Wanting more to my Ludwig Van collection....suggestions

[Shapley]

Thanks, Bones!

I believe you've posted before that your favourite was the Bernstein/NYPO recording. is that correct?

V/R
Shapley

P.S., In defense of the amateur conductor: Boatbuilders have a saying: "The Titanic was built by professionals, the Ark was built by amateurs."

[bignaf]

I also don't like Kaplan's 1st recording, but he moght have improved with his second.
he only conducts Mahler 2 and the Adagietto from no. 5.

[Bones]

Thanks, Bones!

I believe you've posted before that your favourite was the Bernstein/NYPO recording. is that correct?

V/R
Shapley

P.S., In defense of the amateur conductor: Boatbuilders have a saying: "The Titanic was built by professionals, the Ark was built by amateurs."

I don't know that I have a favorite version, but you can't go wrong with Lenny. Although I'm not an Osawa fan, I like his version. Also, I have an old Klemperer/VSO recording that I like.

[barfle]

I believe you've posted before that your favourite was the Bernstein/NYPO recording. is that correct?

That might have been me referring to Holst's The Planets, because it is my favorite recording of one of my favorite works.

[Shapley]

Barfle,

Perhaps, I was of the impression that someone listed Bernstein and the NYPO as their favourite version of the "Resurrection" back when we were discussing Mahler in an earlier thread. Apparently it wasn't Bones. I had mentioned that I had a recording by him on vinyl. I think my post was a reply to this statement. Whatever, I'm too lazy to search the threads for it.

Lenny is a recurring favourite in every thread. So it could have been anyone of us discussing any composer. I think Bones' statement "You can't go wrong with Lenny" could be the B.com BB Motto.

V/R
Shapley

[shostakovich]

The first movement of the Mahler 2nd is astounding. I have both Lenny on record and Gilbert on CD. I enjoy them both. I lose some interest after the first movement.
Shos

[Catmando]

Although I am enjoying my recently acquired Mahler symphonies, I am finding some of the movements are REALLY long.

Some of the movements clock in at about 35 minutes!

[Serenity]

May I recommend Wagner's Ring Cycle of Operas to help you appreciate Mahler's 35 minute movement.

[Trumpetmaster]

May I recommend Wagner's Ring Cycle of Operas to help you appreciate Mahler's 35 minute movement.

That was cruel......

[Marye]

The first movement of the Mahler 2nd is astounding. I have both Lenny on record and Gilbert on CD. I enjoy them both. I lose some interest after the first movement.
Shos

I am captivated to the end. It is a favourite. My CD is Klemperer with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Beautiful.

[Catmando]

Being a newbie to Mahler, so far I've listened to 7 of the 9 Mahler symphonies box set.

I have # 8 and 9 left (along with the adagio from the unfinished 10th).

So far I'd have to say my favorite is Mahler's 5th. I know that's going to frustrate Shapley, since he believes everyone only enjoys symphonies that are odd numbered.

[Marye]

Well that's Shap all over.... "odd" through and through.

[bignaf]

didn't this start as a Beethoven suggestion thread? Mahler is all conquering!

[Catmando]

there's the triple concerto (not a great work in Beethoven standards), the choral fantasy (interesting work), and the diabelli variations (must have).
some people will add the cello sonatas, I'm not a fan.
the piano trios (Ghost, Archduke) are good.
don't bother with the songs.

This item can now be checked off the Beethoven wish list.

[Hexameron]

I noticed you have Missa Solemnis on your list.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000 ... 04?ie=UTF8

This is the best recording you can get by Gardiner.

Also the Mass in C.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000 ... 04?ie=UTF8

Gardiner is advocated again here for possibly the best recording of the mass.

Oh, and glancing at that previous quote from bignaf I have to say a few things. Bignaf mentions not being a fan of the cello sonatas, which is ok. But I think many would agree that Beethoven's cello sonatas are the best of their kind, just like his piano sonatas rank supreme in the entire literature. And the "don't bother with the songs" statement should be dismissed. Beethoven has the most spellbinding and magnificent songs besides Schubert. The Lieder von Goethe, the Adelaide, and my god the An di ferne Geliebte, all speak for themselves. Do not underestimate them just because the radio never plays them or you can't find them on the countless "Best of Beethoven" CD's out there.

