Interesting! Reminds me of Shchedrin's Carmen Suite - only in that there are no (!!!) horns. I really like that piece. There are several in print for anyone interested in a really enjoyable take on an old chestnut. |
jcazador, I agree and for folks who want to explore on the cheap there is a 10 CD set (on Amazon) title ’Complete Recordings’ for $44. Only a couple of nits: 1) it isn’t complete; 2) These are excerpts from live performances so the recordings aren’t really SOTA but they are fine none the less. The music though is truly outstanding. And for me his Schubert 960 is transcending - hard to describe, but it is musical poetry of the highest order.
pete23, I get weekly e-mails from Presto Music in England - they are both an excellent source for classical music as well as reviews and alerts for new recordings. Prestomusic.com.
A new acquisition from Chandos that I really love. "Old American Dances" by Robert Russell Bennett. Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra by Clark Rundell. An excellent break from all the ’serious’ stuff. |
Amazon has it under 'Schubert Grigory Sokolov' Sonatas D 894 and 960. A two disc set which only contains the two sonatas, one on each disc. A Naive disc OP30387. BTW the 894 ain't chopped liver! :-)
This set is also part of the "Complete Recording" set referred to above so if you want to hear more from him this set is certainly worthwhile. |
Pete23, As far as showpieces go, the Mahler 6 would be fine if the person whom you are showing has the patience. It is long!!! but never boring. It is my favorite Mahler by far (though I like them all).
Now if you really want to show off your system I can't think of a better recording than that of Copland's 3d Synphony on the Reference Recording Label. The first piece is Copland's Fanfare for a Common Man. The brass and drums will light your fire for sure. And it is a pretty good version as well.
I don't know the Wood Works you refer to, but if you like Nordic folk music, for something off the beaten path you might try/like Greirr Tveitt's 100 Folk-tunes from Hardanger on BIS. Caveat though, this is not warmed over Greig or Halverson.
And something rarely mentioned, but which I really enjoy a great deal it movie music by Nino Rota. My first Rota recording was by Muti on the Sony label, which is still my favorite by some margin. It includes an ear worm you just can't resist, Dances from Il Gattopardo.
Lastly, another outstanding piece of music you rarely hear, by another 'Hollywood' composer, Miklos Rozsa. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. I like the recording on the Koch label but there is an excellent series of this and his other orchestral music on the Chando label.
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As with others here, Mahler 1 was my introduction to Mahler. (Solti and the CSO). Next was the 7th with Levine and the CSO (still my favorite version, and I think this may be due to Levine’s association with the opera, he brings an aspect of more ’theater’ to it.
Then came the 2nd. I still have problems getting really interested the the first couple of movements except as a road to take getting to the last movement which is my all time favorite climax (of anybody). It really is emotionally moving. It just wrings me out!!!!
Then came the 6th (Sanderling and the St Petersberg PO). At last, for me, a complete, coherent, symphony full of moments great beauty alternating with moments of great angst right thru the final movement. This has always been, for me anyway, Mahler’s best.
The 4th is excellent especially if you want to just relax. It is almost too accessible. :-)
The 3d is just too long for me. But as with all of Mahler the use of chorus or solo vocals, makes it worth while.
The 8th is two different symphonies, in style at least. I like the first, the second not so much. But I do prefer Solti’s and the CSO when I do get it out.
Then comes the 9th. Much as I like it I’ve never put is all together. Bernstein’s 1979 live performance with the Berliner PO brings me as close as I’ve ever come. The 9th fascinates me none the less.
Needless to say Mahler competes only with Sibelius and Beethoven in my pantheon of the greatest composers of symphonies.
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RVpiano, I'll have you know I happen to have a very smart horse! It is a real challenge to compete with him when he's having a good day. But I digress (or is it regress? I'll have to ask my horse.) :-) |
Schubert,
In your pantheon perhaps. Not mine. Really :-)
We apparently live in different time zones. While I occasionally listen to Bruckners 7th, 8th, or 9th, time is becoming too precious for me to do it often. I'll also listen to Schubert's 8th & 9th performed by the OAE conducted by Mackerras. Great symphonies sans over orchestration. If one must have some of that then Mackerras provides it with the Scottish SO on Telarc. I grew up with Solti's Weiner Phil performance but lost interest in it after I heard Mackerra/OAE version. I'll pass on Haydn entirely, and for that matter most all symphonies pre-existing Beethoven.
Horses for courses.
