Post by Cilea June 13, 2011 (1 of 21)
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Post by jdaniel June 13, 2011 (2 of 21)
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Post by Hitters June 13, 2011 (3 of 21)
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Arnaldo said:
I had the Blomstedt/SFO as well, plus the two other RBCDs to complete their Hindemith cycle. But one surprisingly good SACD option is Hindemith: Mathis der Maler - Kegel, both in terms of performance and analog recording.
Well, the Blomstedt is excellent in terms of performance, but the recording shows its age. It sounds dry and suffers from digititis IMO. So I am looking forward to listen to this new BIS SACD. I understand the recording engineers have a total command of the SPSO hall after many recordings there. So, it must be a wonder!
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Post by bissie June 14, 2011 (4 of 21)
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Arnaldo said:
John Neschling and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra went their separate ways over two years ago. So, it's safe to assume that this release is not really new, that it may have been sitting on their shelves for quite a while, and that it was recorded in 44.1/24. While it's probably leagues ahead of any RBCD version in terms of sound, I'll just stick with Hindemith: Mathis der Maler - Kegel until a high(er)-rez SACD comes along.
Dear Arnaldo,
right on all accounts, possibly excepting your very last point (if music means anything to you)!
Robert
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Post by wehecht June 14, 2011 (5 of 21)
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Arnaldo said:
John Neschling and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra went their separate ways over two years ago. So, it's safe to assume that this release is not really new, that it may have been sitting on their shelves for quite a while, and that it was recorded in 44.1/24. While it's probably leagues ahead of any RBCD version in terms of sound, I'll just stick with Hindemith: Mathis der Maler - Kegel until a high(er)-rez SACD comes along.
Have you actually listened to any of the BIS recordings from Sao Paolo? If you haven't I'd suggest you experiment by buying the Villa Lobos Floresta do Amazonas. That's another disc of non-standard repertoire, the type that many of us wish would appear more frequently. Since recordings of the piece tend to come along every 30 years or so, waiting for one in high(er)-rez sound is kind of pointless, and I'm guessing that even someone who's "obsessively picky" would be pleased to have it in his collection (maybe even pleased enough to add the Hindemith as well).
I may be mistaken, but I think the Hindemith is the last Neschling/OSESP recording on BIS' "shelf", and if so I can only say I regret that we've come to the end.
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Post by Cicero June 15, 2011 (6 of 21)
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jdaniel said:
... Now for a new Harmony of the World....
A good new recording of the Symphony in E flat would be nice too.
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Post by Hitters June 15, 2011 (7 of 21)
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Arnaldo said:
I quite like the less prolific Ginastera, specially his wonderful Harp Concerto (Ginastera, Montsalvatge: Harp Concerti - Schrama/Korsten).
(A bit out of focus from this thread, sorry)
If you like Ginastera, then I suggest you listen to his Panambi and Estancia ballets. There is a very good recording by The Orchestre Nationale de Lyon under david Roberts (coupled with the harp concerto) on NAIVE and another good option is the London SO under Gisele Ben-Dor on Naxos. None of them is SACD, I'm afraid, but good music anyway. His sonata No. 1 for piano Op. 22 is a masterful accomplishment. A kind of Prokofiev propulsion based on Argentinian folk dances. It is expertly played by Deborah Halasz, splendidly recorded on BIS CD-671. Some Ginastera is also included in a gem of a disc, ASTURIANA, on ECM. Kim Kashkashian (viola) and Robert Levin (piano) play Falla, Granados, Montsalvage and Ginastera. It is probably the BEST disc for viola I have ever heard. It is a pity I cannot recommend many other works. Ginastera was very concerned about being "modern" and "european" and in the road he lost his essence and became pretentious. That is my opinion, well, not only mine.
Villa Lobos composed MANY works and is quite irregular in his output. I do recommend you listen to some of his chamber music, though. His preludes and etudes for guitar are masterpieces (Eduardo Fernandez on Decca), some of his string quartets are very interesting and also his Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6 for flute and bassoon, No. 5 for soprano and orchestra of violoncelli as well as other works for flute and guitar are very beautiful. I agree with you as I am not too keen on his works for full orchestra though.
Best wishes
Juan Hitters (Buenos Aires)
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Post by dcramer July 15, 2011 (8 of 21)
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After being disappointed with the Stravinsky Rite/ Petrushka release (I know I'm in the minority on this one - I was simply left a bit "flat" with the performances), BIS has completely bowled me over with several of their newest releases, especially this one. I remember there being a number of requests for a disc with these compositions (I know I was one of them) and Robert has delivered in spades IMO. We all have our favorites of these works (I'm a big fan of Ormandy's renditions as a matter of fact), but these performaces are certainly up there with the very best and the DSD recording is absolutely lovely. Highly recommended.
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Post by krisjan July 15, 2011 (9 of 21)
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dcramer said:
...and the DSD recording is absolutely lovely. Highly recommended.
It is not a native DSD recording (most likely 44 kHz/24 bit) but I have no doubt that it sounds excellent.
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I agree with krisjan's review that the Neschling recording is not on the same level of excellent musicianship and interpretation of Blomstedt with SFS. However, I think the sound is much more realistic than any other Hindemith orchestral disc I've heard before, and this orchestra is still very good. The recording engineer chose not to mic the bass drum, and that's fine with me. My main complaint is in the Mathis 3rd movement where an obvious early/false entrance by the trumpet was not edited out. Was only one performance recorded?
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