I thought it might be nice to have a thread on CDs that we've either just bought or are thinking of buying. It's intended to complement the "Now Spinning" thread, which can be for music we're currently listening to but have not necessarily just acquired. Although there is a place for discussing the vinyl we've got, there doesn't seem to be anything quite the same for CDs, unless you are up for swops. On the old R3 MB I started a thread about size of collections and that might generate some discussion too. I've estimated mine at about 800.

I recently bought Schubert - The Collector's Edition on EMI, simply because it was there in the shop but also because I had no Schubert apart from the symphonies and I had been looking for a recording of the Octet anyway. At £45 for 50 CDs I'm not complaining and I'm pleased with the Octet and the Rosamunde music I've heard so far. (Most of the recordings are oldish, 1970s thereabouts, but that's fine.) The only drawback is the very basic packaging. EMI could learn from Brilliant Classics, who put their CDs into cardboard envelopes with information printed on them, unlike the plain paper ones EMI provide.

I'm tempted to buy the equivalent Beethoven set, partly because all I've got by him are the symphonies, piano concertos, late quartets and Fidelio, but mostly because I see it includes the Cluytens symphony cycle for which I have a certain nostalgia. I remember when it was issued as a boxed 9 (I think) LP set on the Classics for Pleasure label in about 1974. I couldn't afford it then so all I got was the 4th separately but don't you find that you retain a special affection for recordings you acquire whilst young? Anyway, I can afford it now!

The information provided by EMI, regarding recording and/or remastering dates is minimal. All it gives for those of the symphonies is the they were published in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961, and that the current compilation was published in 2006. The disc labels do indicate that the recordings are ADD, so it would appear that some digital remixing took place (that's if the "ADD" code can be relied upon).

I'm really impressed with this sites 'sponsered links' facility. As soon as I'd read your message I noticed one of the links was:

Glenn Gould's Chair
The original chair of Glenn Gould. Sit on a legend!
http://www.glenngould-chair.com
 
 

Just bought Elgar Symphony 1 and 2 /LPO Boult - because i have not really listened to it recently it comes back as fresh and imo really stirring performance

On a non classical note heard singer on LJ last night called June Tabor in an album called 'Apples' which impressed greatly 

John Adams Violin Concerto - Chloe Hanslip/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin.

This one has been on my list since Adams was Composer of the Week a few weeks ago. The concerto was so unusual that I had to have another listen to decide if it was wonderful or horrible

There don;t seem to be many recordings of the concerto around. And I admit my reason for choosing this particular disc was price... three Naxos CDs for £15 was hard to turn down...

After playing the disc a few times, my opinion of the concerto has come down firmly on the "wonderful" side of the fence. Is *is* unusual and needs a bit of extra concentration (for me, anyway), but it's worth the effort.

The CD also has Corigliano - Chaconne from the Red Violin, Enescu - Romanian Rhapsody no. 1 and Waxman - Tristran and Isolde Fantasia. I'm not immediately wild about any of them but each one had something interesting that will make them worth repeated listens.

In the post today:

Mahler 4 - Norrington

Mahler 5 - Norrington

Schubert Piano Sonatas, etc. - Uchida (6 disc set)


From Oxfam shop, Windsor:

Beethoven Piano Concerto Op. 19 and Riano Trio Op. 70 - Ney et al.

Glass and Schnittke concertante works for violin and orchestra - Kremer et al


also from the Oxfam shop:

Philip Rascliff - Mozart Piano Concertos (BBC Music Guide)

Gerald Abrahams - Concise Oxford History of Music (1985 paperback edition).

Re. the Ney, it's a Hänssler transfer from 78s originally issued in the '30s. They seem to have dined out on it:

"Sound Restauration 2003".

Re. the Mahler 4, I am very much of the same opinion, IGI. Very fresh, and very well recorded, I thought. Not tried the 5th yet. Don't want to overdo it. Will listen to her ladyship in D960 before bed (am saving the Riot on H&N for later).

By the way, IGI, I find the absence of ubiquitous vibrato really pays off in pointing up the portamenti in Norrington's Mahler. Looking forward to listening to the 5th. Maybe tomorrow night.