I've got a huge hole !

16 replies [Last post]
DrBrodsky
DrBrodsky's picture
Offline
Joined: 2nd Oct 2011
Posts: 126

I've got a huge hole in my collection that needs filling in. Todays Building a library programme prompted me to have a look through all my Beethoven symphonies on disc, and to my horror I found out that I no longer had any recordings of Symphony No1( the Hogwood seems to have dissappeared) or Symphony No8 (Stravinsky's favourite). Any recommendations on the best way to fill this gap as economically as possible. What should I put in my huge hole !!!

anandr65
anandr65's picture
Offline
Joined: 29th Mar 2010
Posts: 22
RE: I've got a huge hole !

I would recommend Abbado (Rome), Jarvi, Gunter Wand. However, I am not sure whether Wand is available as single cds. The safe bet is Abbado.

anandr65
anandr65's picture
Offline
Joined: 29th Mar 2010
Posts: 22
RE: I've got a huge hole !

I would recommend Abbado (Rome), Jarvi, Gunter Wand. However, I am not sure whether Wand is available as single cds. The safe bet is Abbado.

jcombs
jcombs's picture
Offline
Joined: 29th Mar 2010
Posts: 3
RE: I've got a huge hole !

If you can still find it, Bruggen without doubt.  It is available as a complete set on Arkiv. 

DrBrodsky
DrBrodsky's picture
Offline
Joined: 2nd Oct 2011
Posts: 126
RE: I've got a huge hole !

A complete set, I don't think so, these are times of austerity. OK I'll stretch to 2 discs maximum. But I'm not a socialists, I won't do beans on toast naxos.

parla
parla's picture
Offline
Joined: 6th Aug 2011
Posts: 1816
RE: I've got a huge hole !

I'm really surprised, Dr. Brodsky. You with such strong views (real doctrines), how on earth you may count on our "poor", biased, wrong (and the list goes on) views and suggestions.

Anyhow, I'll try: Being fully aware of your absolute disdain of Bernstein and Karajan, at least, I won't bothered to say anything else...

If you wish something "economical", as you have suggested in your introductory message, possibly the following might be of some help:

a) Giulini's 6, 8 and 9 in a bargain double CD of Emi (with LSO).

b) Zinman with Tonnhalle of Zurich on Arte Nova (if they still are available, somehow). He is in the fast track, but he is very convincing and the recording very bright.

c) Szell and Cleveland on Sony budget (hopefully you may trace them somewhere). Excellent alternative for me .

For some more expensive solutions, provided you have the appropriate equipment, you may opt for two SACD recordings : the P.Jarvi on RCA or the Haitink / LSO (which is mid-priced and better recordings than the average LSO live). The First exists also in a very exhilarating SACD recording with the unknown to almost everybody Antonini on OEHMS, in an amazingly clear, strong and impressive performance (coupled with the Second).

Good luck, anyway.

Parla

troyen1
troyen1's picture
Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2010
Posts: 716
RE: I've got a huge hole !

Download them the next time they appear on Radio3.

They will not play any old rubbish.

If you have a hole then stop digging.

anandr65
anandr65's picture
Offline
Joined: 29th Mar 2010
Posts: 22
RE: I've got a huge hole !

I have just been listening to Chailly's Beethoven 8th and Jarvi's 8th. Chailly tries to get a large sized orchestra to play at breakneck speeds and therefore there is some loss of expression and some smearing despite the Gewandhaus being a top notch orchestra. Jarvi's orchestra is a chamber sized orchestra and there is no loss of expression and clarity of articulation. The playing of Jarvi's orchestra is breathtaking and the sacd sound is astonishing too. I would recommend Jarvi without reservation. Abbado's 8th makes it sound more like Haydn/Mozart with its elegance and refinement. 

Adrian3
Adrian3's picture
Offline
Joined: 11th Apr 2010
Posts: 118
RE: I've got a huge hole !

This hasn't much to do with music but the subject reminds me of a rather large matron in a prep school where I once worked. She walked in one afternoon bearing a bowl of cornflakes and announced to all and sundry, "I've got a great big hole that wants stuffing!" I swear this is true.

__________________

Adrian

troyen1
troyen1's picture
Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2010
Posts: 716
RE: I've got a huge hole !

Adrian3 wrote:

This hasn't much to do with music but the subject reminds me of a rather large matron in a prep school where I once worked. She walked in one afternoon bearing a bowl of cornflakes and announced to all and sundry, "I've got a great big hole that wants stuffing!" I swear this is true.

And was it?

tagalie
tagalie's picture
Offline
Joined: 29th Mar 2010
Posts: 716
RE: I've got a huge hole !

Reminds me of standing in a canteen line when I was working down there in Birmingham, and one of the lunch options was gammon steak. Huge lady with arms like overstuffed pillows standing there with her serving tongs over the pile of meat yelling in that unique Brummy accent, "Anybody want gammin?"

Atonal
Atonal's picture
Offline
Joined: 3rd Oct 2011
Posts: 165
RE: I've got a huge hole !

Has the dear Doctor fallen into his own hole? 

After 30 years of listening to classical music I do not possess a recording of any Beethoven symphony. Where to start? 

I like small, brisk, clean orchestral sounds.

 

__________________

Pause for thought.

tagalie
tagalie's picture
Offline
Joined: 29th Mar 2010
Posts: 716
RE: I've got a huge hole !

My guess is the doc has been invited to post his thoughts on ether forums henceforth.

Between unfettered permissiveness and sterile political correctness there's an immense range of censorship options and there are plenty of loud voices ready to espouse either extreme. Personally, I hope we continue to find a relaxed middle ground, stopping just short of total indiscipline, on this site.

parla
parla's picture
Offline
Joined: 6th Aug 2011
Posts: 1816
RE: I've got a huge hole !

Hopefully so, Tagalie, hopefully so.

(So, now the "huge hole" is gone? "What are we going to do without the barbarians"?)

Parla

Atonal
Atonal's picture
Offline
Joined: 3rd Oct 2011
Posts: 165
RE: I've got a huge hole !

.

__________________

Pause for thought.

JKH
JKH's picture
Offline
Joined: 28th Jul 2010
Posts: 432
RE: I've got a huge hole !

Atonal wrote:

.

Now that's a post that should be on the minimalist thread, Atonal.

JKH

__________________

JKH