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RV Piano,
And my horse likes a muddy course. More fun getting all fouled up in the process than having to cross the finish line all prim, prissy, and politically correct.
FWIW, I reflect a bit on my early experiences with Beethoven (and Schubert) symphonies. At that time I found the most venerated performances were over orchestrated, dense, slow, forced grandiose, etc, and IMHO, ultimately boring (or, alternatively, perhaps I was too just too dull to absorb them). I tried various HIP recordings, often using original instruments. No answer for me there.
Then I heard; 1) Kleibers 5th - It blew me away, still does, that man really got the beat down! Exciting as all hell; then, 2) Harnoncourt's performances of the symphonies which were just influenced by original performances/instruments, not just replications. Now I began to hear something that made sense to me and really opened up my mind for subsequent performances without historical restraints.
To paraphrase a famous line, I just find it more fun to follow the road less traveled. :-)
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Schubert, FWIW, I can’t imagine a context which makes your comments about someone growing up in the age of ’rock’ relevant to the music they might like, or appreciate, nor, for that matter, detract from the obverse. Sophomoric drivel, I think, even if it came from, or affirmed by, some mystical musician playing for a great orchestra in Germany. But pontificate if you will. That seems to be what you do best.
Best I check with my horse, but he is momentarily detracted by a sudden gas attack. |
I'm not unappreciative! Some of favorite Beethoven is his chamber music. My introduction to his chamber music was the Archduke, as well as his Kreutzer and Spring sonatas for piano and violin. I'm currently listening to the Florestan Trio on Hyperion. A complete set on 4 CD's. This is excellent stuff.
I don't have a copy of your Beaux Arts disc - I thought I did. If It is an LP I probably gave it away with all my vinyl some years ago. :-(
But, not to be overlooked, are his sonatas for piano and violin. A current set of the complete sonatas by Faust and Melnikov are available on the Harmonia Mundi label. An excellent place to start, I think.
Lots to enjoy.
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Big +1 on Giulini's 7th w/ Vienna PO, and I would add his 9th with the CSO, still one of my fav's. |
Herr Professor, since you are a self proclaimed history professor perhaps you would like to revisit the basis for your statement that I 'schooled you' for putting Mozart and Brahms above LvB and Mahler.
At 10:03 AM on 2/18/2019, I posted my personal views about Mahler's symphonies and said that " Mahler only competes with Sibelius and Beethoven in my pantheon of the greatest composers of symphonies".
At 12:28 PM on 2/18/19, you posted in response (?) "Really? Mozart and Brahms are better. And at their best, cases can be made for Haydn, Schubert and Bruckner.
Clearly you were trying to 'school me'. For stating, what was obviously, my opinion.
Since you are admittedly not a musicologist one must assume that you were just voicing your opinion. However, as you are aware, most folks reading your posts may not be aware of your background and believe that your pronouncement(s) was a statement of fact.
Perhaps you would like, for the sake of historical accuracy, in the future to append to your posts of such things something like 'in my humble opinion', or if that is not achievable something as simple as 'I believe' or 'I think', if your do. |
mahgister, FWIW, I think God prefers all of Moravec's music. He didn't record a lot but what he did is well worth hearing. I can recommend some more if your interested.
twoleftears, I'm not sure what caused you to reach your conclusions, but I think it may be an illusion caused by some folks who have been around music for generations and have substantial familiarity with a lot of the great performers and the music in which they may excel. In the beginning I think most folks are repertoire based and become more artist oriented later after knowledge of the standard repertoire has been acquired.
For example, I happen to like Massenet's PC also (I have the same Hyperion version as you.) I also happen to like a newer pianist, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. I found a CD in which he performs some Ravel, Debussy, and the Massenet. I bought it and was not disappointed, in either composers music, but especially his Debussy. I went on to purchase all of his Debussy recordings as well. I like his style a great deal and will now likely follow most all of his recordings for something else that I might enjoy. Oh, and I liked his Massenet much more than Ossonce's. BTW that is a Chandos CD if you're interested. |
ei001h, "...other notables", you might like Louis Lorties' version of Petrushka on a Chandos CD, which includes an excellent 'LaValse'. I have not heard Buniatishvili's version, but IMHO Lorties' version is in the 'Pollini class'. But then I really do like Lorties' work in general, and particularly in Chopin and Liszt. YMMV. |
Here is something for the adventurous and or completest collector of Tchaikovsky's music for solo piano.
