Hi Guys,


I have now listened to the Mackerras cycle twice now and at first I was unimpressed and did not connect with the performance. I found the speed (tempi?) fast and they seemed to lack drama but after cranking up the volume a bit on the second run through they came to life and I seemed to have adjusted to the faster pace of the performance now, drama and delicacy appeared and I started to enjoy the music much more. Next maybe another cycle to compare but which one? decisions decisions



Dean..

Next move really might sensibly be some individual great issues. The Kleibers [father and son], Bruno Walter, Carl Boehm, and many others spring to mind.

This thread has some nice ideas.

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/38019385/m/8052900517

Also I am not especially fond of cycles as issued by record companies but I do like to assemble the performances from one conductor, though choosing carefully their very best recordings from the several that most serious Beethoven conductors have made in each work.

My list of Klemperer performances in Jeremy B's thread, linked in this post, is what I would suggest, but just try one of them for a start, and get to enjoy it, rather than buying the whole lot [and they are all single issues] and having too much to get to know all at once...

Hope you do not mind me making suggestions. George

quote:

Originally posted by GFFJ:


Hope you do not mind me making suggestions. George

George,

Of course not Classical music is a minefeild for the uninitiated, I'm slowly going through Tam's classical threads round up and I'm changing my mind what to next all the time there is so much stuff to try out. But keep the suggestion coming I can always refer back to them at any time. Anyway I need to buy the last two installments of the Ronald Brautigam Beethoven Piano Sonanta's on BIS which have been very enjoyable especially hearing one on a CDX2/XPS2 the other night.



Dean..

I would agree with George in that you're probably better off looking at some individual issues. In addition to the names mentioned, I'd say Runnicles (in the 9th symphony) Jochum (in any of his 3 complete cycles, the earliest on DG with the Berlin Phil and the Bavarian Radio orchestra is probably the most satisfying - I'm not sure if any of these are available separately), Haitink in 4&8 with the LSO. Barenboim, with his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in the 5th (they've done the 9th as well, but I haven't heard it yet), Solti is also something to hear in this work, though at times it feels more Solti than Beethoven. Bernstein's recordings are well worth seeking out too. Toscanini and Szell are worth a listen too.

I only have complete cycles from three conductors (out of about 20 sets) which I find completely satisfying. In addition to Mackerras and Jochum, I have great affection for Davis's Dresden set. There are rich and weighty, epic performances and worth a listen (I have no idea if they're available separately though).


regards, Tam

quote:

Originally posted by Tam:
I only have complete cycles from three conductors (out of about 20 sets) which I find completely satisfying. In addition to Mackerras.....

Dear Tam

I almost do not dare to ask you: Do you mean the Liverpool or the Scottish cycle.

ATB Poul

I would say both Mackerras cycles, probably.

The Liverpool one I have owned for much longer, and has been consistently satisfying. The Edinburgh concerts were some of the finest experiences I have ever had in the concert hall and the performances were finer (with the possible exception of the 9th where I think the earlier cycle had better soloists and chorus, though a less fine orchestra).

However, the transition to CD is not entirely unproblematic. The recordings are on the harsh side and don't have the detail or balance that they should - which is a disappointing. So while in performance terms they satisfy, I do find them a little frustrating in that I don't think they are what they should be - of course, most other listens won't have such an issue.

However, I wouldn't want to be without either.


regards, Tam

p.s. George mentioned that you were after the Furtwangler Brandeburgs. He has passed them to me but I am happy to pass a copy on.

quote:

Originally posted by GFFJ:
Next move ...

...Might be to go to some live concerts. The Proms are starting soon and are an ideal place for a Londoner (IIRC?) to get to know some of what's out there. The arena audience are friendly and unsnobbish (and more culturally diverse than those for Radiohead or Glastonbury!). £5 to stand, a complete bargain.

duncan

That's actually a great idea, and there is some prime Beethoven at the Proms this. Including:

The 5th symphony from the BBC Symphony orchestra and David Robertson in Prom 15 on Monday 28th July.

One of my favourite Beethoven pianists around plays one of my favourite concerts in Prom 19 on Friday 1st August. Paul Lewis plays the 4th concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

Possibly the highlight, and something I wish I could travel down for, is Prom 23 on the following Sunday as Donald Runnicles conducts the BBC Scottish in the 1st symphony.

The BBC Scottish are back with their music director Ilan Volkov for the 6th in Prom 44 on Monday 18th August.

And on the last Friday (12th September) you get the traditional 9th symphony, this year from the BBC Philharmonic under Noseda in Prom 75. Particularly noteworthy here is the presence of the excellent CBSO Chorus.


Of course, even if you don't attend, these are all live on Radio 3 and some are televised.


regards, Tam

*

Hi Guys,


I've got the hint and it is a great idea I'll have a look and see what I can grab, the piano concerto looks interesting. Anyone else got plans for the Proms.



Dean..

Dear Dean,

One of my great pleasures in the summer is deciding whether to listen to the Radio relays or enjoy the garden! I now have the best radio reception ever, because of my upgraded tuner, so things have only got better!

If I had a really house with a nice big garden and a terrace then I could do both!

The Proms are a lovely chance to listen to a great variety of music. I have even been to half a dozen, though the RAH can get very hot, and I could never stand in the arena! My back would kill me after half an hour!

Happy listening from George

Hi all


I picked up a couple of Beethovens Piano Concerto's on Vinyl for 99p each one is Rudolph Serkin, Eugene Ormandy and the TPO Concerto No 1 which is in great condition and very enjoyable and the other is Concerto No 5 Freidrich Gulda, Hans Swarowsky and the Orchestra of the Vienna Stae Opera which needs a clean and did not grab me as much but a good clean might sort that out. I seem to be enjoying the Piano based music of Beethoven it seems to be hitting the spot a bit more than the Symphonies at the moment.

This is certainly an enjoyable journey especially that Classical vinyl can be found so cheaply.



Dean..

Dean, I've contacted you about the Proms.

This essay, originally published in The New Yorker, on Alex Ross' excellent The Rest Is Noise blog might be relevant. Amongst several themes, it discusses the 'non-tarrif barriers' in going to live classical concerts and why concert-going is such an unusual event for even for the very culturally-aware.

duncan