BaL 7.07.18 - Mozart: Don Giovanni

[vinteuil]

Was I mis-hearing or was the Norrington HIPP recording of the DG opening played directly after the vintage recording surprisingly sharper in pitch rather than , as I would have expected, flatter ?

The liner notes to the Norrington indicate that it was performed at A = 430


.

[Bryn]

Those of us who invested in the 225 CD edition already have the top recommendation. I was a bit sleepy, so may have missed the coverage of the various DVD and Blu-ray recordings. Which of them was discussed? This was, after all, BaL within the context of Record Review, not CD Review. I quite like the Harding, in the 225 DVD edition, and, of course, the Mackerras.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I was a bit sleepy, so may have missed the coverage of the various DVD and Blu-ray recordings. Which of them was discussed? This was, after all, BaL within the context of Record Review, not CD Review.

Nothing but CDs discussed IIRC. And re your 'after all', am I alone in not thinking of DVDs as 'records'? Surely standard English usage restricts the term to audio-only media.

Not that I'm lobbying for a rigid policy of exclusion you understand...

[Bryn]

Nothing but CDs discussed IIRC. And re your 'after all', am I alone in not thinking of DVDs as 'records'? Surely standard English usage restricts the term to audio-only media.

Not that I'm lobbying for a rigid policy of exclusion you understand...

The top choice in the BaL for Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld was a DVD, and other BaLs have included consideration of DVDs, too. Handel's Alcina was another BaL where a DVD set was the 'winner'. One reason given for the change of name from "CD Review" to "Record Review" was to include not only downloads but DVDs and Blu-rays.

[vinteuil]

. I quite like the Harding, in the 225 DVD edition, and, of course, the Mackerras.

... hi! - what is the 225 DVD edition? Is it a version of the big 225 box which also includes DVDs??


.

[Bryn]

... hi! - what is the 225 DVD edition? Is it a version of the big 225 box which also includes DVDs??


.

It's a boxed set of the Complete operas from the 2006 Salzburger Festspiele:

https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/gb/cat/0743902

[vinteuil]

... ah! Thanks

.

[Bryn]

... ah! Thanks

.

A don't think there is a Blu-ray version but the image quality is good and the audio is available either as LPCM 48/16 or DTS 5.1 surround. The DVDs are avaiable as a separate double disc set, but for a rather higher pro rata price. The staging is of the 'modern' variety. I tend to listen with the screen off.

[LeMartinPecheur]

One reason given for the change of name from "CD Review" to "Record Review" was to include not only downloads but DVDs and Blu-rays.

As I said, I've no problem with their inclusion but I still stand by my point on English usage, the more so since nobody calls a download 'a record'.

Shall we now apply for a free transfer to Pedants' Paradise?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A record is a black disc, played with a stylus.

[vinteuil]

A record is a black disc, played with a stylus.

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9pE5vrgBHQ

.

[visualnickmos]

An excellent Bal; I always enjoy NK's radio presentations, and this was no exception. One aspect that I found very helpful was the way he categorised the versions.
Why? Because with today's plethora of available recordings, and therefore a huge range of approaches, styles, and so on, it helped me in assimilating the 'choices.'
Not only that, I enjoy NK's presentation style, clear diction, and pleasant and entertaining demeanour. I would have been very happy if the BaL had been extended by an hour, or more. Yes - I for one, got a lot out of this BaL.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9pE5vrgBHQ

.

I thought you were going to show a picture disc for a moment.

[Bryn]

I thought you were going to show a picture disc for a moment.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As a result of my weeklypartitis, I collected the DVD Opera Collection, until I realised that it was too indiscriminate, and gave many of them away. However, I now discover I have the Zurich/Harnoncourt Don Giovanni, so I must give it a spin.

The 1950 Furtwangler set has arrived - An Archival transfer, claiming to the the "Best possible sound..."
I recoiled in horror on hearing the opening chords of the overture, but I needn't have worried, for this was clearly a case of the master tape having deteriorated, or been damaged, at its most vulnerable point. The rest is excellent.