"Complete works for solo piano" performed by Valentina Lisitsa on a new Decca issue. A 10 CD set for $32 on Anazon. Most of this is music I've never heard at all or in this form (except for the most common ones). Interesting at worst and some (so far) is quite good. Good recording quality and certainly worth having. It will really take a long time for me to get thru it all in any meaningful way. |
jcazador, Same with me. I have his 'Seasons' and '6 Pieces' on Virgin Classics, and '18 Pieces' on DG.
Something I've had a long time I've always enjoyed is an MMG CD with Richter playing excerpts from the 'Seasons' as well as excerpts from Rachmaninov's Etudes-Tableaux.
In case some one doesn't care for Pletnev, I can also recommend Antonin Kubalek's "Seasons' on Dorian and Ashkenazy's on Decca.
The "Seasons' is so good it is really hard to go wrong. :-) |
Ah yes, much to enjoy. Another excellent set and one that offers some serious alternatives to some of the more popular Rachmaninoff recordings. I consider these performances as more introverted which are to me often more attractive. FWIW I only have Shelley's performances to compare to most of these .
However, in the Preludes especially, I really do prefer something more high powered, such as Ashkenazy's, Shelley's, and for something really over the top, Hayroudinoff (You've really got to hear that one!)
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Beethoven sonatas. I've so many of these of which most are highly acclaimed performances, I simply ignored Stevecham's endorsement of John O'Conor's set on Telarc (on 4-08-18). Well, long story short, I just finished listening to the complete set. IMHO, not only are these excellent performances, the recordings themselves are so much better than many of the performances/recordings that I prize... go figure. If you're interested Vol I is a great place to start. You can appraise these critically if you desire, or alternatively, just sit back and enjoy. |
Just listened to the O'Rourke sonatas and nocturnes, and ordered the O'Conor/Telarc CD's. Based mostly on my enjoyment of his Beethoven. I'll bet you're right! :-) |
For those of you who love French piano music -
A CD I just discovered when looking for a different version (I have Roge and the LaBeques’ versions) of Dolly Suite for piano by Faure. It is a compilation of French composer’s music, i.e. Milhaud, Ravel, Faure, and Debussy, for 2 pianos.
’La Belle Epoque’ by Duo Lechner Tiempo on Avanticlassic. It is available on Amazon and has quite a few very favorable views with which I do not disagree.
IMHO, this is an outstanding recording for anyone liking this music. My ’purchase’ of the year I think. It is well reviewed on Amazon by some knowledgeable folks. |
What did you think about the Concert Variations? BTW, ’Down Among the Deadmen’ has something to do with passed out drunks (on a bar room floor perhaps?). I rather like the music as well as the title - who’d a thunk. I thought something more morbid perhaps. |
jim204, Can you provide details on the recording by Rana that you mentioned. I don't have it and can't identify/locate it. I have her Van Cliburn Competition disc and will be getting her Chopin/Scriabin disc. She really is quite good and I look forward to following her a bit. |
twoleftears, My favorite rendition of the Rachmaninoff PC's is by Earl Wild and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jasha Horenstein.
This has been around for many years (for good reason!) and it is presently available from Chandos. A set of all the PC's as well as the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. If these was the only versions of the PC's that I owned (and its not, I've got a lot, old and contemporary) I'd be very happy.
Enjoy them if you can.
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"Earl Wild was one of the great pianists of the 20th century"
Hard to argue with that statement and, FWIW, he was made in America. :-)
I'm very partial to his recordings for solo piano, and especially his transcriptions. Easy recommendations for 'Rachmaninoff Songs', a 'Schumann Recital', 'The Art of Transcripion - Live from Carnegie Hall', and a six CD set of Liszt including Transcriptions and Paraphrases.
I'm not sure how much of this is still in print, but if they can be found they are well worth hearing.
A couple of others I over looked worthy of mention - 'Earl Wild plays his transcriptions of Gershwin', and for Piano and Orchestra, Variations on an American Theme (Doo-Dah) and the Concerto in F. These Doo-Dah variations are unique - the disc, for no other reason, is a must have for Wild enthusiasts.
A recent recording of Wild's transcriptions/arrangements worth hearing and will give a fairly good idea of Wilds music in good hands (pun intented) Xiayin Wand's "The piano music of Earl Wild" on Chandos. |
jim204 & two left ears, I agree with you both on a high ends systems inability to reproduce anything close to real over a home system. For me though a modest system and a good recording can serve well in bringing me me into the music itself . I just don’t try to bring down the house.
