The Classical Music Guide Forums

Len_Z

I share your bewilderment and also wish Mr. Volodos recorded more, much more. I've just revisited his Brahms, Schubert, and Mompou a couple of weeks ago, and I think he's my favorite among all of the today's pianists. Him and Ms. Pires, probably.

The other Len:)

Len_Z

I use Presto quite a lot, even after their shipping charges have risen due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The secret, imho, is to watch out for the sales they regularly have on certain labels, which allow one to save several bucs per disc, thus making the CDs cheaper than on Amazon/US. Also, the pre-...

Len_Z

Is there a contents list available anywhere? I might be interested as I only have his mono sonatas and a few miscellaneous CDs. Some of what I would expect in this collection is his: Schubert sonatas Schumann Brahms (some of which I've already got) Chopin (surprisingly good) Liszt (another surprise...

Len_Z

I would definitely agree about the Russians, what with Pletnev, Sokolov, Volodos and the younger crop - for instance, Volodin, Lifschitz, Korzhukhin, etc. But the British? I must be missing some very important names. Hough? Grosvernor? Who else?

Len_Z

I like Alexandre Tharaud very much, have been collecting his recordings forever and have attended several recitals - solo as well as chamber, with Queyras, for example. In general, I feel the French have an abundance of extremely fine piano players nowadays, among them Adam Laloum, Bertrand Chamayou...

Len_Z

I've been saying all along that Gelb would bury the Met. The pandemic is just an excuse to do what he intended to all along: drastically cut the cost and turn our opera house into a cross between a Broadway theater and an experimental music venue a la BAM or Armory. I don't think the Met can survive.

Len_Z

Is this the end of the Met as we know it?

Len_Z

In New York 'Die Winterreise' is going to be performed live by Mattei, DiDonato, and Eric Owens. What, as a trio? Dividing the songs between them? I don't mind Winterreise sung by a woman, and have Christa Ludwig's account for example. But I don't like the idea of dividing the songs because I think...

Len_Z

This year, we seem to have an avalanche of 'Die Winterreise' recordings. On top of the above-mentioned Mattei, Ian Bostridge has just released a new version with Ades. There's also another tenor rendition by Breslik, a countertenor one by Xavier Sabata, a mezzo one by Britta Schwartz. In New York 'D...

Len_Z

I wonder if anybody has any info on what is going to be included in the upcoming Rudolf Firkusny RCA/Columbia box set. If they do not include old Capitol CDs (yes, I know that Capitol is EMI, but sometimes same recordings are released by different companies in different countries), is Warner (the ow...

Len_Z

Voluntary disclosure: I had a subscription to the second Ring cycle + tickets for separate performances of Rheingold and Die Walkure. After hearing the Rheingold I sold everything else. The level of conducting was that unbearable - I just didn't think that despite my reverence of Wagner (or exactly ...

Len_Z

Salonen will be conducting a new production of the Ring in Helsinki next season. I have never heard him perform anything by Wagner, but I think he's a fantastic musician and his take will be at the very least interesting. Another candidate that I would be very keen on hearing is Runnicles. And let's...

Len_Z

To get back to your question, Len Z, MHO is that Barbirolli was inconsistent as a conductor. While it's true that his Mahler VI is extraordinary (perhaps a bit slow in the opening movement, at least the tempo primo), his Otello is quite awful, and a live Mahler VII I've heard on BBC label is quite ...

Len_Z

I am absolutely perplexed why EMI/Warner has still not issued an Icon (or a comparable in scope) box set of John Barbirolli recordings. Does anybody know if it's in the works or, if not, the reason for this conspicuous absence. I just don't want to purchase all his records individually only to disco...

Len_Z

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tdk8VdkNL.jpg This is one of the finest discs of French music I have heard in my lifetime. Louis Langree is building a recorded legacy of consistently elegant and sensitive performances, including this one with Veronique Gens, one of the finest Fre...

Len_Z

I don't know about you, ladies and gents, but I'm taking my collection with me - every single book, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray. Nothing will be left behind:)

Len_Z

Monastyrska is a wonderful singer, imho, and her Aida is exceptional. Unfortunately, that's the only part the Met keeps on offering her and she's not interested in doing it anymore. Hence, no Monastyrska at the Met. As for Radvanovska, she cancelled the January Aidas because of a family emergency, o...

