Post by pgmdir October 2, 2010 (1 of 39)
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I received this from the CC website yesterday. I promised to give you my first impressions, so here they are:
WOW! Amazing music making. I love B4, but B6 is a desert island favorite. I have at least 9 recordings, all of which are wonderful. But with this beautifully recorded set, Ivan Fischer has once again taken the familiar and made it a new experience.
Is it historical? Romantic? Traditional? It's Fischer and the BFO. Somehow I was reminded of Mozart during my first listen to number 6, and I remembered that Josef Kripps once said the secret to his success was playing everything as if Mozart had written it. But this is Beethoven. Solid Beethoven. If I hear bits of Mozart, it's because Beethoven did too.
The first movement is broader than some, but Fischer lets this music grow and build, and he never lets the storm turn into cartoon music.
You guys are a tough audience, so I will end this by saying that my first impression is that these are even better than his spectacularly fine B7. And the recording quality in MC or Stereo is certainly what you'd expect from Jared and CC. I wish I had the words to pass along how much these moved me.
Bill
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Post by RWetmore October 2, 2010 (2 of 39)
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The excerpts from the site sounded excellent to me. I wasn't too impressed the with LvB 7th, though it was good. I'll definitely be buying this though. The timings look to my liking, especially the scherzo of the 6th which should be brisk (it's usually played too slow, IMO).
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Post by pgmdir October 3, 2010 (3 of 39)
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Just a quick thought having spent some more time with this release. I've listened to My Vanska, Haitinck SACDs, and some of my older favorites--most notibly Bohm and Monteux which are my absolute favorites.
I'm speaking of the Sixth symphony by the way.
To me, this Fischer 6 is far superior to Vanska and Haitinck, as good as they are. I do love my Bohm and Monteux. They each have a different viewpoint, and so does Fischer, who made me hear this symphony afresh. This is fabulous music making! And the quality of the recording is breathtaking.
I do not attempt to say what IS the best. I can only say what I LIKE the best.
Bill
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Post by pgmdir October 26, 2010 (4 of 39)
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Castor has a wonderfully detailed review of this release. It will be in more general release pretty soon, and I can only echo what Graham has written--you will not be disappointed!
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Post by hiredfox October 27, 2010 (5 of 39)
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BFO played the 4th at Het Concertgebouw in 2008; I have waited patiently ever since. Why is Ivan smiling after all this time, surely he can't be relaxing... ?
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Post by Ernani71 October 27, 2010 (6 of 39)
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He's smiling because there's music in the world, and he's very happy about it.
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Post by hiredfox October 28, 2010 (7 of 39)
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pgmdir said:
To me, this Fischer 6 is far superior to Vanska and Haitinck, as good as they are. I do love my Bohm and Monteux. They each have a different viewpoint, and so does Fischer, who made me hear this symphony afresh. This is fabulous music making! And the quality of the recording is breathtaking.
Bill
Bill
Ivan is getting to the point of infallibility is he not even amongst the most conservative of reviewing hacks? He is maybe much wiser than even we think by sticking largely to Teutonic repertory although his brief flings with Romantic Russians produced some pretty stunning results as well - Rachmaninoff 2 is still the first pick for everyone of any merit.
Will he risk a DSCH... will he? That's 'a' big if not THE big question. Can't wait for my socks to be blown off - 5, 10, 11 or even 6 & 9 for starters bring it on!
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Post by hiredfox October 28, 2010 (8 of 39)
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pgmdir said:
Castor has a wonderfully detailed review of this release. It will be in more general release pretty soon, and I can only echo what Graham has written--you will not be disappointed!
Agreed, excellent review!
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Post by pgmdir October 28, 2010 (9 of 39)
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hiredfox said:
Bill
Ivan is getting to the point of infallibility is he not even amongst the most conservative of reviewing hacks? He is maybe much wiser than even we think by sticking largely to Teutonic repertory although his brief flings with Romantic Russians produced some pretty stunning results as well - Rachmaninoff 2 is still the first pick for everyone of any merit.
Will he risk a DSCH... will he? That's 'a' big if not THE big question. Can't wait for my socks to be blown off - 5, 10, 11 or even 6 & 9 for starters bring it on!
This is an interesting point. The fact is that there is incredible interest in most new Mahler recordings---including Ivan's top rated 4. I would love to hear his take on M7. But talk isn't as easily started about different composers---other than Beethoven. His Rocky 2 was a landmark, as easily as his Mahler 4. The Dvoraks are supberb, but Dvorak isn't one of the top 40--a concept I am quite familiar with in my line of work. And the Brahms-- I just listened today. Wonderful. These recordings show that BMG/SOny, Universal, EMI do NOT hold a patent on great recordings. One superb orchestra, and one small team of dedicated recording producers can reach beyond the marketing efforts of the "bigs." I have no doubt that Fischer could create the same magic with Shosty. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
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Post by channel October 29, 2010 (10 of 39)
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pgmdir said:
This is an interesting point. The fact is that there is incredible interest in most new Mahler recordings---including Ivan's top rated 4. I would love to hear his take on M7. But talk isn't as easily started about different composers---other than Beethoven. His Rocky 2 was a landmark, as easily as his Mahler 4. The Dvoraks are supberb, but Dvorak isn't one of the top 40--a concept I am quite familiar with in my line of work. And the Brahms-- I just listened today. Wonderful. These recordings show that BMG/SOny, Universal, EMI do NOT hold a patent on great recordings. One superb orchestra, and one small team of dedicated recording producers can reach beyond the marketing efforts of the "bigs." I have no doubt that Fischer could create the same magic with Shosty. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Ivan has his own difficulty with Shostakovich and other contemporary russian composers. (he hardly programs him so I don't see any chance in the next couple of years.) If he feels that he can not do the music justice and does not have the affinity to these composers who am I to ask. There will be Stravinsky however, more Mahler (1 and 7) and Wagner, Schubert. As you know I am happy to let Ivan know your thoughts if there is a large consensus of ideas that are agreed upon.
Jared
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