Tír Na HiFi

fergus wrote:

Did you know Fergus that Szeryng adopted the Mexican nationality after the War?
That´s why I heard him dozens of times in the 70´s, playing everything, from the Bach Sonatas & Partitas to the Beethoven, Brahms and Sibelius concertos. He was magnificent, but I still liked Grumiaux best.

Jose Echenique wrote:

fergus wrote:

Did you know Fergus that Szeryng adopted the Mexican nationality after the War?
That´s why I heard him dozens of times in the 70´s, playing everything, from the Bach Sonatas & Partitas to the Beethoven, Brahms and Sibelius concertos. He was magnificent, but I still liked Grumiaux best.

I did indeed know that he assumed Mexican citizenship Pepe as there is a nice little biography on the back of the LP....my thoughts were wandering to Mexico City as I was listening last night!

4th listen.... it's magnificent!!

It ´s surprising that Die Seejungfrau is not more popular, it´s so pleasing.

Rameau - Dardanus Suite (Frans Bruggen, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Philips)

Sibelius - Symphony No.5 (Anthony Collins, London Symphony Orchestra, Decca Eloquence)

Jose Echenique wrote:

It ´s surprising that Die Seejungfrau is not more popular, it´s so pleasing.

I agree Pepe. It is a long time since I have listened to that work....I must do so again soon.

fergus wrote:

Jose Echenique wrote:

It ´s surprising that Die Seejungfrau is not more popular, it´s so pleasing.

I agree Pepe. It is a long time since I have listened to that work....I must do so again soon.

It´s been recorded often Fergus, I own at least 3 versions, including one with Chailly, but I can´t recall ever hearing it live, a great shame.

You should always be extremely careful with what you read. In this year´s Gramophone Classical Guide the ridiculous short review on this fabulous recording says this: "A striking and thought-provoking performance from Alessandrini that uses a "soloistic" approach to impressive effect. Try and hear a little before you buy: it will either REPEL or entrance. We think the latter...."

That´s it. Not very helpful, is it? Though I would have loved an explanation on WHY it could REPEL.
The recording recommended is The King´s Consort, that although by no means bad, it can hardly compete with Alessandrini and his Concerto Italiano.
If you actually try it you´ll hear the heavenly voices of Roberta Invernizzi and Sara Mingardo, and they are as good as it gets, whatever the Gramophone says.

on foot of discovering (thanks to the Listening Projects!!) that I actually much preferred a different interpreter of Chopin (Pollini) than I had thought I'm embarking on some further explorations of Solo Piano Music.

This week I'll mostly be listening to Debussy.....

This popped up and without referring to a review at all I jumped, BIS has never let me down yet in quality terms....