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Well this is a surprise.
It really just prooves a point in a sense, from other threads. This is the third recording of this piece, ever, and the second on SACD; the sheer randomness of what music gets to SACD and what doesn't makes limiting one's buying to SACDs pretty weird in my mind.
Really...two recordings of Mass, but not of the clarinet sonata, Preludes Fugues & Rifts, or the 1st and 2nd Symphonies? (And one of Fancy Free, but it's an old single layer)
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Post by hanser August 5, 2009 (2 of 9)
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Windsurfer said:
Wow - What contrast to Geohominid's review here!
Bernstein: Mass - Kristjan Järvi
I spent a whole week listening to and comparing side by side the original Bernstein RBCD, Nagano (Bernstein: Mass - Nagano) and Järvi. Apart from growing a strong affection for Mass, it became quite clear to me what their relative strengths and weaknesses were, according to my own tastes of course. I did mention that the Bernstein version has a unique and unrepeatable quality, partly because of its context and date. Of course, we now have the Baltimore version from Marin Alsop, who toured her reading extensively before setting it down - but only on RBCD. Multichannel really makes a big difference to how this huge work is perceived. Alsop's version has already had critical acclaim. I do agree, however, that there is plenty of Bernstein's music yet to find its way on to SACD. The interesting thing is that a real performance tradition is at last accumulating for Mass.
John
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Geohominid said:
I spent a whole week listening to and comparing side by side the original Bernstein RBCD, Nagano (Bernstein: Mass - Nagano) and Järvi.
John
For what it's worth, your review has persuaded me to add this to my wish list! Thanks,
Bruce
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I can't imagine how anyone could like Nagano better than the Jarvi. Hurwitz may have a slight point about the forward singers, but otherwise the sound it so much better. And it has a lot of energy Nagano lacks.
Still, can't wait to hear the Aslop (yes I know that's heracy for some of you...but this is one of my absolute favorite pieces of music)
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Post by hiredfox August 6, 2009 (7 of 9)
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Certainly a controversial work and not one that appeals to me. Marin Alsop has just released a new version on Naxos with the Baltimore Symphony. She was a student of Bernstein at Julliard and later at the Phil so if anybody knows how the maestro ticked it is her. I've heard snatches and it it sounds rather good. Don't overlook it even 'though our focus is on SACD.
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Post by emaidel August 6, 2009 (8 of 9)
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I very much like this particular recording of "Mass," and find no fault with the sonics, as Hurwitz did in his scathing review. I also greatly prefer it in most respects to the original LP I still have in my collection.
That LP is an SQ, quadraphonic recording, which was one of the better examples of how quadraphonic sound (today's "multi-channel") could be used effectively for certain pieces of music, and I often used it as a demo recording, though not everyone liked the piece.
I also was fortunate enough to attend a live performance of "Mass" conducted by Marin Alsop in Denver, CO when I lived there. It was considered one of the artistic highlights of the year for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and was an absolute delight to see and hear.
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Post by hiredfox August 6, 2009 (9 of 9)
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emaidel said:
I very much like this particular recording of "Mass," and find no fault with the sonics, as Hurwitz did in his scathing review. I also greatly prefer it in most respects to the original LP I still have in my collection.
That LP is an SQ, quadraphonic recording, which was one of the better examples of how quadraphonic sound (today's "multi-channel") could be used effectively for certain pieces of music, and I often used it as a demo recording, though not everyone liked the piece.
I also was fortunate enough to attend a live performance of "Mass" conducted by Marin Alsop in Denver, CO when I lived there. It was considered one of the artistic highlights of the year for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and was an absolute delight to see and hear.
Marin is performing it over here in London soon with the LPO I believe
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