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Discussion: The Butterfly Lovers Concerto - Nishizaki/NZSO/Judd

Posts: 12
Page: 1 2 next

Post by canonical June 21, 2012 (1 of 12)
Was just having a browse ... and came across this little tidbit from Naxos. Comparing the reviews here with those on Amazon US illustrates rather startlingly how unhelpful (or how over-rated) the review system on sa-cd.net is.

To be precise, this Naxos release is absolutely slated ... scathingly ... on Amazon by people who appear quite knowledgeable on the subject matter. 1.5 star on Amazon.


=================================================

Amazon first review:
"This is Nishizaki's 7th recording of the famous Chinese violin concerto -- and of the five recordings from her I've heard, the worst"

Amazon second review:
"I own more than a dozen performances of this lovely Chinese concerto, including four by Mdme Heymann. Suffice to say that her four readings make up for the bottom four of them - and I must say that this, her latest rendition, is the worst by a considerable margin.
Advancing age has done nothing to improve this violinist's thin tone and mediocre technique, nor her poor pacing. ..."

==============================================================

Here, on-sa-cd.net, it gets 4 stars by two reviewers and 3 stars by another (the latter, other than over-rating, appears to be on the right track).

And that's the problem: the average 4 star performance review on sa-cd.net is basically a 1 star review on Amazon.

Tut tut

Post by nucaleena June 21, 2012 (2 of 12)
That may or may not be the case with this SACD. However, I would far rather rely on reviews here than on amazon, where many reviews are short to the point of absurdity, or review the music without commenting on performance or sound.

Post by hiredfox June 21, 2012 (3 of 12)
We have owned this SACD for many years, in fact it was one of the first SACD we bought from Tower Records at Picadilly Circus. That tells you how long ago it was! We love it absolutely and play it as often or more often than just about any other recording.

If you can stand the emotion that she generates and love South East Asian culture and all that goes with it don't hesitate, buy it if you can find one at a sensible price.

Post by Windsurfer June 21, 2012 (4 of 12)
I probably listened to this once. I thought it was kitsch. I guess I owe it to myself to give another listen, based on what you folks are saying.

Post by canonical June 21, 2012 (5 of 12)
It is a bit kitsch ... but that's not really the point. The point is that this is apparently the very worst recording that exists of that kitsch piece ... out of oodles of them. Nishizaki was, in my view, a mediocre violinist 20 years ago ... and unlikely to be better today ... which is also what the Amazon reviews state. lol hey it's cheap ... I guess you get what you pay for here. 5 stars

Post by Windsurfer June 21, 2012 (6 of 12)
canonical said:

It is a bit kitsch ... but that's not really the point. The point is that this is apparently the very worst recording that exists of that kitsch piece ... out of oodles of them. Nishizaki was, in my view, a mediocre violinist 20 years ago ... and unlikely to be better today ... which is also what the Amazon reviews state. lol hey it's cheap ... I guess you get what you pay for here. 5 stars

So, with a recording of poorly performed kitsch, maybe I ought to pass on wasting my time with a relisten. Just put it on e-bay with some other stuff and see what happens. The Membran Christmas Carols recording was just awful .... thing is I don't even want to advertise that discs like that are SACDs - it could give the wrong impression!

Post by rammiepie June 21, 2012 (7 of 12)
canonical said:

Was just having a browse ... and came across this little tidbit from Naxos. Comparing the reviews here with those on Amazon US illustrates rather startlingly how unhelpful (or how over-rated) the review system on sa-cd.net is.

To be precise, this Naxos release is absolutely slated ... scathingly ... on Amazon by people who appear quite knowledgeable on the subject matter. 1.5 star on Amazon.


=================================================

Amazon first review:
"This is Nishizaki's 7th recording of the famous Chinese violin concerto -- and of the five recordings from her I've heard, the worst"

Amazon second review:
"I own more than a dozen performances of this lovely Chinese concerto, including four by Mdme Heymann. Suffice to say that her four readings make up for the bottom four of them - and I must say that this, her latest rendition, is the worst by a considerable margin.
Advancing age has done nothing to improve this violinist's thin tone and mediocre technique, nor her poor pacing. ..."

==============================================================

Just to be curious, I checked the RBCD Amazon reviews of this disc and it garnered 4 5*, 2 4* and 2 2* reviews.

I have owned this disc for years and only play it as "background" music so really never seriously paid attention to what seems to be the Catepillar Lovers Concerto (wishing for butterfly status)!

Post by soundboy June 21, 2012 (8 of 12)
rammiepie said:

I have owned this disc for years and only play it as "background" music so really never seriously paid attention to what seems to be the Catepillar Lovers Concerto (wishing for butterfly status)!

Should've paid more attention then.

Post by rammiepie June 21, 2012 (9 of 12)
soundboy said:

Should've paid more attention then.

Yes, sir, Danny boy!

Post by hiredfox June 22, 2012 (10 of 12)
Windsurfer said:

I probably listened to this once. I thought it was ? Yes. I guess I owe it to myself to give another listen, based on what you folks are saying.

Kitsch? Yes!

Worth a listen? Undoubtedly!!

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Closed