New recordings to treasure
Thu, Aug 23 2012, 6:38PM
After the quite interesting threads on the "Forthcoming releases" and "recent acquisitions", I thought to establish this one, where any member of this forum may be invited to share his/her thoughts, inpressions, views on recent recordings that happened to be known to them, in any way (purchase, radio, from a friend, etc.). To start with, I state some of my recent listening experiences:
From the more "historical" recordings, but at reasonably good recording status:
- The amazing recording of ICA with the legendary Quartetto Italiano in some magnificent live performances (1965) of Boccherini's String Quartet "La tirana spagnola", Mozart's no.17, known as "The Hunt", and the superb Beethoven's Late String Quartet op.132, where the sublime slow movement reaches a staggering 19 minute quest to a spiritual and musical redemption.
- Tchaikovsky: Complete String Quartets and the String Sextet "Souvenir de Florence": A unique epic journey in the intimate but very emotional world of this passionate composer's Chamber Music, with the unsurpassed Borodin Quartet, in recordings that span a period from 1952-1965 (Melodiya, 2CDs).
From the recent recordings:
- Weinberg: Cello Concerto/Symphony no.20. Chandos continues its quest on the music of this quite interesting close to Shostakovich very prolific composer. The performance of the Goteborg S.O. under Thor Svedlund delivers and the SACD recording makes it as convincing as it can be expected.
- Domenico Scarlatti: Sonatas. The wonderful harpsichordist Carole Cerasi in a brand new recording, this time exploring the magic world of the most charming and musically creative and inventive of the keyboardists, with 15 of his impressive sonatas, performed on an italian harpsichord, whose notable sweetness brings an unusual poetic dimension to these jewels of this repertory.
- Koechlin: Chamber works with winds and strings. The very French label Timpani, once more, delivers with a rare repertory of a less known French composer. The CD contains the wonderful and so rarely performed Paysages et marines (for String Quartet, flute & clarinet), the Septet for winds, the Sonate a sept and two Sonatines (for oboe and small ensemble). A quite satisfactory recording of a very intriguing repertory.
Parla
Mon, Aug 27 2012, 12:32PM
#2
RE: New recordings to treasure
Thanks, Chris, for your response.
You are absolutely right about "Leonhardt plays Bach" as a reissue to treasure. To complement this collection, you may try the other one by Sony (from its Vivarte series) with some other works of the greatest of Masters: a 4CD set with Leonhardt, performing the Inventions and Sinfonias, some Toccatas, the Fantasia in c minor, the Italian Concerto, two of his own transcriptions of the 4th Cello Suite and the 3rd Lute Suite as well as the glorious Chromatic Fantasie and Fugue in d minor. The price is a bit above the "absurdly low".
Another great very recent reissue is Mozart's String Quintets with Talich Quartet (and Karel Rehak on second viola) on La Dolce Volta. After the successful reissue of Mozart's Complete String Quartets, this new French label offers a quite good reissue of these monumental works of Chamber Music, where the original recording is pretty well defined and transparent and with a quite good spectral and acoustic balance. While I still prefer the Fine Arts Quartet on Lyrinx (in a spectacular SACD sound), the Talich represents the modern Classic performance of these works.
Finally, from the very recent new recordings, the one of DHM with Psaumes, Chansons, Motets et movements de messes of Jacob Clement (known also as Clemens non papa), performed brilliantly by the Huelgas Ensemble under Paul Van Nevel, is a "must" for those who wish to explore this period of late Renaissance. The recording is superb with an amazing balance of the listening spectacle and a very warm acoustic beauty.
Parla
Sat, Sep 15 2012, 4:21PM
#3
RE: New recordings to treasure
Some new recordings for me.
