LarryC Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 ---------------- On 3/10/2004 7:46:52 PM garymd wrote: ...one of the great discoveries for me was Chopin's Piano Concertos 1 & 2. The particular CD I have is Martha Argerich on piano & Charles Dutoit conducting the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. EMI recording from 1998. I have nothing to compare to since I'm a beginner here but this particular recording is very good. If anyone has a favorite recording of these pieces, I'd appreciate a recommendation. ---------------- I'm not familiar with that recording, the music is a great find. I think Woodog and Wolfram are high on Argerich and Dutoit and the Montreal are exceptional, so its gotta be good. I've never found the hyped Evgeny Kissin/Moscow Philharmonic CD to be inspired (he was only 12). My favorite is a 1988 Naxos recording by -- bear with me, I'd never heard of these folks -- István Székely, piano and the Budapest Symphony Orch conducted by Gyula Németh. To me, this one has the great delicacy and feeling of the kind I like in Chopin. Why don't you borrow it and see what you think? Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 Thanks Larry, I will. I'll also let you hear the Montreal CD if you want. I'm listening to a copy of The Nutcracker on a Philips lp I found in my basement with Stokowski and the London Philharmonic. Very different tempo then what I've ever heard. Varies throughout. Good though and nice recording although a little scratchy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrot Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 Gary, This is not Chopin Piano Concertos No. 1 & 2, but it is Chopin: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001G8Q/qid=1078968335/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3/103-6840608-5214254#product-details This is a desert island disc, provided the desert island has good stereo accommodations. Zimerman is just superb. You cannot possibly *not* like this CD. Zimerman also has a version or two of the Concertos you want. I haven't heard his renditions, but he is a recognized master of Chopin. At Goodwill I recently picked up a 2-LP set of Arthur Rubinstein playing the Piano Concertos 1 & 2. Haven't even listened to them yet. Hmmm, at 30 cents, that makes 15 cents a record. Another great interpreter of Chopin is Guiomar Novaes, a woman I'd never even heard of before last year. She flourished in the 1950s. Here is her recording of 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 Thanks Paul. When I find something else from Amazon, getting me over $25 for free shipping, I'll order it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrot Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 Well, you could get this from amazon, if you don't already own it. Another desert island disc, easily. I picked up the mono LP, again for 30 cents, as it has several photos inside that were not reproduced in the SACD release. This is a great stereo Sony SACD, not a hybrid. It has the *definitive* Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor (the funeral march). http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000K4IK/qid=1078971076/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/102-8829388-2120933?v=glance&s=classical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 I already have that Paul. It's great. Good late night music to soothe the soul. Any other recs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrot Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 How about some cello music? Janos Starker is my favorite. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000006U7/qid=1078971797/sr=1-13/ref=sr_1_13/102-8829388-2120933?v=glance&s=classical http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000057KJ/qid=1078971797/sr=1-14/ref=sr_1_14/102-8829388-2120933?v=glance&s=classical If you read the reviews at amazon, you'll see there are lots of people who have the same opinion as I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proko03 Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 ---------------- On 3/8/2004 12:01:03 PM gtDark wrote: Went to Atlanta's Symphony Orchestra for the first time Saturday night and really enjoyed myself. The program was Prokofiev's Symphony No.1 in D Major, Ravel's Concerto in G Major for Piano and Orchestra, and Saint-Saens' Symphony No.3 in C Minor. I especially liked Saint-Saens with the organ; it was very powerful and dynamic, just a huge sound. I have to admit that I am quite ignorant when it comes to classical music, so I'm just asking for some more recommendations. I want something that is powerful and very dynamic. I've heard Wagner might be good? I have also been looking and listening at the Naxos website thanks to MaxG's recommendation, but they only produce cd's correct? I'm looking for SACD's, so if you can recommend specific recordings that would be great. It's kind of confusing when there are several releases on different labels of the same