What did Santa Claus bring you?

[pastoralguy]

Well, my lovely wife gave me something I've wanted for a VERY long time...

The RCA's 103 CD set, 'Heifetz'! A simply stunning set of almost everything the great man recorded. Really looking forward to hearing many recordings I've not heard before.

Also, Miah Persson's Schumann disc.

[Roehre]

Mrs Roehre bought me a facsimile of Beethoven's Artaria 195 sketchbook (mainly Missa solemnis' Credo and Agnus Dei + opus 109 sketches), vol.1 commentary, vol.2 facsimile, vol.3 transcription.
Very well chosen present I must say.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Santa has cleverly picked out the EMI Icon box of the Melos ensemble recordings

Daughter #1, the particular Santa, wants to hear Bartok's Contrasts

[EdgeleyRob]

The Poisoned Kiss (Hickox Chandos).Although I am a Vaughan Williams nut I didn't have this in my collection and don't really know it that well.

Gardner Piano Concerto No. 1 / Symphony No. 1 etc (Naxos).

Bridewater Hall gift voucher.

A kindle.

Happy days

[Don Petter]

I am in awe at the size of the poster's socks in #1, #2 and #3.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

You are all very lucky. Santa has never given me anything at all since I was 9 years old.

[Mr Pee]

You are all very lucky. Santa has never given me anything at all since I was 9 years old.

When I was little, I believed in Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny.

I've grown out of all that nonsense now, thank God.

Anyway, I got some new deodorant yesterday.

The instructions said "Remove cap and push up bottom."

I can barely walk, but whenever I fart the room smells of Rose Petals.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

You are all very lucky. Santa has never given me anything at all since I was 9 years old.

Nine, Alpie???!! That's dreadful! There was a ten-year hiatus when all my presents were really from myself, but, since 1994 he's been surprising me again.

It seems almost churlish to say that this year he brought me Krivine's set of the Beethoven Symphonies (knowing your aversion to all things HIPP, Alpie, you might take this as consolation! ) and a selection of Anglo-Saxon literature (in the original and in translation) in preparation for my New Year's "challenge" (I won't say "Resolution") to master this "language" and read Beowulf in the original.

Best Wishes.

[mercia]

I got some new deodorant yesterday. The instructions said "Remove cap and push up bottom." I can barely walk, but whenever I fart the room smells of Rose Petals.

by any chance, do you write the jokes for Christmas crackers?

[Serial_Apologist]

by any chance, do you write the jokes for Christmas crackers?

I shouldn't think so... he's a big boy now

[hmvman]

The Peter Pears Anniversary Tribute set (Decca) and EMI's Great Cathedral Organs Series box set.

Well satisfied!

Merry Christmas all.

[Mahlerei]

No CDs at all, but then I'm awash with unplayed discs. Some good DVDs/Blu-rays though, including Wenders' Pina. Anyone seen it?

[LeMartinPecheur]

Santa returned for a second delivery today: Aimard's disc called 'African Rhythms' with some late Ligeti Etudes that aren't on his Sony Ligeti edition disc of what was then the complete set. Plus some Reich and some African music by the Aka Pygmies.

At least I think that's how it works: the booklet legend PIERRE-LAURENT AIMARD/ AKA PYGMIES might stand another interpretation...

Is M. Aimard one person or a small tribe?

[mikealdren]

Hi Pastoralguy,
Let me know how you get on with the Heifetz box, especially interested in your view of the sound quality compared with any other versions you have.

If you don't know it, try the Tchiak trio.

Happy listening and happy New Year.
Mike

[pastoralguy]

Hi Mike. Best wishes to you too!

As I'm sure you can imagine, I had a lot of Heifetz stuff already, most of which I've given to Dick since it's all duplicates now. The only set I have now is the 10 disc 'Original Jacket' which I'm thinking of selling on eBay. However, I'll do a side by side comparison and report back.

I also got an ex-library copy of Ida Haendel's biography 'Woman with Violin' which has taken me MANY years to track down at an acceptable price. Do you know she's doing a talk with Steven Isserlis in the Wigmore Hall at the end of February next year? I've got my ticket booked!!