BaL 29.10.16 - Brahms: String Sextet No.1 in B flat major, Op. 18

[pastoralguy]

The Alberni disc with Roger Best and Moray Welsh was the first chamber cd I ever bought.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Alas, there's no mention of my first Lp which was a CfP disc of the Principals of the LPO led by Rodney Friend which is still my favourite version.

My first (LP) recording too and still on my shelves. Don't think I realised it was Rodney Friend - the LP sleeve just says 'Principals of the LPO' and I've had to look at the disc label to find where you'd got RF from. This LP has now been, ahem, supplemented by the Raphael Ens on Hyperion.

Hopefully not too far OT: it would be nice if Katy Hamilton could include a recommendation for JB's own piano transcription of the slow mov't - I just love it! It's on Idil Biret's Naxos Brahms piano music series: Naxos 8.550958.

[mikealdren]

Alas, there's no mention of my first Lp which was a CfP disc of the Principals of the LPO led by Rodney Friend which is still my favourite version. No, it's not the most polished version but I think the music's joy comes shining through.

One of my two versions too and also happy memories. It was the LP that convinced me that Brahms' chamber music was worth listening to many years ago.

Mike

[Daniel]

This is a most enjoyable recording - I have it, and also Stern, Lin, Laredo, Tree, Robinson on Sony. What's the Stuttgart Soloists recording like? A worthy 'contender' perhaps, in your opinion...?

... it's very enjoyable, a bit cautious at the odd moment perhaps, they're good at the dreamy, harmonics sounding moment in the 2nd movement. The Raphael sculpt the music so elegantly it's a joy to listen to, and probably my preferred of the two.

I have this idea that there might be a recording out there where one feels the mitochondria knocking round in the cells of the music a bit more, if that makes any sense .. a touch of wind rattling at the windows (which is certainly there in the Andante of the Raphael's reading e.g.). Will attempt to hear L'Archibudelli which sounds interesting.

[reinerfan]

One of my favourite versions is of the Alexander Quartet with Toby Appel and David Requiro on the Foghorn Classics label, a 2013 recording that seems to be missing from the list. I quite like the actual performance of L'Archibudelli but am, I'm afraid, allergic to the sound of gut strings played with minimal vibrato.

[MickyD]

I love this work.

I have the Amadeus/Aronowitz/Pleeth , and (my current favourite) l' Archibudelli, plus the very interesting piano duet version with Silke-Thora Matthies & Christian Köhn. (The naxos series of Brahms piano-four-hands has been so enlightening, marvellous.)

I think I shall have to investigate the Hausmusik recording...

It's well worth having, Vints! But I didn't realise that l'Archbudelli had done these pieces too - now I shall have to investigate that!

[verismissimo]

Leipziger Streichquartett, Lindsay Quartet, Louise Williams, Paul Watkin

Presumably two different issues, Alpie?

The Lindsays and friends were superb in this repertoire at Blackheath around 1988/89.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Presumably two different issues, Alpie?

The Lindsays and friends were superb in this repertoire at Blackheath around 1988/89.

Um... yes!

[pastoralguy]

The personnel on the LPO disc are Rodney Friend & Dennis Simons (violins) , John Chambers & David Newlands (violas), Alexander Cameron & Rod McGrath ('cellos).

[reinerfan]

Per my note yesterday, I think that the Alexander Quartet, etc. should be added to the list.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Per my note yesterday, I think that the Alexander Quartet, etc. should be added to the list.

Now added.


Unrelated to this, I'm beginning to wonder whether these lists of available recordings are a waste of time, if BaL presenters are going to choose recordings that are NOT generally available, as they have done for the last three weeks.

[vinteuil]

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... o, they're useful to us, Alpie - very useful!!



[... many's the time I've checked out a recording from Alpie's list before the programme starts. And even ordered a copy before the programme starts ]

[MickyD]

Yes, indeed....and I have often discovered versions that passed me by. So keep up the good work, Alpie.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

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... o, they're useful to us, Alpie - very useful!!



[... many's the time I've checked out a recording from Alpie's list before the programme starts. And even ordered a copy before the programme starts ]

Yes, indeed....and I have often discovered versions that passed me by. So keep up the good work, Alpie.

Absolutely agree - just as I often find Forumistas' comments on different versions much more reliable than the broadcast reviews, so Alpie's lists are in themselves invaluable, regardless of what happens on any particular BaL.

[BBMmk2]

Now added.


Unrelated to this, I'm beginning to wonder whether these lists of available recordings are a waste of time, if BaL presenters are going to choose recordings that are NOT generally available, as they have done for the last three weeks.

Concur, very useful, Alpie! Many thanks for your sterling efforts. Very much appreciated by all Forum members, I am sure! :)