piece of music. ---------------- If you remotely enjoyed the Prokofiev 1st Piano Concerto, do try out the 3rd Concerto with Byron Janis on MERCURY 434333-2, coupled with a fine Rachmaninov 1st Concerto in stunning Mercury sound. These recordings offer some of the best examples of remastering, partly because the master tapes are so extrordinary. Otherwise, Ashkenazy, a plug here for my former Berlin boss, does a great job with all 5 concertos. The Munch Saint-Saens 3 is a fabulous recording and belongs in the library of audiophiles music lovers alike. Always glad to help, proko03@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proko03 Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 ---------------- On 3/9/2004 1:34:10 PM dubai2000 wrote: Wagner: is a tricky case as most of modern recordings are spoilt by poor singing! The Solti Ring is mainly okay and the beginning of 'Rheingold' is still a very impressive recording (done in 1958!)- actually it was the one that got me hooked on Wagner. His most 'sensual' opera is surely 'Tristan und Isolde'. The Karajan (EMI) has a very impressive Tristan in Jon Vickers (really a shattering third act) but for overall 'passion' I'd still go for the Böhm on DG (1966 taken off performances and rehearsals at that year's Bayreuth festival). But to get Wagner at his best you cannot avoid mono recordings. For the Ring, the Rai Furwängler (EMI) (not the live LaScala - it has cuts in Die Walküre and Siegfried) and the 1956 Knappertsbusch (on Music &Arts)should be considered. For the Flying Dutchman I'd go for the 1955 Keilberth on Decca. Herman Uhde portrays the Dutchman's despair really very convincingly. For Lohengrin I'd look for Keilberth's Decca recording (also from the Bayreuth festival - Windgassen in the title role gives perhaps his best performance). Meistersinger is tricky indeed: without Sachs, no opera and you'll need a top bass bariton indeed. Try the 1944 live recording from Bayreuth conducted by Abendroth (decent mono sound on Preiser). Parsifal is stereo again: Knappertsbusch in 1962 on Philips. Karajan was mentioned, too. His Wagner is very special in not being bombastic at all! Instead he was looking for chamber-like performances. You get really exquisite string and brass playing, but where's the drama? Mahler: I'd have thought that Lennie Bernstein turns up. If you want a very emotional Mahler, get his set on DG. The only problem: once you have got used to his way in Mahler, everything else might first sound kind of 'shallow' - which it isn't. The only problem is that on DG he didn't record No.8 -unfortunately he passed away before the recording took place. For No8. consider Solti (or an a smaller scale but still impressive - Tennstedt on EMI). I actually have a very soft spot for Solti's early LSO recording of the first symphony (DECCA) and I am not sure if I don't prefer his early No.3 either to his later Chicago remakes. But his Chicago cycle is an alternative to Bernstein. Verdi: I have never listened to the Traviata recording Max mentions, but for that opera a Callas recording (albeit mono again) is a must! I know her Lisbon live recording but the one from LaScala under Gulini is supposedly nice, too. Okay....this list could be endless. Just one more: if you like 'big', romantic piano concertos, get yourself the Argerich CDs of her Rachmaninoff No.3 under Chailly and her Kondrashin recording of the first Tchaikovsky (both Philips). Okay, enough now! Wolfram ---------------- And I'm in the orchestra on that amazing Chailly/Agerich recording! Just couldn't resist... proko03@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 10, 2004 Share Posted March 10, 2004 On 3/10/2004 10:13:43 PM Proko03 wrote: And I'm in the orchestra on that amazing Chailly/Agerich recording! Just couldn't resist... proko03@aol.com ---------------- Tell us more, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai2000 Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 YES; PLEASE!!!! For the Chopin concertos I'd also suggest another 'radio find': Emanuel Ax and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Sir Charles Mackerras on period instruments (Sony). It's quite a 'muscular' reading and certainly removes Chopin from the 'salon corner'. BTW: There is nothing 'thin' or edgy about those period instruments though the piano tone naturally differs from a modern Steinway etc. These two CDs were sold here for very little money, so if that applies to the US as well, it's well worth trying. Oh, and the Zimerman on DG (the one where he conducts as well) is meant to be very good too....and his latest Rachmaninoff No.1/2 (also DG) got a rave review as well...another one for my collection . Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proko03 Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 ---------------- On 3/10/2004 10:57:46 PM garymd wrote: On 3/10/2004 10:13:43 PM Proko03 wrote: And I'm in the orchestra on that amazing Chailly/Agerich recording! Just couldn't resist... proko03@aol.com ---------------- Tell us more, please. ---------------- Where to begin... Funny thing is, it's a live performance (Rach. 3rd) and we were not even aware that we were being recorded. In fact, to my surprise, it only appeared on the shelves some 10 yrs. after. But there were many such occasions. After all, Berlin, like Carnegie, is still a Mecca for serious musicians ready to take the challenge. proko03@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxg Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 "Wagner: is a tricky case as most of modern recordings are spoilt by poor singing! The Solti Ring is mainly okay and the beginning of 'Rheingold' is still a very impressive recording (done in 1958!)- actually it was the one that got me hooked on Wagner. His most 'sensual' opera is surely 'Tristan und Isolde'. The Karajan (EMI) has a very impressive Tristan in Jon Vickers (really a shattering third act) but for overall 'passion' I'd still go for the Böhm on DG (1966 taken off performances and rehearsals at that year's Bayreuth festival). But to get Wagner at his best you cannot avoid mono recordings. For the Ring, the Rai Furwängler (EMI) (not the live LaScala - it has cuts in Die Walküre and Siegfried) and the 1956 Knappertsbusch (on Music &Arts)should be considered. For the Flying Dutchman I'd go for the 1955 Keilberth on Decca. Herman Uhde portrays the Dutchman's despair really very convincingly. For Lohengrin I'd look for Keilberth's Decca recording (also from the Bayreuth festival - Windgassen in the title role gives perhaps his best performance). Meistersinger is tricky indeed: without Sachs, no opera and you'll need a top bass bariton indeed. Try the 1944 live recording from Bayreuth conducted by Abendroth (decent mono sound on Preiser). Parsifal is stereo again: Knappertsbusch in 1962 on Philips. Karajan was mentioned, too. His Wagner is very special in not being bombastic at all! Instead he was looking for chamber-like performances. You get really exquisite string and brass playing, but where's the drama? " I hear you on the mono Wagner's. I am yet to find a stereo version that holds a candle to: Wagner Tannhauser/Die Walkerie/Seigfrieds Rhine Journey Boston Symphony Charles Munch RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2119 Mono US although I did find this one that is not at all bad... Wagner Gotterdammerung Highlights Nilsson/Windgassen/Frick Vienna Philharmonic Georg Solti Decca SXL 62290 Stereo UK "Mahler: I'd have thought that Lennie Bernstein turns up. If you want a very emotional Mahler, get his set on DG. The only problem: once you have got used to his way in Mahler, everything else might first sound kind of 'shallow' - which it isn't. The only problem is that on DG he didn't record No.8 -unfortunately he passed away before the recording took place. For No8. consider Solti (or an a smaller scale but still impressive - Tennstedt on EMI). I actually have a very soft spot for Solti's early LSO recording of the first symphony (DECCA) and I am not sure if I don't prefer his early No.3 either to his later Chicago remakes. But his Chicago cycle is an alternative to Bernstein." For Mahler I am very pleased with: Mahler Symphony 3 Maureen Forrester Los Angeles Philharmonic Zubin Mehta Decca D117D 2 Stereo UK "Verdi: I have never listened to the Traviata recording Max mentions, but for that opera a Callas recording (albeit mono again) is a must! I know her Lisbon live recording but the one from LaScala under Gulini is supposedly nice, too. " If only it were possible to find a decent condition Callas Traviata - believe me I have tried. One of my yet to be catalogued box sets is exactly that - but it is Callas in a heavy rain storm with added hailstones thrown in - I can hear that behind all that noise there is a wonderful recording - I just cant get to it enough to hear it. I have the same issue with Monserat Caballe on this one too. I really like the way she does it (it is a nice counterpoint to the Callas). If you can find one in decent condition I would recommend: Verdi La Traviata Monserat Caballe RCA Italiana Opera Georges Pretre RCA Red Seal SB 6779 Stereo UK Okay....this list could be endless. Just one more: if you like 'big', romantic piano concertos, get yourself the Argerich CDs of her Rachmaninoff No.3.... Yes I have that one. It is certainly a great performance but for me, it pales next to: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3 Vladimir Ashkenazy London Symphony Andre Previn London KIJC-9204 Stereo Japan I should state that the above is an audiophile version on heavyweight vinyl that cost me a king's ransom, but to my ears it is as good a performance of this piece as I have heard. There is also an interesting version on SACD with the new young Russian guy (Solodos or something). Another variation worth listening to IMHO.