse my...

maestrob

Michael Ponti is a pianist I have long admired. I have many of his recordings for Vox of obscure Romantic concerti, but I didn't know that he had recorded the complete works of Rachmaninoff, presented here in a box set that has received better reviews on amazon than I expected (16 five star reviews)...

maestrob

As a dedicated Francophile, I must consider this one, especially at the attractive price!

maestrob

Unfortunately the site clearly states that the recordings can only be played by "anyone in the European Union."

Too bad!

maestrob

Been a fan of most of Honeck's work with his recordings with Pittsburg and other orchestras for some time now. His disc of Strauss orchestral excerpts issued last year was one of the best interpretations I've heard in a long time, while his live Tchaikovsky V was exceedingly eccentric. I'm glad he g...

maestrob

Good catch, Len. Thanks.

maestrob

John's right, Belle. The American public used to worship and follow classical music avidly when I was a youngster, if not through attending concerts, then through watching Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts (a phenomenon that could not possibly happen today) on TV, or earlier, listening to ...

maestrob

That picture, JohnF, is worth a thousand words and contributes much to this discussion. Thank-you. It's obvious that Wagner would have admired the Schenk production. As for the effectiveness of the three productions you've seen, well, I leave that to you to judge since I haven't seen them. (I did se...

maestrob

jserraglio wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 12, 2019 7:22 am
http://www.masterthecello.com/about-george-neikrug

George Niekrug was a great cellist, no doubt. I have that Schelomo w/Stokowski, and it's electrifying!

So sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family and friends.

maestrob

Carnegie Hall was always my favorite place to perform, even after the renovation in the 1970's. It's great to be in the audience as well.

How can the NY Philharmonic compete with that? Wish they could: they're a great orchestra under the right leadership.

maestrob

Wow! That's heavy criticism for sure. I wish I could speak to it in general terms, Len, but I'm not able to attend the MET except by TV broadcasts, and there haven't been many of those recently. I'm one of those who thought initially that the new Ring staging was clumsy, ineffective and overly expen...

maestrob

I can assure, you that you will NOT be disappointed. I listened to it three times thus far! We have some top pianists amongst us these days! It is like living the "golden age" all over again! Well Lance, your recommendations are pretty good. I might see if I can follow this up. BTW, I got a Christm...

maestrob

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/619b-wg5bzL._SX522_.jpg Daniel Harding has made quite a name for himself in the CD department, especially with an ongoing Mahler cycle with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. His performances have received some positive recognition, but it's early...

maestrob

Defined benefit pensions are a relic from the XXth Century. 401Ks are the wave of the future for large businesses, indeed putting the investment risk into the hands of the individual. Many large corporations have abolished pensions already. Transitioning from a defined benefit pension to a 401K is r...

maestrob

Gillinson has to be the most important arts administrator in the musical world today - not only for keeping his organizations on a sound footing, in the community and not least financially, but for making education a key element in the organizations' relationship with the public and the future. He ...

maestrob

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71xt9SSOckL._SX522_.jpg This disc of Ravel and Duparc, with mezzo Magdalena Kozena has received much good press, and well-deserved. This is my first taste of Robin Ticciati's conducting, and he is quite impressive, here in French music played by the ...

maestrob

John F wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 09, 2019 8:26 am
That's just silly. All this is about getting money for La Scala, nothing more high-minded than that.

Precisely so.

maestrob

Lance wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 09, 2019 1:10 am
I have a number of his CDs mostly on the Teldec/Erato and Telarc labels. I've enjoyed his music-making.

Very sad news. I've admired his music-making for decades. Thanks, Allen, for letting us know. There is a 3-disc set of Bach available on amazon for $7 right now.

maestrob

Barney! What a good memory you have..... :!: My first miniscule collection of CDs is contained in a small cabinet very precious to me. I bought my first player in 1984, but I forget the brand (Dual?) for $1000, a hefty sum in those days, but I was prosperous. My first purchases were at a Sam Goody h...

maestrob

A place to start with a cd of this pianist may be his 2012 cd of Prokofieff's "War Sonatas ", high reviews at Amazon-US. I have not heard the cd. I have heard his Rachmaninoff Etudes, very good. Right on. Giltburg recorded the Prokofiev War Sonatas for EMI, but it's out of print, so he redid them f...

maestrob

Have now heard this concert, and Giltburg did not disappoint. How he managed those superhuman passages in the Scriabin sonata is just astounding. Giltburg is a great artist, and luckily for discophiles now has a recorded repertoire ranging from Beethoven and Schumann to Medtner and Shostakovich, all...

maestrob

Sounds wonderful, Lance!

