Tír Na HiFi

I think it would be better if posters suggested ONE disk, with a brief description of the music and why he/she thinks it is great.

Glenn Gould plays Bach's Goldberg variations on piano. In my view a super performance [there are actually two different recordings in the set -- one in mono -- 1955 -- and one in stereo -- 1981].

He is controversial not least because he sings/hums along with the music !! [I actually find this CD great for judging hifi .. the better I can hear his singing/humming the better the hifi].

This is a remaster -- his two original recordings are also available.

james wrote:


Glenn Gould plays Bach's Goldberg variations on piano. In my view a super performance [there are actually two different recordings in the set -- one in mono -- 1955 -- and one in stereo -- 1981].

He is controversial not least because he sings/hums along with the music !! [I actually find this CD great for judging hifi .. the better I can hear his singing/humming the better the hifi].

This is a remaster -- his two original recordings are also available.

A classic if ever there was one, James. Gould introduced me to Bach in my teens and I've always loved his approach to this great music. In my younger days, I stayed up countless nights listening to Gould play Bach and his creative insights are forever imprinted on my soul. I do prefer the 1981 version - in comparison, the 1955 version is a little rushed. I'd hate to be stranded on a desert island without some of Gould's Bach and I sometimes think I could happily live without any other music if I could have Gould's entire legacy of Bach recordings. An extraordinary musician and a fascinating man (only overshadowed in the 20th century by the very great Sviatoslav Richter).

You'll all be delighted to hear I bought a couple of suggestions from this thread today. Was going to buy more, but after the ECM selection the other day (yet to arrive) I should probably rein it in a little bit.

Ciaran, can we tempt you out of your hidey-hole?

Diapason wrote:You'll all be delighted to hear I bought a couple of suggestions from this thread today. Was going to buy more, but after the ECM selection the other day (yet to arrive) I should probably rein it in a little bit.

Ciaran, can we tempt you out of your hidey-hole?

Let's see what you got when you get it.

I was in Tower yesterday and picked up a few of the recommendations from this thread....... lets keep it going!

Fran wrote:I was in Tower yesterday and picked up a few of the recommendations from this thread....... lets keep it going!

Fran, what did you get in Tower?

One of the earliest Mahler cycles from my favorite Mahler conductor.




This was a very close call with the Hogwood set but I think Gardiner just shades it.




I find Dvorak's earlier symphonies a bit difficult to appreciate but from the 6th onwards, this set excels.

DaveF wrote:

I find Dvorak's earlier symphonies a bit difficult to appreciate but from the 6th onwards, this set excels.

I went for the Kertész set Dave but I have still have that Kubelik on the Wish List.

fergus wrote:

DaveF wrote:

I find Dvorak's earlier symphonies a bit difficult to appreciate but from the 6th onwards, this set excels.

I went for the Kertész set Dave but I have still have that Kubelik on the Wish List.

I got a copy of Kertez's performing Dvorak's 8&9th recently Fergus and it impressed me a lot. I wouldnt think that there is much between the two sets.