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Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:02 pm
by Jared
mcq wrote:
Bach's Motets are one of the most perfect distillations of Bach's genius and are, in my view, the best entry point into the great man's vocal music. My favourite version is Rene Jacobs' recording on Harmonia Mundi. Jacobs is one of the great conductors of this repertoire and this is a highlight of his career, in my opinion. I'm also very fond of Konrad Junghanel's version on Deutsche Harmonia Mundi. This version may, officially, be out of print, but it's still available on the Web. I've also heard great things about Masaaki Suzuki's recent version which I haven't yet heard, but, considering Suzuki's considerable achievement in his recording of the Cantatas and the Passions, can safely be purchased blind.
that's a fantastic answer mcq, and confirms my feeling that Jacobs and Suzuki might be near the top of the tree...
I think I'm a little way past the 'entry point' level, but it's quitye clear that the Motets have thus far been a gap in my knowledge, which needs to be filled, sooner rather than later...
meanwhile:
Fergus, you were asking about this disk my friend... so it's jumped the queue and I'm just finishing the first listen. Sound and performance quality, really top notch... the Dixit Dominus in particular is performed with tremendous verve and gusto... you'd love it.. ;-))
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:15 pm
by Jared
mcq wrote: 
These two disks have just been purchased via Amazon.... no quibbling... ;-))
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:27 pm
by fergus
Jared wrote:mcq wrote:
These two disks have just been purchased via Amazon.... no quibbling... ;-))
What took you so long!?!?!?
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:29 pm
by mcq
Jared wrote:mcq wrote:
Bach's Motets are one of the most perfect distillations of Bach's genius and are, in my view, the best entry point into the great man's vocal music. My favourite version is Rene Jacobs' recording on Harmonia Mundi. Jacobs is one of the great conductors of this repertoire and this is a highlight of his career, in my opinion. I'm also very fond of Konrad Junghanel's version on Deutsche Harmonia Mundi. This version may, officially, be out of print, but it's still available on the Web. I've also heard great things about Masaaki Suzuki's recent version which I haven't yet heard, but, considering Suzuki's considerable achievement in his recording of the Cantatas and the Passions, can safely be purchased blind.
that's a fantastic answer mcq, and confirms my feeling that Jacobs and Suzuki might be near the top of the tree...
I think I'm a little way past the 'entry point' level, but it's quitye clear that the Motets have thus far been a gap in my knowledge, which needs to be filled, sooner rather than later...
meanwhile:
Fergus, you were asking about this disk my friend... so it's jumped the queue and I'm just finishing the first listen. Sound and performance quality, really top notch... the Dixit Dominus in particular is performed with tremendous verve and gusto... you'd love it.. ;-))
Interesting. I'm very fond of Minkowski's Handel (as well as Magdalena Kozena) but I haven't yet heard that version of the Dixit Dominus. I must pick it up forthwith. Minkowski's versions of Giuilio Cesare and Ariodonte (with von Otter) are benchmarks, in my opinion, and he also has a great version of La Resurrezione (all of these on DG Archiv).
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:31 pm
by mcq
Jared wrote:mcq wrote:
These two disks have just been purchased via Amazon.... no quibbling... ;-))
Nice choices, Jared. I'm sure you'll enjoy them - there's a world of musical sustenance in the Motets alone.
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:33 pm
by Jared
^^ I know, my friend... Mahler got in the way!!
seriously though, I knew those beautiful Motets had been sat there, waiting serious appreciation time from me.. I just couldn't deny them any longer... ;-))
incidentally Fergus if you're interested, I have found the Junghanel set at a reasonable price, even though it has been discontinued:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Motets-Kon ... 674&sr=8-1
although you'll have to get it from America now, I'm afraid...
anyway, back to the present:
more Gardiner cantatas...
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:34 pm
by fergus
Jared wrote:mcq also seems to have an extensive Early Music/Renaissance/Baroque collection... have you two fed off each other's enthusiasm for this period over the years?
No, just coincidental, independent enthusiasts....for a small group there are quite a few of us that share this interest; DaveF and Ciaran would have extensive collections along with Paul, myself and Simon (Diaposon) would be the ones that come immediately to mind. Naturally we do share our mutual interest and one or two discs have been bought on the strength of recommendations!!!
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:37 pm
by fergus
Jared wrote:
Fergus, you were asking about this disk my friend... so it's jumped the queue and I'm just finishing the first listen. Sound and performance quality, really top notch... the Dixit Dominus in particular is performed with tremendous verve and gusto... you'd love it.. ;-))
I was afraid that you would say that Jared!!
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:37 pm
by Jared
mcq wrote:
Nice choices, Jared. I'm sure you'll enjoy them - there's a world of musical sustenance in the Motets alone.
Thank you, Paul... I have been playing my only version today, and have grown fond after only a couple of listens..
BBC Singers/ Stephen Cleobury
A thoroughly serviceable set to be fair, whioch came free with the BBC Music Mag some years ago.
As I have mentioned to Fergus before however, I always like to have a couple of different versions of major repertoire, in order to be able to get to know the subtleties of the piece a little better... I feel it's money well spent!
Re: What are you listening to?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:42 pm
by fergus
Jared wrote:
Thank you, Paul... I have been playing my only version today, and have grown fond after only a couple of listens..
BBC Singers/ Stephen Cleobury
A thoroughly serviceable set to be fair, whioch came free with the BBC Music Mag some years ago.
I have one or two recordings with Cleobury and I must say that I find him good.