 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2005-05-30 05:36
I will be recieving my iAudio x5 mp3 player in a week or two(went with cheapest shipping) and my shure E3c earphones. It has motivated me to find some of the best recordings of classical music that are available. I want to do this because I believe listening to music that I intend on playing is extremely important, and that though of having a lesser recording would bother me. Now I realize this is a very controvercial topic, so lets avoid arguments if at all possible.
So please list one or two of your most favorite or what you think is the most respected recordings of important classical literature(I am particularly interested in works from the romantic period, such s Dvorak, Mahler, Tchaikovsky, etc...) but that is definitely not a limit.
Also, now that is a paid for service, would napster getting for classical music, or is their selection sub-par?
Thank you very much for your opinions.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-05-30 07:09
Rimsky Korsakov, Scheherazade: Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia.
Holst, The Planets: Zubin Mehta, Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Mahler, 9+ Symphonies: Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic.
Brahms, Hungarian Dances: Ivan Fischer, Budapest Festival Orchsetra.
Copland, various: Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops.
Realize that with Napster's "Napster To Go" plan, you're subscribing to access their tracks. As soon as you cancel your subscriptions, the tracks are cancelled with it, except for the ones you've paid the dollar per track to purchase.
If you want to keep the music, CDs cost about as much as online services, usually a bit less (depending on the record company, etc.), provided you want all the tracks on a particular disc. Buying them at $1/track online adds up very quickly, and the selection is still often less than stellar. Sites like emusic.com have significantly better prices, but are very limited in selection as well.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2005-05-30 07:22
Another question, would authenticity be better? For example a russian orchestra to play tchaikovsky?
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-05-30 09:00
Authenticity? Often, but not always. I do find that nobody plays Hungarian music like Hungarian groups, and nobody plays Copland and Gershwin like ensembles from the U.S.
It usually depends on the individual ensemble, but sometimes you will find, for example, a very French-sounding Tchaik recording or German Rossini (yikes!). To my very subjective ear, German and French recordings tend to lend the most of their respective countries' flavor, with an honorable mention to Britain and Eastern Europe.
Listen to preview clips if you can before buying.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-05-30 09:27
Shostakovitch Violin Concerto #1 Perlman & Israel Philharmonic, Mehta Conducting.
Shostakovitch Sym #10 Berlin Phil. Karajan Conducting
French Portraits - Ricardo Morales Clarinetist
Il Carnevale Di Venezia - Eduard Brunner Clarinetist
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-05-30 12:29
Although I have hundreds of "classical" cds and vinyls and like some more than others I dont' bother to remember details. The question about ethnicity brought a smile to my face as we've had a prior discussion on that. Personally I am inclined to the opinion that there are instances where a national orchestra does shine above most others....for example, there's nothing else that compares with Russian trombones and there's an French orch in the south that plays Offenbach and Bizet more to my liking. But...I've never heard a Lenny Bernstein led recording I didn't like.....and the St.Paul Chamber group has done some fine work. Currently I like everything I've heard by the Detroit with the current conductor(senior moment on his name). And then theres...........
Bob Draznik
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2005-05-30 12:35
Mahler Symphony #1, Songs of a Wayfarer - Bravarian Radio/Kubelik/Fischer-Dieskau
Brahms Complete Symphonies - Berlin Philharmonic/Karajan
Tchaikovsky Symphony #4 - Chicago/Barenboim
Strauss Also Sprach Zarathusthra, Eulenspiegal,... - Berlin Philharmonic/Karajan
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique - Philadelphia/Muti
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Author: SueSmith
Date: 2005-05-30 19:00
My favorites
DuPre - Elgar Cello Concerto - 1965 Barbirolli with LSO
Anne-Sophie Mutter - Sibelius VC (she plays it so raw...right into the strings - nothing clean about it which is perfect! I only have the Staatskapelle Dresden with Previn from 1995. Not crazy about the orchestra...a few "BLAAATS" in the brass section detract)
Mutter - Berg Concerto - CSO with Levine.
