EMI Icons series

[Guest]

Early on in this series' life, I recall reading some uncomplimentary remarks about the transfers, documentation, etc.

I'm interested in hearing from people who have bought any of this series regarding the transfer quality issue raised. I'm particularly interested in hearing about the Edwin Fischer edition with regard to the JS Bach Well-tempered Clavier set, which is also available on Naxos, probably at greater cost than EMI's.

All comments gratefully received

[Don Petter]

I have the Larrocha box, which has the 'new' EMI transfers which were done in Spain a few years ago, and until now could only be obtained directly from that country. Highly recommended!

[rauschwerk]

I have the Solomon box. EMI have seen fit to make new transfers of, amongst others, Brahms Concerto 2 (already available on Testament) and Tchaikovsky 1 (previously issued in the Tchaikovsky Historical set). I don't know why. The older versions are preferable to my ears, though not by much. The piano sound in the solo pieces is first-rate.

[amateur51]

Thank you both for your useful replies.

It was the negative reviews of the Solomon box that put me off initially, I now recall rauschwerk but you have reassured me

And de Larrocha! What temptation, Don!

I can feel an Easter treat coming on - not chocolate either - the diabetes nurse will be pleased! Result!

Any more suggestions/advice?

[mathias broucek]

I purchased the Stoki set after a recommendation on this forum. Some of it sounds exceptional for the period (1957-59). Where the sound is rougher it sounds more like a poor original than a poor transfer.

[rubbernecker]

I bought the Schnabel set a couple of weeks ago, a bit of a steal at twelve quid, which sounds as well as can be.

[Pianorak]

I've got the Edwin Fischer EMI Classics recordings of Bach's "48" the recorded sound of which doesn't really appeal to me. But let me quote from Alfred Brendel's Foreword: . . . Fischer manages the unexpected: to marry childlike simplicity to the sensitivity and wisdom of a master. His control was sometimes impeded by the boldness of his impetuosity and by nervous anxieties, but in his famous recording of the '48', it is particularly in the second half of Book 1 that we hear him virtually free of such restraints. To me, the result is magical. The inner glow of Fischer's incomparably luminous sound is ideally captured by the 1933-6 recordings, the quality of which should make many a modern sound engineer blush.

My favourite recordings of the '48' are those by Sviatoslav Richter on RCA Victor - but than I'm not yet a fully paid-up member of the HIPP movement.

[Barbirollians]

The sound on the Richter Icon set is hard and unpleasant almost throughout - very disappointing

[Pianorak]

The sound on the Richter Icon set is hard and unpleasant almost throughout . . .

er - closely miked, giving the illusion of sitting right next to the pianist - which is how I like it. Horses for courses?

[LeMartinPecheur]

I've recently bought the Gieseking box and am not thrilled at all by the sound quality on the first three discs, which is as far as I've got. But I've not heard the originals so can't say whether it's the current transfers that are at fault. When I get as far as discs 6 & 7, Debussy I'll be able to compare with earlier EMI CD transfers that are already on my shelves.

[gurnemanz]

I've just ordered the new Elisabeth Schumann box. I already have most of the Schubert Lieder but it looks like an interesting selection and I found the very reasonable price of £8.99 for 6 discs at HMV (Amazon are charging £14). I will report back.

http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=384992

[PJPJ]

I've recently bought the Gieseking box and am not thrilled at all by the sound quality on the first three discs, which is as far as I've got. But I've not heard the originals so can't say whether it's the current transfers that are at fault. When I get as far as discs 6 & 7, Debussy I'll be able to compare with earlier EMI CD transfers that are already on my shelves.

I've never found the Debussy recording quality satisfactory for the period and assume the original recording is to blame?

[BBMmk2]

I am tempted to buy the Emil Gilels 'Icon'. Anyone else has this?

[amateur51]

I am tempted to buy the Emil Gilels 'Icon'. Anyone else has this?

I'm keen on this one too, BBM.

It's on my list

[Pianorak]

Gilels - tempting?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXU7I_Yyi2Y