BBC Music Magazine - Favourite cover CDs

[kindofblue]

I'd put the CD on and to be honest was only half-listening when for the first time ever I heard the symphony in the A/S version. I am now aware that this is a source of controversy on a par with the assassination of JFK and the correct pronunciation of 'scone'. Anyhow, I liked it, and enjoyed the rest of it as well when I gave it my full attention. I managed to lay my hands on a copy of the much-praised M6 by Sanderling a while ago, and agree that it's worth the hype. And that's an S/A reading...

[Stanfordian]

This video stirs memories of one of the most awe-inspiring sights at the 2008 Proms, when the hammer-blows during a Chicago Symphony/Haitink Mahler 6 were resoundingly delivered by the CSO’s comparatively diminutive principal percussionist Cynthia Yeh, wielding a mallet almost as large as herself, & practically levitating as she smashed it onto a large wooden dais – the sort traditionally the territory of performing seals in the more old-fashioned non-PC circuses…. Marvellous !!

Hiya Maclintick,

Let's hope the comparatively diminutive principal percussionist Cynthia Yeh doesn't have to put a claim in for a damaged back. If the mallet was as big at that shown on the video someone could do themselves some serious damage.

I attended the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Andris Nelsons perform Mahler 6 at Berlin in September and they did 3 hammer blows. It was an awe-inspiring performance!

[Pulcinella]

Forumites may not be aware of this useful listing of all the BBC MM CDs:

http://www.knowledgewise.co.uk/music/bbcmm_cover_cds.pdf

Not sure who looks after it, but it does get updated periodically (one is overdue).
I have it as a favo(u)rite on my iPad, but have also saved it in iBooks, which is then searchable (though not very conveniently).
There are a few typos, but it is a useful listing nonetheless.

[Stanley Stewart]

Literally, a collector's item and a splendid source of reference.

Thank you, Pulcinella.

[Pulcinella]

The knowledgewise listing has recently been updated (includes May 2016 details).

http://www.knowledgewise.co.uk/music/bbcmm_cover_cds.pdf

[mathias broucek]

More expense!!!!!

Have ordered Jansons/Alpine. I was blown-away by a couple of Proms they did back in the day - it was clear he was special. I also had trombone lessons for a while with Danny Hannaby who played in the orchestra and who got an excited look in his eye every time Jansons' name came up. (He was a terrific trombonist and teacher - wasted on me....)

Also Honeck/Mahler 1

[pastoralguy]

Easy. The most recent of the great Ida Haendel playing the Brahms and Britten concertos!

I've managed to pick up at least half a dozen copies of this cd since it was released last November.

[Rolmill]

As it happens, I just picked up the Curzon Mozart piano concertos 21 and 23 disc (for 99p!) - a speculative purchase, does this one feature in anyone's list of BBC MM must-haves?

[Petrushka]

There are three discs from Tadaaki Otaka and the BBC NOW that are worth searching out: a very good Mahler 5, a fine Walton 1 and a superb Shostakovich 5.

Recent issues have been pretty forgettable, in my view, and nothing like as good as favourites mentioned in this thread. Many of mine went to the charity shop last year but I knew which ones I wanted to hang on to.

[Ferretfancy]

There are three discs from Tadaaki Otaka and the BBC NOW that are worth searching out: a very good Mahler 5, a fine Walton 1 and a superb Shostakovich 5.

Recent issues have been pretty forgettable, in my view, and nothing like as good as favourites mentioned in this thread. Many of mine went to the charity shop last year but I knew which ones I wanted to hang on to.

The Otaka Walton 1 is coupled on the CD with a performance of Takemitsu's From Me Flows What You Call Time with Andrew Davis conducting the BBC SO and the percussion group Nexus. This has to be one of the best recordings from the Proms. I was there, the effect was riveting and it's reproduced with startling effect on the CD. I particularly remember the ultra quiet ending, with two sets of bells in the top of the hall, triggered by long ribbons reaching up from the platform.

As far as I know there is only one other recording of this piece, so if you see the BBC MM disc in a charity shop seek it out.

[Pulcinella]

One that might be destined to become a favourite, or at least popular, dropped through the letterbox a few minutes ago.

JSB The Art of Fugue
Mahan Esfahani and the Academy of Ancient Music

Proms performance from 2012

See anticipatory comments on the 'What baroque/early music are you listening to?' thread.