C.W. Gluck: The last Day

[doversoul1]

Poor Gluck. Second time round in less than a year and still no post. Some of his operas are not all that indistinct, at least some of some operas…. Maybe his music is not fashionable enough?

[MickyD]

Despite my huge enthusiasm for 18th century music, I am ashamed to admit that I really haven't listened to much Gluck...apart from the obvious Orfeo e Eurydice. I have a nice CD of the ballet music from Don Juan, too, but that's about it. The latest bargain 4 CD set of his opera 'La Clemenza di Tito' on DHM might be worth a punt to see what I am missing. Equally I gather Minkowski's recordings of the operas on Archiv are good, too.

[Dave2002]

Got a week or so more, until 2nd July, the 300th anniversary of his birth - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christoph_Willibald_Gluck

I did point out the recording of his La Clemenza di Tito earlier on - 4CDs for £13.57 currently - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gluck-clemen...emenza+di+tito

[richardfinegold]

"Dance Of the Blessed Spirits" occassionally shows up on radio.

[vinteuil]

... perhaps this might be a good way in?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J90AG3I

Gluck is one of my all-time faves, and Alceste and the two Iphigénies are tremendous

[Dave2002]

... perhaps this might be a good way in?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J90AG3I

Gluck is one of my all-time faves, and Alceste and the two Iphigénies are tremendous

Vint

Is that box any good? Do you have it?

I'm not rushing in there - other things may be higher priority.

[vinteuil]

... I don't have the box - but I do have all the individual operas contained therein - all stonkingly good performances : if you wanted the major Gluck works this wd be an amazingly cheap way to get 'em!

[Dave2002]

... I don't have the box - but I do have all the individual operas contained therein - all stonkingly good performances : if you wanted the major Gluck works this wd be an amazingly cheap way to get 'em!

There's a chicken and egg issue in your response - "if you wanted the major Gluck works ..."

Thanks anyway, I'll think about that.

[MickyD]

... perhaps this might be a good way in?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J90AG3I

Gluck is one of my all-time faves, and Alceste and the two Iphigénies are tremendous

Hey, thanks for flagging this new release, Vints...I've been hoping for all these to be bundled together for a while, looks like great value...but shame about that garish box!

[MickyD]

This is my favourite Gluck piece...I still have a very strong affection for the vintage AAM/Hogwood version, but this just as exciting, too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1-Y1pD5coQ

[doversoul1]

Iphigénie en Tauride, tragédie en 4 actes (1779)

De Nederlandse Opera - septembre 2011
Les Musiciens du Louvre Grenoble - Dir. : Marc Minkowski
(English subtitle)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I--jFUtwBIw

Alceste
J E Gardiner
(English subtitle)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odwDQbz-Zcs

(I might just prefer CDs)

[BBMmk2]

I find Gluck rather boring

[Dave2002]

I find Gluck rather boring

Maybe, but these trio sonatas are pleasant - http://open.spotify.com/track/16NIIG3iUXCyYUHjOOvIKj They also seem rather well played, though it's hard to track down a CD version - here maybe - http://cdmusic.cz/inshop/scripts/Det...p?kat=93512034 on Opus and dating from 1987. It's easy enough to find a download version on iTunes - the set can be had for £4.49. The pieces cost around a pound more as downloads at amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gluck-The-Ei.../dp/B0051SNRXI

There was a CD reissue on the Point label - http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/...album_id=16912

Currently a CD seems to be available as an import - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sonate-Violo...rds=gluck+trio and the Point CD can be obtained as a low priced used item from CD Universe/Amazon Marketplace (US) - see http://www.amazon.com/Gluck-Sonatas-...SIN=B000002XCP or new for rather more.

The downloads may very well sound good enough for most people.

[David-G]

I find Gluck rather boring

Oh dear. I always find "Iphigenie en Tauride" thrilling.

I love this quotation from Berlioz: "There are two supreme gods in the art of music: Beethoven and Gluck. The former’s realm is that of infinite thought, the latter’s that of infinite passion; and though Beethoven is far above Gluck as a musician, there is so much of each in the other that these two Jupiters form a single god, and all we can do is to lose ourselves in admiration and respect for him."

[vinteuil]

... a lovely quote, David-G : many thanks, I did not know it.

Yes, both the Iphigenies are thrilling - as is Alceste - and of course Orfeo.

"Boring" is the last word that wd come to mind in connection with Gluck!