Classical Music Only | What You're Listening to Now, Or Very Recently | Any Mediums :
- Thread starter NorthStar
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We saw them in Berkeley a couple of weeks ago. They did the Dvorak Stabat Mater. It is hardly played, compared to the New World and other great Dvoark orchestral pieces . But it is quite an amazing, powerful piece, featuring a full choir (who came with them from Czech Republic) and 4 Czech soloists. It is 90 minutes long, and they did it without an intermission. The Stabat Mater (Mother Mary, standing at the cross) was written between the deaths of all of Dvorak's three children over a period of a couple of years when he was in his late 30's.
Larry
In honor of what would have been Schnittke's 80th birthday today. The 5th Symphony has absolutely shattering climaxes--I'd love to hear it live sometime--no recording can do them justice, but this one makes a brave effort.
Another phenomenal recording by this amazing ensemble. I don't think the percussion (a drum kit) adds anything to the last movement of the Haas Quartet No.2--in fact, I find it distracting and wish they had opted for the non-percussion version, but otherwise this is a superb recording.
Stunning dynamics! Spectacular vinyl.
Agreed. Some of Keith's finest orchestral work was done with Oue and the Minnesota orchestra. Back in 2010, Paul Stubblebine cut a lacquer for me of the first movement of this work to use in a shootout at my home that Paul supervised to determine which ADAC I would pick to do my ripping project. Like this issue, the source was Keith's 176/24 digital master recorded on his Pacific Microsonics Model Two. Turned out that I chose a Model Two as my favorite ADAC and was able to get one. Now almost 9000 records and 1000 tapes later, I am getting close to finishing my ripping project.
Larry
BlueFox
New member
Currently on a Shostakovich string quartet marathon. Listening to the Fitzwilliam String Quartet.
Reissue. The performance is so much better than Liebowitz on the same label.
In particular, the reissues that Chad Kassem (Acoustic Sounds) is doing of the RCA Living Stereos (including this Reiner Pictures) are the best sonically that I have heard - a significant step up from the Classic Records reissues from a few years ago, even the quite fine 45 RPM versions of those albums from Classic Records, and the few that were done by Chesky which were quite good at the time. I have all the originals, and these are better, IMHO. Of course, Reiner's performance has been the one for the Ravel Orchestration (the Richter for the original piano version - even though the sonics are aweful).
Larry
PS. My only concern is that once Chad finishes issuing the 25 RCA's he has lined up, he will go back and issue them as 45's, like he has done with the Blue Notes.
Currently on a Shostakovich string quartet marathon. Listening to the Fitzwilliam String Quartet.
My friend, John Dunkerley engineered most of the Fitzwilliam set - originally issued on L'Oiseau Lyre in vinyl (but engineered by Decca which had bought L'Oiseau Lyre by the time of these recordings.)
Have you ever heard the Beethoven Quartet performances of any of the Shostakovich Quartets? He wrote most of them for the Beethoven Q, which premiered most all of them also. I have never heard any of them - they were first issued as 78's in the Soviet Union.
Larry
puroagave
Active member
Reissue. The performance is so much better than Liebowitz on the same label.
Allen, you're speaking of the recent APO vinyl release of LSC-2201? "Power of the Orchestra" with Leibowitz was recorded at Kingsway with Ken Wilkinson at the controls. imho, the version of 'pictures' on POTO gets the nod for shear spectacle and highest SQ.
BlueFox
New member
I don't believe so. I have another complete Shostakovich string quartet on SACD by the Mandelring Quartet, and individual pieces by other artists.
I just looked up Beethoven Quartet Shostakovich on Amazon, and their complete set is on 5 CDs for $71. That is a bit more than I want to pay for a third copy of Shostakovich, but I do love these string quartets.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Stri.../tracks/B000J3FBJS/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1
socfan12
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Rob, yes, comparing to the POTO reissue. I do agree the sonics are better on the POTO reissue, having more clarity and dynamics vs. the Reiner reissue, but I didn't like the performance as much as the Reiner. Can't put my finger on it. But if I wanted to listen to Pictures to just enjoy, I'd pick the Reiner easily. For SQ demo, POTO.
Absolutely! This was a TAS Super Disc, both in its original Turnabout release and in the Athena rerelease. Both are wonderful recordings. Reference Recordings version is also top notch. I have all three.
Larry
Larry
Wow, great sounding, dynamic LP!
Odyssey
Member
Currently on a Shostakovich string quartet marathon. Listening to the Fitzwilliam String Quartet.
Bud, this is my favorite recording of the string quartets. Very high quality recording. I had my music server on shuffle and and when the 2nd movement of the 5th came up I had to stop what I was doing and listen to the rest of the movements.