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Discussion: Britten: Frank Bridge Variations etc. - Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

Posts: 10

Post by Windsurfer May 11, 2006 (1 of 10)
The reviews of this disc do say what is necessary:

"This record is a must"

It has occurred to me that people are excited about some of the great recordings of the beginning of the Stereo era being reissued on SACD, and while that is fine, there are now some new recordings issued on SACD which are far, far superior and which deserve our attention.

This is one of them! The playing and interpretation for my money are beyond criticism and the sound, especially in multi-channel surround is startlingly live and realistic, placing the listener in the concert hall centered about 10 rows deep on the main floor or the "stalls" as the Brits like to describe it.

I expect that this will be soon be recognized as one of the great recordings of all time....better (as a recording - I won't take issue with anyone's musical preferences) by far than say, Resphigi's Ancient Airs and Dances on Mercury.

Post by Peter May 11, 2006 (2 of 10)
Windsurfer said:

The reviews of this disc do say what is necessary:

"This record is a must"

Absolutely correct! It's a first-class production all round.

Post by Edvin May 11, 2006 (3 of 10)
Had this appeared some 30 years ago Gramophone would have written about in bold letters.
Robert Layton´s quarterly retrospect was a good idea since it gave records a second chance/view.
This sacd should be in the collection of anyone who is the least interested in music.

Post by fausto K February 18, 2014 (4 of 10)
I'm considering buying this disc, but held back by the one negative review of Canonical. He talks about sloppiness in the playing. The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra is indeed not a top-flight orchestra (not to be confused with the rather excellent, but sadly since last year no longer existing Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic: one of their last recordings is of Hartmann's SYmphony no 5 Hartmann: Symphonies 1-8 - Gaffigan, Metzmacher, Poppen, Schønwandt, Stenz, Vänskä)

On the other hand, one would expect that the violinist Gordan Nikolic, who's the concertmaster of the LSO, knows what he does. And, it being Pentatone, is the sound really so average as Canonical thinks? (3 stars)

I've got the Zehetmair recording of the Concerto funèbre, which is excellent, but I'd like to have this work on SACD (I've no interest in the Britten and Bartok on this disc)

Any more thoughts on this disc welcome.

Post by wehecht February 18, 2014 (5 of 10)
fausto K said:

I'm considering buying this disc, but held back by the one negative review of Canonical.

Any more thoughts on this disc welcome.

I think canonical's review is accurate in one respect: this disc, and others like it, is impossible to file in any sensible way. It took me 15 minutes just to find the thing so that I could listen before responding.

I prefer other versions of the Bridge and Bartok, but you say you're not interested in those so I won't bother with comparisons. The Hartman sounds just fine to me, but I have no other versions of that work and have never heard it live so who knows. The recorded sound is anything but "distant", in fact rather the opposite. All in all I'd not be quite so over the moon as some of the reviews, but I think canonical's simply way off base. Probably 4-4.5 stars in my book.

Post by Hitters February 18, 2014 (6 of 10)
I am very curious about this release.

The Concerto Funebre is a true, original masterpiece. I have a very intense and beautiful version by Isabelle Faust + Munich Chamber Orchestra + Poppen (ECM) that I treasure. But of course, the opportunity of getting this work on SACD is very tempting.

The Divertimento is a tricky work, IMO. I have listened to several recordings that miss the point, which, IMO, is the rhythmical, muscular character of the work. Many versions drag, and it should be danceable, except the slow movement which is a mysterious, nocturnal piece. I am very fond of a quite oldie: the Tapiola Sinfonietta on a BIS RBCD. Kantorow really gets it. I like the Trondheim Soloists on 2L, though I think they are not as engaging as the Tapiolas, but I find the sound a bit harsh and I do not like the soundstage design.

Post by fausto K February 18, 2014 (7 of 10)
wehecht said:

I think canonical's review is accurate in one respect: this disc, and others like it, is impossible to file in any sensible way. It took me 15 minutes just to find the thing so that I could listen before responding.

I prefer other versions of the Bridge and Bartok, but you say you're not interested in those so I won't bother with comparisons. The Hartman sounds just fine to me, but I have no other versions of that work and have never heard it live so who knows. The recorded sound is anything but "distant", in fact rather the opposite. All in all I'd not be quite so over the moon as some of the reviews, but I think canonical's simply way off base. Probably 4-4.5 stars in my book.

many thanks. That's helpful.

Post by fausto K February 18, 2014 (8 of 10)
Hitters said:

I am very curious about this release.

The Concerto Funebre is a true, original masterpiece. I have a very intense and beautiful version by Isabelle Faust + Munich Chamber Orchestra + Poppen (ECM) that I treasure. But of course, the opportunity of getting this work on SACD is very tempting.

that Faust recording should be fine indeed, even if it's on redbook. I have her recent Berg/Beethoven w/Abbado, which it is a pity HM didn't release on SACD.

Post by canonical February 19, 2014 (9 of 10)
Pentatone is dumping their stock of this off at Berkshire, so if you want one (notwithstanding my view that it is dreadful) ... that might be a cheap place to find it.

Post by fausto K February 19, 2014 (10 of 10)
canonical said:

Pentatone is dumping their stock of this off at Berkshire, so if you want one (notwithstanding my view that it is dreadful) ... that might be a cheap place to find it.

thanks for the tip!

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