The Classical Music Guide Forums

Len_Z

Thank you very much, Lance. I'm very intrigued by the Rachmaninov setю There's also a complete Shosta, but it could be too much too soon:))))

Len_Z

I've been falling in and out of love with Mariss Jansons' recordings for many years. Listening to his 'Pique Dame' now, I find it very nuanced and extremely powerful. Would anybody care to share opinions on his CDs (particularly, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler) and/or recommend the ones that stand out. T...

Len_Z

A friend took this pic, just two minutes prior to the chandeliers going up, at last night's Semiramide with Meade, DeShong, Camarena, and Abdrazakov.

Len_Z

I don't think Amazon has anything to do with the pricing from third-party sellers. As long as they don't violate any rules they can ask for as much as they want for the items they are offering. I am not sure who buys from them though. As the saying goes, 'there's a sucker born every minute' :) Or ma...

Len_Z

I think Arroyo is the most tragically underrecorded and underappreciated soprano of the 60's-70's. Absolutely love her 'La forza del destino' with Bergonzi, 'Un ballo in maschera', 'I Vespri' and the live Aidas. What I find really puzzling is the absence of her solo CDs from a major label. How could...

Len_Z

Well, not as much as I would like to, obviously (is it ever enough?:)), but I'm happy overall, because it gave me a chance to get the new box set. Hopefully, I'll save some shelf space, too.

Len_Z

I'll definitely go for it. I did have all the Philips CDs, but in anticipation of this release sold most of them on Ebay.

Len_Z

Just came back from the NY Philharmonic's concert. They performed John Adams' 'Dark Waves' and the First Act of 'Die Walkure' with Jaap van Zweden conducting. I was absolutely floored by the beauty, lyricism, intensity and musicality of the new conductor in chief reading. I have heard some of his re...

Len_Z

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/03/arts/music/james-levine-met-opera.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts New accusations. Two more men, names, dates, etc. Levine is a goner - he will never conduct anywhere ever again. I just wonder what will hapen to his immense legacy. Will they discon...

Len_Z

The problem is that it's the current regime and Gelb personally that knew about the accusations in 2016 and did nothing. I am not a fan of kangaroo court and, being of a Russian descent, remember all too well what has transpired there in the 1930's. To my great regret, the recent and ongoing events ...

Len_Z

We are suspending our relationship with James Levine, pending an investigation, following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by Mr. Levine that took place from the 1960's to the 1980's, including the earlier part of his conducting career at the Met. Mr. Levine will not be involved in any Met ...

Len_Z

Excellent news. Some of the best Callas' recordings were live: 'Lucia' with Karajan, the Lisbon Traviata, etc.

Long overdue for remastering.

Day-one purchase for me.

Len_Z

I was there. Don't believe this article. I'm not sure why Oppolais has been singled out as a weak link, to my ears most singing left a lot to be desired. I would say that only Yoncheva was really good as Mimi; the rest sounded old, tired, pathetic. Netrebko as Cio-Cio-San, Domingo and some others we...

Len_Z

I'm terribly sorry, I got it confused with something else. Must be a senior moment:)

Len_Z

Julia Lezhneva has again recorded an outstanding album, fully equal to her debut album reviewed earlier in these pages. Hers is a voice replete with both tenderness and fire, suitable both for pyrotechnics and for heart breaking adagios. It doesn't hurt that she has the face of an angel taken from ...

Len_Z

I think the cast is much more exciting at the Met current run, especially considering that Nadine Sierra has just won the Tucker Award, confirming that she's poised for a major, MAJOR carreer. The presence of another favorite of mine - Sonya Yoncheva - doesn't hurt, either. I haven't seen the produc...

Len_Z

They will do an HD in cinemas in May. I'd very surprised if it isn't shown on PBS and doesn't get released later on

Len_Z

I would second (or third) Stokowski and Barbirolli recordings, and would also heartily recommend the complete set by the inexplicably underrated Minnesota Orchestra under the baton of Osmo Vänskä

Len_Z

Thanks John, I also thought that they were waiting for the second concert with Jörg Widmann to review it together with the solo recital that Uchida had played several days prior, but so far nothing. Especially considering that Uchida played a piece by Widmann that had been writtern for her and (I th...

Len_Z

I am really surprised the NYT has not reviewed Mitsuko Uchida's recent recital at the Carnegie Hall. Maybe I have missed it, but I would think a concert by a major veteran artist with a major international career at a major NY venue definitely merits a review. Or does it? And, in general, how do old...

Len_Z

Hi Len -- Hyperion has served Bortkiewicz rather well. Stephen Coombs has recorded a double album (2 for the price of 1) of solo piano music, as well as the composer's piano concerto. Martyn Brabbins has recorded the Symphonies 1 & 2. I recommend all of them. Thank you very much - I'm really glad t...

Len_Z

I'm just getting into the music of Sergei Bortkiewicz Len you're a head of me-I never even heard of the guy-am listening to his piano concerto 1 at youtube and this is my kind of classical music-I think I'll be forced to download all his concertos for future listening-thanks! Regards, Len :D I'm re...

Len_Z

I'm just getting into the music of Sergei Bortkiewicz and wonder if anybody might have any recommendations regarding particular recordings. If you have any favorites, please share.

Thanks in advance!

Len_Z

I am yet to see this production of Forza, but yesterday I have just watched the excellent concert Harteros, Kaufmann, Gubanova and Trefel had sung at Baden-Baden. No revelations, but highly entertaining and enjoyable imho.

Len_Z

Am I the only one here who thinks that Arrau's Chopin was absolutely exquisite, especially his Nocturnes ((((:)))))

Len_Z

Evgeni Koroliov's Bach is absolutely sublime, while everything else by him is pedestrian at best. It's a true mystery to me, though, because in general I would agree with John F: a great artist should be interesting in any repertoire. Apparently, not the case with Mr. Koroliov. By the way, if you ha...