I do wish I had the shelf space........

maestrob

I'd have to agree with this!! I remember when CDs were first produced; my daughter was born in the same month and that was 36 years ago this month. I remember my first one - Carlos Kleiber, Brahms #4 with VPO; a harsh and dry digital recording but what a cracker of a performance. Yes, Belle, and he...

maestrob

What I heard was enjoyable enough, and she has technique to burn as well as a good sense of tempo. For some reason, though, I felt that Batsashvili lacked depth, so I was not encouraged enough to buy her CD. A worthy contender, she needs maturing. MHO, naturally.

maestrob

Thanks for all that, Len. I knew Victoria sang, but not how well: English drawing-room singing was, of course, not up to the standards of the opera houses of the day, and certainly not up to professional standards of today. The Mendelssohn comment was illuminating, but how much it was meant to flatt...

maestrob

March 10 , 2018 , in Paris, Auditorium de la Maison de la Radio France,Boris Giltburg live video. Rachmaninoff “ Corelli “ , Giltburg's own transcription of Shostakovich’s 8th String Quartet , Medtner’s “Reminiscenza” Sonata, Scriabin’s 5th Sonata, Starvinsky’s “Petrushka” Suite , encores Rachmanin...

maestrob

I find that really strange; I ditched vinyl decades ago because my kids used to run into the stereo with their little plastic bikes and the records became shockingly damaged. What a salvation when CDs came along. To tell truth, I'm fed up with the new technology. I bought expensive Heos computer sp...

maestrob

jserraglio wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 05, 2019 5:55 am
The Szell Sony physical 106-CD box is possibly already out of print. Listed now on Amazon as being available only from 3rd party sellers for almost 800 dollars.

Hmmmm---

I have mine, and I'm not selling!

maestrob

For me, his two outstanding recordings are Rachmaninov Symphony No.2 (twice, the earlier one with cuts) and Walton Symphony No.1. Both are still arguably the best available. Looking at the other recordings I have of his conducting, it's interesting how many have him as accompanist with singers and ...

maestrob

Blomstedt is one of those fine conductors that one hears about rarely these days, but I've never been disappointed in his work that I've heard. I've got a very fine Bach B minor Mass on DVD that I heartily recommend: the Gloria is quite a challenge at his tempo, but he makes it work. Glad he got a g...

maestrob

That looks interesting, Lance. Petri was a student of Busoni's, wasn't he? Are those Brahms pieces included in the set pictured below:

maestrob

Very sad indeed. I have many of Hurford's discs, although I'm not a particular fan of the organ. Condolences are in order to his family and friends.

maestrob

I did some quick research on amazon and found that the soundtrack recording (excerpts) is available on vinyl and mp3 format for listening with amazon prime. Then, I found a couple of copies on DVD issued in Spain with region 0 format, which I believe does not play on American DVD players. Why they w...

maestrob

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81qaWgfLeEL._AC_UL436_.jpg Interesting that this mega-set would be issued just about the time of André Previn's passing. I often wonder if record companies are aware of this kind of situation months in advance of "the end" to grow interest in the artist's reperto...

maestrob

FWIW, my favorite CD of Aida is Leontyne Price's first recording with Tucker and Bumbry, led by Solti. It's never been out of print all these years. Brian I have Vickers, Gorr, Merrill, Tozzi and Leontyne Price-Rome Opera House-Solti-a London ffrr recording. We saw Price do it live at her last perf...

maestrob

Thanks for that, Len. I have the telecast of Aida with Netrebko and Rachvelishvili on DVD and will treasure it for the singing as well as the sets.

FWIW, my favorite CD of Aida is Leontyne Price's first recording with Tucker and Bumbry, led by Solti. It's never been out of print all these years.

maestrob

Very sad, Lance! I share your grief, as my Maestro (La Selva) passed away just last year. Our mentors are leaving us, so now it's up to us to carry the torch forward.

Our deepest condolences.

maestrob

Sometimes, being a perfectionist draws this kind of temperament out of highly-gifted artists. Few conductors would ever get away with this kind of thing in today's world. One immediately thinks of Toscanini, among others, who scared the wits out of their orchestral member. I am rather surprised abo...

maestrob

Wow! So what else is new? :roll: I had an interesting conversation with a member of staff at Carnegie Hall when I was rehearsing my singers for a concert there. He excoriated Barenboim in no uncertain terms for his over-the-top demands about seating arrangements during a dress rehearsal, etc. Quite ...

maestrob

A sad day for music. Previn was vastly underrated IMHO as a classical conductor. His Vaughan-Williams set of symphonies compares quite well with Sir Adrian's 2 sets, and Previn's opera "Streetcar" has had less recognition than it deserves. A fine, fine musician, I liked his early jazz albums as well...

maestrob

No apologies necessary! :D I enjoyed about half of the Chopin before the intrusive ads finally frustrated me. Very fine playing IMHO, but I prefer Nikita Magaloff, who has more body to his tone. Also like Samson Francois and, believe it or not, the very individual approach of Ivo Pogorelich. Tyson's...

maestrob

Interesting that the broadcast is on March 15, AFTER the Ring Cycle starts at the MET on March 9.

Thanks for the heads-up, Len. We'll be watching!

maestrob

Mieczyslav Horszowski recorded four albums for Nonesuch during the 1990's while he was about the same age as Pressler is now, proving that it could be done by choosing the repertoire carefully. Very fine recordings, worth owning. Here's his last recording, which includes Bach, Chopin and Schumann: h...

maestrob

Uchida IS, indeed, a magical pianist. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Marlboro Festival in Vermont … a lovely person. I'm not familiar with Bavouzet (see Brian, I don't have EVERYTHING!). How does, to you, these Debussy Etudes compare to the great Walter Gieseking who was so well noted for...

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