BaL 30.12.17 - Mozart: Symphony no. 38 in D, K.504 "Prague"

[kea]

I sampled a few recordings as well and Brüggen/OAE was also my favourite by a decent margin—which surprised me given its slowish tempo. I should probably look into the rest of his Mozart recordings as well.

[Karafan]

Who won please?

[vinteuil]

Who won please?

... I think we have to wait until 30 December to find out


.

[Karafan]

... I think we have to wait until 30 December to find out


.

Well, I feel a chump now! Quite right! Apologies!

[Richard Barrett]

I sampled a few recordings as well and Brüggen/OAE was also my favourite by a decent margin—which surprised me given its slowish tempo. I should probably look into the rest of his Mozart recordings as well.

Important though to make the distinction between Brüggen's own O18thC (which made this Mozart recording) and OAE which he occasionally conducted and which for me is not on the same level as an ensemble.

[Tony Halstead]

Important though to make the distinction between Brüggen's own O18thC (which made this Mozart recording) and OAE which he occasionally conducted and which for me is not on the same level as an ensemble.

I am very glad (for you) that you inserted that little 'qualification' i.e. 'for me' ....! I'd hate to think that you might have been dragged litigiously through a UK law court if your observation / opinion had been perceived/ interpreted by the OAE management as 'objective' rather than 'subjective'!

[jayne lee wilson]

Important though to make the distinction between Brüggen's own O18thC (which made this Mozart recording) and OAE which he occasionally conducted and which for me is not on the same level as an ensemble.

Perhaps not, but the Sturm und Drang Symphonies they did together are truly outstanding sonically and musically, most recently gathered into the Haydn 107 Box...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Symphonies-Various-Artists/dp/B01BHFPU3S/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1514064745&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=haydn+bruggen+philips

... a high peak of their work together, beautifully recorded in a very sympathetic acoustic (1994-7, Blackheath Halls), I bought the original black/green Philips box in 1999 - there's hardly been a month I haven't played something from it. Very special, and including symphonies so infrequently recorded. For me, only Thomas Fey and his Heidelbergers have matched (maybe even surpassed) them for inclusiveness and quality.

The 1999 issue had this striking image on it...

[Richard Barrett]

I am very glad (for you) that you inserted that little 'qualification' i.e. 'for me' ....! I'd hate to think that you might have been dragged litigiously through a UK law court if your observation / opinion had been perceived/ interpreted by the OAE management as 'objective' rather than 'subjective'!

Just the way I hear it, Tony! I haven't yet heard anything by the OAE that has really excited me. This really has nothing to do with any individual members of the group, many of whose performances in other contexts I have found exciting. Maybe I haven't heard enough of their work, but I've been somewhat put off by what I have.

[kea]

Important though to make the distinction between Brüggen's own O18thC (which made this Mozart recording) and OAE which he occasionally conducted and which for me is not on the same level as an ensemble.

Oops >.>

I guess that's fair, although I have heard the OAE live and at the time thought they were really good (also made me interested in period instruments, and Haydn, for the first time in my life).

(Specifically I was at this concert although in re-listening to it I guess I've heard recordings I prefer since then.)

[Richard Barrett]

(Specifically I was at this concert although in re-listening to it I guess I've heard recordings I prefer since then.)

That is a very nice performance though. Thinking about it, I guess what makes the OAE less interesting for me is the lack of a clear artistic vision, since unlike Brüggen's own group or Concentus Musicus or probably most other HIPP ensembles it wasn't formed by a single artistic director whose priorities and ideas are reflected in its work, but quite deliberately functions more like a conventional orchestra in inviting guest conductors. Many people would see that as a plus point, I imagine!

[richardfinegold]

Perhaps not, but the Sturm und Drang Symphonies they did together are truly outstanding sonically and musically, most recently gathered into the Haydn 107 Box...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Symphonies-Various-Artists/dp/B01BHFPU3S/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1514064745&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=haydn+bruggen+philips

... a high peak of their work together, beautifully recorded in a very sympathetic acoustic (1994-7, Blackheath Halls), I bought the original black/green Philips box in 1999 - there's hardly been a month I haven't played something from it. Very special, and including symphonies so infrequently recorded. For me, only Thomas Fey and his Heidelbergers have matched (maybe even surpassed) them for inclusiveness and quality.

The 1999 issue had this striking image on it...

I have to disagree there. I found it irritating that many Hogwood performances of these works were left out of the big Decca box in favor of the Buggen /OAE. I wound purchasing the incomplete Hogwood box to obtain the missing ones. The Trevor Pinnock Storm und Drang set is also excellent.
I also was at a Concert Of Bruggen and the OAE, the first period group I ever heard live.

[jayne lee wilson]

Sorry to be off-the-Mozart-topic (but it is still a week till the BaL after all, the thread's gone a bit quiet, & I am still listening to Pragues...) but Richard-fg, have you heard any of Thomas Fey's recordings of those Haydn Sturm und Drang Symphonies? (e.g. couplings of 45/64, 41/44/47, 52/49/58) I've become devoted to them, the first since those Bruggen readings I've truly loved. And the recorded sound is exceptional too. Spacious, sharply-defined, atmospheric.

[richardfinegold]

Sorry to be off-the-Mozart-topic (but it is still a week till the BaL after all, the thread's gone a bit quiet, & I am still listening to Pragues...) but Richard-fg, have you heard any of Thomas Fey's recordings of those Haydn Sturm und Drang Symphonies? (e.g. couplings of 45/64, 41/44/47, 52/49/58) I've become devoted to them, the first since those Bruggen readings I've truly loved. And the recorded sound is exceptional too. Spacious, sharply-defined, atmospheric.

No, I’ve read reviews of the Fey recordings but haven’t heard them.

[richardfinegold]

No, I’ve read reviews of the Fey recordings but haven’t heard them.

Merry XMass, btw, to Jane and all other Forumites!

[jayne lee wilson]

No, I’ve read reviews of the Fey recordings but haven’t heard them.

Well, there's a listening project for the New Year....
Best Wishes to you for 2018, Richard....