Re using headphone as a source. FWIW I recently put together a separate, dedicated, headphone system - I’m just amazed at the clarity this can provide sans all of the audiophile stuff about imaging, etc. Its just about clarity and tone.
FWIW I too have found that I now prefer music for solo piano and chamber music. Especially the former. Just don’t need all of the thunder and lightning to get my attention. Mahler is just dying on my shelves now, but Sibelius comes to visit now and again. Not really true, I just play orchestral as background music for reading. |
Schubert, Nice headphones - I have a pair and use them often with my Marantz CDP which has a built in headphone outlet. I can see why you like them. I found they had a warmer mid range than my Senn's and were very easy to listen to and much more comfortable.
But for my lazy bones I have set up a separate dedicated headphone system next to my listening chair, consisting of a MrSpeakers Mad Dogs headphones, a Woo3 tube amp, a Loki tone control, and a cheapo TEAC CDP. My hearing has probably gone to hell, but FWIW, I almost prefer this to my regular system. Sum of the parts and all that...but that is what it is and surprised the hell out of me. Pure chance.
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Re Liszt, I'm not so fond of his original works for solo piano but I really do enjoy a lot of his transcriptions (depending of course on the performer) and his Annes which I listen to more (usually in its parts) than the famous to B minor sonata. Especially his Swiss Annes. Less thunder, much more lyrical I think.
Re Janacek, All's good with his orchestral music, but something I really enjoy that is rarely mentioned is his Danube (unfinished) Symphony. My favorite version is by Otakar Trhlak and the Janacek PO on Supraphon. If you haven't heard this you should (IMHO). |
jim204, Re 'smaller forces', i.e. big works with a chamber orchestra. I totally agree that there is little more refreshing especially with the old warhorse works by Beethoven, Brahms, & Schubert. I first discovered this with Harrnoncourt's Beethoven (despite his leanings toward HIP), the Mackerras's Schubert, either on Virgin or TELARC - my favorite is the Virgin), and Berglund's Brahms. I have Mackerras' but I find the Berglund more transparent which I prefer. I have not heard Mackerras' Beethoven yet.
For something unexpected, I have come to really enjoy Berglund's Sibelius with the COE. Sibelius has not suffered as much from over orchestration and denseness as the others, and Berglund rarely replaces my favorites, but is easily recommendable. |
For adventurous Bach enthusiasts - '13 ways of looking at the Goldberg' by Lara Downes on Tritone Records (CD). A very interesting journey into the possible. Enjoy if you can. BTW, this lady, who I really enjoy, has an interesting discography. For me, her works on the Steinway & Sons label are very enjoyable, especially 'Exiles' Cafe' and "A Billie Holiday Songbook'. |
I overlooked these PC's by Zimmerman and Ozawa as well. Wild and Horenstein's performances of all four have been my 'go to' versions for years. Yet, I've not hesitated to order a new CD on your recommendation. I have Liszt's PC's by the same forces which I also recommend as you did the Rachmaninoff.
Thanks for posting you thoughts on this.
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jcazador, You might also enjoy his performance of Shostakovich's Aphorisms, op 13. available on a Decca CD. It's quite good. FWIW I'm a Askenazy fan, both as a pianist as well as a conductor, especially in Rachmaninoff's and Sibelius' music. |
jcazador, Although not likely, if you missed Ashkenazy’s Preludes you might like to give them a listen. I like them a lot. -) |
RV, do you think this accounts for the resemblance to his Symphonic Dances? Interesting that his 1st symphony could be so similar to his last (symphonic) works. Wonder how his unreworked version would compare to the Symphonic Dances. BTW, the Symphonic Dances are my favorite orchestral works by Rachmaninoff. They have everything that really wakes one up, nothing here to drowse to. :-) |
jcazador (and others of like mind) Your comment to me on 10/6 "...peaceful, my kind of music" caused me to think of you when I finished listening to my most recent acquisition. This is a recording by Lara Downes on Steinway & Sons titled "For Love of You. Clara and Robert Schuman". I bought this because I like her music and I follow her as other recordings of that label. I had no great expectations, in fact I had a major reservation - I had burned out long ago of that highly regarded war horse, his Piano Concerto.
