Record Review: non-BaL discs reviewed, etc.

[Bryn]

Having recently been 'blown away' by a performance of this work by LSO/Haitink at the Barbican I'm in the market for another performance. I'd forgotten about Raiskin's performance so many thanks indeed HD

Does anyone know the Chicago SO/Haitink or Los Angeles PO/Salonen recordings?

Apart from the performance, which is all one would expect from BH, a big attraction of the CSO/Haitink is the accompanying DVD. Not only does it have Gerard McBurney's superb Beyond the Score (which stands starkly counterposed to Haitink's view of the relation of the Symphony to the industrialisation of the USSR) but interviews with both Haitink and McBurney.

[HighlandDougie]

Does anyone know the Chicago SO/Haitink or Los Angeles PO/Salonen recordings?

As a DSCH 4 obsessive (I have both recordings among too many others), the CSO/Haitink disappointed me (I think the fault of the recording); the Salonen is very good but, but, but .... still not KK. I'd have loved to have been at the LSO concert so here's hoping that it might have been recorded.

[amateur51]

ams I see there was a rave review of Haitink and the LSO in this in the Times today - any microphones apparent ? LSO Live ???

I think I'm still in shock, Barbs - it was wonderful and devastating. Sadly no microphones in sight.

I'll try to access the Times review - many thanks

[amateur51]

Apart from the performance, which is all one would expect from BH, a big attraction of the CSO/Haitink is the accompanying DVD. Not only does it have Gerard McBurney's superb Beyond the Score (which stands starkly counterposed to Haitink's view of the relation of the Symphony to the industrialisation of the USSR) but interviews with both Haitink and McBurney.

So that's Raiskin AND Haitink/CSO in my 'basket' - many thanks Bryn

[Pianoman]

if you're into downloads Amazon still have the Raiskin at a measly £2.37 as opposed to £13.20 for the cd.....It's undoubtedly my current favourite, and not just because of the price !

[amateur51]

if you're into downloads Amazon still have the Raiskin at a measly £2.37 as opposed to £13.20 for the cd.....It's undoubtedly my current favourite, and not just because of the price !

Many thanks Pianoman

[Sir Velo]

Good to be able to audition the whole of Schumann's rarely heard Piano Sonata No.2, as performed by Mitsuko Uchida, this weekend on CD Review. Hearing Uchida's sparkling performance makes one question anew the unaccountable neglect of this near masterpiece. The only movement I had difficulty with was the Scherzo in which Uchida's tempi were stodgy making those dotted rhythms of which Schumann was so fond, seem laboured and unconvincing. Argerich on a 1970s DG recording has the measure of this movement, wringing it for all its worth at breakneck speed. Otherwise, I thought Uchida's performance was inaginatively realised, and the recording truthful and involving. On this evidence, she can join the likes of Schiff, Argerich, Lupu and Perahia as the finest modern day interpreters of Schumann.

[Thropplenoggin]

Good to be able to audition the whole of Schumann's rarely heard Piano Sonata No.2, as performed by Mitsuko Uchida, this weekend on CD Review. Hearing Uchida's sparkling performance makes one question anew the unaccountable neglect of this near masterpiece. The only movement I had difficulty with was the Scherzo in which Uchida's tempi were stodgy making those dotted rhythms of which Schumann was so fond, seem laboured and unconvincing. Argerich on a 1970s DG recording has the measure of this movement, wringing it for all its worth at breakneck speed. Otherwise, I thought Uchida's performance was inaginatively realised, and the recording truthful and involving. On this evidence, she can join the likes of Schiff, Argerich, Lupu and Perahia as the finest modern day interpreters of Schumann.

I've spent the past few weeks getting to know her Mozart piano sonatas. Utterly exquisite. Her facility with trills is astonishing. A treasured memory from this year's Prom was her encore of the trill-heavy sarabande from Bach's French Suite in G. The thought of that vast temple being filled with this small sonic jewel...a brave choice and a precious moment.

All of this is prelude to me saying: please record the Goldberg Variations, Uchida!

[Bryn]

I saw Kopatchinskaja and Jurowski/LPO playing the Prokofiev at the Royal Festival Hall recently and if this recording is anything like as good I think it will be a winner.

I much enjoyed the Stravinsky tonight, and the CDs of Bartok 2, Ligeti et al, but I do find myself wondering whether her idio- is more -syncratic than -matic.

[Thropplenoggin]

I much enjoyed the Stravinsky tonight, and the CDs of Bartok 2, Ligeti et al, but I do find myself wondering whether her idio- is more -syncratic than -matic.

I listened in as well. TS was there. Look forward to hearing his thoughts. She plays a mean fiddle, barefoot or otherwise.

[Barbirollians]

I don't like this Kavakos/Chailly Brahms concerto playing now . He is pulling the music all over the place .

[Nick Armstrong]

I don't like this Kavakos/Chailly Brahms concerto playing now . He is pulling the music all over the place .

... interesting. Andrew Clements thinks there's "not a note out of place"! http://www.theguardian.com/music/201...psodies-review

[HighlandDougie]

there's "not a note out of place"! http://www.theguardian.com/music/201...psodies-review

which there wasn't on Thursday night in the Barbican, although being note-perfect is only the half of it. The rapport between conductor and soloist, the beauty of Kavakos's playing (poetry and fire when needed) ......

[Thropplenoggin]

which there wasn't on Thursday night in the Barbican, although being note-perfect is only the half of it. The rapport between conductor and soloist, the beauty of Kavakos's playing (poetry and fire when needed) ......

Another encomium of Thursday night's concert here, HD:

http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review.php?id=11499

--

I enjoyed Richard Wigmore's Bach discussion with AMcG this morning - he talks much sense, certainly concerning irksome Jacobsisms . I'm minded to investigate the Collegium 1704 disc of the Mass in B Minor further - I thought the 'instrumental' voice of the countertenor in the 'Agnus Dei' sounded very fine indeed.

[Barbirollians]

... interesting. Andrew Clements thinks there's "not a note out of place"! http://www.theguardian.com/music/201...psodies-review

AmcG described it as micromanaged which I think is quite a good way of putting it - he was trying to " do something" with every phrase .