BaL 29.12.12 - Beethoven's Missa Solemnis

[Thropplenoggin]

It's rather good that the Klemperer has become a cheapey, is quite amazuing. Is it still c/w LvB's Choral Fantasia?

My GRoC account isn't. Was it ever?

[vinteuil]

It makes one wish for a dedicated programme to this type of survey, like the French radio show 'Le Jardin des Critiques', ideally 1hr 30mins or better yet, 2 hours. This would allow the work to be set in a historical context as well as covering more available works..

That is such a good idea.

I wonder why no-one has ever thought of it before.

I offer, free of charge, a suggestion for a title -

"Interpretations on Record".

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It's rather good that the Klemperer has become a cheapey, is quite amazuing. Is it still c/w LvB's Choral Fantasia?

No; they've managed to fit the whole recording onto one disc (which partly accounts for the drop in price).

EDIT: The original CD release of the work spread the work over two discs, Thropple, and added the Choral Fantasia (with Barenboim) as a "filler".

[BBMmk2]

No; they've managed to fit the whole recording onto one disc (which partly accounts for the drop in price).

EDIT: The original CD release of the work spread the work over two discs, Thropple, and added the Choral Fantasia (with Barenboim) as a "filler".

What's the remix like of this?

[Thropplenoggin]

What's the remix like of this?

I don't think DJ Shadow has got round to remixing the Missa Solemnis yet.

I expect you meant re-mastering. I've had no complaints with it. Tidied up a bit but the recording has aged remarkably well.

[cloughie]

I listened to the Giulini excerpts played today. I enjoyed the singing but not the slow tempi and the sound was less than vivid.

It's a shame they could not rearrange (or preferably remove) the guest spot to accommodate the complete work.

[Barbirollians]

The Choral Fantasia should still be coupled with the marvellous Barenboim/Klemperer set of the Beethoven Piano Concertos .

[BBMmk2]

The Choral Fantasia should still be coupled with the marvellous Barenboim/Klemperer set of the Beethoven Piano Concertos .

Indeed, as well as the symphonies too, imo!

[BBMmk2]

I don't think DJ Shadow has got round to remixing the Missa Solemnis yet.

I expect you meant re-mastering. I've had no complaints with it. Tidied up a bit but the recording has aged remarkably well.

Ofcourse i did

[Flosshilde]

I think you're right that this was how it "used to be", ARB, but with the Mass* of available recordings nowadays, there wouldn't be time even to play short extracts if all these were illustrated. For a 3/4-hour programme, reviewers of works with so many recordings have had to narrow their selection down before they start work on their scripts. Sadly, this inevitably means that some excellent recordings have to be omitted simply because the reviewer just doesn't think they're as good as the ones s/he does include on the shortlist. One of the flaws in a format that has been overtaken by changes in marketing since the 1960s when it was first devised.

The Penguin Guide has gone the same way for the same reason - it's simply impossible to cover all the available recordings without going into a multi-volume publication at an enormous price.

[Nick Armstrong]

It makes one wish for a dedicated programme to this type of survey, like the French radio show 'Le Jardin des Critiques', ideally 1hr 30mins or better yet, 2 hours. This would allow the work to be set in a historical context as well as covering more available works. Alternatively, there is the 'blind listening' approach, although surely one would be able to spot the historical recordings in such a survey.

Couldn't agree more.

I caught up with this belatedly today. The omission of JEG was surprising - though the programme itself was illuminating. JD clearly leans towards the classic/traditional end of the market, and the Toscanini, Karajan, Klemperer and Giulini extracts were fascinating. I came out wanting to the hear the Karajan (both the 50s and 60s performances illustrated) - not often I say that. And JD's emphasis on bringing out the doubt and hesitation as well as the blazing conviction was an interesting viewpoint - but if the blazing bits don't 'catch fire', I'm not sure I'll be satisfied. Does the Giulini really explode when needed?

[amateur51]

Couldn't agree more.

I caught up with this belatedly today. The omission of JEG was surprising - though the programme itself was illuminating. JD clearly leans towards the classic/traditional end of the market, and the Toscanini, Karajan, Klemperer and Giulini extracts were fascinating. I came out wanting to the hear the Karajan (both the 50s and 60s performances illustrated) - not often I say that. And JD's emphasis on bringing out the doubt and hesitation as well as the blazing conviction was an interesting viewpoint - but if the blazing bits don't 'catch fire', I'm not sure I'll be interested.

Surely they have to catch fire before they become blazing bits - or am I the victim of legal sophistry here?

[Nick Armstrong]

Surely they have to catch fire before they become blazing bits - or am I the victim of legal sophistry here?

No you're right I suppose... but YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!



I know, you have to keep sharp, you're limbering up for a bout with HS

[amateur51]

No you're right I suppose... but YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!



I know, you have to keep sharp, you're limbering up for a bout with HS

It's not fair, he'll have his Norman Wisdom mankini on and all I had for Christmas was sock suspenders

[visualnickmos]

Was Solti's mentioned.... I can't recall; or Ormandy for that matter. Two performances which I particularly enjoy (notwithstanding Solti not being everybody's cup of tea)
I guess the "staple" here is Klemperer - and with good reason; it's damn good listening!
I find Herreweghe very good indeed, but a bit lacking in "punch" please forgive my terminology, but I am not a musician, so it's the best I can do, but I know many of you are of the world of music, and have probably not even read this far into my posting!