What are you listening to?

[fergus]

I only own two Verdi operas....and to upset Pepe even more thay are both on vinyl LOL!! So I have pulled this one out and gave it a listen this evening....





There are some beautiful arias in there all right....especially in the Final Act.

[mcq]

Earlier today I bought the recently released box set on DG of all of Pierre Boulez's Mahler recordings and tonight I've been listening to his versions of the first three symphonies.  Brisk speeds (that never appear rushed) and transparent orchestral textures are the hallmarks of these performances.  Completely different from how Bernstein or Solti might approach these symphonies with their moments of romantic languor and certainly closer to Haitink's more cerebral interpretations.  These are thoughtful, understated readings that perhaps engage the mind more than the heart but there's no question that Boulez has thought deeply about his response to Mahler's music before commiting his thoughts to disc.  He has been criticised -unfairly, in my view- for his ruthless paring down of the string textures but this allows for a greater sense of clarity and an unimpeded view of the topographical soundscape of this densely scored music.  There are no empty visceral thrills here  - Boulez is at all times intent upon following a cogent line of intellectual enquiry - and the results are illuminating and deeply rewarding.

[Seán]

Earlier today I bought the recently released box set on DG of all of Pierre Boulez's Mahler recordings and tonight I've been listening to his versions of the first three symphonies.  Brisk speeds (that never appear rushed) and transparent orchestral textures are the hallmarks of these performances.  Completely different from how Bernstein or Solti might approach these symphonies with their moments of romantic languor and certainly closer to Haitink's more cerebral interpretations.  These are thoughtful, understated readings that perhaps engage the mind more than the heart but there's no question that Boulez has thought deeply about his response to Mahler's music before commiting his thoughts to disc.  He has been criticised -unfairly, in my view- for his ruthless paring down of the string textures but this allows for a greater sense of clarity and an unimpeded view of the topographical soundscape of this densely scored music.  There are no empty visceral thrills here  - Boulez is at all times intent upon following a cogent line of intellectual enquiry - and the results are illuminating and deeply rewarding.

That's interesting Paul. I have a recent recording of the Resurrection with Boulez conducting the VPO and it is lifeless, it drags and sags, I have never felt the urge to acquire any more of Boulez's recordings of Mahler's symphonies as a result, perhaps I should consider them next time I look for more Mahler recordings. Thanks for that.

[Diapason]

I have to say that one of the best purchases I've made over the past few years has been the 50-CD Vivarte box set that Sony released a year or two ago. Very, very well chosen selections.  I decided not to buy the DG Archiv or the Das Alte Werk box sets because I wasn't impressed by many of the selected performances.  But, with the Vivarte set, every CD is an utter delight.  The original liner notes have also been thoughtfully reproduced in the booklet.  There are arguably too many mammoth box sets being released by the major record labels but this is one instance where a lot of thought has gone into the selected performances.  I would strongly recommend a purchase if you don't already own many of these recordings.  It is a limited edition so it won't be around forever.  

Funny you should say that, I was eyeing this box a couple of days and wondering if I should pull the trigger. I can't really justify it with a 56 CD box of cantatas coming my way soon, but I'm still tempted.

[Jose Echenique]

Earlier today I bought the recently released box set on DG of all of Pierre Boulez's Mahler recordings and tonight I've been listening to his versions of the first three symphonies.  Brisk speeds (that never appear rushed) and transparent orchestral textures are the hallmarks of these performances.  Completely different from how Bernstein or Solti might approach these symphonies with their moments of romantic languor and certainly closer to Haitink's more cerebral interpretations.  These are thoughtful, understated readings that perhaps engage the mind more than the heart but there's no question that Boulez has thought deeply about his response to Mahler's music before commiting his thoughts to disc.  He has been criticised -unfairly, in my view- for his ruthless paring down of the string textures but this allows for a greater sense of clarity and an unimpeded view of the topographical soundscape of this densely scored music.  There are no empty visceral thrills here  - Boulez is at all times intent upon following a cogent line of intellectual enquiry - and the results are illuminating and deeply rewarding.

Of all his Mahler recordings it was -surprisingly- the 8th that I liked best. A very disciplined and accurate performance. By nature Boulez was not a natural Mahler conductor, nor a Bruckner one, the first too hysteric for him, the second too pious. Rather let´s have him in Debussy and Ravel.



This is my favorite Daphnis since the LSO/Pierre Monteux, and that is saying something since Abbado and others have very fine versions.

[fergus]

A really wonderful version of Dvorak's S8 with Mackerras....

[Peter]

Like Fergus I am celebrating Verdi this week!!!! :)

VERDI: Aida
Maria Callas (Aida), Mario Del Monaco (Radamès), Oralia Domínguez (Amneris), Giuseppe Taddei (Amonasro), Roberto Silva (Ramphis), Ignacio Ruffino (Il Re di Egitto), Rosa Rodríguez (Una Sacerdotessa), Carlos Sagarminaga (Un Messaggero)
Orchestra and Chorus of the Palacio de las Bellas Artes, Oliviero De Fabritiis (live on 3rd July 1951)

The sound is a little muted, but it is great music making!!

[fergus]

Welcome aboard Peter; it is very good to have you here and I hope that you enjoy your time here and that you post often and inspire us all!

[fergus]

An ehxilarating start to a weekend's listening with Sinopoli's robust version of Mendelssohn'd Symphony No. 4....





....that blew the sleep dust from my eyes!

[fergus]

I have been revisiting a lot of my old Naxos collection lately and this Vivaldi CD is a lovely disc with some wonderful music that is well played on a variety of instruments....