BaL 23.03.13 - Handel's Suites for keyboard HWV 426-33

[Nick Armstrong]

Except that much the most interesting excerpt was the dismissed Richter !

I thought it sounded pretty good, too (I'll get these off the shelf later)

[Black Swan]

I thought Lisa Smirnova sounded excellent!

I have had the Lisa Smirnova recording for some time and love it. I am one who doesn't mind Bach and Handel on the Piano. I am thinking of the recommended recording only to have a harpsichord recording as well. But I find no fault with Smirnova.

[amateur51]

I thought Lisa Smirnova sounded excellent!

I thought so too but Simon Heighes found her eccentricity/personality went a bit too far. That must be my taste in Handel suites then - and I still love the Richter/Gavrilov for similar qualities and despite the dodgy recording - I can almost imagine being there

So Lisa Smirnova is my only expenditure from today - I also like the fact that her name sounds like a character in a dodgy 1960s spy novel

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Grossen-Suiten-Eight-Suites/dp/B005MASIFW/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1364035529&sr=1-1

[Wensleydale Blue]

I thought so too but Simon Heighes found her eccentricity/personality went a bit too far. That must be my taste in Handel suites then - and I still love the Richter/Gavrilov for similar qualities and despite the dodgy recording - I can almost imagine being there

So Lisa Smirnova is my only expenditure from today - I also like the fact that her name sounds like a character in a dodgy 1960s spy novel

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Gross...4035529&sr=1-1

Or rather a Vodka made in Warrington!

Yes, if I buy one it may well be the Smirnova, although the comments on this site about Richter and Gavrillov may make me think twice before I plunge.

[gurnemanz]

I still love the Richter/Gavrilov for similar qualities and despite the dodgy recording - I can almost imagine being there

Richter/Gavrilov is a classic and my only version and despite being tempted by both the recommended recording and Smirnova, I think i will stick where I am.

[amateur51]

Or rather a Vodka made in Warrington!

Yes, if I buy one it may well be the Smirnova, although the comments on this site about Richter and Gavrillov may make me think twice before I plunge.

I confess that I don't mind the background noises at all Wensleydale - it just adds to the sense of being there in 1979, a bottle of chilled rosé and some nibbles and these two geniuses at play

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

well having half listened and then read your comments above have just blown a tenner on both volumes of Gavrilov/Richter on mp3 at amazon co uk .... happiness is a cool score .... when snowbound and bored eh

[amateur51]

well having half listened and then read yur comments above have just blown a tenner on both volumes of Gavrilov/Richter on mp3 at amazon co uk .... happiness is a cool score .... when snowbound and bored eh

Sounds like a plan Calum - bravo!

[BBMmk2]

Ever since the Gavrilov'Richter recordings have been out, I have always been tempted but never bought them. Now with this BaL, looks like a sound buy!

[Alf-Prufrock]

I am surprised little attention has been paid to the 'winner' - Paul Nicholson. This is the first time for many weeks that I agreed with the reviewer and shall be buying the Nicholson set for its colour, liveliness and aptness - so much better than those pianos with their lumpy, grey sounds, I think. (Though I do think Smirnova far the best among the pianists too.)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I am surprised little attention has been paid to the 'winner' - Paul Nicholson. This is the first time for many weeks that I agreed with the reviewer and shall be buying the Nicholson set for its colour, liveliness and aptness - so much better than those pianos with their lumpy, grey sounds, I think. (Though I do think Smirnova far the best among the pianists too.)

I agree in every particular, Alf - 'tho' if funds allow, I might also get the Lawrence Cummings, too.

[BBMmk2]

Yes I remember the sound being dodgy.... though my recollection is of the recording being made in someone's garage rather than a fish bar!!

Welcome waldo, by the way I'd better stop using that as a nickname here for my mate 'waldhorn' ...

I wont be buying that set then!! :)

[Thropplenoggin]

I am surprised little attention has been paid to the 'winner' - Paul Nicholson. This is the first time for many weeks that I agreed with the reviewer and shall be buying the Nicholson set for its colour, liveliness and aptness - so much better than those pianos with their lumpy, grey sounds, I think. (Though I do think Smirnova far the best among the pianists too.)

This is a BaL thread, sir. Often contributors are only interested in seeing how their favourites fared and lamenting loudly about how these favourites have been egregiously overlooked, slighted, etc.

[MickyD]

I already have the Nicholson and think it very fine - but am tempted to invest in the Sophie Yates version as I consider the recorded harpsichord sound much fuller. But the discs are only available on three full price discs, so I may wait to see if they will be gathered into a box in the future.