As recommended by Parla:
The 10CD set on ARCHIV of masses and motets of Victoria. A cornocupia of wonderful music well performed and beautifully recorded. Allegedly deleted already (even though only released in 2011) but still to be found on Amazon for £25, I have hardly scratched the surface yet but this will provide years of enjoyment. Incidentally, it does not contain the 1605 Requiem but does include the much less often recorded earlier 1685 one. Thanks for the recommendation Parla!
Next, with thanks to Arbutus for stimulating discussion on important living composers: having led me to re-examine my recordings of Boulez (already discussed at length) it led me back to Messiaen and to the superb recording of his complete organ works played by Olivier Latry at Notre-Dame. Magnificent performances, absolutely stunning recording that captures the organ in its wonderful acoustic. Another six CDs with a lot of listening still to go. At the same time I took the opportunity to buy Marie-Claire Alain's set of Cesar Franck's organ works. Lovely!
Finally, thanks to Ganymede for his recommendation of Celibidache's performances of Sibelius 2nd and 5th Symphonies (Swedish Radio SO). Fabulous performances, recording more than acceptable in the second, excellent in the (stereo) fifth.
Thanks to everyone, and indeed to the Gramophone Forum
Chris
Sun, Sep 16 2012, 11:06PM
#4
RE: New recordings to treasure
Can I add a few more?
Mozart: The Violin Concertos and Sinfonia Concertante played by
Julia Fischer and Gordan Nikolic (Sinfonia Concertante), with
the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra conducted by the late Yakov
Kreizberg on Pentatone. Fresh lively performances that do full
justice to the music. Also, for the geeks out there, they are DSD recordings and issued as multichannel hybrid SACDs
resulting in very warm and clear sound.
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 23 and 24, played by Dame Mitsuko
Uchida who also conducts the Cleveland Orchestra on Decca. Very
simple but thoughtful performances from someone who has obviously
been playing these concerti for a long time.
Berg: Violin Concerto played by Isabelle Faust with the Orchestra
Mozart under Caudio Abbado on Harmonia Mundi. I played this to a friend who had never
heard this music before, and he was visibly moved. Gramophone made this recording of the month but other reviews have been more critical. However, the Guardian found the performance "beautiful and moving". I agree.
Mon, Sep 17 2012, 9:10AM
#5
RE: New recordings to treasure
Hewett_dick, I completely agree with you about Isabelle Faust in the Berg concerto. It seems to me to be one of those truly great performances that leaves you thinking not so much about the performance but rather 'what a superb concerto this is'.
Eliza, alas I never heard Kempff play Schubert sonatas live, but the recordings he made are still my favourites, even though the sound is nothing special. I'm hoping Uchida will record at least the last sonatas again. Her set of the sonatas is fine but the recent performances she gave in London and elsehere were something else altogether. A wonderful artist who is still getting better and better!
Chris
Mon, Sep 17 2012, 11:01AM
#6
RE: New recordings to treasure
A brand new good discovery like recording: MONTSALVATGE: Orchestral works, including the intriguing Sinfonia de Requiem, in a wonderful natural recording by Chandos.
On another note, the new recording of the rare Opera L'Ultimo Giorno Di Pompei by the unduly neglected Giovanni Pacini, from a live performance, on Dynamic, is a sort of a worthy discovery.
Parla
Over the summer break, my most enjoyable 'new' recording has been the DHM Box of Leonhardt in Bach keyboard works. Although I had some of it already, the CDs new to me, especially his wonderful, austere, but immaculately clear exposition of 'The Art of Fugue, have provided perfect evening listening. The logic of Bach's masterly work has never been brought out so clearly in my experience (and I have quite a few recordings of this masterpiece). The only sad thing is that he omits the final, unfinished fugue, for me the crowning glory of the work. Apparently in the booklet for the original release he gave his reasons for this, but they are not reprinted in the re-isssue. Perhaps one of you has the original and might be able to enlighten me?
Anyway, strongly recommended at an absurdly low price.
My other purchases have not been of new issuyes or new re-issues so are not eligible!
Chris
Chris A.Gnostic