Need opinions on 2 pieces

arthurs · Sep 15, 2010

I am an admitted classical novice, so when I hear compelling pieces I need some counsel from the more experienced on performers/versions/recordings that are not only top performances, but sonically good as well. Here's my two for today:

Havanaise by Saint Saenz

Nimrod by Elgar

If there are multiple good choices that's fine as well. Thanks in advance!

RBFC · Oct 4, 2010

Arthur,

I've thought about this for a bit. I'm not familiar with the Saint-Saens, so I can't comment. The Nimrod is part of the Enigma Variations, if that's what you intend. I have a good reading from Andrew Litton on Virgin Classics (will have to look, with over 2000 CDs, it'll take a while). Of course, Sir Adrian Boult produced several fine Elgar recordings too.

Here's the links:

Boult

http://www.amazon.com/Elgar-Variati...=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1286249770&sr=1-1

Litton

http://www.amazon.com/Enigma-Variat...=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1286249890&sr=1-3

I hope this helps. I'm sure that there are many other fine versions out there, but these are the only ones I personally can vouch for.

Lee

Old Listener · Oct 9, 2010

arthurs said:
I am an admitted classical novice, so when I hear compelling pieces I need some counsel from the more experienced on performers/versions/recordings that are not only top performances, but sonically good as well. Here's my two for today:

Havanaise by Saint Saenz
...

My favorite performance is by Arthur Grumiaux. Here is an available CD;

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=59460

Arthur Grumiaux (Violin)
Conductor: Manuel Rosenthal
Orchestra/Ensemble: Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra

You also get the Introduction and Rondo capriccioso by Saint-Saens (another appealing short violin and orchestra work) and the Symphonie espagnole by Lalo. Grumiaux is my first choice in these pieces as well.

These are originally analog recordings from the 1960s or 1970s. The sound on the CD is realistic and to my ears very satisfactory. Typical Philips sound - natural sound but not as much detail as some recordings.

Bill

Kal Rubinson · Oct 10, 2010

For the Elgar: http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/4553
For the Saint Saens: http://www.amazon.com/Bizet-Sarasat...AY/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1286728807&sr=8-31

RBFC · Nov 4, 2010

Arthur,

Have you picked up any of these suggested versions? I'd be interested to get your impressions.

Lee

arthurs · Nov 4, 2010

RBFC said:
Arthur,

Have you picked up any of these suggested versions? I'd be interested to get your impressions.

Lee

Hi Lee, first let me say thanks to you, Kal and Bill for the suggestions, quite rude of me not to follow up. I have actually been so buried in work I haven't spent much system time lately and haven't picked up any music. I am going to listen to some samples and order some of these tonight while I have a break in the action...thanks for the reminder!

RBFC · Nov 4, 2010

Arthur,

It seems that work and family tend to occasionally interrupt our hobbies. NO worries. I hope you enjoy the selections posted.

Lee

NMMark1962 · Jul 2, 2013

arthurs said:
I am an admitted classical novice, so when I hear compelling pieces I need some counsel from the more experienced on performers/versions/recordings that are not only top performances, but sonically good as well. Here's my two for today:

Havanaise by Saint Saenz

Nimrod by Elgar

If there are multiple good choices that's fine as well. Thanks in advance!

I used to have a killer recording of Enigma Variations with Duthoit and Montreal on Decca....you would have to check Amazon or Arkiv Music as it may or may not be in print any longer. I do not know why, but I swear I never heard a recording of Duthoit and Montreal I did not like....the performances and the sound they got in the St. Eustache Church was fantastic...

Cheers,

Maxim23 · Oct 30, 2013

arthurs said:
I am an admitted classical novice, so when I hear compelling pieces I need some counsel from the more experienced on performers/versions/recordings that are not only top performances, but sonically good as well. Here's my two for today:

Havanaise by Saint Saenz

Nimrod by Elgar

If there are multiple good choices that's fine as well. Thanks in advance!

hey, i would choose Havanaise by Saint Saenz

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Need opinions on 2 pieces

arthurs

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Kal Rubinson

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RBFC

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arthurs

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RBFC

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