Recent Purchases

[Seán]

I am continuing to fill the gaps in my collection (only the rest of Bach's Cantatas, Richard Strauss orchestral music and Brahms piano music to go, sheesh!)

[Jared]

^^



accept no substitutes... ;-)

[Seán]

^^



accept no substitutes... ;-)

An interesting recommendaton Jared, I had my eye on Rubenstein's cycle.

[Jared]

^^ now Rubenstein's performances aren't mentioned at all, preseumably because they were out of print at the time, but the PG gives Katchen the 'key' recording mark... Gramophone makes it the standout 2 disk recommendation, with very strong review, whilst here's what the American 'Third Ear' Guide says about Katchen... "intensely romantic, personal and compelling... he threw himself into the music and achieved an identity with the composer that few have matched. Occasionally, his performances sound overdone to some listenerswho want more serenity and polished beauty in Brahms, but Katchen belongs on a very short list."

If you want polished beauty, I'd probably go for Hough or Melnikov... but this set for me, along with the Violin Sonatas and Piano Trios are must-have's for any collection of Brahms.... and you'd have to be honest, I'm not usually this outspoken, am I?

[Seán]

^^ now Rubenstein's performances aren't mentioned at all, preseumably because they were out of print at the time, but the PG gives Katchen the 'key' recording mark... Gramophone makes it the standout 2 disk recommendation, with very strong review, whilst here's what the American 'Third Ear' Guide says about Katchen... "intensely romantic, personal and compelling... he threw himself into the music and achieved an identity with the composer that few have matched. Occasionally, his performances sound overdone to some listenerswho want more serenity and polished beauty in Brahms, but Katchen belongs on a very short list."

I do like Rubienstein and would trust him in Brahms, I don't trust Gramaphone at all but I do trust your judgement.

If you want polished beauty, I'd probably go for Hough or Melnikov

I do like Hough too.

... but this set for me, along with the Violin Sonatas and Piano Trios are must-have's for any collection of Brahms.... and you'd have to be honest, I'm not usually this outspoken, am I?

No, not at all. ;)

[Diapason]

The massive Harmonia Mundi box of delights recently posted on the bargain thread arrived today, and I finally got around to looking at the contents properly. I was surprised and quite happy to discover that there's a "Marriage of Figaro" in there, conducted by René Jacobs. I don't have much (any?) opera on CD, and I thought recently that I should at least start with Mozart, so this is timely.

Now, the reactions online to this recording are...mixed. It seems to be a real love/hate kinda thing. Since I have no previous baggage to contend with I'm quite looking forward to it, but I'm interested in any local thoughts. Do we love it or hate it?

[Ciaran]

I love it!

[Diapason]

I had a feeling you might!

[Seán]

The massive Harmonia Mundi box of delights recently posted on the bargain thread arrived today, and I finally got around to looking at the contents properly. I was surprised and quite happy to discover that there's a "Marriage of Figaro" in there, conducted by René Jacobs. I don't have much (any?) opera on CD, and I thought recently that I should at least start with Mozart, so this is timely.

Feck that, mine hasn't arrived yet. Ah well, gives me more time to listen to Gardiner's Bach. There is a lot of what should be very good stuff in that box set. Enjoy.

[Jared]

^^ my neighbour's turned up last Tuesday... she's loving it!