What are you currently listening to (Classical)?

[Bachtoven]

I need some spiritual balm for the pain of yet another mass shooting in the US. Op. 111.

 

[Jazzhead]

 

[MadFloyd]

I just got a PM from another member asking if I had bought any recent classical vinyl reissues that I like since I last posted. Their inbox is too full to receive any replies so I will put them here:

Two excellent Speakers Corner reissues of Isaac Stern on Columbia - Bartok and Stravinsky violin concertos. Fully analogue reissues as is always the case with this label:

http://www.speakerscornerrecords.com/products/details/60022/bartok-violin-concerto

http://www.speakerscornerrecords.com/products/details/6331/stravinsky-violin-concerto

And also two fantastic releases from Universal under the DGG label. These are from 24/95 masters made from the old analogue tapes but they still sound great and the performances are excellent in my opinion. These sound much better than when this material was released on CD (at least to me). I'm not even a Strauss-y type of person but even I got enthusiastic about this release.

http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/au/cat/4795890

And then this one. An eclectic program of Mozart, Beethoven, Smetana and Liszt that you might think was a "programmed" concert but it is a late 50s "studio" recording. There is a strange left / right intermittent balance issue in the Egmont at the end of side 1 but it exists on the digital download and I suspect it was like that fresh from the recording session. Does not detract too much from a really wonderful hour of listening:

http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/au/cat/4795889

Thank you so much for the recommendations, Jonathan!

 

[Jazzhead]

 

[bonzo75]

Simon Rattle/LSO is performing the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 2 here on the 30th. Has been sold out for long but might get some cancellation luck on the day.

View attachment 27593

 

[Bachtoven]

I knew I liked Guy's playing on the complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas set, so I figured I'd try his Beethoven Piano Sonatas set--wow! I started with the "Hammerklavier" Sonata, my litmus test, and he passes with flying colors! Very intense in the powerful sections (the last movement's fugue is marvel of clarity and drama) and very lyrical in the Adagio. All of the sonatas were recorded live, which probably adds an extra amount of frisson and risk-taking, which certainly pays off, and his playing is unbelievably accurate in such ferociously difficult music. Superb sound, too, not to mention a bargain price of $27 from an Amazon seller.

 

[Jazzhead]

I knew I liked Guy's playing on the complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas set, so I figured I'd try his Beethoven Piano Sonatas set--wow! I started with the "Hammerklavier" Sonata, my litmus test, and he passes with flying colors! Very intense in the powerful sections (the last movement's fugue is marvel of clarity and drama) and very lyrical in the Adagio. All of the sonatas were recorded live, which probably adds an extra amount of frisson and risk-taking, which certainly pays off, and his playing is unbelievably accurate in such ferociously difficult music. Superb sound, too, not to mention a bargain price of $27 from an Amazon seller.

Unusual label Zig Zag Trretories , haven't heard of them before . Will have a look , thanks Bachtoven

 

[Jazzhead]

Simon Rattle/LSO is performing the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 2 here on the 30th. Has been sold out for long but might get some cancellation luck on the day.

Never warned up to Rattle , his Beethoven cycle with Berlin leaves me cold . Can get the Rach wrong eh , it's such a melodic haunting piece .Superb !

 

[Bachtoven]

Unusual label Zig Zag Trretories , haven't heard of them before . Will have a look , thanks Bachtoven

I have a few of their CDs, including the best Corelli Concerti Grossi that I have ever heard. Stunning sound and playing, which seem to be qualities across the board with this label despite their quirky name!

 

[Jazzhead]

I have a few of their CDs, including the best Corelli Concerti Grossi that I have ever heard. Stunning sound and playing, which seem to be qualities across the board with this label despite their quirky name!

How does it compare to the Paul Lewis cycle ? more free spirited from what I hear on Apple Music.

 

[Bachtoven]

How does it compare to the Paul Lewis cycle ,more free spirited from what I hear on Apple Music ?

That's a good way of putting it. He's definitely a bit more aggressive (in the right places!) and more of a risk-taker. The one sonata that I've played so far has a slightly closer recording perspective, which I also like. Don't get me wrong, I do like Lewis' set very much, but so far, Guy plays with a bit more gusto.

 

[LL21]

I have a few of their CDs, including the best Corelli Concerti Grossi that I have ever heard. Stunning sound and playing, which seem to be qualities across the board with this label despite their quirky name!

I have this one:



Are you recommending this one?

 

[Jazzhead]

That's a good way of putting it. He's definitely a bit more aggressive (in the right places!) and more of a risk-taker. The one sonata that I've played so far has a slightly closer recording perspective, which I also like. Don't get me wrong, I do like Lewis' set very much, but so far, Guy plays with a bit more gusto.

Any experience with Pollini's complete set on DG ?

 

[Jazzhead]

Heard/Sampled enough, Guy's in the bag ... Amazon UK

 

[LL21]

I have a few of their CDs, including the best Corelli Concerti Grossi that I have ever heard. Stunning sound and playing, which seem to be qualities across the board with this label despite their quirky name!

How is this zig zag? seemed promising to me...

 

[Bachtoven]

I have this one:

View attachment 27595

Are you recommending this one?

View attachment 27596

Yes, it positively leaps from the speakers! Another live recording.

 

[Bachtoven]

Any experience with Pollini's complete set on DG ?

Just the Late Sonatas--they seem a little stiff to me, but certainly well played and well respected.

 

[Bachtoven]

How is this zig zag? seemed promising to me...

View attachment 27597

I haven't heard that one, but it's hard to imagine that it isn't good! I can recommend this one, though:

 

[Jazzhead]

Just the Late Sonatas--they seem a little stiff to me, but certainly well played and well respected.

Listening to Paul Lewis , certainly a very pretty tone ... Too beautiful ? Like it though !

 

[LL21]

thanks for both recomendations, Bachtoven!