Frans Bruggen 1934-2014

[makropulos]

Very sad - I'd just been listening to his recent Mozart 39/40/41 set (and thinking "he's become a bit like a HIPP Klemperer") when I read the thread heading. This set (appearing next Monday)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beethoven-Complete-Symphonies-Decca-Collectors/dp/B00KNTLZ5W/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1408010582&sr=1-1&keywords=beethoven+bruggen

now seems like a memorial to this great musician. But, as Jayne has said, a bringer of much joy

A bringer of so much joy, indeed. I wrote a review of the Mozart set (terrific) only last week.

An inspiring giant has left us. RIP.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Very sad - I'd just been listening to his recent Mozart 39/40/41 set (and thinking "he's become a bit like a HIPP Klemperer") when I read the thread heading. This set (appearing next Monday)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beethoven-Complete-Symphonies-Decca-Collectors/dp/B00KNTLZ5W/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1408010582&sr=1-1&keywords=beethoven+bruggen

now seems like a memorial to this great musician. But, as Jayne has said, a bringer of much joy

I think that's the old PHILIPS set that includes the Eroica I mentioned earlier. <sigh> - just when I'd told myself "No more Beethoven Symphony Cycles"! (Still, I don't have a complete Creatures of Prometheus, nor, for that matter, a decent HIPP Violin Concerto. And, as you say, it's not buying "yet another" Beethoven Symphony Cycle - it's showing my last respects.)

[Bryn]

I think that's the old PHILIPS set that includes the Eroica I mentioned earlier. <sigh> - just when I'd told myself "No more Beethoven Symphony Cycles"! (Still, I don't have a complete Creatures of Prometheus, nor, for that matter, a decent HIPP Violin Concerto. And, as you say, it's not buying "yet another" Beethoven Symphony Cycle - it's showing my last respects.)

Excuse me, but this is not "a decent HIPP Violin Concerto". Pat Kop and Schneiderhan notwithstanding, this, to me, is the decent Beethoven Violin Concerto recording, HIPP or unHIPP. I wonder if Universal/Philips/Decca (whatever they are calling themselves this week) have done any spiffing up by way of remastering.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Excuse me, but this is not "a decent HIPP Violin Concerto". Pat Kop and Schneiderhan notwithstanding, this, to me, is the decent Beethoven Violin Concerto recording, HIPP or unHIPP.

- the only HIPP recording of the Concerto I own is Monica Huggett's with the OAE and Mackerras. In spite of this impressive-looking line-up, the recording has interest only in catching soloist, orchestra, conductor and recording engineer all on an off-day: quite the flattest performance of the work I've ever heard! Excellent to hear your endorsement of the Zehetmair/O18C/Bruggens - although your opening sentence caught my breath!

[Madame Suggia]

Just been looking for the Bruggen Eroica mentioned earlier on this thread on Amazon and it looks like his complete set of Beethoven symphonies are being released on August 18th, pre order £28.99

Are these the Philips recordings?

[Barbirollians]

I think that's the old PHILIPS set that includes the Eroica I mentioned earlier. <sigh> - just when I'd told myself "No more Beethoven Symphony Cycles"! (Still, I don't have a complete Creatures of Prometheus, nor, for that matter, a decent HIPP Violin Concerto. And, as you say, it's not buying "yet another" Beethoven Symphony Cycle - it's showing my last respects.)

Sad news indeed . RIP

[Bryn]

Just been looking for the Bruggen Eroica mentioned earlier on this thread on Amazon and it looks like his complete set of Beethoven symphonies are being released on August 18th, pre order £28.99

Are these the Philips recordings?

They are indeed, but you may think it worth waiting a couple of weeks for the amazon.it release date. Looks like that might be a cheaper option, even with the p&p charges.

[jayne lee wilson]

I think that's the old PHILIPS set that includes the Eroica I mentioned earlier. <sigh> - just when I'd told myself "No more Beethoven Symphony Cycles"! (Still, I don't have a complete Creatures of Prometheus, nor, for that matter, a decent HIPP Violin Concerto. And, as you say, it's not buying "yet another" Beethoven Symphony Cycle - it's showing my last respects.)

I concur enthusiastically with Bryn about the Violin Concerto! Stunningly rugged and dramatic. Renewal and recreation. It's the only one I would reach for now...

[french frank]

And for the recorder playing: I've been a long time looking out this link, recommended by the musically fastidious Julien Sorel/Simon Howard who was a great admirer of Frans Brüggen. Sonata by Willem de Fesch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSm0tejTXZg&feature=player_embedded

[bluestateprommer]

This link has double poignancy, since it features the final concert by the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic last July, conducted by Frans Brüggen, before the orchestra was shut down:

http://youtu.be/RB5j3wp6SnY

[gamba]

Take a look on utube for Bach Cantata BWV 106. Here he is in close -up as recorder player with many of the great names from the beginning of Early Music around him. How about the harpsichordist at the back & others ? Group led by Leonhardt, fabulous singers, just look around & see who you recognise.

This now resides at the top of my ' favourites ' list.

[french frank]

Is this the one you mean, gamba?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc1Ve0TOF4c

[gamba]

French frank - indeed yes. I had already drawn attention to this performance on these pages a while ago.
I don't just watch & listen, I DROOL over it !

Most of us will recognise Ton Koopman in the background. I am more intrigued to know the identity of the nearby
Continuo 'cellist. Could it possibly be Harnoncourt, Dutch & an ex- cellist. looks very much like him.



Thanks for raising the subject, gamba

[bluestateprommer]

Most of us will recognise Ton Koopman in the background. I am more intrigued to know the identity of the nearby
Continuo 'cellist. Could it possibly be Harnoncourt, Dutch & an ex- cellist. looks very much like him.

For sure, the continuo cellist is not Harnoncourt. But at a wild, uninformed guess, maybe that cellist is Anner Bylsma?

[french frank]

But at a wild, uninformed guess, maybe that cellist is Anner Bylsma?

Good guess. That cellist has a receding hairline, much as Bylsma did when he was quite young.