What are you listening to?

[Seán]

When it comes to Solti and von Karajan I don't pay too much attention to the negative comments from those on CMG.

That is what I like....a man of conviction!!!

Some people have even accused me of being opinionated, but yes, I prefer "a man of conviction."

[Seán]

When it comes to Solti and von Karajan I don't pay too much attention to the negative comments from those on CMG.

I noticed that alright particulary in the case of HvK. At least we're all in agreement on Simon Rattle with the BPO. :-) Incidentally, the Mahler section in Tower in choc full of Rattle recordings. I asked the guy there why and he said he doesnt really know Mahler much at all. I suggested some conductors/cycles that would be worth getting in. Hopefully he listened!

Was that the young guy with the beard, Andrew? He's the most knowledgeable and that's not really saying much.

[DaveF]

Was that the young guy with the beard, Andrew? He's the most knowledgeable and that's not really saying much.

Yes, that's him. I think he's the only one there with any sort of decent knowledge of classical music.

They've thinned out their stock too over the last week but still plenty of new recordings appearing in the middle shelf in front of the till.

[Seán]

Was that the young guy with the beard, Andrew? He's the most knowledgeable and that's not really saying much.

Yes, that's him. I think he's the only one there with any sort of decent knowledge of classical music.

They've thinned out their stock too over the last week but still plenty of new recordings appearing in the middle shelf in front of the till.

I haven't visited Tower for awhile now. I hope to go in on Paddy's day. A few months ago there was a guy working in the classical section he was only there for the day and he was a real pleasure to deal with: hugely knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic. I had forgotten what it was like to actually talk to someone like that in a music shop. He recommended the Tafelmusik Haydn set to me and was, later that week, flying to Europe to a Harnoncourt concert.

[fergus]

When it comes to Solti and von Karajan I don't pay too much attention to the negative comments from those on CMG.

That is what I like....a man of conviction!!!

Some people have even accused me of being opinionated, but yes, I prefer "a man of conviction."

You know how much I strive to be tactful and diplomatic!!!

[fergus]

Was that the young guy with the beard, Andrew? He's the most knowledgeable and that's not really saying much.

Yes, that's him. I think he's the only one there with any sort of decent knowledge of classical music.

They've thinned out their stock too over the last week but still plenty of new recordings appearing in the middle shelf in front of the till.

I haven't visited Tower for awhile now. I hope to go in on Paddy's day. A few months ago there was a guy working in the classical section he was only there for the day and he was a real pleasure to deal with: hugely knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic. I had forgotten what it was like to actually talk to someone like that in a music shop. He recommended the Tafelmusik Haydn set to me and was, later that week, flying to Europe to a Harnoncourt concert.

I have often wondered who actually makes the decision on what stock to buy in Tower. Are they loading up the Brilliant shelves because they are cheap (nothing wrong with that in itself and they have some fine recordings too) and are they just taking the populist route e.g. Rattle/BPO? I rarely go in now because of the stock situation.
I must say that I also went looking for the classical music section in HMV about four or five weeks ago. I did not realise that they had taken it down to the ground floor now and when I did eventually find it I just stood there in amazement, listened to what was going on around me and then promptly walked out!!!

[DaveF]

I have often wondered who actually makes the decision on what stock to buy in Tower. Are they loading up the Brilliant shelves because they are cheap (nothing wrong with that in itself and they have some fine recordings too) and are they just taking the populist route e.g. Rattle/BPO?

While the Brilliant Classics section has increased they are still getting in a lot of new recordings, stuff that has been recorded in recent years too so I wouldnt say that they they are going down the populist route.

I must say that I also went looking for the classical music section in HMV about four or five weeks ago. I did not realise that they had taken it down to the ground floor now and when I did eventually find it I just stood there in amazement, listened to what was going on around me and then promptly walked out!!!

It has been on the ground floor for at least a year now and comprises mostly of 'Classic FM' compilations and stuff like Il Divo and Katherine Jenkins recordings. Even if you manage to find somthing interesting it's usually far more expensive than Tower. Not worth the effort going in there to be honest.

[fergus]

Beethoven – Symphonies 5 & 6 Cluytens....



No. 5 is another very “determined” i.e. purposeful performance with some lovely brass.
In No. 6 the tone set in the cycle so far changes completely as the touch is much softer and more delicate, tender even. The tempo, tone and dynamics are all taken up a notch in the third movement as we witness the peasants’ merrymaking. In the storm scene and the final movement which is some of my favourite passages in classical music, is really excellently played.

[fergus]

I had never heard of the Cluyten's set until you mentioned it....

Just to put the Cluytens recordings into context Seán they were apparently recorded between 1957 and 1960 which was just before HvK took full control of the BPO and produced his own famous cycle.
I intend to do a head to head comparison for my own benefit later this year to compare the Cluytens and von Karajan cycles, which should be interesting.

[fergus]

While the Brilliant Classics section has increased they are still getting in a lot of new recordings, stuff that has been recorded in recent years too so I wouldnt say that they they are going down the populist route.....

Glad to hear that Dave as we should have at least one decent Classical Music shop in the city.

It has been on the ground floor for at least a year now....

Just shows you how long it has been since I have been in there.....an exercise not to be repeated in the near future!!