Short version - I was drawn in and swept away by the program, her performance and the recording quality. The piano concerto is the most gentle version one can imagine and reflects the spirit of the program. This is, really, a program which engages and relaxes simultaneously. I cannot endorse it more highly to you.
Enjoy if you can.
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recluse, One of the best versions IMHO. This and his recording of Symphonic Dances have been my favorites since they first came out (on Vinyl).
Roxy, do you have the companion recording of some of his solo piano music, titled "Banjo". I think Eugene List nailed this music, really brings it to life like no others (of which I'm aware) . :-) |
Hard to fault your choice, this is excellent Chopin. However don't miss Moravec. IMHO its the best regardless of how you like your Chopin.
FWIW, in a modern recording its hard to beat Louis Lortie's Chopin on Chandos. These are my current favorites, i.e. 'go to', recordings. Lest I lead you astray, I do prefer a more masculine style over a more romantic style. |
Cal91, I probably should have mentioned - re Moravec's Chopin, I started with his Nocturnes on an Electra Nonsuch disc(s) presently available of Amazon. Outstanding and well worth the price. |
I enjoy Michael Tilson Thomas's version with the LA Phil. Reminds me more of the sound of music as it was played in the 20's. That aside, I really enjoy Litton's with the Bergen Phil. Recording quality is excellent and the sound is more forward than some of the others, alive and dramatic.
Of (some of) the others I have, and briefly listened to, I like Bernstein's with the NY Phil, Previn's with the LSO (not the PSO, for acoustic reasons). Much as I like Earl Wild I didn't care for the recording with Feidler.
I'd be happy with just the first two, but I would include Litton's version with the Dallas SO where he plays and conducts (as does Thomas). I just like this program a lot. |
twoleftears, the recording I was referring to was a DG #419627. The orchestra referred to was the Wiener Philharmoniker, but that's really the same orchestra as the Vienna Phil. |
+1 on Guiliani's Bruckner 7. My favorite. I'm fond of his 9th as well. Try to hear it.
++1 on older recommendation of Rana’s performance of Bach’s Goldbergs. |
Mendelssohn's 'Songs Without Words' was my first attraction to his music for solo piano (many years ago). I started with Barenboim's and most recently acquired Shelley's in the 4 vol set. All good - I think I still like Barenboim's more of these two.
But, forgetting anything but the shear beauty of the sound, I can't resist 'pigging out' with Kyoko Tabe's recording on Denon. It just 'sings'! To me anyway. :-) Try it if you haven't already.
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Schubert, Irina Bogdanovich is one impressive alto, just plain marvelous!
Is this available on CD. I haven't been able to find it. |
Who needs more Sibelius, I know I don't, but then ......
A new 4 disc set of his Symphonies. Just came out. A young (age 26) conductor I've never heard of, Klaus Makela (A Finn, what else) leading the Oslo Philharmonic. Very, very, good I think and certainly worth exploring (which I am doing). Got a great and detailed review in Gramaphone. And all for $25. FWIW.
I think this may be a conductor to follow...........
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Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I just ordered the set from Presto. |
Re Janacek - Listened to Firkusny's RCA recording just a few days ago. Love it - I've found no reason to supplement it. |
Not a 'go to' artist for me, but she sure is first class eye candy! And a good performer as well. |
A special thank you to Jim for his recommendation this spring of the music by Zlata Chochieva. I got it all presently available. I'm especially fond of her Etudes by Chopin. Lyrical and then some. :-) |
twoleftears (and anyone else who might care), I noted in another post that you recommended a Schubert solo piano piece...so, have I got a deal for your! Larissa Dedove playing Schubert's piano sonatas on Centaur. A 5 cd set for about $25 to $30. I'd never heard of her - they came to me by recommendation - since I love Schubert's music for solo piano I couldn't resist (even though my CD drawer(s) overflows.)
Bottom line - excellent playing, excellent SQ, AND CHEAP. What more could your ask for (even though you didn't). This is easily one of the best sets that I have. :-)
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Presto in England. Cheaper than Amazon - larger catalog - prompt delivery especially if you buy any quantity and they ship UPS. Slower if they ship USPS. I buy about 80% of my CD's from them. FWIW their service is great.
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Well here is something that, at minimum, you will find more 'modern'. A road less traveled for sure. Paalo Berglund and the COE. If you are tired of over orchestrated, bloated Brahms, performed by large orchestras, which is so abundant, perhaps you should give these a listen. I find them quite attractive. If you like what happens here then maybe you should give his Sibelius a listen as well.
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