Recent Purchases

[fergus]

[Dane]

I've only recently become absorbed in pre-20th century music which means a move from 'perhaps there're one or two recordings of a work if I'm lucky' to a gasping over the volume of material to choose from. I can thank a few friends here for that....and I can also thank them for lighting the way to much enjoyment.

Even so I don't buy many CDs. I read the posts on listening and buying hoping to get some focus on what would otherwise be a blurr! I fear the day I get involved with Mozart, Bach and their contemporaries....

[Seán]

Oooooh, now that set does interest me.

[Seán]

I have often wondered about that set, I listened to excerpts on jpc and wasn't convinced that I should get it. Perhaps I should.

[Seán]

this is just an observation and an open question really.

would I be right in thinking that most of us here, if we haven't completely stopped, have at least slowed down on the number of new disks we are buying? that is the sense I get, at any rate. I am probably going through a phase of consolidation, enjoying my collection and supplementing it with well thought through additions. of course, there is much music I would still like to hear, but over the past few months, I have been digging out recordings I have not heard in a while, rather than adding much to the 'to be listened to' pile.

what have you been up to?

Yep, I have almost stopped buying cds. My last purchase was of the Herreweghe 27cd box set of music by Bach. I have almost 2,000 Classical Music cds so I have a lot of catching up to do. I will buy opera and Bach but thats about it for me for now. I do have to avert my eyes every time Fergus buys another Beethoven box set.....sure I am always tempted to follow suit.

[Dane]

Just lucky to get this at a modest price and have to admit that Klemperer gives a sizzling performance.
I hadn't liked the work from radio listenings but this one was so compelling.

Yes, I definitely think that it would be interesting to hear that one.

It comes with Schumann's 4th Symphony. I'm no expert on Schumann performances but it's nice enough to persuade me to follow it up.
I've come to appreciate Klemperer of late, earlier deterred by three interpretations:
his Beethoven 5th when he takes the scherzo so slow it all but comes to a standstill;
the destructive cuts he made to the Finale of Brukner's 8th;
his recording of Bruckner's 4th.
But it was renderings like the Missa Solemnis and this Franck Symphony that snared me. The latter all but bored me stiff and I'd never have believed
Klemperer had the energy for a performance like this.

[Jared]

But it was renderings like the Missa Solemnis and this Franck Symphony that snared me. The latter all but bored me stiff and I'd never have believed
Klemperer had the energy for a performance like this.

If I were to limit my Klemperer down to just three recordings, they would be:

LvB: Missa Solemnis
Brahms: Eine Deutsche Requiem
Mahler: Symphony 2 'Resurrection'.

These large scale choral works are for me, where he excelled...

[Jared]

It comes with Schumann's 4th Symphony. I'm no expert on Schumann performances but it's nice enough to persuade me to follow it up.

when it comes to Schumann's Symphs, there are three styles which probably should be heard... Gardiner's HIP (which is still on my hitlist!), a more traditional interpretation (I go with Sawallisch) and Chailly's Mahler Reorchestration... they all offer this music something different.

[fergus]

I have often wondered about that set, I listened to excerpts on jpc and wasn't convinced that I should get it. Perhaps I should.

Put it on the Listening List for when you come over Seán.

[Jared]

^^ I might catch a ferry, Fergus... ;-)