Bargains

[Barbirollians]

Nev's Mozart bored me , his Enigma Variations was so dreary as to be almost a parody and as for his Sorceror's Apprentice ...

[EdgeleyRob]

Some download bargains to be had here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MP3-Downloads-Albums/s/qid=1305376517/ref=sr_pg_1?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&rh=n%3A77977031%2Cp_36%3A000-199%2Cp_n_format_browse-bin%3A78186031&page=1

[Bryn]

Thanks, just spent a little over £6 there.

[Dave2002]

I may be about to do likewise - some interesting stuff - well maybe. Various Scandinavian composers, plus Terry Riley's In C about as cheap as i've ever seen it. You have to search a bit to find the really cheap/interesting stuff. Some, such as the Beecham Magic Flute may be even cheaper on that 1 euro site - assuming the recording's the same one.

However, in CDs there's Rattle's Brahms symphonies - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Symph...5901813&sr=1-1 and also an early Karajan Beethoven set for under a tenner (but is it worth it?). not sure whether Rattle's Brahms Requiem is also worth a punt - but it's only round a fiver.

PS: Re the Amazon downloads, some of them may be available even cheaper on eMusic - so anyone who is using that service might want to cross check before hitting the buy button on Amazon. That way you might save a "massive" 27p - typically 0.69p down to 42p - but you'd need to check the tracks.

[Dave2002]

PS: Here is the 1 euro version of Magic Flute by Beecham - http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com/...y-beecham.html

There are other good things on the Classical Music Mobile site http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com . The recordings are mostly somewhat dated, and some sound distinctly dull, but the performances are sometimes very good. There may be better transciptions of some elsewhere - probably at great cost -, but often the original material will be the limiting factor in sound quality.

[Dave2002]

Just picked up this version of Lady Macbeth Of Mtsensk for only £3.97 - no libretto, but 'fans' will already have the Rostropovich recording, I expect.

http://www.tescoentertainment.com/store/cd/-/8:743093/

Mandryka

Do you have the details of that one? My trip to the site didn't find out much.

[Bryn]

Oh come on Dave, it does give the release date and a name, so it's this.

[Dave2002]

Oh come on Dave, it does give the release date and a name, so it's this.

Sorry Bryn. I guess I was just feeling lazier than usual. You don't actually need the release date - just type in "Aage Haugland Philip" and it should pop up. This should also do it "Aage Haugland Shostakovich".

I don't know this work. Is it worth having and is that 2 CD set a good one?

Try this one though, which seems much harder

http://www.tescoentertainment.com/store/cd/mozart-classic-composer--mozart/8%3a740160/

[EdgeleyRob]

I am thinking of downloading this set

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich-Complete-Symphonies/dp/B002X3XKXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1305966737&sr=1-1

I have other versions of nos 5 to 11 but this looks a reasonably economical way of filling in the gaps.
Any Shostakovich experts on here familiar with these performances ?

[umslopogaas]

Dave2002 post 83

Is 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk' worth having? Emphatically yes! I'd rate it as one of his best works: I find it edgy and disturbing, powerful stuff. And there is the additional fact, which can really give your guts a twist, that this is the work that caused Stalin to turn on Shostakovich. The scene where Katerina and Sergey jump into bed doesnt leave much to the imagination and apparently Stalin, who was something of a prude, didnt like it and stormed out. According to the booklet for my LPs of the Rostropovich version, it wasnt just Stalin who was upset, Prokofiev was appalled and one American music magazine described the opera as "pornophony".


I've just noticed that the notes are written by Solomon Volkov ... but that's another story.

And EdgeleyRob, I cant comment on the Rostropovich versions of the symphonies, I havent heard them: I have versions by several conductors, esp. Kondrashin, Svetlanov, Previn, Haitink, but not Rostropovich. However, based on his version of 'Lady Macbeth', I reckon he'd be a safe bet.

[Dave2002]

I am thinking of downloading this set

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich-Complete-Symphonies/dp/B002X3XKXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1305966737&sr=1-1

I have other versions of nos 5 to 11 but this looks a reasonably economical way of filling in the gaps.
Any Shostakovich experts on here familiar with these performances ?

I've some of Rostropovich's LSO discs. They are good. The performance of the 5th on the set you mention, with the Washington orchestra, is very good. I'd say the set is good, though personally, since the CDs are a mere £6 more, I'd reckon they're worth paying extra for. I've looked to see if the CDs are cheaper anywhere else right now. I think I saw that set in an HMV store not long ago for around £27, but I can't find a cheap supplier if you need the set ASAP.

I generally don't buy downloads unless they are either very cheap, or the discount vis a vis the CDs is at least 50%.

[EdgeleyRob]

thanks guys

[BBMmk2]

I have bought a few cds from charity shops in the past. What bargains!

[Chris Newman]

Hey ho!! Get your plastic ready, guys and gals:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/NR_June11/107505.htm

Grovel to the bank manager again.

[Mandryka]

Sorry Bryn. I guess I was just feeling lazier than usual. You don't actually need the release date - just type in "Aage Haugland Philip" and it should pop up. This should also do it "Aage Haugland Shostakovich".

I don't know this work. Is it worth having and is that 2 CD set a good one?

Try this one though, which seems much harder
http://www.tescoentertainment.com/st...rt/8%3a740160/

One of my favourite operas, since I first heard it in Gergiev's Kirov performance at the Barbican in 1999.

The score has a visceral impact, which you probably get more of in the pioneering Rostropovich recording; Chung, though, offers a valid alternative perspective and Maria Ewing's assumption of the title role is certainly worth hearing.