BaL 7.10.17 - Handel: Concerti grossi Op 3

[pastoralguy]

I don't know this music, but I notice the Academy of St Martin in the Fields version in cheap box in local Oxfam. Is this worth it, or to be avoided?

If it's inexpensive then buy it and make up your own mind.

I have a soft spot for the Academy and always find their recordings well played and produced.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

If it's inexpensive then buy it and make up your own mind.

- and a donation to charity even if you don't like it.

I'm very much with Bryn and vinty about the ASMF - but IIRC, the recording did very well many, many years ago (late '70s/early '80s) on a BaL: not as much choice then - but it did sound much better than the George Malcolm, which had an astonishing and unmissable fade in and out at one point: the reviewer had to assure listeners that nobody in the BBC studio was touching any volume controls.

[Pulcinella]

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... I have never found much to enjoy in the ASMF recordings : there is something safe and tame that sucks the life out of the music. Much to be preferred is the excitement offered by Pinnock, Hogwood &c.

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You may be right: just put on to compare with yesterday's Hogwood.
But is there only one Marriner version?
Seems to be described variously as Argo or Decca, but Presto have a Philips incarnation reproduced as a Presto CD:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Philips/4114822

I have them as a Decca Serenata issue:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Concerti-Grossi-Op3/dp/B00000E4LD/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1506773736&sr=1-4&keywords=Handel+marriner+concerti+grossi

Recording date is given as 1964.

[BBMmk2]

I have:

Marc Minkowski - Les Musiciens Du Louvre

Hi Beefy, I've heard this artists play, in other rep, self recommending, expect?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But is there only one Marriner version?

I think that these are two different recordings - the DECCA, as you say, is from 1964; the PHILIPS from 1982. (As this later date is before the general DECCification of Philips recordings, I'm pretty sure that it refers to two distinct recordings.)

[Pulcinella]

I think that these are two different recordings - the DECCA, as you say, is from 1964; the PHILIPS from 1982. (As this later date is before the general DECCification of Philips recordings, I'm pretty sure that it refers to two distinct recordings.)

That certainly seems plausible.
Given up on them anyway, and switched to the Linde, as I was nearly falling asleep; the Linde is much more spritely!

PS: Gave up on them and turned to Pinnock, but even that lost to Hogwood!
Postie arrived with some Stravinsky, so guess what......?

[LeMartinPecheur]

I have just the ASMF/Brown and on LP the Prague CO/Mackerras, so could well be in the market for something a little more hip(p)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have just the ASMF/Brown and on LP the Prague CO/Mackerras, so could well be in the market for something a little more hip(p)

They sound just the ticket!

[BBMmk2]

I have just the ASMF/Brown and on LP the Prague CO/Mackerras, so could well be in the market for something a little more hip(p)

I would get the CD version, if there are any, of those ones you have already!

[richardfinegold]

None of my two versions made Alpie's list: the Orpheus CO, and one on the Linn Label led by Bevnosiuk ( sp? My recording is a High Resolution download stored in ALAC on my computer and has no notes and the Conductors name didn't survive the metadata transfer). The Orpheus recording is excellent and the one that I go for

[Bryn]

None of my two versions made Alpie's list: the Orpheus CO, and one on the Linn Label led by Bevnosiuk ( sp? My recording is a High Resolution download stored in ALAC on my computer and has no notes and the Conductors name didn't survive the metadata transfer). The Orpheus recording is excellent and the one that I go for

Are you sure this is the Op. 3 set? I thought Pavlo Besnosiuk had only recorded the Op. 6 set (Avison Ensemble, sans oboes) for Linn.

[Richard Barrett]

Are you sure this is the Op. 3 set? I thought Pavlo Beznosiuk [imagine how he must feel to have his name misspelled so often!] had only recorded the Op. 6 set (Avison Ensemble, sans oboes) for Linn.

This is correct, for now; and that op.6 set is to my mind the best one there is. (If I want to hear the oboes I go for Pinnock, but that isn't very often these days.)

[MickyD]

Off-topic again with Op. 6 - I have a really lovely Erato recording from the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/Koopman of them doing just 4 of the concertos, but with oboes included. A pity they never got round to doing the rest. I see that it has just been re-released on a Virgin twofer, with their account of the Wassenaer concertos - well worth adding to your library!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Concerti-Wassenaer-Armonici-Veritas/dp/B01MQG32EQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1506862399&sr=1-2&keywords=Handel+Koopman

[Bryn]

My copy of the Hogwood CD of Op. 3 arrived today. Horror struck as I opened the jewel case. The CD is quite heavily bronzed. However, there is no sign of it having been manufactured by PDO and using EAC in its high accuracy setting ripped it apparently without error. Now to play it. Report to follow.

[Phew. Playing just fine. Now a little tale re. the Egarr recording. I first got the Op. 3 set back in 2009 for the princely sum of £2.70 including p&p. In 2014 I decided I wanted the Op. 6 set too, and as the cheapest way of getting it at that time was the buy the Op. 3, 4 and 6 set (£21.08 including p&p). Good job I had already got the Op. 3 set. The final track on disc 3 of the Op. 3, 4 and 6 set (that with Op. 3 and Sonata a 5 on it) was faulty. The asking price for each of these options on amazon.co.uk today is frightening.]

[Pulcinella]

My copy of the Hogwood CD of Op. 3 arrived today. Horror struck as I opened the jewel case. The CD is quite heavily bronzed. However, there is no sign of it having been manufactured by PDO and using EAC in its high accuracy setting ripped it apparently without error. Now to play it. Report to follow.

My copy is bronzed too, Bryn, but plays fine.
Hope your fears, if any, are unfounded.