Tír Na HiFi

Amazon sent one of their standard emails advertising box sets the other day, and I thought I might buy an item or two to kick-start my listening again (haven't been doing much recently). Except now I think I've slightly overdone it, and I'm wondering if I should be a bit more restrained. Are there any things in this list that you wouldn't buy, or that you think can be improved upon for similar money? I've included my thoughts on each.


£17.99

I don't know a huge amount about Sibelius (outside of Finlandia) but I remember asking advice about one of the Symphonies before, and getting a good response. Can't find it now, though. Since I'm looking for "discovery", I thought a box set might be the way forward, but of all the things in my basket I'm least sure of this one.


£18.61

I know various bits and bobs of Tchaikovsky from lollipops discs, and I've always enjoyed what I've heard. Logic here is similar to Sibelius, I'm looking for discovery at a decent price.


£12.43

I love Rachmaninov's piano music (especially the Etudes-Tableaux) and like everyone I have the piano concertos, but that's where my orchestral knowledge ends. Can I do better than this without leaving modern sound?


£7.83

This is a set I bought a long time ago (for £30+) but returned for reasons I can't remember. I have Zimerman's Preludes and I love their intensity, but there's always room for more. I've read so many times that Michelangeli is the modern master for Debussy (as opposed to Gieseking in the historical world) and it's hard to resist this at the price.


£13.99

A slightly leftfield choice, Ciaran played me some of this music before and I liked it. I know this isn't especially cheap, but I'm taken by the idea of the music being played by the dedicatee. Any thoughts?


£15.99

I've seen this mentioned so often here I think I need to buy it. 'Nuff said.


£17.99

I don't own a Beethoven Symphony cycle, and I have no strong attachment to any particular style. I'm not really looking for a period performance for the moment, but I don't want the music to wallow or be overly-lush. Good sound is essential here, and this seems to tick that box.

Both myself and Fergus have this one Simon. One of the best boxsets available. Recommended.




I'm looking too to get some more of Rach's orchestral stuff. I await on others here for comments on this or other recommendations.




I doubt that there is a more complete set of his orchestral stuff as good as this. Top performance and sonics all round.





I have a few of the individual discs from that set. Sonics are good but I think there are better performances out there. For a great modern sound of these works pick either of the following:

Diapason wrote:
£17.99

I don't know a huge amount about Sibelius (outside of Finlandia) but I remember asking advice about one of the Symphonies before, and getting a good response. Can't find it now, though. Since I'm looking for "discovery", I thought a box set might be the way forward, but of all the things in my basket I'm least sure of this one.

I'm not a great Sibelian, but I do like the versions with the Lahti Orchestra under Osmo Vänskä. The next volume of the BIS Sibelius Edition, Volume 12, is due to be the complete symphonies with Vänskä. It was due out last month, so it should be available soon. Fantastic sound and they really get their teeth into the music!

Diapason wrote:
£18.61

I know various bits and bobs of Tchaikovsky from lollipops discs, and I've always enjoyed what I've heard. Logic here is similar to Sibelius, I'm looking for discovery at a decent price.

What about the RPO and Temirkanov?



Cheap, excellent performances (a bit quirky, but in a good way!) and good orchestral nuggets as well. The classic Tchaikovsky Symphony set is Mravinsky and the LPO on DG:



but that dates from the early 60s and is only Symphonies 4-6. Absolutely stunning still!

Diapason wrote:
£12.43

I love Rachmaninov's piano music (especially the Etudes-Tableaux) and like everyone I have the piano concertos, but that's where my orchestral knowledge ends. Can I do better than this without leaving modern sound?

That's a good choice: I have the Isle of the Dead and the Symphonic Dances from that and can recommend them.

Diapason wrote:
£7.83

This is a set I bought a long time ago (for £30+) but returned for reasons I can't remember. I have Zimerman's Preludes and I love their intensity, but there's always room for more. I've read so many times that Michelangeli is the modern master for Debussy (as opposed to Gieseking in the historical world) and it's hard to resist this at the price.

I got that myself recently, having had the LPs forever. I love it, but I think Jean-Efflam Bavouzet's series on Chandos is even better. Full price though!

Diapason wrote:
£13.99

A slightly leftfield choice, Ciaran played me some of this music before and I liked it. I know this isn't especially cheap, but I'm taken by the idea of the music being played by the dedicatee. Any thoughts?

My impression is that Nikolaeva made that recording rather late in her life and it doesn't have the energy it might have if she'd recorded it a few decades earlier! I haven't heard it, though! I have versions by Jenny Lin on Hänssler


and Alexander Melnikov on Harmonia Mundi

both of which I like and which (some) critics declare to be better than Nikolaeva.

Thank you men. I'm not seeing much culling yet, but I'm in danger of a few additions...

Did you really expect any other kind of `help' here?

Honestly...No!

fergus wrote: Get the Cluytens cycle that I have recommended to others; it is a superb cycle and cheap!

EMI Classics have re-released a number of boxsets at cheap prices. I've seen that Cluytens cycle for 19.99 in Tower. I'm sure it's available cheaper online. I think Fergus mentioned 15Euro in another thread somewhere.

Sibelius cycles, take your pick from:
1 Bernstein/NYPO
2 Vanska/Lahti, it's the Bis LOL
3 Maazel/VPO

I agree with Fergus on the Cluytens/BPO Beethoven cycle, it is magnificent, don't hesitate, the HvK/BPO is marvelous too. I want to get the Abbado cycle. The Jansons Tchaikovsky cycle is on my wish list too. Mendelssohn? well, it has to be Abbado.

Excellent, thanks all. I'll get back to you tomorrow with an updated list for your approval!