Len_Z

Radvanovsky should be back for the last three performances of the run in late Feb. - early March. Although they will be conducted by the worst podium desecrator in the world Placido Domingo, I still exchanged my ticket for Feb 28 because of Radvanovsky. This is our last chance to hear her in NYC for...

Len_Z

Richter has always been my favorite pianist. I had the honor of hearing him live on several occasions and, even though it was at the very late stage of his career, each and every one of them has affected me greatly. On top of everything that's already been mentioned here, I'd like to add his recordi...

Len_Z

Kaufmann has disappointed me so much and so often lately that I completely stopped going to his performance. For instance, I have skipped both his recent Carnegie Hall recital and La fanciulla, which would have unthinkable 7-8 years ago. On the other hand, I love Anita Rachvelishvili, bought her CD ...

Len_Z

Do you think it's the same material that was previously available on EMI box sets or is it something completely different?

Len_Z

P.S. I have tried 'Tidal' last night and must admit I'm completely blown away by the sound quality that is eons superior to 'Spotify'. I did compare same recordings on both services side by side. The only thing I can't figure out yet is if it's permissible to download and how to go off-line. The dep...

Len_Z

Thank you, everybody! At this point I decided to give Spotify a try - the first month is free anyway. I'll take a look at Tidal as well, but am always open to other suggestions.

Thanks again! You've been a terrific bunch!

Tha Other Len:)

Len_Z

Sorry, I meant something like Spotify. Is it preferable to, let's say, I-tunes? And is the choice really between these two and Youtube or is there something else out there that I am not aware of?

Thanks a lot for your responses, Belle and John F!

Best regards,

The Other Len:)

Len_Z

Being oh so very conservative, especially where my music and cinema collections are concerned, I have never subscribed to any streaming service, because the mere thought of paying for something as immaterial as a digital recording that I would never be able to hold in my hands turned me off. I have ...

Len_Z

Rach3 wrote: ↑
Tue Sep 04, 2018 11:48 am
The Brahms set you mention is here, just starting to listen, in small doses:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4xvQ3Y ... aHcudX80SA

Would love to hear what you think of it.

Len_Z

I must admit that I wasn't initially a fan, but eventually Feltsman won me over. I think his sublime Brahms is a major event and probably the best piano recording of the year. Any other candidates anybody? https://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Works-Piano-Vladimir-Feltsman/dp/B07BQPTRYT/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&i...

Len_Z

I concur that Antonacci's recital was one of the last season's highlights and would definitely try to attend her return to NY next January. Otherwise, nothing else in the NYCO lineup picks my interest.

Len_Z

For me, Ugorski is one of the most exquisite pianists to emerge from the Soviet Union in its late stages. He's precise, very musical, full of interesting ideas and absolutely fascinating to listen to. The DG box set should be a treasure trove; too bad I already have all of the Ugorski's recordings o...

Len_Z

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61qEShPBsKL._SS500.jpg Sabine Deveilhe is a superb and intellectually curious singer/musician, whose previous album on Mozart arias received a glowing review in these pages from yours truly. This, her latest album of French works, some obscure and so...

Len_Z

Thanks a lot, John!!!

Len_Z

Thanks! I mentioned Schubert's Impromptus only because Deyanova's name came up in a discussion of their various renditions as one of the most dramatic ones along with Virsaladze's and Grinberg's. Other people participating in the discussion preferred much more known versions (i.e. Brendel, Arrau, Lu...

Len_Z

On a different forum somebody mentioned Marta Deyanova, especially her rendition of Schubert's Impromptus. I have never even heard OF her, let alone anything BY her. Does anybody know her recordings? Are they worth exploring?

Thanks in advance,

The other Len:)

Len_Z

Thank you, Belle! No, I didn't know he was Muti's son-in-law

Len_Z

Thank you so much for your reply! I have same financial limitations and am also running out of space, thus my doubts.

Len_Z

I've been hearing very good things about the Chopin, Bach, Mozart and Schubert CDs by David Fray, but since the repertoire he supposedly excels in is quite well represented, I am hesitant and remain, so to speak, on the fence. Anybody heard him play (either live or in studio) and would share an opin...

Len_Z

I know several people who consider Kirill Petrenko a deity of sorts and worship at his altar, following him and his orchestras around the globe. Sadly, I missed his Carnegie Hall appearances this Spring and thus have never heard him live. Funny though that there's another Russian conductor with the ...

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...

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