Tír Na HiFi

Jared wrote: I must get my Vivaldi out again this week, or Fergus will be after me with a sharp, pointy stick.. ;-)

I was about to start prodding all right!!

Schumann - Overture: Die Braut von Messina & Symphony No.1 Spring (Riccardo Muti, Philharmonia Orchestra, EMI)

Schumann - Symphony No.2 (Riccardo Muti, Philharmonia Orchestra, EMI)

a thoroughly delightful boxset...

Jared wrote:

a thoroughly delightful boxset...

I agree Jared. I find the LvB's work for piano trio to be thoroughly engaging and tuneful...

bombasticDarren wrote:I agree Jared. I find the LvB's work for piano trio to be thoroughly engaging and tuneful...

Darren, do you own this set? If so, how would you compare it in terms of quality with the Florestans, which presently resides in my Amazon box?

Jared wrote:

bombasticDarren wrote:I agree Jared. I find the LvB's work for piano trio to be thoroughly engaging and tuneful...

Darren, do you own this set? If so, how would you compare it in terms of quality with the Florestans, which presently resides in my Amazon box?

I haven't quite got all the way through the Florestan set, but I think they just edge it. The recording is warmer and the playing is less abrasive. I am a huge fan of both ensembles though - they are stalwarts of my chamber collection!

this really is a super set. out of choice I would go for this over the Du Pre/ Barenboim one, although I must say that I'm glad to have them both, because they are quite different. this set demonstrates a delicate fluency and an understanding between soloists which really would be hard to beat. the Du Pre set is slightly hampered by poorer recording, some of which is live with attendant coughing fits from the audience. that aside, she is characteristically forceful in her style, at times dynamic and at others bordering on abrasive... still however, a characterful set of performances.

bombasticDarren wrote:I haven't quite got all the way through the Florestan set, but I think they just edge it. The recording is warmer and the playing is less abrasive. I am a huge fan of both ensembles though - they are stalwarts of my chamber collection!

Thanks Darren. As and when the time comes for the purchase of a 2nd set of these works, this will probably be it. As it was, I saw the Beaux set for a tenner and couldn't resist.. ;-)

Jared wrote:

bombasticDarren wrote:I haven't quite got all the way through the Florestan set, but I think they just edge it. The recording is warmer and the playing is less abrasive. I am a huge fan of both ensembles though - they are stalwarts of my chamber collection!

Thanks Darren. As and when the time comes for the purchase of a 2nd set of these works, this will probably be it. As it was, I saw the Beaux set for a tenner and couldn't resist.. ;-)

You were fortunate it was so cheap! I bought it a couple of years ago for twice the price! :-(