Tír Na HiFi

^^ anyway given the above post, this will come as no surprise... although I'm already familiar with Schicksalslied, and adore Alto Rhapsody (having several versions), so just about half the disk is already familiar...

Jared wrote:

fergus wrote: That is a work that I am always unsure of for some reason Jared....how was that performance?

My problem with it is simply the ridiculous levels of familiarity we have with it... it all sounds like film music now, which just does poor old Gustav a real disservice... anyway, there is no doubt in my mind that THIS is just about the finest version there is, bar none... it's scintillating.

Thanks for that Jared....I listened to a vinyl version recently that I have by Stokowsky and it too was wonderful.

fergus wrote: That is one of the most played CDs in my collection Jared. There is some stunning singing on it. Listen to the Four Last Songs, especially Beim Schlafengehen, and weep!!
Good luck with the rest of the works!

Fergus, I already have her other, older version with Ackerman, so know have an idea of what I'm letting myself in for... also have the Janowitz reading with Karajan.. but shall still look forward to that disk with great relish...

Symphonies Nos. 6-8.

ooh... me likey the Brahms.... the San Fransisco chorus are in fine, powerful voice..

although the overall sound quality is a tad on the 'muddy' side..

Jared wrote:ooh... me likey the Brahms.... the San Fransisco chorus are in fine, powerful voice..

although the overall sound quality is a tad on the 'muddy' side..

That will not do Brahms any favours.

fergus wrote:

Jared wrote:ooh... me likey the Brahms.... the San Fransisco chorus are in fine, powerful voice..

although the overall sound quality is a tad on the 'muddy' side..

That will not do Brahms any favours.

no, I agree... I've GOT to get a set of his symphonies with a small orchestra... the Sawallisch set I purchased was a disaster (and such a surprise after his magnificent Schumann set) still, I sold it for what I paid for it, so no damage done...

Jared wrote:no, I agree... I've GOT to get a set of his symphonies with a small orchestra... the Sawallisch set I purchased was a disaster (and such a surprise after his magnificent Schumann set) still, I sold it for what I paid for it, so no damage done...

Mackerras with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is just the job.....wonderful music making and played using the same size forces that Brahms actually wrote the music for! Lovely clean lines and textures. I am not sure what they sell for nowadays....I will check for you.

Edit: Here you go; not a bad price for 3CDs but if it is too much at present you could put it on your Watch List.

^^ thanks for the tip... I hadn't thought of Mackerras to be honest, even though I love his Mozart.. having said that, I'm absolutely STACKED for the next few months with new CDs... it's got ridiculous again!!

fergus wrote:

Symphonies Nos. 6-8.

:-)) I listened to 7-8 from that set today. Fools seldom differ eh? ;-)