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai2000 Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 Mono Wagner due to the singers. Unfortunately many current Wagner singers are not really up to their roles. I suppose in the past young singers were simply given more time before attempting heavyweight roles. Though there are exceptions: Hans Hotter (Solti's Wotan apart from 'Rheingold') took on his first Wanderer while still in his twenties or early thirties. Plus (even) in most classical music one gets used to mono sound...and I can enjoy those recordings for artistic reasons (and that's what matters after all). The Callas 'Traviatas' mentioned above have been re-issued in prety decent mono sound by EMI. Try getting hold of some samples (perhaps Amazon?)...you really should! I don't know the Mahler No.3 by Mehta - his No.2 (also on Decca) is fine - though for sheer aural splendor I might suggest Solti's Chicago recording (Decca) - but his Mahler is certainly less openly intense (in a way) than Bernstein's. The Volodos Rach. No.3 is an interesting contender, but I prefer Argerich's livelier tempos...and Horowitz hasn't even been mentioned (nor Rachmaninoff himself!)... Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proko03 Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 Proko03 here. Tried posting replies to you guys but I must being doing something wrong because they all seem to have gone nowhere. Just letting you know I tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai2000 Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 Proko03, one of the things I found very surprising when taking cello lessons as a youth (not long enough to master the instrument-alas!) was the fact that my teacher only had a very small number of records. I would have thought that one might be interested in alternative performances to one's own, but not in that household. Do you find that this was a singular experience or do professional musicians simply not take to recorded music? I am not sure I know which equipment you are using, but in your opinion, how close do recordings and equipment get to the actual sound experienced by performers of classical music? If you feel like it you can also contact me under: w.schlaegel@freenet.de Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-MAN Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 For the finest of what a full orchestra, massed choir, and in the requeims a pipe organ, get ahold of the following: 1) Deutch Grammophon "Beethovens Symphonie #9"(but of course) 2) Telarc cd of "Fuare and Durufle Requeims" (a must own) 3) Deutch Grammophon "Ravel - Daphne et Cloe / La Valse" (awesome) Add a set of Klipschorns and that's what heaven sounds like, dude... DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 11, 2004 Share Posted March 11, 2004 Another great cd from my library picks turned out to be Vivaldi's, The Four Seasons, 1997 BMG Classics, Freiburger Barockorchester, Dir: Gottfried von der Goltz, The Harp Consort, Dir: Andrew Lawrence-King. Once again I have nothing which to compare but the recording is excellent and it seems to be played with tremendous passion. While I've heard it before, its never been with the concentration and focus I'm giving it now. Once again, if anyone has any favorites here, by all means please chime in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proko03 Posted March 12, 2004 Share Posted March 12, 2004 ---------------- On 3/11/2004 9:39:49 PM D-MAN wrote: For the finest of what a full orchestra, massed choir, and in the requeims a pipe organ, get ahold of the following: 1) Deutch Grammophon "Beethovens Symphonie #9"(but of course) 2) Telarc cd of "Fuare and Durufle Requeims" (a must own) 3) Deutch Grammophon "Ravel - Daphne et Cloe / La Valse" (awesome) Add a set of Klipschorns and that's what heaven sounds like, dude... DM ---------------- Hi D-Man, Thanks for the tips, but with all due respect, I know exactly what heaven sounds like after playing Bruckner's 8th under Karajan. And as much as I love my Cornwalls, there is nothing on the face of this earth that can or ever will surplant that experience. Good to hear that there are Klipsch fans out there who actually listen to the music and not just thier, well, you know... proko03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proko03 Posted March 12, 2004 Share Posted March 12, 2004 ---------------- On 3/11/2004 11:04:29 PM garymd wrote: Another great cd from my library picks turned out to be Vivaldi's, The Four Seasons, 1997 BMG Classics, Freiburger Barockorchester, Dir: Gottfried von der Goltz, The Harp Consort, Dir: Andrew Lawrence-King. Once again I have nothing which to compare but the recording is excellent and it seems to be played with tremendous passion. While I've heard it before, its never been with the concentration and focus I'm giving it now. Once again, if anyone has any favorites here, by all means please chime in. ---------------- Try Bruckner's 8th, Karajan, Vienna PO, DG 427 611-2. listen to the 4th movement and die. proko03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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