BaL 29.10.11 Dvorak's Symphony no. 8

[Norfolk Born]

I've had Sir Col's account with the Concertgebouw of Dvorak's 8th Symphony for many years, and with Neeme Järvi on Chandos, it remains my preferred choice: but as you say, I don't think that the Philips release is currently available, and may have fallen victim to the steely hatchetman.

It looks as though the Davis/Concertgebouw on Philips Duo can be downloaded from Universal Music.

[Nick Armstrong]

Very interesting, Caliban - does this French programme have a website wherein a chap might keep an eye on their deliberations? They seem to be an adventurous lot - wot no Kubelik?!

They do. There's a slight complication.

Before the summer break it was called "La Tribune des Critiques..." http://sites.radiofrance.fr/francemu...?e_id=65000059. Click on the little "archives" button in the grey bar to see a list of 2011 programmes, and clickable dates to see lists back to 2008

Then the show was revamped over the summer. One feared a Roger Wright-style infantilisation, but it's not too bad. it's now called "Le Jardin des Critiques" (the reason for that effete branding change is not apparent ). Similar webpage layout: http://sites.radiofrance.fr/francemu...65&dd=20111023

The only difference now is that only the first round of listening is a 'blind tasting' - they reveal all the names about half way through the programme (which has advantages in terms of an informed discussion).

Podcasts available if you want to brush up the old français (click on the circular logo next to "podcast & RSS" on the right)

Tomorrow's Schumann 4 should be good, after a most interesting prog about the Fauré Requiem which I had on the iPod speeding past innumerable French churches in the sunshine on the Eurostar back yesterday

[amateur51]

it's now called "Le Jardin des Critiques" (the reason for that effete branding change is not apparent )

Tomorrow's Schumann 4 should be good, after a most interesting prog about the Fauré Requiem which I had on the iPod speeding past innumerable French churches in the sunshine on the Eurostar back yesterday

I look forward to your explaining to Mr McAllister just why you see gardening as effete, Caliban

The trip back through France with Fauré Requiem sounds sublime. Will they choose the Boult Schumann 4, recently restored to the catalogue by First Hand Records, I wonder

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1956-Nixa-Westminster-Stereo-Recordings-3CD/dp/B00483CVT8/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1319285575&sr=1-2

[Nick Armstrong]

I look forward to your explaining to Mr McAllister just why you see gardening as effete, Caliban

The trip back through France with Fauré Requiem sounds sublime. Will they choose the Boult Schumann 4, recently restored to the catalogue by First Hand Records, I wonder

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1956-Nixa-We...9285575&sr=1-2

They are in fact very respectful of English conductors - Tommy Beecham featured in the opening sequence of the old-style programme (the "every other damn drum" line from a rehearsal tape) and carried the day in the prog about Berlioz 'Symphonie Fantastique' recently, as he did with a Haydn Symphonie a while back. There was a good show a couple of years back about Elgar's 'Sea Pictures' which the Barbirolli / Baker recording effortlessly won.

As to effete... well, Yurrrr Lorrrrdship, kindly listen to the piped birrrrdsong playing while the host introduces his guests...

[HighlandDougie]

Many thanks, Caliban, for the info on the Kreizberg`: "Anyone here know it? It will be very interesting to hear if it figures in Rob's BAL and disappointing if it does not. I think it's really fantastic." "Fantastic" is good enough for me so used copy duly ordered from Amazon.Fr. What I've ever heard of Kreizberg has usually impressed me - most recently the Stravinsky 'triple-pack'.

I went three weeks ago to hear the Monte Carlo Philharmonic (conducted by the very impressive and ridiculously young Diego Mattheuz), with the concert being preceded by the dedication of the Hall as the, "Salon Yakov Kreizberg". Done very movingly by Princess Caroline, with his widow and son present. The orchestra played really well, which I suspect is a tribute to Kreizberg's skills as a conductor/orchestral trainer. He is much-missed.

[Nick Armstrong]

"Fantastic" is good enough for me so used copy duly ordered from Amazon.Fr.

Oo-errr! Pressure! *gulp* I hope you like it! Do report back, please!

[jayne lee wilson]

Despite much searching and peering at pictures of the box I couldn't find this out. I have found that other original CD issues can sound better, fresher, more open and dynamic, although a good 24/96 remaster is usually an improvement. The postage stamp thing is yet another example of the poor artwork afflicting so many reissues. What IS it all about?

Interesting, Jayne.

Has anyone compared the "postage livery" recent DG re-release with the Duos....or has there been no remastering? Or perhaps it's an un-mastering I should be looking for?!

Karafan

[Ferretfancy]

Of all the popular symphonies, this must surely be the one that has smallest number of poor or indifferent performances on disc. I still enjoy the first stereo version I heard, by Dorati and the LSO on Mercury, but I can't imagine what it must be like to sample the huge number of possible candidates. In any case, nobody should own only one version.

[BBMmk2]

I might have missed that excellant list that EA made at the beginning, but I didn't see theb von Dohnanyi set with the Cleveland. I know it's No.8, but I didnt see that particulare recording?

[silvestrione]

Have the BPO ever sounded better on disc than in this work under Kubelik? Glorious. I also like Karajan/VPO, and Silvestri/LPO, typically exciting (but probably not in print).

[visualnickmos]

I just had another listen to Szell's Concertgebouw (1951) version on Decca, and I have to say that there is something very odd going on with the actual sound of the performance - it actually seemed to hurt my ears! - very well-performed it was, to be sure. I have the same on vinyl (Decca Eclipse) and it sounds OK - maybe it's just that I have become accustomed to a finer quality of sound (ie better equipment) compared to the little Decca stereo system I acquired with the help of my grandparents in 1973! which was a huge encouragement to go 'classical' big-time, along with my other tastes.

[Barbirollians]

Glad to see so many other fans of the marvellous Barbirolli recording. Anyone who has not got them would be well advised to snap up that Royal Classics set if it can still be found especially at the price Bryn found it .

[Karafan]

Lots of Kubelik-admirers here, as am I. I must admit though I tend to prefer him with the BRSO in Dvořák, than with the über-slick BPO (though I still wouldn't forego the cycle with the latter if truth be known. Both have a secure place in my heart!). Anyone else care for his Bavarian 8th on Orfeo?

Might I also put in a small word for the (now very cheaply obtainable) Jimmy Levine with the Staatskapelle Dresden on DG?

K.

[Bryn]

Glad to see so many other fans of the marvellous Barbirolli recording. Anyone who has not got them would be well advised to snap up that Royal Classics set if it can still be found especially at the price Bryn found it .

Mine arrived from Silveroakmusic today. I think they hold significant stock. It is they, too, who can supply the Sanderling/Philharmonia Beethoven Symphonies at an attractive price:

http://www.silveroakmusic.com/diskyproducts.html

[Barbirollians]

So I see they seem to have the Disky recordings that are still about . They also have the splendid Cluytens/BPO stereo Beethoven symphonies set for £15 !