Tír Na HiFi

fergus wrote:Lovely haul there Dave! Ashkenazy's Sibelius is powerful stuff, von Karajan's Ein Heldenleben is truly wonderful, I will be interested in what you have to say about the Herrick Buxtehude and I am currently listening to the Freiburger Barockorchester in Telemann's Tafelmusik and they are a great outfit....you are in for some great quality listening will all of that lot!!

The Ashkenazy's Sibelius was going cheap Fergus compared to other sets and since I still havent 'got' Sibelius yet I figured this set was a safe option. From the review's I've read it would seem that its a different style to say HvK.

Also interested to hear about Herrick's Buxtehude. I used to be a huge fan of Herrick, but I've gone off him a bit in recent years. Full report required!

DaveF wrote: The Ashkenazy's Sibelius was going cheap Fergus compared to other sets and since I still havent 'got' Sibelius yet I figured this set was a safe option. From the review's I've read it would seem that its a different style to say HvK.

Yes, he is quite different in approach Dave; both Ashkenazy and von Karajan have powerful approaches but Ashkenazy is more lush and a tad on the warmer side whereas von Karajan is cold and bleak. They are just two different approaches but equally valid and good.

Diapason wrote:Also interested to hear about Herrick's Buxtehude. I used to be a huge fan of Herrick, but I've gone off him a bit in recent years. Full report required!

Any particular reason Simon?

fergus wrote:

Diapason wrote:Also interested to hear about Herrick's Buxtehude. I used to be a huge fan of Herrick, but I've gone off him a bit in recent years. Full report required!

Any particular reason Simon?

Yes, it's the constant staccato in quicker passages (I'm talking about his Bach recordings mainly), it just starts to sound a bit typewriter-esque after a while. I like his lively approach and his dancing tempi, but I'm not always a fan of his articulation.

Diapason wrote:

fergus wrote:

Diapason wrote:Also interested to hear about Herrick's Buxtehude. I used to be a huge fan of Herrick, but I've gone off him a bit in recent years. Full report required!

Any particular reason Simon?

Yes, it's the constant staccato in quicker passages (I'm talking about his Bach recordings mainly), it just starts to sound a bit typewriter-esque after a while. I like his lively approach and his dancing tempi, but I'm not always a fan of his articulation.

Interesting as I have had a copy of his Bach Complete Organ Works on my Wish List for a long time!

Well, don't let me put you off too much! I have a lot of his discs myself, and I'd still turn to them for many of the pieces. I've never yet found a perfect Bach set.

Oh, and his Trio sonata disc is gold.

Diapason wrote:Well, don't let me put you off too much! I have a lot of his discs myself, and I'd still turn to them for many of the pieces. I've never yet found a perfect Bach set.

One has to respect an oranists view of other organists Simon....one takes these things on board, compares with other information, evaluates and finally decides so the "inside track" on an instrument of the playing of it can be very important. As a matter of interest do you have a particular favourite Bach organ set (imperfect as it may be)?

I really don't, but I've only heard 4 or 5 sets in any kind of detail. When Ton Koopman is good he's great, and you could ask Ciaran about the M C Alain set. Fagius, originally on BIS but now available cheap on Brilliant, has his moments, Herrick also has his moments, and Oortmerssen I find a useful resource if not always a great listen in the larger works.

It may not be possible to stick with just one.