2011 New Year Wishes
Fri, Dec 17 2010, 6:39PM
The New Year will be upon us soon, and in the festive spirit I suggest a little wishing game. For those who wish to enter please give a list of three recordings you would be very happy to have made in 2011. The format should be:
composer - work - artist(s)
Remember you are only allowed three - and lets hope some executive somewhere is reading!
To start things off here is my list:
Franck - Symphony - RNSO/Deneve
Weber - Piano Sonatas - Hamelin or Hough
Berlioz - Requiem - ORR/Gardiner
All three of these would make for interesting listening.
Mon, Dec 20 2010, 11:50AM
#2
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
Good question. I really only have one wish - to see a new digital recording of Norma. I am struggling to assign a cast, though I am pretty sure that I would want Sir Jon Eliot Gardiner conducting and Jonas Kaufamann as Pollione. I am inclined towards Cecilia Bartoli as Adalgisa but would equally wish to hear Jennifer Larmore (but are they a shade past their best). Perhaps Elina Garanca would be good? As to Norma herself I would feel in safe hands with Renee Fleming but would welcome a more modern interpretation by someone like Anna Caterina Antonacci or Nicole Cabell.
Otherwise any Mahler Symphony by Vladimir Petrenko and the Liverpool Philharmonic.
Tue, Dec 21 2010, 9:45PM
#3
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
An operatic wishlist!
Handel - Serse - DiDonato/Alan Curtis
Bizet - Carmen - Minkowski (I think this might be on the way so kindof a cheat)
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen - BPO/Rattle
And a request for 2012:
Strauss family - New Year's Day Concert 2012 - Rattle or Abbado
Great question
Tue, Dec 21 2010, 10:43PM
#4
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
An operatic wishlist!
Handel - Serse - DiDonato/Alan Curtis
Bizet - Carmen - Minkowski (I think this might be on the way so kindof a cheat)
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen - BPO/Rattle
And a request for 2012:
Strauss family - New Year's Day Concert 2012 - Rattle or Abbado
Great question
Wed, Dec 22 2010, 11:40PM
#5
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
In no way did I mean to imply or suggest that it was not a good question. I simply meant that it has me stumped. I am at loss to think of 3 recordings to wish for. I _really_ have to think about it. But I second the wish for a Minkowski Carmen. Cheers!
Sun, Jan 2 2011, 10:55PM
#6
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
I think Cecilia Bartoli has been singing Norma recently, so I would guess a recording with her isn't too far away
Thu, Jan 6 2011, 11:05PM
#7
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
Now Renee Fleming has decided not to add Norma to her repertory she may consider recording a studio only version but I think it unlikely. I wouldn't have thought Nicole Cabell is anywhere near ready to tackle the role nor do I think she has the necessary weight of voice or range of vocal colour. I cannot countenance Anna Caterina Antonacci in the role either. I think we already have enough vocally flawed performances available already.
If the major labels were considering a new recording of Norma more than likely they would be looking for big star casting and my prediction would be they would have their sights on Netrebko, Bartoli or Gheorghiu. I wouldn't hold ones breath for a studio recording anytime soon though.
Fri, Jan 7 2011, 2:10PM
#8
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
Caballe - I fear you are correct. As much as i love Netrebko (brilliant on the new Stabat Mater) and Gheorghiu (whose Bellini on CD has been lovely) I wanted someone with experience of more florid music - able to handle to coloratura better. Less Scotto more Caballe you might say. But Cabell is probably not ready and not full of voice either. But then who?
Bartoli would please me very much in the role of Adalgisa.
By the way I was given a copy of Sospiri for Christmas and my initial dismay (DECCA recycling Bartoli yet again) was replaced by pleasure at the marvellous updating of Una Voce Poco Fa. if you have not heard it then download it as a single track - it really is quite stunning how the experience of Ms Bartoli shows in the interpretation, coloratura and arrangements. Ultimately it is a very relaxed but knowing reading and the "ma" is uttered matter of fact - spoken rather than sung. Delightful!
Happy New Year.
Fri, Jan 7 2011, 6:52PM
#9
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
How about Volodos to complete a Rachmaninov piano concerto cycle - he's already done #3? Berlin Phil, conducted by James Levine. Or indeed any more concerto recordings from this pianist?
A complete Sibelius symphonies cycle by Rattle with the Berlin Phil - he's played them all in concert recently.
Sun, Jan 9 2011, 3:10PM
#10
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
My dream just came true, the wonderfull production of Rossini's Armida with a superb Fleming leading the cast on dvd .(feb 7 -11)
Makes my year already.
Sun, Jan 9 2011, 3:11PM
#11
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
My dream just came true, the wonderfull production of Rossini's Armida with a superb Fleming leading the cast on dvd .(feb 7 -11)
Makes my year already.
Mon, Jan 10 2011, 11:21AM
#12
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
Adrian - I agree that this was a terrific production with great singers including Lawrence Brownlee and Barry Banks hitting the stratospheric high notes for tenors. I admit to preferring the sounds Fleming makes on her Pesaro recording and think she approached the role with more abandon which made it slightly more thrilling, but I can think of no other soprano who could sing Armida as well as she at the moment. It is a super DVD.
Mon, Jan 10 2011, 11:34AM
#13
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
It occured to me while responding the "neglected masterpieces" thread that i would love to hear:
I Vespri Siciliani by Verdi - Antonio Pappano - Angela Gheorghiu, Villazon or Calleja, Keenleyside, Pape
DECCA missed a chance by not recording the great Susan Dunn and Giorgio Zancanaro with Riccardo Chailly in the late 1980s and we have to make do with the appalling sound but great singing of Cheryl Studer and Chris Merrit on the Muti version.
Mon, Jan 10 2011, 3:36PM
#14
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
Martin,
I just listen to that recording again and we must not forget that's 17 years ago.
So for now I am glad this is going to be on dvd.
I am looking so much forward to see it again, I did see at the cinema series from the Met.
(I do have Deutekom (suprem) and Devia on other reordings)
Mon, Jan 10 2011, 5:44PM
#15
RE: 2011 New Year Wishes
I agree very much with you on a Pappano Vespri.But I think you forget the Levine recording which in my opinion is wonderful.And it is really sad that Vespri has so few recordings.
Tough question.
A music lover currently living in the middle of nowhere.