Klaus Tennstedt Great EMI Recordings Box set

[Mr Pee]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Klaus-Tennstedt-Great-EMI-Recordings/dp/B004OUFSOA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325676047&sr=1-1

Has anybody got this set? It looks unmissable at such a price, a real treasure trove. 14 CDs for under 17.50!! All the user reviews on Amazon give it 5 stars.

[Dave2002]

I got it before Christmas, when it was I think even cheaper.

I've not had time to deal with that one yet though, but if you hang on a few days I'll give some of the CDs a spin.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I got some of these when they were first issued. They're very good performances, all at least worth hearing/owning (even the Kodaly & Mussorgsky, which some listeners don't find "authentic" enough) and at this price, it's a real bargain.

But (there's always one!), as with so many of Tennstedt's studio recordings, they don't reflect the real quality of his Live performances. If someone got me this as a gift, I'd be really chuffed, but, with limited funds, I don't think I'd buy it for myself.

Best Wishes.

[Bryn]

While the vast majority of the recordings in the set are studio, or at least studio conditions, the Beethoven 3 and Mahler 1 are both from concert performances.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

, Bryn.
I didn't know that about the Mahler. And I'd forgotten about the Eroica being Live: originally coupled with the Mussorgsky IIRC.

So the set seems even more attractive.

[BBMmk2]

For me, Tennstedt was best in a 'live situation as opposed to studio.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

For me, Tennstedt was best in a 'live situation as opposed to studio.

I agree entirely, Bbm.

But he wasn't "bad" in the studio, and this set (at £1.25 per disc) is a bargain: not a bad way to start a Classical collection, nor for someone wanting to supplement their collection.

Darnitt! I'm beginning to talk myself round to buying it!

[BBMmk2]

Go on, Ferney!! You know you want to!! :)

[jayne lee wilson]

Anyone with disposable income could go and get the Toshibas of his Mahler live recordings, they are SPECTACULAR. Even the 8th, though audience-free, comes up fresh-minted. You do hear far more of the acoustic context. Good job I got them when I could afford it...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Go on, Ferney!! You know you want to!! :)

I owe. I owe. So off to work I go!

[Dave2002]

Anyone with disposable income could go and get the Toshibas of his Mahler live recordings, they are SPECTACULAR. Even the 8th, though audience-free, comes up fresh-minted. You do hear far more of the acoustic context. Good job I got them when I could afford it...

What's a Toshiba?

Are these HD DVD recordings maybe?
Do you have links to suppliers? (Out of curiosity - if they're as expensive as you are hinting)

PS: Seems Toshiba EMI or EMI Toshiba is a Japanese label, and the discs referred to are almost certainly CDs.
I didn't know that Toshiba put its name to recordings as well as equipment.

An example is this - http://www.amazon.com/Symphony-Tenns.../dp/B0061AX4I8 - though I'm suspicious
of this as it doesn't have any Japanese symbols on the cover. Some versions definitely do.

If they're so good, then why can't EMI put out the same versions here?

[Jasmine Bassett]

It looks as if too many people are taking advantage of the "bargain". The price is now £21.06.

[amateur51]

It looks as if too many people are taking advantage of the "bargain". The price is now £21.06.

It's still a considerable bargain

[Bryn]

It's still a considerable bargain

Though nearly double the £11.99 (including p&p) I paid for it in November (amazon.co.uk).

[There again, I see it is but £15.66 including p&p (new) via the amazon.co.uk marketplace.]

[PJPJ]

What's a Toshiba?

.......

If they're so good, then why can't EMI put out the same versions here?

Very good question. I have a few EMI/Toshiba and DG/Japan CDs and the sound quality is demonstrably far better than local releases.

In addition, both EMI and DG Japan are issuing SACDs (in Japan) at super-premium price. I imagine a European release at local full price (say £12) would sell 2000 copies in Europe and the USA.

e.g.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=TOGE-12020

scroll down for more releases

Apologies - off topic.

Tennstedt box - excellent value and makes a purchase of the BBC Legends/ICA material tempting, too. There was one budget BBC Legends compilation which I bought a little while ago. I rather like his Hary Janos, too.