SPOTLIGHT The classical music general discussion thread

[4-earredwonder]

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Leonard Bernstein recorded Le Sacre Du Printemps in 1958 at the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn, New York in what only be described as an absolutely THRILLING performance. My only caveat ...... there's rumble in the recording.

The Columbia Recording engineers captured an awesomely wide dynamic range but in the quieter passages that 'rumble' is intrusive.

Thankfully, Pictures At An Exhibition which was recorded later in an equally dynamically thrilling performance does not include the rumble.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICC-10267?s_ssid=e4140e5c6a044ab2e1

 

[ubertrout]

Help needed from my Fellow Travelers.
Looking for suggestions of good discrete surround titles that features cellists, in a string quartet setting or small orchestra.
I believe all I have now is some Yo-Yo Ma.
Thanks!

That's a pretty broad question. Perhaps you're looking for a 'cello concerto? The Dvorak is my (and, to be fair, many others) favorite. My go-to is on Channel, in discrete but not terribly active surround. This is my go-to, but Moser on Pentatone is also good, as is Queyras (but good luck getting his version on SACD reasonably).

In fact, I'd recommend most anything Peter Wispelwey recorded for channel, but none of them feature terribly active surrounds: https://www.hraudio.net/search.php?format=0&keywords=wispelwey

2L also has some discs that feature works for string orchestra (including but not spotlighting the cello) that might be what you're looking for.

 

[humprof]

That's a pretty broad question. Perhaps you're looking for a 'cello concerto? The Dvorak is my (and, to be fair, many others) favorite. My go-to is on Channel, in discrete but not terribly active surround. This is my go-to, but Moser on Pentatone is also good, as is Queyras (but good luck getting his version on SACD reasonably).

In fact, I'd recommend most anything Peter Wispelwey recorded for channel, but none of them feature terribly active surrounds: https://www.hraudio.net/search.php?format=0&keywords=wispelwey

2L also has some discs that feature works for string orchestra (including but not spotlighting the cello) that might be what you're looking for.

I would recommend much of Pentatone's "Oxingale" series, which began by reissuing (in surround) some of the early titles on cellist Matt Haimovitz's label, but has since moved well beyond the back catalogue. No discrete elements, really--usually the rears are ambient. But's it's what I think of as "chamber ambience," as if you're right there in the room with the players. And every title is beautifully recorded. My favorites: The Cello Suites According to Anna Magdalena, Overtures to Bach, Akoka (Reframing Messaien's Quartet for the End of Time), and Meeting of The Spirits, in which Haimovitz's "Uccello" ensemble takes on Mahavishnu, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, and Charles Mingus, among others.

 

[J. PUPSTER]

I would recommend much of Pentatone's "Oxingale" series, which began by reissuing (in surround) some of the early titles on cellist Matt Haimovitz's label, but has since moved well beyond the back catalogue. No discrete elements, really--usually the rears are ambient. But's it's what I think of as "chamber ambience," as if you're right there in the room with the players. And every title is beautifully recorded. My favorites: The Cello Suites According to Anna Magdalena, Overtures to Bach, Akoka (Reframing Messaien's Quartet for the End of Time), and Meeting of The Spirits, in which Haimovitz's "Uccello" ensemble takes on Mahavishnu, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, and Charles Mingus, among others.

That's a pretty broad question. Perhaps you're looking for a 'cello concerto? The Dvorak is my (and, to be fair, many others) favorite. My go-to is on Channel, in discrete but not terribly active surround. This is my go-to, but Moser on Pentatone is also good, as is Queyras (but good luck getting his version on SACD reasonably).


In fact, I'd recommend most anything Peter Wispelwey recorded for channel, but none of them feature terribly active surrounds: https://www.hraudio.net/search.php?format=0&keywords=wispelwey

2L also has some discs that feature works for string orchestra (including but not spotlighting the cello) that might be what you're looking for.

