Tír Na HiFi

cybot wrote:

fergus wrote:

It is indeed a truly magnificent work Dermot so from that point of view it does not bother me that it was finished by the pupil. Enough of the work was completed by the master for the pupil to build on. I think, however, that if one listens carefully one hears the weak spots later on in the work where Mozart had only outlined the work whereas he had fully scored the beginning.
It is frightening to think that probably the only reason that the Requiem was completed is that Constanze Mozart was in dire financial straights after her husband’s death; otherwise I often wonder if Mozart had left money upon his death would she have asked Sussmayr to complete it?

Thanks for that Fergus. I would have to agree with you in relation to the 'weak' spots later on in the work. I can't pinpoint them now but I did notice something not quite Mozartian in certain places. Interesting what you said about the financial situation too. One wonders.....

My comments were aimed more at the mastery of Mozart rather than at any deficiencies on Sussmayr’s part I might add. After all, a difficult act to follow to be honest!

Beautiful music and really beautiful performances all round!

1960 vinyl copy....

Alas I've only got vol. 1. Hopefully the best one! One chap was looking for $280 for the two volumes!!

fergus wrote:

cybot wrote:
Thanks for that Fergus. I would have to agree with you in relation to the 'weak' spots later on in the work. I can't pinpoint them now but I did notice something not quite Mozartian in certain places. Interesting what you said about the financial situation too. One wonders.....

My comments were aimed more at the mastery of Mozart rather than at any deficiencies on Sussmayr’s part I might add. After all, a difficult act to follow to be honest!

Indeed it was! Anyway I see Deco Audio have started a new music site selling both new and second hand vinyl and the odd cd. There might be just something there to interest you in the Classical vinyl section old and new? Happy hunting :)

http://www.thevicioussquirrel.co.uk/

cybot wrote:
1960 vinyl copy....

Alas I've only got vol. 1. Hopefully the best one! One chap was looking for $280 for the two volumes!!

Ah, the wonderful JSB Cello Suites....a real listening treat and at $280 for the 2 LPs well worth it LOL!!!!

I do not know the cellist in question but I do have a small number of LPs in that series and I have always enjoyed them.

cybot wrote:I see Deco Audio have started a new music site selling both new and second hand vinyl and the odd cd. There might be just something there to interest you in the Classical vinyl section old and new? Happy hunting :)

http://www.thevicioussquirrel.co.uk/

Thank you for that Dermot and I will bookmark it and keep an eye on it. I had a quick look and hopefully they will add to it in the future. My eye was immediately drawn to the Rare Vinyl section and the copy of Mahler 5 under Bernstein selling for £100; I do not have a copy unfortunately!!

Another very successful listening session with the last of the three Stanford CDs that I bought recently. I do not understand how this composer’s symphonies slipped under my radar for so long!

fergus wrote:


Another very successful listening session with the last of the three Stanford CDs that I bought recently. I do not understand how this composer’s symphonies slipped under my radar for so long!

They are very fine works indeed.

A small sample of my most recent and longtime listening behaviour follows:

The awesome beauty and sheer joy of Mozart's symphonic works has really been brought home to me by the performances of the Prague Chamber Orchestra in this lovely box set, the Czechs' are under the direction of the late, lamented Sir Charles Mackerras. I have listened to these recordings consistently, almost on a daily basis, for the last few months and have not grown tired of them. I have got more enjoyment from these recordings than from almost any other set in my collection, recommended without hesitation. The recording quality is not as good as it might be, in some they are too heavy on the bottom end I feel, but the performances are splendid and this small complaint does not detract from the enjoyment of these performances.


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 25, 29, 30, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40 & 41
Prague Chamber Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras conducting.


and on the subject of wonderful performances of great music, one may look no further than the Quartetto Italiano in Debussy and Ravel:

Claude Debussy
String Quartet in G minor &
Maurice Ravel
String Quartet in F
Quartetto Italiano


and this afternoon it was time for some Schubert:

Franz Schubert
Symphony No 5 & 6
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Claudio Abbado conducting.

and some more chamber music:

Ludwig van Beethoven
Octet for 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Horns & 2 Bassoons in E-flat major
Mozzaflato
Charles Neidich director.

A fine performance from a great orchestra and a very gifted conductor. Sad that he isnt around anymore.