Record Review: One to avoid

[pastoralguy]

Ives 4 - Seiji Ozawa, Boston SO, DG. A complete mess.

Ozawa's Prokofiev cycle is pretty poor despite extremely refined playing from Die Berliner Philharmoniker.

[Bryn]

Well that’s better than an incomplete mess, I suppose.

Currently, some Haydn Piano Trios.

Ah, would you be thinking of Mehta's recording of a cut version of Ives's 1st Symphony? I have not listened to Ozawa's recording of the 4th for many a year but seem to recall it not being a complete mess, either. A number of ossias were, IIRC, not exploited to the full. Not a recording I feel any desire to return to.

[Keraulophone]

The Rite of Spring - Cleveland Orchestra / Lorin Maazel on Telarc.

Great sonics, but wilful pulling-about by a conductor who often wants to mould the music into something it isn't. Truly dreadful, despite virtuoso playing.

[pastoralguy]

The Rite of Spring - Cleveland Orchestra / Lorin Maazel on Telarc.

Great sonics, but wilful pulling-about by a conductor who often wants to mould the music into something it isn't. Truly dreadful, despite virtuoso playing.

And there's a domino from someone in the second fiddles!

[Barbirollians]

Neville Marriner's Enigma Variations - made Elgar's friends sound like a very boring lot. As for his recording of the Sorcerer's Apprentice ....

[Joseph K]

'The Best of Debussy' on Naxos. I bought this for my sister - then, when I was driving with her one time she put it on. Horrible performance of the second Arabesque. But then, I'm not sure forumistas would purchase something intended for the casual listener - but just so you know if, like me, you want it as a present.

[Bryn]

'The Best of Debussy' on Naxos. I bought this for my sister - then, when I was driving with her one time she put it on. Horrible performance of the second Arabesque. But then, I'm not sure forumistas would purchase something intended for the casual listener - but just so you know if, like me, you want it as a present.

You would, I think, have been better off getting "Simply Debussy", a 4 CD set at bargain price with some very fine performances.

[Joseph K]

[vinteuil]

You would, I think, have been better off getting "Simply Debussy", a 4 CD set at bargain price with some very fine performances.

... yes, highly recommended.

I acquired it earlier this year following a previous nudge from Bryn -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000UDGN8U

.

[LMcD]

Returning, if I may, to the subject of the OP: does anybody have views on 'must-avoid' recordings of 'La Traviata'?

[Pulcinella]

Returning, if I may, to the subject of the OP: does anybody have views on 'must-avoid' recordings of 'La Traviata'?

I think that current thinking (apologies for poor writing: I've been with Year 5s all morning!) is that any such views could be expressed in the BaL thread for the work under discussion, as being more directly appropriate and visible there.

[akiralx]

I don’t agree about the Pittsburgh/Previn - I know it is the accepted view that the LSO recordings are much better but I got to know the works from the Pittsburgh recordings and loved the American in Paris in particular.

Yes, that Pittsburgh AiP is wonderful (and handily cued separately for the blues trumpet solo) - I heard the Chicago SO/Levine version on DG a few weeks ago and it was not very good at all.

The EMI LSO Concerto in F is very fine - but I've come to the conclusion that the concerto is just not a very good piece (one to avoid!?) - the finale and first movement end in pretty much the same way for one thing?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... I've come to the conclusion that the concerto is just not a very good piece (one to avoid!?)

Ah, that's interesting - I love the Gershwin Piano Concerto, and would gladly prefer to hear it than many a more regularly programmed work.

(But, if I've understood you correctly, I agree with you that the central Movement is the best, )

[Master Jacques]

Ah, that's interesting - I love the Gershwin Piano Concerto, and would gladly prefer to hear it than many a more regularly programmed work.

I wish I could train my DAB radio to change channels, every time it picks up the clarinet glissando at the start of ... well, a piece which R3 is doggedly determined we need to hear "regularly programmed", about every other day.

[cloughie]

Yes, that Pittsburgh AiP is wonderful (and handily cued separately for the blues trumpet solo) - I heard the Chicago SO/Levine version on DG a few weeks ago and it was not very good at all.

The EMI LSO Concerto in F is very fine - but I've come to the conclusion that the concerto is just not a very good piece (one to avoid!?) - the finale and first movement end in pretty much the same way for one thing!

What thing?