I like Bernsteins Mahlers with Vienna...warmer strings. But overall, he's the definative conductor of all that is Mahler in my mind.
All Bach and Hindemith piano by Glenn Gould.
Alfred Brendel - most of his Beethoven Sonata's...he doesn't sap it up like so many pianists...but keeps the mood bittersweet.
Moyse w/ Marlboro EnsembleMozart's Serenade in Bb for13 Instruments. Harold Wright is SUBLIME. The ensemble isn't perfect...but Wright SHINES.
I own all that is Harold Wright...but Schubert Shepard on the Rock with Benita Valente and Rudy Serkin and his last recording of Fantasy Pieces with Peter Serkin are my highlights.
Daphnis & Chloe - a 1955 I believe recording with BSO...Doroit Dwyer is pure genius, but the entire flute section is seemless. Excellent wind playing all around. Unfortunately, I don't own it...belonged to a friend.
Beethoven 6 - Ormandy w/Philly - with Gigliotti playing the most sublime 1st mvt 4 before K excerpt I have ever heard. I'm not a Gigliotti fan, but that exceprt was truly amazing. Plus, the strings sound great.
I'd be here all day if I continued...but these are my favorites.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2005-05-30 19:28
Bruckner complete symphonies Jochum Dg Berlin and Bavarion R. Orchestra
Bernstein Stravinsky Firebird and Petroushka CBS
Steinberg BSO Also Sprach Zarathustra and Holst Planets on DG
Beethoven Symphonies Karajan 61
Beethoven Bruno Walter Columbia Symphony
Brahms Complete Symphonies Walter CBS
David Dow
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2005-05-30 19:33
"though of having a lesser recording would bother me"
Please don't fall into the trap of thinking there's a "best" recording of each piece, and that is the only one to hear. You learn more about a piece by hearing different interpretations. Even hearing a rather poor interpretation may be educational, now and then!
If you want authenticity, remember that instruments have changed quite a lot in the last hundred years, and a great deal in the last two hundred. These changes may outweigh national differences in instrumental timbre (though national differences in interpretation are something else, of course). As clarinet players we get excited about the tiny difference in timbre between German and French clarinets. We tend to forget that, fifty years ago, French orchestras used horns and bassoons entirely different from those commonly used today, with a very great difference in timbre.
For Dvorak, Istvan Kertesz.
For Mahler, Bruno Walter, who knew Mahler. Listen to the Walter recording of Das Lied von der Erde. There is much to dislike in it (especially Kathleen Ferrier's execrable German) but much to love too.
Tschaikovsky .... no idea, I don't do Tschaikovsky. My loss, I'm sure.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Llewsrac
Date: 2005-05-30 20:43
The Ring For Band
"Der Ring des Nibelungen"
La Artistica Bunol, Henrie Adams
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2005-05-30 21:56
Firebird Suite and Rite of Spring: Slovak National Symphony (my favorite recording)
With Kabalevsky, I've heard many ensembles and the best I've heard are by the Russian orchestras. Moscow and St. Petersburg (my prefered) are alright. I really don't like the way the Moscow clarinetist plays but to each his own.
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Author: ClarinetConnoisseur
Date: 2005-05-30 22:46
I've heard many classical recordings, and my favorite (BY FAR!) is Dragon Tongue, played by Robert Smith. I never thought it was possible to tongue that fast or play that high on clarinet until I heard him. When I let my friend listen, he exclaims, "THAT'S NOT HUMANLY POSSIBLE!" He is a great all-around clarinetist, and he performs many songs, such as Introduction, Theme, and Variations (Rossini) and Carnivale of Venice (Jeanjean). Definitely worth listening to!
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2005-05-30 22:57
When I say best I really don't mean THE best. That was poor wording on my part. I just want something that someone considers the best, knowing that different people consider different recordings the best. However usually people's favorites, especially professionals, are high quality. By authenticity I simply mean style, but if there are recordings of excellent musicians using period instruments I would be interested(avoid baroque, I don't listen to that for pleasure).
Have listended to one of Mahler's symphonies by Bernstein and NY Philiharmonic, very pleased.
