Critics' Choice 2014

[DracoM]

That Monteverdi nearly finished me off.
Harriet Smith's somewhat strident tones in the set-piece BAL did not hide a good choice in the Beethoven 'Ghost', but after that...........nothing else made me want to buy anything at all. Crikey.

Or have I just spent too long supping up vinegar off a fork?

[Flosshilde]

Or have I just spent too long supping up vinegar off a fork?

If the Leningrad by Elder & the Halle was one of the critic's choices then I thought it was stunning - one of the very few times when I would use the phrase 'blew me away', so physical was it (even listening on the car radio). One for the list, I think (despite the caveat about the softness of the opening of the movement), & one for playing when my partner's out & I can really let it rip

[Stanley Stewart]

I, too, have joined the bandwagon! Order now placed for the Leningrad and Symphony, paperback; the Halle/Elder recording to follow in a couple of weeks. Impulse buying order for the Les Siecles recording of the Rite of Spring/Petrushka also placed!

[Black Swan]

I only heard a few bits of it. I already have the Monteverdi, CPE Bach and Les Siecles. I thought the Lenigrad Symphony interesting as a recording. I am unfortunately, not a fan of Shostakovich so a pass from me. So this has been a very inexpensive program for me.

[Tevot]

Hello there,

Haven't yet listened to the broadcast - but many thanks for highlighting some of the treats I have in store And as a fan of Mark Elder and the Halle I'll be keenly listening to The Leningrad.

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[ardcarp]

Haven't yet listened to the broadcast

...be prepared for some twittering, tweeting and, texting tomfoolery!

[MrGongGong]

If the Leningrad by Elder & the Halle was one of the critic's choices then I thought it was stunning

Certainly cheered up my hungover washing up

[Nick Armstrong]

tomfoolery!

Ages since I heard that word used in anger!

Only heard a bit of the prog, rest to follow - but what I heard was ok: the Currentzis 'Nozze di Figaro', the Rameau played by Esfahani and the Siècles 'Sacre' (happy memories of being at their Proms performance)... nothing wrong with those choices!

[David-G]

Did anyone else feel that there was something odd about the balance in the "Figaro"? I felt that I was hearing Mozart's orchestration as never before, with a vocal background.

[johnb]

If the Leningrad by Elder & the Halle was one of the critic's choices then I thought it was stunning - one of the very few times when I would use the phrase 'blew me away', so physical was it (even listening on the car radio). One for the list, I think (despite the caveat about the softness of the opening of the movement), & one for playing when my partner's out & I can really let it rip

I was impressed by what I heard of it but as Amazon is currently out of stock and other retailers are unlikely to deliver before Christmas I have resorted to a FLAC download from The Classical Shop.

[Nick Armstrong]

Did anyone else feel that there was something odd about the balance in the "Figaro"? I felt that I was hearing Mozart's orchestration as never before, with a vocal background.

Yes - it was an aspect of the recording that I liked!

However I did tire of the 'suddenly very loud - suddenly very quiet' aspect of the performance one of the critics mentioned.

[Nick Armstrong]

The revelation of this programme so far was the Menahem Pressler - Ebène Quartet CD & DVD: Schubert and Dvorak quintets plus extra goodies on the DVD.

Sorely tempted!

[Stanfordian]

The revelation of this programme so far was the Menahem Pressler - Ebène Quartet CD & DVD: Schubert and Dvorak quintets plus extra goodies on the DVD.

Sorely tempted!

Hiya Caliban,

I have the Menahem Pressler/Ebène Quartet set on Erato. Their performance of the Schubert and Dvorak quintets is stunning. Never heard better. Pressler's lightness of touch, fluidity and phrasing is magnificent and the Ebène Quartet is a class act.

[Phileas]

If the Leningrad by Elder & the Halle was one of the critic's choices then I thought it was stunning - one of the very few times when I would use the phrase 'blew me away'

I found it on Spotify. It's very good - better than my Jarvi/SNO/Chandos recording.

[Barbirollians]

I found it on Spotify. It's very good - better than my Jarvi/SNO/Chandos recording.

Gracious that is high praise indeed - I love the sNO/Jarvi Chandos Shostakovich recordings.