Best Grieg/Schumann recording?

[LeMartinPecheur]

Over a year ago I was given a copy of that by a neighbour, along with about 4 other Grieg concertos (her father was a BIG fan of the work). Knowing the PG's view I haven't dared play it yet

But maybe I shall now...

Well, I've just played it and it's certainly different! Sounds as if Ogdon, and even Berglund, think that all previous performances have completely misunderstood the work and it's really about four sizes bigger than anyone ever thought, right up with the big bow-wow virtuoso concertos by Liszt, Brahms or Rachmaninov. The recording is unflattering but it's pretty clear that Ogdon really wants a huge piano sound, which is coupled with sluggish tempos and a massive ritardando or two in the 1st mov't cadenza. Worth hearing once but to the Oxfam shop it will probably go.

Next question is, do I dare try the Schumann?? If O and B are in the same mindset as for the Grieg, that would be infinitely more painful. I note that the Gramophone reviewer agreed pretty much with the PG about the Grieg, and then forbore to say anything about the Schumann. That may be a clue!

[Mandryka]

Well, I've just played it and it's certainly different! Sounds as if Ogdon, and even Berglund, think that all previous performances have completely misunderstood the work and it's really about four sizes bigger than anyone ever thought, right up with the big bow-wow virtuoso concertos by Liszt, Brahms or Rachmaninov. The recording is unflattering but it's pretty clear that Ogdon really wants a huge piano sound, which is coupled with sluggish tempos and a massive ritardando or two in the 1st mov't cadenza. Worth hearing once but to the Oxfam shop it will probably go.

Next question is, do I dare try the Schumann?? If O and B are in the same mindset as for the Grieg, that would be infinitely more painful. I note that the Gramophone reviewer agreed pretty much with the PG about the Grieg, and then forbore to say anything about the Schumann. That may be a clue!

If it's the same disc as I had, it also contains Franck's Symphonic Variations - Ogdon paired with Barbirolli: as I recall, the PG was slightly kinder to this, though it remains the lowest rated of all Barbirolli's recordings by that source (or Ogdon's, come to that).

[Barbirollians]

Perahia is marvellous in both concertos too.

Another vote for Kovacevich as well but probably my two favourites are Lipatti and Argerich .

Although I wouldn't be without Richter...

[makropulos]

Perahia is marvellous in both concertos too.

Another vote for Kovacevich as well but probably my two favourites are Lipatti and Argerich .

Although I wouldn't be without Richter...

I was going to say Richter/Matacic (EMI) in Grieg/Schumann - along with Lipatti's Grieg (especially), but I also love Leon Fleisher and Szell in this coupling. It's probably harder to find complete duds.
Incidentally, has anyone yet recorded the significantly different first published version of the Grieg? (it was a work he revised constantly).

[LeMartinPecheur]

If it's the same disc as I had, it also contains Franck's Symphonic Variations - Ogdon paired with Barbirolli: as I recall, the PG was slightly kinder to this, though it remains the lowest rated of all Barbirolli's recordings by that source (or Ogdon's, come to that).

Mandryka: the Ogdon/Berglund came out in 1972 on ASD 2802 c/w the Schumann. The Ogdon/ Barbirolli Franck Symphonic Var's (PG 1-star) came out on ASD 542 c/w the Tchaik Conc No 1 (PG 2-star). The cat. no, next after the amazing Sinfonia of London/Barbirolli 'English String Music' (Elgar/VW), suggests a much earlier issue-date c.1963. If you really had the Franck and the Grieg together on LP, this suggests that some sadist in EMI earned his bucks merrily recoupling all of Ogdon's worst recordings to capture a few more bucks from trusting punters

Anyone on the board admit to having held this this job??

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I too would go for the Kovacevich/Davis version, but of course, the pianist was Stephen Bishop in those days.

[Pianorak]

I too would go for the Kovacevich/Davis version, but of course, the pianist was Stephen Bishop in those days.

And at one time it was a certain Stephen Bishop-Kovacevich.

[Mandryka]

And at one time it was a certain Stephen Bishop-Kovacevich.

Yes, what was all that about?

I would have been VERY impressed if he'd changed his name to Stephen Bishop Argerich-Kovacevich!

[Ferretfancy]

I forget the details, but I think he made a transition to Kovacevich after some sort of family reconciliation with his father. He's such a fine Beethoven pianist. I recall seeing him in his Stephen Bishop days in lunchtime concerts at Bishopsgate Institute, anyone remember those?

[Norfolk Born]

Yes, what was all that about?

I would have been VERY impressed if he'd changed his name to Stephen Bishop Argerich-Kovacevich!

...or even Stephen Bishopsgate Argerich-Kovacevich...
I continue to live in hope that the master of the missing Eric Morecambe/Andrew Preview recording of the Schumann will come to light.

[Keraulophone]

I continue to live in hope that the master of the missing Eric Morecambe/Andrew Preview recording of the Schumann will come to light.

Their Grieg was issued in 1971 on the IME label with Preview conducting the SLO in Ebbay Road Studio No 1, produced by Raj Suvi Grubb, but the Schumann on the other side was rarely played because unfortunately the movements had been cut in the wrong order on the LP - a collector's item that can fetch three figures on eBay.

[Norfolk Born]

That would be three figures including the pence? Perhaps it might be reissued one day on Birllinat Cliscass or Nosax.

[Barbirollians]

I forgot to mention Michelangeli's astonishing Grieg concerto on BBC Legends - a rare recording that suggests that he was a man of flesh and blood after all.

[MickyD]

Without doubt, my favourite recording of the Schumann is that by Andreas Staier (c. 1850 J.B. Streicher), with Elysian Fields Orchestra directed by Philippe Herreweghe. It comes coupled with a decent performance of the 'Cello Concerto as played by Christophe Coin.

I'm so glad you gave this recording a mention, Bryn - I love it too and it is a terrific bargain to boot. Wouldn't it be nice if Staier tackled the Grieg as well?

[Biffo]

I don't actually have the Schumann/Grieg combination at all. I have two Brendel performances of the Schumann, the first coupled with Weber's Konzertstuck, the second with the Fantasy in C (Op 17). I have the Grieg played by Backhaus (1933) coupled with Sibelius Symphony No 2, part of a Barbirolli box and also as part of the Complete Orchestral Works of Grieg (Zilberstein/Jarvi).