Bargains

[richardfinegold]

I may be wrong but I think that Ormandy did not get the respect he deserved. Most of his recorded performances were very good but on your side of the pond he appeared to be behind the likes of Walter, Szell, Reiner and Munch in the pecking order. I would like to see a comprehensive Sibelius box including his 50s mono recordings and all the CBS and RCA stereo recordings from the 60s and 70s. I think there is also a Beethoven Symphony cycle (CBS) which has not been issued in the UK.

His records sold very well, especially compared to Bernstein. With the sales there would come come some complaints that he wasn't as "profound" or (substitute the adjective of your choice), as some other Conductors. I absorbed this line of thought as a young adult and have only begun to question it recently with all these budget priced Ormandy reissues. And the style of the Orchestra was not as conducive to Mozart or Haydn as it was to Romantic Music.
My aforementioned roommate had the CBS Beethoven cycle and I would always praise my Szell set at the expense of his Ormandy. I would like to rehear the Ormandy after all these years.

[richardfinegold]

I am currently listening to Rachmaninov, Isle Of The Dead, Slatkin/Detroit SO. This recording got pretty bad reviews, and the Orchestra doesn't sound nearly as opulent and some other ensembles that have recorded it. I rather enjoyed the comparative understatement which saves this from becoming a potboiler. The recording is also very detailed and realistic. On to the First Symphony.

Enjoyed the Symphony. This is the first time I didn't find myself agreeing with Cesar Cui.

[mikealdren]

AmazonUK has the 103cd Heifetz: The Complete Album Collection for £163.97 - JUST ONE LEFT!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jascha-Heife...ifetz+complete

Usual wisdom after the event, 'should have bought a few copies as investments when they were cheap and readily available!'


Mike

[richardfinegold]

Usual wisdom after the event, 'should have bought a few copies as investments when they were cheap and readily available!'


Mike

The Heifetz recordings have been reissued so frequently and in so many formats, that it makes me wonder about any possible resale value.

[mikealdren]

The Heifetz recordings have been reissued so frequently and in so many formats, that it makes me wonder about any possible resale value.

True although it's interesting how some people will pay a premium for certain editions.

I tend to start with the view that all digital editions from the same source are similar and later ones tend to be better, unlike LPs, it's rare for the original editions to sound better than a remastered version.

Mike

[pastoralguy]

Usual wisdom after the event, 'should have bought a few copies as investments when they were cheap and readily available!'


Mike

Funnily enough Mike, we were in Milan a year past December and the Italian equivalent of HMV literally had piles of the Heifetz edition! I wonder if they have any left...

[MickyD]

7 CDs of Harnoncourt and his Concentus Musicus Wien performing early Mozart symphonies going very cheap:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikolaus-Harnoncourt-Conducts-Mozart-Symphonies/dp/B00GZHRDHA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1395144997&sr=1-1&keywords=harnoncourt+mozart+symphonies

[mikealdren]

Funnily enough Mike, we were in Milan a year past December and the Italian equivalent of HMV literally had piles of the Heifetz edition! I wonder if they have any left...

Hi PG, did you buy one, it's an excellent set and it was very cheap when I got it. I've just got a pile of Heifetz CDs to sell on ebay now!

Mike

[Dave2002]

7 CDs of Harnoncourt and his Concentus Musicus Wien performing early Mozart symphonies going very cheap:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikolaus-Har...art+symphonies

Do I really need any more early Mozart? I have a couple of sets already, and, much though I like both Mozart and Harnoncourt .... ?

[gurnemanz]

Do I really need any more early Mozart? I have a couple of sets already, and, much though I like both Mozart and Harnoncourt .... ?

I have the excellent Pinnock complete set and will admit that I don't play the early ones that often. I see there is a very good bargain offer on at MDT at the moment.

[Bryn]

I have the excellent Pinnock complete set and will admit that I don't play the early ones that often. I see there is a very good bargain offer on at MDT at the moment.

Yes, there are some very tempting items in that MDT promotion.

[MickyD]

I shan't bother with the Harnoncourt either, as I have the 19 CD set which Hogwood did, and I love that more than any of the others.

I've been tempted today by some Brilliant Classics recordings of 19th century piano quartets on period instruments...some unusual repertoire, Ries, Hummel, Onslow etc.

[Radio64]

The Essential John Tavener [5CD Box] £15.13 .. worth having?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-John-Tavener-Various-Naxos/dp/tracks/B00HM75U3G/ref=dp_tracks_all_

[Roehre]

The Essential John Tavener [5CD Box] £15.13 .. worth having?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Jo...dp_tracks_all_

No. As nothing by Tavener is essential IMO

[verismissimo]

No. As nothing by Tavener is essential IMO

I recall Endymion putting on a Tavener "Composer Choice" concert on the South Bank (while I was chairman of the ensemble). Couldn't bring myself to turn up, but ticket sales were excellent.