Forthcoming Klemperer Boxes

[Barbirollians]

Has your Kubelik arrived yet Caliban ? What do you think ?

[richardfinegold]

Well, maybe not, but it raises a very strong suspicion, doesn't it? And that must make us a little sceptical of claims that she was an 'innocent'. I imagine that the Nazis did not accept as members people who were not of like minds - or who at least said they were.

Karajan joined twice. He really wanted to show them that he cared.

[Nick Armstrong]

Has your Kubelik arrived yet Caliban ? What do you think ?

Yes it did... and I'm afraid I didn't get on with it at all, I'm afraid. I found the tempi a little strange, but also the recording or the remastering (not for the first time with DG Originals) extremely unattractive - congested and rather tinny, too much treble... none of the air and transparency I like in Schumann (or any music, for that matter - but vital for Schumann's orchestra). So it's going back I'm afraid! Might have to try the Sony version by Mr Kubelik....

[Mandryka]

Yes it did... and I'm afraid I didn't get on with it at all, I'm afraid. I found the tempi a little strange, but also the recording or the remastering (not for the first time with DG Originals) extremely unattractive - congested and rather tinny, too much treble... none of the air and transparency I like in Schumann (or any music, for that matter - but vital for Schumann's orchestra). So it's going back I'm afraid! Might have to try the Sony version by Mr Kubelik....

The Kubelik DG set has been in my shopping trolley for a couple of weeks.....I'll probably not buy it, though I'm usually very happy with the DG Originals remasterings.

[Nick Armstrong]

I see from your quote that I was doubly afraid! I didn't mean to be, or put you off!

[Thropplenoggin]

I see from your quote that I was doubly afraid! I didn't mean to be, or put you off!

"Be afraid, be very afraid!" It could almost be a lawyer's cri de guerre.

[Nick Armstrong]

"Be afraid, be very afraid!" It could almost be a lawyer's cri de guerre.

"I'm afraid, I'm very afraid!" is a slightly less effective lawyerly gambit...

[Barbirollians]

"I'm afraid, I'm very afraid!" is a slightly less effective lawyerly gambit...

Often heard uttered by Counsel going into the Court of Appeal not as prepared as they should be !

[Barbirollians]

Yes it did... and I'm afraid I didn't get on with it at all, I'm afraid. I found the tempi a little strange, but also the recording or the remastering (not for the first time with DG Originals) extremely unattractive - congested and rather tinny, too much treble... none of the air and transparency I like in Schumann (or any music, for that matter - but vital for Schumann's orchestra). So it's going back I'm afraid! Might have to try the Sony version by Mr Kubelik....

Sorry to hear that . I haven't noticed that impression of the remastering on my system but perhaps yours is much more likely to expose such faults . Ah well - the Sony set is good too but I imagine I have put you off by my praise for it !

[Barbirollians]

I have listened to these Schumann Kubeliks again tonight . I suppose I see what you mean about the recordings - they are a bit dry .

Not so sure about the tempi . As far as I can see comparing the timings with Sawallisch they are scarcely more than thirty seconds apart . One minute in a couple of movements - Kubelik tending to be slightly quicker in the third movements and Sawallisch in the finales.

[antongould]

Can't find anything on EMI's site, but the booklet for the Bruckner box features a trailer for eight further Klemperer boxes to be released next year.

They will be:

Januay 2013

Brahms (Symphonies, etc, Requiem)

Concertos (Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms)

Mozart (Symphonies/Overtures/Serenades)


March 2013

Mozart (Operas)

20th Century Music (Hindemith, Klemperer, Stravinsky, Weill)


May 2013

Mahler (2,4, 7, 9 + Das Lied)

Wagner/Strauss

Bach/Rameau/Handel/Gluck/Haydn


All these works feature the PO/NPO. Wasn't there a GROTC release of Klemperer performing the Resurrection Symphony with the BRSO? A shame it hasn't been included here: I expect rights issues account for its absence.


The Wagner/Strauss box looks interesting: it's 5 CDs, so presumably will include his last ever studio recording (Walkure, Act 1) as well as the Wotan's Abschied with Bailey, which was - apparently - actually conducted by Goodall. These latter two items have appeared most recently on Testament - I have them on 2nd hand vinyl. They were, oddly enough, the first Klemperer recordings I ever heard and put me off OK for many years!

Am I the only person who is puzzled that Klemperer was so keen to record Mozart's operas in his final years? He wasn't most people's idea of a natural fit for this repertoire, though I enjoy his recordings of Zauberflote adn (especially) DG.

In the midst of a chitty day at work an email arrive from the tax dodger re the Bach, Haydn etc. box. I read the start of a review of one John Fowler (Ams will now out him as PDQ Bach!) and as I had little or no Klemperer I impulsed and it seemed to arrive within hours with free postage.
I have concentrated thus far on the Bach which I find very good but driving down to Leeds I popped on the Oxford Symphony and was knocked over, not an onto the hard shoulder moment but almost- so good I played it twice. I returned to the aforementioned Fowler review to find this "...I think Klemperer's recording of Haydn 102 is the greatest recording of a Haydn symphony ever...." ....should be a good drive home!

[Beef Oven]

In the midst of a chitty day at work an email arrive from the tax dodger re the Bach, Haydn etc. box. I read the start of a review of one John Fowler (Ams will now out him as PDQ Bach!) and as I had little or no Klemperer I impulsed and it seemed to arrive within hours with free postage.
I have concentrated thus far on the Bach which I find very good but driving down to Leeds I popped on the Oxford Symphony and was knocked over, not an onto the hard shoulder moment but almost- so good I played it twice. I returned to the aforementioned Fowler review to find this "...I think Klemperer's recording of Haydn 102 is the greatest recording of a Haydn symphony ever...." ....should be a good drive home!

Anton, with the greatest respect, and with no offence intended, why deride Amazon as 'tax-dodgers' (they are not, they pay the tax that is due to HMCR, and they are not being pursued for any underpayments), and then avail yourself of the competitive prices available? Is it not a tad inconsistent?

And, would you prefer that higher prices are paid by the customer, so the treasury has more money available to fund wars in places like Iraq and Afghanistan?

I only say this because I am struggling with a double standard that seems to permeate the Radio 3 Forum on this matter. Amazon seems to be roundly condemned by the same people that fill their boots with the bargains on offer

Have I got this wrong? What am I missing?

[verismissimo]

... I only say this because I am struggling with a double standard that seems to permeate the Radio 3 Forum on this matter. Amazon seems to be roundly condemned by the same people that fill their boots with the bargains on offer

Have I got this wrong? What am I missing?

It's tough, Beefie. Not only does one have to make moral choices all the time, but one has to show to others all the time that one is making the RIGHT choices.

[BBMmk2]

I am greatly enjpoying the brahms box at the moment. Tempi, recording sound quality, interpretation, are all very good. EMI have released the LvB symphonies and concerti?

[Beef Oven]

It's tough, Beefie. Not only does one have to make moral choices all the time, but one has to show to others all the time that one is making the RIGHT choices.

That's what I thought