Thanks so much everyone for the recommendations. I know I didn't give you much to work with, but I'll check out these titles and see if I can narrow it down to what I'm looking for. The best I can say right now with my limited knowledge of classical music is: Something like a string chamber music ensemble (up to ten) in discrete surround that features one or more cellists. I can appreciate that it's about the music itself more than the instruments also.
- Cheers

 

[ubertrout]

Thanks so much everyone for the recommendations. I know I didn't give you much to work with, but I'll check out these titles and see if I can narrow it down to what I'm looking for. The best I can say right now with my limited knowledge of classical music is: Something like a string chamber music ensemble (up to ten) in discrete surround that features one or more cellists. I can appreciate that it's about the music itself more than the instruments also.
- Cheers

One obvious place to look like that would be the recordings of the Auryn Quartet done by Tacet: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/search?search_query=tacet+auryn+series

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Yes, both of those recordings by die 12 pianisten are definitely worth checking out.

Now spinning another excellent ARS disc of chamber music. This one is music from the Baroque era...

Handel / Fasch / Telemann - Ensemble l'Ornamento. The MC mix puts the listener right in the middle. Exquisitely performed!​

I can go for this one!

 

[J. PUPSTER]

ARS Produktion SACD Gulda Meets Shostakovich - Friedrich Kleinhapl (violoncello) - Wiener Concert Verein - Rudolf Piehlmayer

This is the best classical disc that I have ever heard. I was spellbound from beginning to end with never a dull moment inbetween.

True surround - a superb mix putting the listener right in the middle of the ensemble.

Very, very highly recommended.

I bought it from jpc.de in Germany.

Amazon US says pre-order for March 15th.

 

[Lute]

I can go for this one!

I'm a huge fan of Baroque music. And there's so much fabulous Baroque music written for string ensembles that is worth exploring if you like the style of the era. ARS Produktion has many wonderful recordings. I suppose it's best to describe their multichannel recordings as being "very immersive" rather than "very discrete".

2L and TACET's multichannel recordings are more discrete. And the more I listen to these wrap-around discrete recordings the more I like them. Both have excellent surround recordings of various quartets & chamber works by Josef Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, etc...

2L recordings of Haydn are one idea: https://www.hraudio.net/search.php?format=0&keywords=2l+Haydn+quartet

Speaking of Dvorák's cello concerto, TACET's recording of his chamber works is another suggestion: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=8736#reviews

And don't forget Sono Luminus's excellent surround recordings, which are also discrete! https://www.hraudio.net/search.php?format=0&keywords=Sono+Luminus+

 

[ubertrout]

If any record companies are listening, I'd love a surround (ambience is fine) version of Albéric Magnard's 3rd and 4th Symphonies. We have some nice stereo versions, but the massed sound needs more.

 

[Lute]

If any record companies are listening, I'd love a surround (ambience is fine) version of Albéric Magnard's 3rd and 4th Symphonies. We have some nice stereo versions, but the massed sound needs more.

Tacet definitely needs to give those a try. I just picked up a copy of TACET's Bruckner 9. Performance-wise it's gotten slammed by reviewers for lacking emotion, intensity, and spiritual depth, but...

WOW!!! Tacet did a heck of a job with the surround mix. Frickin awesome!!! It really makes me yearn for all big orchestral works to be recorded this way. Man! I sure hope they record more of Bruckner's symphonies and then quickly get on with some Mahler, Wagner, Richard Strauss, Tchaikovsky...

I mean geez!!! MC SACDs have been around for 20 years and finally a proper surround mix of Bruckner. It's too bad Karajan didn't kick some ass over at DG and get them to record & release Discrete Quad recordings back in the 70s.

 

[Lute]

Thanks so much everyone for the recommendations. I know I didn't give you much to work with, but I'll check out these titles and see if I can narrow it down to what I'm looking for. The best I can say right now with my limited knowledge of classical music is: Something like a string chamber music ensemble (up to ten) in discrete surround that features one or more cellists. I can appreciate that it's about the music itself more than the instruments also.
- Cheers

You got me binging on TACET's chamber recordings now.
Some other discs of theirs with more than one cello are:

Franz Schubert's sublime String Quintet D 956 https://www.tacet.de/main/seite1.php?language=en&filename=production.php&bestnr=01103
and of course Schubert's Octet D 803 which has a double bass! https://www.tacet.de/main/seite1.php?language=en&filename=production.php&bestnr=01333
Mendelssohn also composed an Octet p.20. https://www.tacet.de/main/seite1.php?language=en&filename=production.php&bestnr=00943
Louis Spohr has a wonderful Sextet Op.140 https://www.audaud.com/louis-spohr-...in-f-major-op-31-camerata-freden-tacet-dvd-a/
as does Erich Wolfgang Korngold Sextet op.10.