Len_Z

If I am not mistaken, the Marschallin is 32 years of age. Mature? Maybe. A senior citizen? Hardly:)

Len_Z

I love the opera (and Strauss in general) but I won't be going, as this cast does not seem interesting to me. I decided to wait until they redo it next season with someone other than Fleming - it's too late for her to even think about singing Die Marschallin. I so wish the Met would offer the part t...

Len_Z

This is incredibly sad. I've never been a rabid fan (know a few, though), but I'm afraid this news really means that D.H. is dying. He'll be missed sorely.

Len_Z

I have all his CDs as well and find his playing simply outstanding.

Wish I could hear him in a solo recital live. Maybe Carnegie Hall next season?

Len_Z

Sure, should've done it in the first place. Met Opera Steers Clear of Red Ink Company makes progress steadying finances, but still needs to reverse box-office slide and rebuild endowment By Jennifer Smith Aug. 17, 2016 8:53 p.m. ET Despite a record low in paid attendance last season, the Metropolita...

Len_Z

http://www.wsj.com/articles/met-opera-s ... 1471481622

Len_Z

A Russian friend who know Lezhneva personally told me about her 3 years ago, and I've been a huge fan ever since.

I agree completely that she's unlike any Russian soprano and quite unique in her fach.

Have all her recordings, but would love to hear her live very much.

Len_Z

Wasn't 'Vissi d'arte' also added to give the soprano a solo aria?:)

Len_Z

Yes, they are gone as so is the poster. These people must be desperate to want to plant their junk on our site. Let me know if you see anyone else abusing the site in this manner. Thanks to John Francis, I got rid of the guy. We weren't hacked, but approved someone who thought he wanted to particip...

Len_Z

I am also a big fan of Mariella Devia's. The last time I heard her live was a couple of years ago in the OONY performance of Roberto Devereux at the Carnegie Hall. At her tender age of 65 at the time, she was absolutely phenomenal. So, obviously I'm very happy for her and for the recognition her ama...

Len_Z

Moffo is one of my favorite singers and I am very sorry to report that this set is not 'complete' - it is missing Moffo's wonderful Mozart CD that was available on Testament. Of course, one might say that this was not RCA, but other EMI recordings have been included. Otherwise, it's a great box set,...

Len_Z

Len.. you said, "I'm not sure it's fixable, though, but the Met just needs more good singers. Where to find them? - that is the question." Here are some current artists at the Met, beyond Kaufmann and Netrebko who I would respectfully suggest are far more skilled than "good singers". Tenors.. Fabia...

Len_Z

I agree that the main reason for the declining attendance is the lack of true stars. For instance, Netrebko and Kaufmann usually sell out the house, but without them it's practically half empty. I'm not sure it's fixable, though, but the Met just needs more good singers. Where to find them? - that i...

Len_Z

As for me, I am in the middle of obsession with Max Reger and simply cannot get enough of him. Many thanks to everybody who offered recommendations of his recordings - I am truly grateful, as the discovery of his music is one of the major events of my recent life. I've been especially impressed with...

Len_Z

Currentzis can afford the luxury of over extended rehearsal time recording in the middle of the Urals to get everything as he likes it. That said, I didn´t love his Mozart and was not interested in his Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. He's very popular among Russian snobs, so I had the displeasure of he...

Len_Z

Gold Medalist in the most recent Van Cliburn competition, Vadym Kholodenko's debut disc speaks volumes of great things to come. He even finds the few lyric moments in Stravinsky's Three Movements from Petrushka and sails through Liszt's Transcendental Etudes without touching the ground once. Tempi ...

Len_Z

Dear all,

I've been very curious about Max Reger heritage but virtually have no clue where to start.

Any fans of his would care to recommend most important recordings of his music?

Thanks in advance,

Len Z

Len_Z

One of the weakest seasons in recent memory, imnsho. Same old voiceless Domingos, Flemings, Racettes singing the same parts over and over again. Two brightest spots for me are Aida with Stoyanova and La traviata with Yoncheva (missed her last season due to an illness). Everything else is pretty much...

Len_Z

Similarly of course, Leonid Kogan, lots of labels involved but Warner and Melodiya must have enough for good boxes. Mike Warner has released a very good Kogan box set a couple of years ago: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M97YPKI?keywords=leonid%20kogan&qid=1455415725&ref_=sr_1_2&s=music&sr=1-2...

Len_Z

I find it absolutely astounding that there's no box set of Henryk Szeryng. I realize he's recorded for several various labels, but still, Universal should be able to get together a fine collection. As for future releases that have been announced already, I am not really looking forward to anything e...

Len_Z

No other Russian composers are "equal" to Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. And, of course, Stravinsky. Completely agree with that but still would like to add a couple of names. If you like opera, you should definitely give a chance to 'Ruslan and Lyudmila' and 'Life for the T...

Len_Z

Lance wrote:You got it: MDT. Total price with shipping was around $400/USD. Amazon-USA can be expensive on many items, even with PRIME.

Thank you, Lance!

Len_Z

Only one thousand (1,000) copies are said to be issued of this incredible compendium of live Sviatoslav Richter recordings made in Russia. As you would expect, there is lots of repetition of repertoire, nonetheless, each Richter performance is never the same. He was constantly looking to get to the...

Len_Z

Enjoyed a lot of it-the singing was very good-yoncheva was superb! The production was pretty good but the moving walls were a distraction and I would have preferred black face for otello-still a nice evening of opera. Len I was there too and also liked Yoncheva quite a lot. The men may be the best...

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