What Classical Music Are You listening to Now? III

[pastoralguy]

Pleased to report that the missing booklet arrived this morning. Am highly impressed with the speedy response from Supraphon

I wrote to Chandos to ask for a replacement booklet about a month ago. Still waiting for a response.

Bearing in mind I possess 100's of Chandos CDs, I think that's pretty shoddy.

[Bryn]

I wrote to Chandos to ask for a replacement booklet about a month ago. Still waiting for a response.

Bearing in mind I possess 100's of Chandos CDs, I think that's pretty shoddy.

At least with Chandos you can usually download the booklet in pdf form free of charge, even if you do not buy the recording.

[pastoralguy]

At least with Chandos you can usually download the booklet in pdf form free of charge, even if you do not buy the recording.

I agree but a response would have been welcome.

[Pianorak]

Richard Strauss: Die Frau ohne Schatten (Salzburg/Solti) Act 2.
Three hysterical women behaving badly.
One more Act to go.

[Petrushka]

I agree but a response would have been welcome.

Indeed it would. Too many companies in this country still don't seem to understand the concept of customer service thinking it ends once the cash register stops pinging. Based on our joint experiences, which record company will you and I look on with most favour? I've not bought that many Supraphon discs over the years but I will be remembering my experience of their excellent customer service when playing or coming across their recordings. That level of service is something that will stay with me, as a customer, for many years. We have this sort of thing dinned into us at work so apologies for going on a bit!

[pastoralguy]

Indeed it would. Too many companies in this country still don't seem to understand the concept of customer service thinking it ends once the cash register stops pinging. Based on our joint experiences, which record company will you and I look on with most favour? I've not bought that many Supraphon discs over the years but I will be remembering my experience of their excellent customer service when playing or coming across their recordings. That level of service is something that will stay with me, as a customer, for many years. We have this sort of thing dinned into us at work so apologies for going on a bit!

I once bought a Hyperion cd from a charity shop minus its booklet. I emailed them and asked if I could purchase it. They emailed me back and asked for my address. The following morning, the booklet arrived, free of charge!

I try to buy Hyperion CDs whenever possible.

[EdgeleyRob]

Khachaturian

Symphony No 2

Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Dimitri Yablonsky

[pastoralguy]

Beethoven. Symphony no. 6 in F. 'The Pastoral'

This is another charity shop find.

Die Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler. Recorded in Berlin, March 19th 1944.

It's amazing that the Orchestra could play so well under what must have been very difficult conditions. Its very hard to listen to this performance knowing the fate that must have awaited a large number of audience members as well as Furtwängler himself.

This version is a 'GRAMOFONO 2000' release that employs the CEDAR process. The liner notes are very vague with details. The sound quality isn't bad considering its age and the circumstances under which it was recorded.

According to a quick Google search, Germany troops were occupying Hungary on that date.

[Petrushka]

Beethoven. Symphony no. 6 in F. 'The Pastoral'

This is another charity shop find.

Die Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler. Recorded in Berlin, March 19th 1944.

It's amazing that the Orchestra could play so well under what must have been very difficult conditions. Its very hard to listen to this performance knowing the fate that must have awaited a large number of audience members as well as Furtwängler himself.

This version is a 'GRAMOFONO 2000' release that employs the CEDAR process. The liner notes are very vague with details. The sound quality isn't bad considering its age and the circumstances under which it was recorded.

According to a quick Google search, Germany troops were occupying Hungary on that date.

As a keen student of the Second World War, I'm always interested in cross-referencing dates of recordings with events happening at the same time. The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III took place 5 days after that recording (March 24).

Incidentally, the Old Philharmonie in Berlin had been destroyed by bombs on the night of January 29/30 1944 so the recording you have was probably given in the Berlin Staatsoper.

For an interesting (and eye-opening) read about the BPO in the Third Reich try this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Rei...ds=misha+aster

[pastoralguy]

As a keen student of the Second World War, I'm always interested in cross-referencing dates of recordings with events happening at the same time. The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III took place 5 days after that recording (March 24).

Incidentally, the Old Philharmonie in Berlin had been destroyed by bombs on the night of January 29/30 1944 so the recording you have was probably given in the Berlin Staatsoper.

For an interesting (and eye-opening) read about the BPO in the Third Reich try this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Rei...ds=misha+aster

Many thanks, Pet. I'll check that out. My wife is a German scholar so it'll be interesting for both of us. I feel a thread coming on about cross referencing dates...

[pastoralguy]

Another charity shop cd. (3 CDs for a pound in a shop near the Scottish Borders!)

Tchaikovsky. Overtures and Fantasies.

Antonio Pappano conducting the Orchestra dell' Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

EMI.

Pretty impressive!

[Petrushka]

Boris Tishchenko: Concerto for Flute, Piano and Strings
Valentin Zverev (flute), Alexei Nasedkin (piano)
USSR State Orchestra
Edward Serov

[interval]

Shostakovich: Symphony No 11
Prague Symphony Orchestra
Maxim Shostakovich

[Bryn]

Busoni: Concerto for Piano in C major K247 Op.39

Garrick Ohlsson, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo (Barbican, 12 December 2014).

[BBMmk2]

Busoni: Concerto for Piano in C major K247 Op.39

Garrick Ohlsson, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo (Barbican, 12 December 2014).

I'm confused here Bryn?

[Bryn]

I'm confused here Bryn?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04tcbqy

"a hymn to immoderation".

I also have Ohlsson's Cleveland recording on CD but fancied this live performence, replete with unstifled coughing from an inconsiderate audience member, this afternoon.