What are you listening to?

[DaveF]

As per usual in this Gardiner series Fergus, the 'extras' on the disc are interesting enough and contain works that you'd probably never seek out in the first place. The Monteverdi Choir are splendid.

[fergus]

JSB - Mass in Am BWV234....

[DaveF]

mesmerizing!

[fergus]

Purcell – Fantazias performed by the Rose Consort of Viols....



I am not necessarily mad about the music but I do really like the sound of a viol consort.

[fergus]

Beethoven – Symphonies 7 & 8 Cluytens....




No. 7 opens in the mode of the bold, assertive statement of previous performances and this carries right through until the end of this magnificent work. There is a different “feel” to this “Seventh” but it is a wonderful performance!
This version of No. 8 would not be representative of the light, bright versions of this work that I have heard. Rather it is a very determined but very good performance and well played.

[Seán]

Beethoven – Symphonies 7 & 8 Cluytens....

No. 7 opens in the mode of the bold, assertive statement of previous performances and this carries right through until the end of this magnificent work. There is a different “feel” to this “Seventh” but it is a wonderful performance!
This version of No. 8 would not be representative of the light, bright versions of this work that I have heard. Rather it is a very determined but very good performance and well played.

Good man Fergus: you sure do put a big effort into keeping these threads fresh and relevant.

Where did you get the Cluytens Beethoven set, if you dont mind my asking?

[DaveF]

I've listened to several symphonies from the set over the past few days and I'm starting to have second thoughts about it. I'm finding the whole presentation a little too forward and to my disappointment I find that after one or two symphonies it's leaving me a little fatigued. Whether it's the sound mixing or the performance itself I'm not too sure but the more I listen to it the more I find myself less interested in exploring it further. Yes I realise that you will not get a more complete set of Haydn's symphonic work anywhere else but tbh I dont care if this set has 500 symphonies it's just not doing it for me.
Whenever I put in Goodman or Hogwood's version of these works I immediately feel the magic of those sound textures and everything else that comes with a proper period ensemble that such performances bring. I simply dont feel anything with this Dorati set. I wont give up on it yet though.

[Seán]

I've listened to several symphonies from the set over the past few days and I'm starting to have second thoughts about it. I'm finding the whole presentation a little too forward and to my disappointment I find that after one or two symphonies it's leaving me a little fatigued. Whether it's the sound mixing or the performance itself I'm not too sure but the more I listen to it the more I find myself less interested in exploring it further. Yes I realise that you will not get a more complete set of Haydn's symphonic work anywhere else but tbh I dont care if this set has 500 symphonies it's just not doing it for me.
Whenever I put in Goodman or Hogwood's version of these works I immediately feel the magic of those sound textures and everything else that comes with a proper period ensemble that such performances bring. I simply dont feel anything with this Dorati set. I wont give up on it yet though.

I do like this set but as I said before it probably does not compare favourably to some of the excellent period performances of Haydn's symphonies, although I would contend that No's 22, 60 & 82 are truly excellent.
It is a hugely important set as it is only one of three complete recording of Haydn's symphonic output and as such it affords us the opportunity to explore all of his work. The other two are Fischer's and Wordsworth's recent recordings on Naxos. I agree that that the recordings do sound dated. It is a pity that Goodman, Hogwood & Weil were not given the opportunity to complete their recordings of the symphonic cycle so we are left the three sets mentioned earlier. I will probably get the Fischer in due course.

[fergus]

Where did you get the Cluytens Beethoven set, if you dont mind my asking?

Amazon.fr Seán....I got it for less than €16 (incl. p+p!!!) and it arrived in three days....a real bargain I think!

[DaveF]