Record Review: non-BaL discs reviewed, etc.

[Nick Armstrong]

The 'cross-talk' in AMcG's two-fer sections always makes me cringe. If you invite a guest on, surely it's to hear them speak. It's not as if AMcG doesn't have ample time to air his own views in the show.

Thinking about my 'because....' point, I suppose (charitably ) that it may be a technique for dealing with less-experienced broadcasters than SJ - having asked his question, AMcG gives them a little while to consider their answer while he rabbits on a bit, so their answers can be slightly more considered... Otherwise there might be an awkward pause or too many 'um' s... But with an old hand like SJ, it's just an unnecessary mannerism.

[Thropplenoggin]

Thinking about my 'because....' point, I suppose (charitably ) that it may be a technique for dealing with less-experienced broadcasters than SJ - having asked his question, AMcG gives them a little while to consider their answer while he rabbits on a bit, so their answers can be slightly more considered... Otherwise there might be an awkward pause or too many 'um' s... But with an old hand like SJ, it's just an unnecessary mannerism.

Very generous.

Having recently heard the Schubert D.960 BaL with the Norris, I think AMcG is showing incremental improvements with each two-fer, and had merits that I would previously have overlooked in my aurally-blinkered preference for a solo BaL. But sometimes certain sorts given to babbling benefit from being chivvied along or kept 'on task'. But then, all pale into wondrous restraint, when compared to The Babble Service. I made the mistake of listening to his hyperbole-strewn interview with Salonen - the horror! the horror!

[HighlandDougie]

Interesting to hear three new(ish) Prokofiev recordings which, with the exception of the Lisa Batiashvili VCs, I've been listening to as downloads for the past three months. Agree entirely with AMcG's judgements on them - and hope that the extract of the Second Violin Concerto was enough to illustrate that it is, as PG pointed out a few days ago, an exceptionally fine CD.

The Cantata seemed to be being played at a relatively low volume whereas it needs the volume turned way up for maximum impact. No performance will ever quite supplant the - admittedly incomplete - Kondrashin but it comes pretty close (and I wish I had been there to see Kiril Karabits with the megaphone). I bought it as a - really cheap - hi-res 24 bit download from Audite (4,99€) which still seems to be available from them.

I downloaded the Matsuev/Gergiev PCs as a 24/96 download to test DACs. I have felt no great desire to return to the performances since then (Bavouzet is a lot kinder on the ears in the Prokofiev).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A fascinating transformation of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata this morning: Giselher Klebe's addition of a horn part goes as stage further than Grieg's additional parts for two Mozart piano sonatas.

[Thropplenoggin]

I found listening to the Ivry Gitlis/Horenstein/VSO account of Sibelius's Violin Concerto yesterday morning both revelatory and electrifying. I take it Pristine Audio have worked their magic with the master tapes but it almost sounded like a new concerto. Gitlis is a new name for me but his account is at times wild, edge-of-the-seat stuff, at times heart-rendingly beautiful. Well worth a listen.

https://www.pristineclassical.com/collections/artist-jascha-horenstein/products/pasc516

[teamsaint]

I found listening to the Ivry Gitlis/Horenstein/VSO account of Sibelius's Violin Concerto yesterday morning both revelatory and electrifying. I take it Pristine Audio have worked their magic with the master tapes but it almost sounded like a new concerto. Gitlis is a new name for me but his account is at times wild, edge-of-the-seat stuff, at times heart-rendingly beautiful. Well worth a listen.

https://www.pristineclassical.com/co...oducts/pasc516

Noggo, do you have the Naxos CSR SO/ Dong- Suk Kang/ Leaper disc? I thought this rather excellent, but must go back to it. IIRC Dublin Jimbo it a too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=sibelius++violin+concerto+leaper+kang&rh=n%3A229816%2Ck%3Asibelius++violin+concerto+leaper+kang

[Rolmill]

I found listening to the Ivry Gitlis/Horenstein/VSO account of Sibelius's Violin Concerto yesterday morning both revelatory and electrifying. I take it Pristine Audio have worked their magic with the master tapes but it almost sounded like a new concerto. Gitlis is a new name for me but his account is at times wild, edge-of-the-seat stuff, at times heart-rendingly beautiful. Well worth a listen.

https://www.pristineclassical.com/co...oducts/pasc516

Yes, Giltlis' playing may not always be smooth-toned and beautiful (and his concerto recordings tended to relegate the orchestra to bit-part players), but for flair and excitement, with a gripping sense of genuinely re-thought interpretation, he is hard to beat.

You may want to investigate this very good value set. I have the first two CDs in their old Vox incarnation. The Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Bartok (both the concerto and the sonata) are outstanding, but demand concentrated listening - definitely not background music to accompany other activities!

[Thropplenoggin]

Thanks, Teamsaint and Rolmill, for the recommendations. I'll be sure to check them out.

[Bergonzi]

Bartok first violin concerto. Interesting - very lyrical 5th mvt - not my favourite violinist - soloist to orchestra perspective a little off in my opinion.

[visualnickmos]

Bartok first violin concerto. Interesting - very lyrical 5th mvt - not my favourite violinist - soloist to orchestra perspective a little off in my opinion.

Who are the performers?

[Bergonzi]

Who are the performers?

Renaud Capucon - LSO - Franciose-Xavier Roth - ERATO Not a violinist I usually favour.

[visualnickmos]

Renaud Capucon - LSO - Franciose-Xavier Roth - ERATO Not a violinist I usually favour.

Sometimes that happens; always a pleasant surprise when it does

[Bergonzi]

Sometimes that happens; always a pleasant surprise when it does

Sorry - I've been confusing - I meant I was not so impressed with this CD either!

[mikealdren]

Yes, Giltlis' playing may not always be smooth-toned and beautiful (and his concerto recordings tended to relegate the orchestra to bit-part players), but for flair and excitement, with a gripping sense of genuinely re-thought interpretation, he is hard to beat.

You may want to investigate this very good value set. I have the first two CDs in their old Vox incarnation. The Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Bartok (both the concerto and the sonata) are outstanding, but demand concentrated listening - definitely not background music to accompany other activities!

Another violinist who doesn't just go for smooth toned and beautiful is Patricia Kopatchinskaja, I heard her play the Stravinsky last night and it was fabulous, she's obviously re-thought a lot of it (even since her marvellous recording) and it had a very improvisatory feel.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Sorry - I've been confusing - I meant I was not so impressed with this CD either!

I was a little "confused" by your reference to a "5th mvt" of the Bartok First Vln Conc.