In fact, I'm listening to Korngold's beautiful sextet performed by camerata freden as I write. It's a bit more modern but very listenable and can be warmly recommended. Here's a review... https://www.audaud.com/korngold-str...n-e-camerata-freden-tacet-pure-audio-blu-ray/

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Mendelssohn also composed an Octet p.20. https://www.tacet.de/main/seite1.php?language=en&filename=production.php&bestnr=00943

I love that one.

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Howllll a Lou Ya

Just ordered this bunch to try.

 

[Lute]

Howllll a Lou Ya

Just ordered this bunch to try.

View attachment 38641View attachment 38642View attachment 38643View attachment 38644View attachment 38645

Nice! I hope you like all of them. I don't have Ayreheart. So, I just ordered it myself.

 

[windhoek]

I've been working a lot so not much to say other than I stumbled across this Rattle/BPO version of Gurrelieder by Schoenberg in a charity shop yesterday for 50p. It's my first time listening to Schoenberg and so far I really like it - in fact, it's so good and in such good condition, it makes me think some charity shops are too charitable!

Anyway, I've since ordered this version by Chailly/DSO as I really Brigitte Fassbaender and the reviews on Amazon suggest it's pretty good. Fingers crossed

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Anyway, I've since ordered this version by Chailly/DSO as I really Brigitte Fassbaender and the reviews on Amazon suggest it's pretty good. Fingers crossed

Your link didn't work for me. This one? It is excellent and


There are, also, three excellent ones in multichannel and, of these, I prefer the Gielen. Of course, Hotter is unique!

 

[ubertrout]

I've been working a lot so not much to say other than I stumbled across this Rattle/BPO version of Gurrelieder by Schoenberg in a charity shop yesterday for 50p. It's my first time listening to Schoenberg and so far I really like it - in fact, it's so good and in such good condition, it makes me think some charity shops are too charitable!

Anyway, I've since ordered this version by Chailly/DSO as I really Brigitte Fassbaender and the reviews on Amazon suggest it's pretty good. Fingers crossed

I've urged Dutton to reissue the Quad Gurrelieder led by Boulez in the past, who knows if that will happen.

 

[ubertrout]

Tacet definitely needs to give those a try. I just picked up a copy of TACET's Bruckner 9. Performance-wise it's gotten slammed by reviewers for lacking emotion, intensity, and spiritual depth, but...

WOW!!! Tacet did a heck of a job with the surround mix. Frickin awesome!!! It really makes me yearn for all big orchestral works to be recorded this way. Man! I sure hope they record more of Bruckner's symphonies and then quickly get on with some Mahler, Wagner, Richard Strauss, Tchaikovsky...

I mean geez!!! MC SACDs have been around for 20 years and finally a proper surround mix of Bruckner. It's too bad Karajan didn't kick some ass over at DG and get them to record & release Discrete Quad recordings back in the 70s.

And, it's on the way.

 

[Lute]

And, it's on the way.

Any specific information on TACET's future surround releases of orchestral music to share? Or are you just making a general comment?

I did notice that part of Auryn's cycle of Mozart's string quartets was released in surround on SACD here

 

[4-earredwonder]

Any specific information on TACET's future surround releases of orchestral music to share? Or are you just making a general comment?

I did notice that part of Auryn's cycle of Mozart's string quartets was released in surround on SACD here

So, Brett, you've abandoned your infatuation with Punk and Heavy Metal for, uh, HEAVY MOZART?

Don Giovanni for synthesizer and Rock Orchestra