I’m not sure which recordings are included in the box set you identify, but I have this 3CD set, which I find very enjoyable. I can’t be sure, but it might have been a Gramophone award winner too in the year of its release.
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Hi Clive, thanks for that. There seem to be multiple releases around. The one I found at Presto - for 29 Euros is this one:
Alfred Brendel: Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas & Concertos
Analogue cycles recorded 1970-77
Alfred Brendel (piano)
London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Choir & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink
They have a 50% off action now so I’m probably going to spend some money on a few box sets.
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I just love that box set. Rattle / Brendel’s version of the 4th in particular is one of my favourites.
Claude
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Yes, same thing. Mine is the original vinyl version, which I bought ca. 1980, and you have the CD reissue of it. It’s a wonderful set, and very well mastered.
I’m hoping Sony will fund Currentzis to have a bash. It would be a sonic wonder, if nothing else!
A great way to reflect on the weeks events this evening by enjoying the music of Robert Schumann played by Angela Hewitt on this excellent SACD. Thanks to @Debs for widening my classical taste a little further. Now to finish this Friday with a not so small🍷
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From the vault: J-S Bach, 6 violin sonatas, Sigiswald Kuijken (violin) and Gustav Leonhardt (harpsichord). French Harmonia Mundi, double LP set.
Two masters of Bach on period instruments do their magic. In addition, the recording of the harpsichord is excellent, fully detailed yet not fatiguing.
Claude
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A joint recommendation from @Debs and you certainly raises my interest, I’ll look into it
Claude
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I have a somewhat different packaging from Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, but I assume it’s the same recording. I find the mastering to be a bit on the bright side, as are many Deutsche Harmonia Mundi albums from the period.
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This is one of my favorite records, and a gem of my collection. I’m glad to have it, because it goes for really stupid money these days, way more than my threshold of pain in any case.
I know Nick McGegan from the 80s when he was artist-in-residence at Washington University in St. Louis, and he put on the most fantastic production of Handel’s Orlando with authentic everything, even down to facsimile candle-light in the venue (fire marshall wouldn’t allow real candles). He used to hang out at Dressel’s Welsh Pub where my 1st wife and I used to go, and even played some music in celebration for us when we showed up there for dinner on our wedding night.
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Very interesting compilation of music from classical period pointing to the romantic era. The symphony in D by Varisek is new to me. Clearly entering into romantic territory. Good sound too.
s
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„Must the Devil have all the Good tunes?“ by John Adams is just so amazing!!!
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I (finally!) received it yesterday and I’m giving it its first spin this morning. A great performance of the D960, I agree. The Impromptus are wonderful, too. Thanks for the recommendation @EJS
Claude
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Starting this new day in a heat wave (well, sort of - this is Canada!) with Johannes Brahms’ 2nd piano concerto. Alfred Brendel (piano), Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Bernard Haitink. Original Philips LP.
I ordered this record in 1978 from a small record store, it was imported from Europe at my request and it took months to get to Montreal. I never regretted it, it’s a wonderful performance from Brendel and Haitink and the Concertgebouw’s lush sound is magnificent.
Claude
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If you still live there, I love your Orchestra. Its Bruckner cycle is really good.
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Actually we have two - The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (current director is Kent Nagano) and Orchestre du Montréal Métropolitain (current director is Yannick Nézet-Séguin). The Bruckner you’re referring to is from the latter.
The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal had a glorious period under Charles Dutoit until 2002 but I don’t like it as much under Nagano.
Claude
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