[Catmando]

I noticed you have Missa Solemnis on your list.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000 ... 04?ie=UTF8

This is the best recording you can get by Gardiner.

Also the Mass in C.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000 ... 04?ie=UTF8

Gardiner is advocated again here for possibly the best recording of the mass.

Oh, and glancing at that previous quote from bignaf I have to say a few things. Bignaf mentions not being a fan of the cello sonatas, which is ok. But I think many would agree that Beethoven's cello sonatas are the best of their kind, just like his piano sonatas rank supreme in the entire literature. And the "don't bother with the songs" statement should be dismissed. Beethoven has the most spellbinding and magnificent songs besides Schubert. The Lieder von Goethe, the Adelaide, and my god the An di ferne Geliebte, all speak for themselves. Do not underestimate them just because the radio never plays them or you can't find them on the countless "Best of Beethoven" CD's out there.

Hex,

I guess I'm way behind on my checking off list.

So yes, I got the Diabelli Variations by Stephen Kovacevic yesterday.

I have also recently gotten the Missa Solemnis, Mass in C and Christus am Olberge, by Carlo Maria Giulini and Helmuth Rilling.

I also have the complete Piano Trios (Beaux Arts Trio).

I have the Violin Concerto (one of my favorite Beethoven pieces) and Romances for Violin.

Essentially, what I have now remaining on my wish list for Beethoven are:

a) Cello sonatas (I do want them)
b) Choral Fantasy

That's pretty much it. Plus, I am missing a few overtures, such as the King Stephen Overture, Consecration of the House and Wellington's Victory, but that's probably far down the wish list compared to the two mentioned above, plus many many many on the wish list for other composers including

Chopin (too many to mention),
Bruckner and Dvorak symphonies,
Schubert symphonies and chamber music,
Stravinsky ballets,
Mozart violin concertos,
Saint-Saens (Organ Symphony, Danse Macabre),
Debussy (too many to mention),
Barber's Adagio for Strings,
Mendelssohn Violin concerto and symphonies.

There's more, that's just what's on the top of my head.

I probably won't bother with the Beethoven songs. Maybe way down in the future.

[Serenity]

Being a newbie to Mahler, so far I've listened to 7 of the 9 Mahler symphonies box set.

I have # 8 and 9 left (along with the adagio from the unfinished 10th).

So far I'd have to say my favorite is Mahler's 5th. I know that's going to frustrate Shapley, since he believes everyone only enjoys symphonies that are odd numbered.

I thought 5 was an odd number; which is your favorite Mahler symphony?

[Catmando]

Being a newbie to Mahler, so far I've listened to 7 of the 9 Mahler symphonies box set.

I have # 8 and 9 left (along with the adagio from the unfinished 10th).

So far I'd have to say my favorite is Mahler's 5th. I know that's going to frustrate Shapley, since he believes everyone only enjoys symphonies that are odd numbered.

I thought 5 was an odd number; which is your favorite Mahler symphony?

# 5 is my favorite. Shapley's favorite is # 2, and he just pointed out that everyone doesn't give the even numbered symphonies a chance.

I also like very much #1 #2, #3, and #9. (at least I have one even numbered in there!

[Serenity]

didn't this start as a Beethoven suggestion thread? Mahler is all conquering!

When I first started listening to Mahler I was impatient, found his movements to be long and the themes within movements to jump around. When the music went soft, I thought the movement was over. The portions I enjoyed the most, at that time, sounded like Beethoven and Wagner. I've mellowed with time and now have the patience to listen to his music. Frankly, there are many beautiful themes throughout his repertoire.

My life is a little too fast paced with 3 kids to sit down and enjoy music. I've found that the best time to listen to music is during my commute to work and home although the road noise ruins softer music.

[Serenity]

Mahler's 2nd is high on my list. I have not recently heard 3, 5, 7 and 8; they're on my wish list. I like the 4th movement of his 4th, especially the last 5 minutes; I find it sublime. I have his 4th and 9th on cassette and they're a little hissy; they need "replacing". I have his 1st, 2nd and 6th on CD. I recently purchased his 6th and I'm still "evaluating" it; you know, deciding what I like and don't like or absolutely love and have to hear over and over again because I can't get enough. I also bought his Song of the Earth, the last song is the best but you have to be in the right mood to have it overwhelm you. I guess that's true of all art.