The Classical Music Guide Forums

First of all, a neglected masterpiece by Johann Hermann Schein and one of the finest things that Herreweghe has ever done (Harmonia Mundi). http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51npvDfB1UL._SL500_AA300_.jpg Then I played Minkowski's fabulous version of Gluck's Orphee et Eurydice (DG Archiv). http:/...

I spent the day with some classics from one of my favourite saxophonists, Art Pepper. This is an astonishing series of records that the great man recorded in the late Fifties. One of the greatest masters of the ballad, he could break your heart like few others. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/...

I was very impressed with Maazel's Mahler and Bruckner cycles earlier this month, so I ordered these two discs as well. Heppner and Meier are very good in Wagner's music so it will be interesting to hear how they sound in Mahler. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fLwfxlZIL._SL500_AA300_.jpg ht...

I am also interested in this disc:- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Liszt-Piano-Sonata-B-minor/dp/B0002I746S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293806559&sr=8-1 at used price it is an absolute steal :) :lol: :roll: I haven't heard his version of the Sonata in B Minor, Darren, but at a recent concert in Dublin, Lewis ...

Thanks for clarifying that, Jose (with regard to Abbado's set of the Brandenburgs). I thought that, even though the musicians were adhering to period performance practice, modern instruments were being employed, but I stand corrected. However, it almost seems quaint in 2010/11 to be talking about "p...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kJ4rw9WHL._SS500_.jpg Who says old dogs can´t learn new tricks? Well, well, well....that is certainly intruiging!!! How does it sound José? I don´t know yet Fergus, since it will be released in February, but it´s already been ordered of course! But you can´t ...

Personally, I that Vivaldi's sacred music is superior to his instrumental music. I've always loved Robert King's complete set on Hyperion. Such beautiful music.

http://image1.altnet.com/images/56/724358553956/Jerzy_SemkowJacek_KaspszykAntoni_Wi/SzymanowskiSymphonies_Nos__24_Harna/Jerzy_SemkowJacek_KaspszykAntoni_WitP-_3.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41pU4oQ6CbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg I have not listened to a lot of Szymanowssi's music Darren so I wi...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61zfep3PugL._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://soon.cocoplastic.com/image.axd?picture=2010%2F10%2F534.jpg http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/Aug10/Beethoven_Lewis_HMC90205355.jpg That Repin/Lugansky disc is one of the best things I've heard all year, Dar...

Listening today to some wonderful work by the Master, Jean-Philippe Rameau, in the form of Minkowski's magnificent recording of Hippolyte et Aricie (available on DG Archiv) and Noelle Spieth's elegant performances of a selection of his keyboard works (the best recording I've heard of this repertoire...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kJ4rw9WHL._SS500_.jpg Who says old dogs can´t learn new tricks? Well, well, well....that is certainly intruiging!!! How does it sound José? I don´t know yet Fergus, since it will be released in February, but it´s already been ordered of course! But you can´t ...

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQrn1FSH_DGotYzCIqwaG7najg54j4wRiHomK_OR4xb6AggucyB Minkowski's wonderful version of Bach's Mass in B Minor. Not a radical reading, but one that is entirely fresh in its approach. Very rewarding in its clarity of detail and the emotional purity of the singing.

A masterpiece (only Lorca challenges its greatness). Whilst every track stands out for its daring, I'll always remember the beauty of Song to the Siren and the unnerving title track.

I started the day listening to some of my favourite Xenakis CDs. First up was Aki Takahashi's stupendous performances of the complete solo piano works (available on Mode). And then I followed this up with an excellent 2-CD set on Naive (which I believe is a reissue of an earlier release on Montaigne...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WJCV7KDML._SL500_AA300_.jpg There couldn't be a more appropriate title for this album or artist. Amen to that. In particular, I believe that his Pablo Solo Masterpieces recordings are some of the finest performances of the 20th century, in any genre. Timeless...

Many thanks, George. Time to fill in those gaps in my collection. By the way, I was reading your excellent post on Richter's performances of Schubert's sonatas. I have always considered Richter's Salzburg performance in 1972 of D960 as my personal favourite of all recorded Schubert performances but...

I've been listening today to some of my favourite Monteverdi, Gluck and Schutz. First up was Rene Jacobs' wonderful recording of Monteverdi's 8th book of madrigals on Harmonia Mundi (which is unequalled in my view). Beautiful contributions from Maria Cristina Kiehr and Bernard Fink in particular and...

Many thanks, George. Time to fill in those gaps in my collection. By the way, I was reading your excellent post on Richter's performances of Schubert's sonatas. I have always considered Richter's Salzburg performance in 1972 of D960 as my personal favourite of all recorded Schubert performances but ...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412Y8QHGPCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg The Age of Enlightenment in all it´s glory. It really takes an orchestra of the quality of the Orchestra of the XVIII Century to do justice to Rameau. This is a disc to treasure. In my opinion, Bruggen has no equal in his recording...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5109H1MEKBL._SL500_AA300_.jpg A most beautiful oratorio by Alessandro Scarlatti. Gerard Lesne sings and conducts his own ensemble Il Seminario Musicale. Have you heard his Il Primo Omicidio and Griselda (Rene Jacobs has recorded wonderful versions of both works...

I probably have both a bad memory and poor taste (truth is, after all, subjective) but I can only comment on what I have heard and what has moved me. I haven't heard Moravec in Chopin (I have only heard his outstanding performances of the Brahms piano concerti on Supraphon) but it certainly looks li...

Dinu Lipatti's 1950 performance of the Waltzes (EMI) is timeless and is the only version I know that beats Rubinstein. Similarly, Alfred Cortot's 1933 interpretation of the Preludes (EMI) strikes me as the most penetrating of all. Aside from that, Rubinstein is still the master when it comes to Chop...

Lance alluded to a number of recordings by Wilhelm Backhaus above. Personally, I would dearly love to see his first Beethoven sonata cycle reissued in the West. I have his second Decca cycle - in stereo - which is augmented by a monumental Hammerklavier from his mono set. Sadly, the man died before ...