The Classical Music Guide Forums

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...

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

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