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fergus wrote:Brahms – Symphony No. 3 / Gardiner....
I found that Symphony No. 3 is well played with clear textures and well paced speeds; the outer movements have pace, drive and energy while the inner movements are a suitable contrast. This is a most enjoyable version.
However, there are also six different and individually contrasting choral works on this disc which are more than worthy of note. The choral singing is wonderful and this beautiful music is well served indeed; these choral works alone are worth the price of the disc!

Glad you liked it Fergus. I had a feeling that you'd enjoy it. I never gave the choral works on this disc much attention though. Hopefully we wont have to wait too long more for the final symphony to be released.

Looking forward to it Dave....I am sure that it will be a suitable conclusion to a very fine series!

PS: you should spare about 30 minutes and have another listen to those choral pieces....they are really beautiful!

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony Nos 1 & 2
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
John Eliot Gardiner conducting

Hmm, this is very well recorded, the orchestra sounds good....but so far I find it doesn't "grab me". I'll have to give this set more time.

Gustav Mahler
Symphony no 5
Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich
Georg Solti conducting

Seán wrote:

Gustav Mahler
Symphony no 5
Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich
Georg Solti conducting

What did you think Seán? I have the CD of just that Mahler concert on its own, not as part of the set that you have there. It's by no means the best M5 imho, but its certainly nice to have in ones collection.

Seán wrote: Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony Nos 1 & 2
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
John Eliot Gardiner conducting [/b]

Hmm, this is very well recorded, the orchestra sounds good....but so far I find it doesn't "grab me". I'll have to give this set more time.

hmmm I've never listened to 1&2 from that set actually but then again I not really fond of thos particular symphonies anyway. Keep us posted on what you think of the rest.

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No5
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
John Eliot Gardiner conducting

Yesterday I reported on the fact that I wasn't keen on Symphonies 1 & 2 from this set. This evening - for comparison purposes - I listened to excerpts from the Bruggen/18th Century Fifth and then I played the Fifth from this set. Well this is played at a fast tempo, it's up-lifting, wonderful music. The first two movements are a real joy and the third which is the first of the two Allegros is invigorating and leads seemlessly into the smashing conclusion to this wonderful symphony, it's complete with repeats. JEB and the musicans obviously revel in the beauty of this music, splendid stuff indeed, I love it.
After that I'll have to revisit the First and Second, it's probably me.
On a seperate note it's great to see that the accompanying booklet contains a list of the musicans that played on all of the recordings.

Interesting comments on the Gardiner set Seán....let me know what you think of No. 7.

well, I've had a fine old day of it today...

Mozart: Piano Concertos 25,26 & 27
Bach: Magnificat
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater
Sibelius: Symphs 1 & 5
Nielsen: Symphs 1,2 & 4