Post by jdaniel January 2, 2012 (1 of 32)
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Very interesting. I thought Shui's interpretation of the 1st mov't of Debussy's La Mer was one of the most atmospheric and harrowing I've ever heard, thankfully never descending into Rattle-like fussiness. I now wait with keen anticipation for new recordings from his orchestra.
Now, if I may descend into Rattle-like fussiness: did you or the orchestra buy a better, deeper, more resonant bass drum, one that makes love to the Hall? I don't mean to fetishize or be Teresa-esque but for both La Mer and especially Bridge's "The Sea," the bass drum sounded more like my mother beating a rug on a clothes line. Much of the "terror" in La Mer and grandeur of "The Sea" was short-changed, IMHO. And when I think about the bass drum's presence in the closing pages of Rach's Symphony #3....
IIRC, the first thing Culshaw always did, (of Decca/London fame), was buy the orchestra a good bass drum.
: )
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Good news for anyone to offer us a symphony that's not his second, but can some kind label offer us a decent Rach 1, pretty please?
I might be in a minority, but I find it by far his most gripping and intense symphony.
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Post by bissie January 2, 2012 (3 of 32)
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Jonalogic said:
Good news for anyone to offer us a symphony that's not his second, but can some kind label offer us a decent Rach 1, pretty please?
I might be in a minority, but I find it by far his most gripping and intense symphony.
Just wait....
Robert
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Post by Hitters January 2, 2012 (4 of 32)
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Jonalogic said:
Good news for anyone to offer us a symphony that's not his second, but can some kind label offer us a decent Rach 1, pretty please?
I might be in a minority, but I find it by far his most gripping and intense symphony.
I agree! I find the 3rd more interesting than the famous 2nd and do not understand why is it so resisted. The Singapore SO is a terrific orchestra. Their rendition of Debussy's La Mer is my favorite. I am really looking forward to this release.
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The 2nd is so hard to pull off, it meanders so.
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Post by armenian January 2, 2012 (6 of 32)
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Hitters said:
I agree! I find the 3rd more interesting than the famous 2nd and do not understand why is it so resisted.
I also prefer the 3rd but it is a more difficult work to get it right. Among dozen or so RBCD in my collection my favorite is Ashkenazy/RCO.
Just like Mahler 5th, the opening outburst pretty mush sets the pace of what will follow in terms of performance with this symphony.
Vahe
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Post by Hitters January 2, 2012 (7 of 32)
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armenian said:
I also prefer the 3rd but it is a more difficult work to get it right. Among dozen or so RBCD in my collection my favorite is Ashkenazy/RCO.
Just like Mahler 5th, the opening outburst pretty mush sets the pace of what will follow in terms of performance with this symphony.
Vahe
Thanks for the data. I haven't heard many versions, actually. I will insist on a BIS option, as I regularly seem to do. Though on RBCD, I very much enjoy the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under Owain ArwelHughes (BIS CD1665/66). I find the playing outstanding (in spite the strings could sound more meaty) and I also find a good grip and sense of purpose in the conducting. Never heard Ashkenazy's recording, though I have listened to him conduct two or three times and consider him quite talented as a conductor.
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Post by jdaniel January 2, 2012 (8 of 32)
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Hitters said:
Thanks for the data. I haven't heard many versions, actually. I will insist on a BIS option, as I regularly seem to do. Though on RBCD, I very much enjoy the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under Owain ArwelHughes (BIS CD1665/66). I find the playing outstanding (in spite the strings could sound more meaty) and I also find a good grip and sense of purpose in the conducting. Never heard Ashkenazy's recording, though I have listened to him conduct two or three times and consider him quite talented as a conductor.
Actually one of the best 3rds IMHO and critically-acclaimed is Janson's/Leningrad on EMI with Symphonic Dances. Pretty good recording too.
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Post by wehecht January 2, 2012 (9 of 32)
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I've always been partial to the Stokowski, originally on Desmar LP and reissued on rbcd by EMI. The performance is a little fussy, but nobody does strings like Stoky did strings.
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bissie said:
Just wait....
Robert
Cool, thanks.
J
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