New releases

[Dave2002]

A new intégrale of the wonderful Duphly harpsichord works, from Pieter Jan-Belder for a great price on Brilliant Classics. But how does it shape up to Rousset's (incomplete) set, I wonder?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Duphly-Compl...eywords=duphly

Seems to me that Spotify has this as well as Rousset's recordings. What harpsichord did Rousset use? I'm guessing that Belder played on a modern instrument - the tuning seems better in some of the pieces. Rousset's version may be more representative of what the music would have sounded like in the period it was written. This is a bit of a snap judgement. It could be that the instruments are both good in their ways, but that different tunings may have been used which suited some of the pieces better than others. Further listening needed. Rousset's recording uses an instrument by Christian Kroll which dates from around 1776, and indeed my first listen to that seemed to have hit on a piece which made the tuning issues more obvious, as mostly Rousset's version sounds good.

Reverting back to Belder suggests that tuning is an issue for both instruments, depending on the piece being played. I think that Rousset's instrument sounds slightly fuller and darker, but I'd have to listen on better equipment to hear all the nuances. I knew nothing of these works at all before trying to sample the tracks.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2ioB5AHurweS6gmD0DLRgR

http://open.spotify.com/album/4M419ViTMM7miPFoETdzJp

At the price Belder's set seems very good value, being about half the price of Rousset's for twice as many CDs, and a good starter to get to know these works. Presumably enthusiasts will end up having both sets.

[MickyD]

Yes, I will indeed have to get the Belder, Dave, to fill in the gaps from Rousset's set. I must say that the latter's 2 disc set is superb, the Kroll instrument is just ravishing, with a recording to match. A pity Rousset didn't give us the whole of Duphly.

[Don Petter]

I see Presto are releasing 31 CDs of Mercury recordings. Not sure how they fit/overlap with the various previous Mercury big boxes, but they are of course available singly.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/announcement/1201/Presto-CD-Mercury-Living-Presence

They do seem to have rather a high proportion of the 'Fiesta'/'Screamers' genre, but I suppose they think they know their potential market.

[Dave2002]

I see Presto are releasing 31 CDs of Mercury recordings. Not sure how they fit/overlap with the various previous Mercury big boxes, but they are of course available singly.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/announcement/1201/Presto-CD-Mercury-Living-Presence

They do seem to have rather a high proportion of the 'Fiesta'/'Screamers' genre, but I suppose they think they know their potential market.

Seems a bit odd this - aren't most of these in the box sets which have been released in the last few years? Perhaps those aren't available any more - and as stated, these are available singly - but at a price!

[Rosie55]

I enjoyed this Hoddinott disc with Claire Booth et al a few years ago, and am pleased to see Naxos has reissued it in recent weeks. New cover, but same disc as the original British Music Society release of 2010/11. The Hoddinott/Ursula Vaughan Williams collaboration, and the folksongs are particularly enjoyable:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Naxos/8571360

[Petrushka]

I see Presto are releasing 31 CDs of Mercury recordings. Not sure how they fit/overlap with the various previous Mercury big boxes, but they are of course available singly.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/announcement/1201/Presto-CD-Mercury-Living-Presence

They do seem to have rather a high proportion of the 'Fiesta'/'Screamers' genre, but I suppose they think they know their potential market.

I'm interested in the Bartok disc with the LSO/Dorati consisting of the Wooden Prince and Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. I've got Dorati's other Bartok discs on Mercury and this one looks tempting. Worth getting?

[Don Petter]

I'm interested in the Bartok disc with the LSO/Dorati consisting of the Wooden Prince and Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. I've got Dorati's other Bartok discs on Mercury and this one looks tempting. Worth getting?

I think it was always highly regarded in its time. Don't know how it fits into the modern 'scene', but I suspect you wouldn't be disappointed.

[johnb]

I see Presto are releasing 31 CDs of Mercury recordings. Not sure how they fit/overlap with the various previous Mercury big boxes, but they are of course available singly.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/announcement/1201/Presto-CD-Mercury-Living-Presence

They do seem to have rather a high proportion of the 'Fiesta'/'Screamers' genre, but I suppose they think they know their potential market.

These CDs might very well be CD-R discs. So the usual cautions apply, i.e. keep them away from direct sunlight and I would store them in a dark place or in a box, just in case.

[Nick Armstrong]

rather a high proportion of the 'Fiesta'/'Screamers' genre, but I suppose they think they know their potential market.

[richardfinegold]

Seems a bit odd this - aren't most of these in the box sets which have been released in the last few years? Perhaps those aren't available any more - and as stated, these are available singly - but at a price!

Reportedly there were enough recordings in Mercury's catalog to make a 3rd big box, but much of the remaining material was thought to be of dubious quality, either musically or sonically, and thus the decision to relase discs piecemeal.

[Nick Armstrong]

[makropulos]

Reportedly there were enough recordings in Mercury's catalog to make a 3rd big box, but much of the remaining material was thought to be of dubious quality, either musically or sonically, and thus the decision to relase discs piecemeal.

Richard, a third big box is due in March this year:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mercury-Living-Presence-vol-3-new/dp/B00RUKV7OG

[gurnemanz]

Richard, a third big box is due in March this year:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mercury-Livi.../dp/B00RUKV7OG

On that Amazon link I notice that under NEVER BEFORE ON CD they have a real coup: "Tchaikovsky: Overture 1912;"

[Bryn]

On that Amazon link I notice that under NEVER BEFORE ON CD they have a real coup: "Tchaikovsky: Overture 1912;"

Well, we have previously had to make to with the stereo recording. This one is in proper 1954 mono. My amazon.co.uk main listing gives 1812, by the way.

Now, how about this first time on CD Minneapolis/Dorati Eroica?
.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

My amazon.co.uk main listing gives 1812, by the way.

Probably something to do with GMT/BST.