For years I have been coming across radio replay, and other people playing me selections, from Annie Fischer's Beethoven Sonata series.

I have gradually concluded that no other series of recordings contained readings which seemed more compelling, or comprehensive - at least to me.

I was hunting Amazon.co.uk this week, and found a nine CD set of her recordings of them on Hungaraton, and just wished to ask the experts here if this is the very set? For some reason, I had an idea that the recordings were EMI issues. Of course I could well have been wrong about this, and the Hungaraton set is the one to get.

It is not cheap, and will be the largest music purchase [in one go] for about five years or more for me! I want to get this right.

Thanks from George

Dear George

Annie Fischers only complete LvB sonata cycle is the Hungaroton set, you mention.
She recorded a few of the somatas for EMI (English Columbia at the time) in the late 1950es.

Regards, Poul

Dear Poul,

Thanks for that clarification. I shall send to you an email later this afternoon!

I was certain that I had seen some old English Columbia LPs with her on in the olden days, so I wondered if perhaps she had recorded the whole series twice at that rate!

The Hungaraton set is £90 which is £10 per disc, so for me quite a big expence!

Thanks from George

Hi George,

The amazon price of £90 for this box set is 'used-as new', i think this is a bit steep considering arkivmusicdot will sell it new at $124.00
Although, this would be special order... so you may have to wait a while for it... and even though this would be around £70 (including the p+p) you may get hit by import tax (but you may be lucky and not be) <?>

I haven't heard anything from them as yet about the Walcha harpsichord 5 cd-set i ordered...
but i'm still happy to wait it out!

good luck to you with the fisching ; )

regards ~
nymph

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=49965

quote:

Originally posted by naim_nymph:

I haven't heard anything from them as yet about the Walcha harpsichord 5 cd-set i ordered...
but i'm still happy to wait it out!

What about this??
http://www.amazon.fr/Bach-Clavier-Temp%C3%A9r%C3%A9-Var...id=1212172354&sr=1-1

quote:

Originally posted by GFFJ:
The Hungaraton set is £90 which is £10 per disc, so for me quite a big expence!

Yes it is terribly expensive, and I certainly made a long running jump, before I jumped and purchased it.

I got the Fischer set as individual, full price discs, and thought then, and think today, that the set is worth every cent. It is one of my very favorite of all the 45 or so cycles I've listened to. Just buy it I say!

(Incidentally, that's not the most expensive cycle I've bought. Akiyoshi Sako's cycle cost me roughly $250. A bit pricey, but I'm glad to have it too. Next up in the expensive cycle series is Michael Houstoun's cycle, which will be close to $300.)


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Todd, what are your favorite complete cycles, say the top five....for me it is Kempff (mono), Fischer, Gulda, Paul Lewis and Ronald Brautigam (not completed yet). The Fischer and Gulda sets came about because of your comments, so thank you very much!

Good timing. My top ten was just compiled for another forum, and is listed below. It's not really 100% accurate since I only wanted to list each pianist once and both Kempff and Backhaus recorded two amazing cycles which may place higher than some other cycles. (Gulda's earlier Decca cycle isn't nearly as good as his Amadeo cycle.)


Annie Fischer
Friedrich Gulda (Amadeo)
Wilhelm Backhaus (mono)
Wilhelm Kempff (mono)
Robert Silverman
Eric Heidsieck
Emil Gilels
Artur Schnabel
Russell Sherman
Claude Frank


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Fischer is one of my favorites too - got a couple of the individual CDs. The Bosendorfer sound is impressive and suits her playing.

Also really like the Francois-Frederic Guy 8/29/19 on Naive, hope he releases others.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldnslow:
Todd, what are your favorite complete cycles, say the top five....for me it is Kempff (mono), Fischer, Gulda, Paul Lewis and Ronald Brautigam (not completed yet). The Fischer and Gulda sets came about because of your comments, so thank you very much!

I'm just going throught the Ronald Brautigam series on BIS (upto #3) and because he is using a period Fortepiano which if I read it right has a much different sound from a modern Piano. This has made me want to to hear the sonata's on a modern Piano, guys who would be a good Pianist to start with.



Dean..

Todd, are you listing them in order of your favorites or just randomly?

George, the Annie Fischer set is superb, but as you say quite costly (I have never seen any bargains on it and I know I paid about $125 for it). On the other hand, the Gulda Amadeo recordings from 1968 on Brilliant is ridiculously cheap. In my view both sets are equally great, and are my two favorite complete sets. Just a thought, but you may wish to explore Gulda. He's not for everyone, but the set is so cheap you could explore it very easily.

Todd, I heard parts of the Claude Frank cycle when viewing a 24 DVD lecture series on the Beethoven Piano sonatas by Robert Greenberg (Teaching Company). Very interesting, entertaining analysis of each of the Beethoven piano sonatas, with excerpts from the Claude Frank cycle to assist in his lectures. If you haven't heard about the Teaching Company lectures you might wish to explore them. I have watched many of their art, history, and religion lecture series, but this was the first one on music. I found the extended analysis of the Beethoven piano sonatas fascinating. Claude Frank's playing was very fine too. By the way, Claude Frank's CD recording of the Archduke Trio (with Leslie Parnas and Jaime Laredo) on Newport Classics (I think) some years back remains my favorite version of that great piece--long out of print now but if you ever see it snap it up).

Todd, or anyone that knows...
I'm wondering about this Backhaus mono set that was referenced. My feeble attempt to find this didn't turn up anything so I am wondering if anyone can help me and point me in the right direction (label/availability?). I do have his Decca stereo (except Op. 106) set which was done between 1952 and 1969.

Any help on this will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Doug (another fanatic collector of all things Beethoven...darn this thread, Annie Fischer is now on my Christmas wish list too!)

A few years ago I heard Michael Houstoun play the complete cycle, seven concerts in 3 weeks. In the opening bars of the moonlight the lady behind me said in a loud voice "I like this one." I have his cycle on CD, but can't play the moonlight without hearing that annoying intrusion.

Todd, it was good to see Michael mentioned on the forum. Can't imagine why his cycle should be so expensive in the USA though.

quote:

Originally posted by Florestan:
Todd, or anyone that knows...I'm wondering about this Backhaus mono set that was referenced.

The mono set is a Decca Italy release. Stradivarius.it had as of last year. Also, for a bit more money, HMV Japan carries it. I’ve found it nowhere else.

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Roberts:
Can't imagine why his cycle should be so expensive in the USA though.

The Houstoun set isn’t currently available in the US. The distributor doesn’t carry it anymore. As such, I’ll have to import it. The only place I found is Buywell, and with the weak dollar, well, it’s pricey. (If you happen to know a New Zealand merchant who sells online, please let me know.)


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~<>~ Musical Interlude ~<>~


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zolsDg0DCw&feature=related

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Arola:

The Houstoun set isn’t currently available in the US. The distributor doesn’t carry it anymore. As such, I’ll have to import it. The only place I found is Buywell, and with the weak dollar, well, it’s pricey. (If you happen to know a New Zealand merchant who sells online, please let me know.)


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Go to

http://www.marbecks.co.nz/classical/

I once phoned Marbeck's and asked if they'd got Annie Fischer playing Schumann. They asked if Annie Lennox would do, but then I discovered I'd been put through to the wrong department. The guys in classical are knowledgable.

Well, if I'm in the right mood, Annie Lennox would do it for me......