Post Edited (2005-05-30 23:13)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-05-30 23:08
"avoid baroque, I don't listen to that for pleasure)."
Ahh, then you aren't really serious....what a pity.
Bob Draznik
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-05-30 23:13
ClarinetConnoisseur wrote:
> I've heard many classical recordings, and my
> favorite (BY FAR!) is Dragon Tongue, played by Robert Smith.
Robert Spring ...GBK
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2005-05-30 23:19
I guess I'm too ignorant/stupid to understand(no sarcasm). Please explain yourself Bob.
On second thought, e-mail me about it. Let's keep this thread a little more pure.
Post Edited (2005-05-31 03:39)
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Author: sgp1010
Date: 2005-05-31 06:01
No one has mentioned the recently late and very great, reclusive Carlos Kleiber, whose discography is sadly very meagre, which makes it all the more precious.
The incandescent Beethoven 5 (and 7) and Brahms 4 with the VPO on CD (DG) are a must for any serious symphony lover.
I bought his entire DVD set for Christmas, featuring x2 New Year Concerts,
Brahms 2 & 4, and my favourites, Beethoven 4 and 7, with my favourite orchestra, the Concertgebouw from 1983, featuring the beautiful sound of George Pieterson and the entire section playing on what look to be Wurlitzers.
It took the viewing the DVD for me to realise why the VPO winds sounded so dramatic on the above CD recordings....Maestro Kleiber obviously insisted on doubled winds for his large symphonic sessions, and the final 8 bars of the 1st movement of Beethoven 7, with all 4 players, 'bells up' and French Horns blaring, is breathtaking and truly a justification of their use!
For anyone interested in the art of conducting and fine symphonic playing, the DVD set is a must.
SGP
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2005-05-31 06:58
You should also get Dvorak in Prague. I have it on vhs. Don't know if it is available on dvd. Really good.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-05-31 16:14
Every recording made by Dinu Lipatti. Dull sound, but sublime musicmaking. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-6319698-7556058
Schumann Symphonies, Barenboim and the Berlin Staatskapelle. A revelation. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00012HQVI/002-6319698-7556058?v=glance
Bruno Walter's mono Beethoven Symphonies with the NY Philharmonic, except the 6th with Philadelphia, with Ralph McLane marvelous on the solos. http://www.musicandarts.com/CD1137hc.html
Mravinsky/Leningrad Tchaikovsky Symphonies 4, 5 and 6. True lift-you-off-your-seat old-fashioned Russian playing. Not neat, but overwhelming. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001G8B/qid=1117554528/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-6319698-7556058. For a clean version, try Reiner/Chicago on the 6th http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003FAU/qid=1117554709/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/002-6319698-7556058?v=glance&s=classical.
Reiner/Chicago Symphonie Fantastique. Amazing. Apparently temporarily out of print while RCA converts its CD line to SACD/CD,
Richter, Beethoven, Piano Sonata #23 (Appassionata) -- You've never heard it before if you haven't heard this. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003EUL/002-6319698-7556058?v=glance.
Dvorak Cello Concerto, Piatigorsky, Ormandy, Philadelphia. The piece is practically a cello and clarinet concerto, and McLane is sublime. You may have to order it used, or in a big box, but it's worth seeking out. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-6319698-7556058.
Kreisler's early recordings of concertos by Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Mozart. Well restored, and performances in a class by themselves. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-6319698-7556058
Ken Shaw
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-05-31 22:29
This thread is a little prone to hot and fiery debate ... no one person can substantiate why their favourite recording is just that ... except that it's a personal favourite. I would argue the point on EEBaum's suggestion that an American orchestra plays Holst better than an English orchestra, though I love the Los A Phil's recording, I think the London Symphony with same conductor is much more English (go figure) and therefor definitive. Semantics and personal choice ...
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-06-01 00:30
SGP - have to say I agree with you wholeheartedly on your Carlos Klieber comments ... his Beethoven cycle is magic. And I thought I was the ONLY guy on the planet who loved his 4th symphony, good to hear someone else does.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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