Recent CD/ buys - downloads recommendations thread

[Barbirollians]

Well there is the classic Curzon 1st concerto, to say nothing of the even finer Fleisher...I don't think I've ever heard the tuttis played with more fire and energy

Very true - I meant in the symphonies although I see there was a Cleveland set. I am not sure the Fleisher is finer - it is very fiery and exciting but sometimes it can be a bit wearing if one is not in te right mood. The Curzon is utterly magnificent.

Meanwhile , a disc I had always meant to get but was prompted by the Proms - Rostropovich in the Dutilleux and Lutoslawski Concertos on EMI GROC awaits me .

[cloughie]

Very true - I meant in the symphonies . I am not sure the Fleisher is finer - it is very fiery and exciting but sometimes it can be a bit wearing if one is not in te right mood. The Curzon is utterly magnificent.

There is an old Decca Concertgebouw 3rd coupled with Dvorak 8 (exACL etc) which I have on CD in addition to the Cleveland discs with the overtures. Also there is the famous Double Concerto with Oistrakh and Rostropovich.

[Barbirollians]

There is an old Decca Concertgebouw 3rd coupled with Dvorak 8 (exACL etc) which I have on CD in addition to the Cleveland discs with the overtures. Also there is the famous Double Concerto with Oistrakh and Rostropovich.

Indeed and the rather glaringly recorded Brahms Concerto with Szell - In each case I prefer Oistrakh's collaborations with Fournier and Galliera and with Klemperer.

[pastoralguy]

Bo Holten. Venus' Wheel.

Most evocative.

[Barbirollians]

The September BBC MM is devoted to Horowitz, and the cover CD is of the recital he gave in the Royal Festival Hall in May 1982. This was his first London concert in 31 years. This is perhaps not playing for everyday listening, but fascinating none the less, although I found his wayward approach to Chopin's Ballade in g minor rather hard to take. The BBC recording is quite good, although it is apparent that the wide dynamics in the playing presented a few problems leading to a rather hollow sound in the quieter passages.
This was a historic event, and the CD is well worth having as a tribute to an amazing pianist, warts and all !

The BBCMM article suggests this was during a serious dip in his playing after the Ormandy Rachmaninov 3 of 1978 . I am looking forward to listening to it all but I certainly prefer Lipatti's approach to Scarlatti .

[teamsaint]

Anyone here heard the 2013 re-master of Trout Mask Replica yet? If so, how big are the differences?

It needs to be a big success to be worth £34 !!!

[Barbirollians]

Goodness me - I know what you mean about that Chopin Ballade No 1 from Horowitz - an extraordinary performance .

[Bryn]

It needs to be a big success to be worth £34 !!!

I'm waiting for the price to fall considerably.

Currently £22 from G & S Music.

[Barbirollians]

Well I am glad I bought the BBCMM issue with the Horowitz CD but I am not sure I shall be playing it very often .

[HighlandDougie]

http://www.mdt.co.uk/britten-war-requiem-vishnevskaya-pears-decca-2cds-blu-ray-audio.html

Current obsession with BB gone mad and a gross extravagance (the 24/96 re-mastered CD is also in the big BB box which arrived in June) but the Blu-Ray, in full 24/96 glory, hiss and all, sounds as if it were recorded yesterday. No downloadable files, alas - unlike the Universal "High Fidelity Pure Audio" Blu-Rays - but, if anyone wants to hear this remarkable work in its definitive performance and has access to a Blu-Ray player, it is well worth it. The CD version of the re-mastering which comes with it is also a significant improvement on earlier issues (cf. in 'The Decca Sound' box) - and the final CD - of the tape made during rehearsals is - well worth hearing.

[Nick Armstrong]

I didn't hear the extract on yesterday's CD Review but, on the basis of a rave review in the Weekend FT and despite my resolution to buy no more Mahler CDs, I've just ordered from Testament the 1994 Mahler 7th from Michael Gielen and the BPO (he was the sub for an ailing Klaus Tennstedt). Loved Gielen's Südwestfunk performance of it live and equally love his recording of it so am keenly looking forward to this BPO version.

HD - only just noticed your post.... I started a thread about this. Have you got your CD yet?

Here's what I think!

I cannot stop listening to this Testament CD of Gielen and the BPO... On my hifi at any rate, it just 'works' - it's one of the most vivid, involving, captivating recordings I own! The presence of the percussion, lower winds and bass strings: wonderful ! Yes PJPJ, unless your off-air is miraculous, you need to upgrade. Seriously.

Allied to a magnificent performance... Well, it's my CD of the year so far.

Join us over there as one fellow Forumite has specifically asked about the new one compared with the earleir Gielen - sounds like you will be the man to answer that question

[johnb]

http://www.mdt.co.uk/britten-war-req...ray-audio.html

Current obsession with BB gone mad and a gross extravagance (the 24/96 re-mastered CD is also in the big BB box which arrived in June) but the Blu-Ray, in full 24/96 glory, hiss and all, sounds as if it were recorded yesterday. No downloadable files, alas - unlike the Universal "High Fidelity Pure Audio" Blu-Rays - but, if anyone wants to hear this remarkable work in its definitive performance and has access to a Blu-Ray player, it is well worth it. The CD version of the re-mastering which comes with it is also a significant improvement on earlier issues (cf. in 'The Decca Sound' box) - and the final CD - of the tape made during rehearsals is - well worth hearing.

It is also available as a 24/96 download for £18.00 from Linn: http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-war-requiem.aspx

[HighlandDougie]

Have you got your CD yet?

Join us over there as one fellow Forumite has specifically asked about the new one compared with the earleir Gielen - sounds like you will be the man to answer that question

Caliban

I ordered it directly from Testament - or at least I thought I had. Nothing has appeared so I re-ordered it yesterday via Testament's Amazon Marketplace "shop" - it has been "Dispatching Now" since this morning. I live in hope. The earlier recording (which I have as part of Intercord's 'Gielen Edition') was recorded in the Hans Rosbaud-Studio, Baden-Baden in April 1993 so I look forward to making the comparison.

[HighlandDougie]

I know that it has been mentioned elsewhere but a quick plug for the new Isabelle Faust Bartok Violin Concertos recording: her usual thoughtful approach married to virtuosic flair when needed, well accompanied (Swedish RSO/Daniel Harding) and well recorded (at least as a 24/96 download). Maybe she might get round to recording the Britten concerto (very interesting to read her response to it - and her admiration for the Ida Haendel recording). She is performing it with the CBSO and that whirlwind on the podium, Andris Nelsons, in December in Birmingham so I live in hope that Harmonia Mundi and Orfeo might do a deal on a recording.

[BBMmk2]

What is it with the current influx of rather large boxed sets that recording companies are producing these days?