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Post by julesd68 on Jan 21, 2017 14:07:41 GMT
Oh dear - I don't know who is responsible but the re-release vinyl I just bought of the Curzon / Szell recording of Brahms Piano 1 is a disaster!
Sounds like it was mastered by a five year old, the sound is horribly screechy and compressed to buggery. I could stand only a minute or so of the torture...
Going to look for an alternative but in the meantime your recommendations for a good recording of this work, new or old would be welcome...
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Post by MartinT on Jan 22, 2017 11:26:57 GMT
I've just played the three that I have, Jules.
The Curzon/Szell/LSO on Decca Legends remaster [CD] is a bit thin and old sounding in the opening peaks, but tolerable and the piano sounds very fine if just a little distant.
The Rubinstein/Reiner/CSO on RCA Red Seal is a very old recording made in 1954, but it sounds at least as good as the above if not better. It's a superb performance with wonderful orchestral sound and rich piano. Great playing, too.
The later Rubinstein/Mehta/Israel SO on Decca, recorded in 1976, sounds more up to date in its wide image and potent basses, with a very full sound although the Israel venue is as dead as it always sounds in recordings. Dynamics are in a superior class. Piano is in better focus and the playing, although slightly slower, still thrills.
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 22, 2017 15:31:01 GMT
Thanks Martin! I'll go back to my Curzon vinyl but pretty sure I won't be keeping it which is a shame considering the performance ... Two recordings to consider, one of which I know you would like, is the Emil Gilels / Jochum on DG and then also the Radu Lupu / De Waart version which I will listen to as he takes a rather more understated approach than the likes or Curzon.  ![]() ![]()  |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 22, 2017 16:01:51 GMT
Ooh, I must check my Radu Lupus as I may have it but didn't look!
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Post by daytona600 on Jan 22, 2017 21:46:46 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 23, 2017 0:02:53 GMT
I've not seen the vinyl under a tenner - I paid 14 quid which seemed cheap. Anyway, I take your general point I think which is you get what you pay for...
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Post by MartinT on Jan 23, 2017 7:51:02 GMT
Ooh, I must check my Radu Lupus as I may have it but didn't look! Sadly I don't have the Brahms by him. I shall keep a lookout for it. |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 23, 2017 8:20:10 GMT
I've just snaffled the Lupu on Decca 2CD on eBay for £3.95  |
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 23, 2017 18:38:20 GMT
Ooh nice! Look forward to hearing what you make of it... I would expect less bombast and more poetry in a nutshell!
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Post by MartinT on Jan 23, 2017 20:38:20 GMT
Have you listened to either of the Rubinsteins, just to see if you like his style?
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Post by MartinT on Jan 24, 2017 13:28:23 GMT
The CD has arrived (great service). I'll play it tonight.
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Post by MartinT on Jan 24, 2017 18:06:05 GMT
I'm listening to the Lupu/de Waart/LPO and it's very fine indeed with typical Decca sound. There's something special about Lupu's style, it seems to me that he plays it more percussively than most pianists, with the hammer strike defining each individual note. I'm out of my depth here so perhaps someone else can better explain it. All I know is that I love his playing and seeing him live was one of the greatest moments of my concert-going life.
Thanks for pointing me to this, Jules.
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 25, 2017 13:08:15 GMT
Excellent result Martin!
I'm listening to it now on Spotify ... couldn't find the Rubenstein ...
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Post by MartinT on Jan 25, 2017 13:23:57 GMT
Here's the Mehta with Israel PO...
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 28, 2017 12:23:58 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 28, 2017 12:28:26 GMT
I'm listening to the Lupu/de Waart/LPO and it's very fine indeed with typical Decca sound. There's something special about Lupu's style, it seems to me that he plays it more percussively than most pianists, with the hammer strike defining each individual note. I'm out of my depth here so perhaps someone else can better explain it. All I know is that I love his playing and seeing him live was one of the greatest moments of my concert-going life. Thanks for pointing me to this, Jules. It's funny Martin but I didn't quite get on with his interpretation this time! I found it highly lyrical but a bit too soft and romantic - I definitely prefer some more bite for this concerto. Lupu sounds very much like what I would expect Ashkenazy to sound like playing this, although I haven't heard his version ... |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 28, 2017 12:42:36 GMT
Try Lupu's Grieg. It's awesome and by far my favourite.
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