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There's been a lot of discussion of the LSO Live discs here recently, and I've been pretty much in agreement with everyone (though I didn't care for the Shostakovich). I was especially curious about their latest disc, the Bruckner 9th, as I wanted to see what Colin Davis, not noted as a Bruckner interpreter, would bring to it. Disappointingly, I found Davis quite lethargic and stodgy in the first movement (it seemed to go on forever) and oddly 'punchy' in the second. The final movement was more cohesive and fared better, but overall this performance is nowhere near the level of the Furtwangler, Karajan (1966), Wand/Berlin , or even the Jochum/Dresden, which I find very odd in places but strangely compelling. The sound quality of this LSO Live disc also isn't quite up to the level of the others: it's close-up, very dry, and unatmospheric--not what you want for Bruckner.Any other thoughts?
Follow Ups:
Haven't heard this one yet (Bruckner and Colin Davis isn't what I would call a match made in heaven), but--unsurprisingly--Hurwitz ripped it apart in ClassicsToday.com. But hey, he did say it was only the second worst Bruckner 9th currently available, so I guess one could do worse. :-)
....except in some older newspaper music reviews. Certainly wouldn't find that kind of frankness in Gramophone!!! Refreshing though....
a
I don't know; I've read a few brutal reviews in Gramophone. Take, for example, Bryce Morrisson's recent treatment of Kissin. Which brings me to another point: Does anyone like Kissin any more?
Kissin.. I LIKED him alright...Sigh.. what a waste.
....but he hasn't got too many critics fawning over him lately , does he?He is not under exclusive contract with BMG anymore, though, so perhaps his sales aren't quite what they were. Still, he can pack 'em in for his recitals and other appearances.
The dismally self-absorbed Mr Kissin recently turned his back on his audiences, producing bizarre, directionless recitals on a tour that raised the ire of the English musical press.I posted a warning about Kissin on this forum over a year ago; do a search if interested. The most technically gifted pianist of our generation has nothing to say other than "Look at me!"
Big B
Correct. I heard him in recital recently - "Pictures" and a few other warhorses - and it was actually pretty thrilling in a very ephemeral sort of way. The same works played by Berezovsky, who I heard a few years back, sound much deeper. I'm not sure Kissin's even the most technically gifted pianist of his generation. Surely Volodos takes that title? His new Schubert disc is great.
Thanks for the link, applejack. That was among the most scathing reviews of anything that I've read, and I can't say that I disagree. It will be interesting to see how the Brit reviewers treat this disc.....
I have to agree with Russell on this, it isn't the finest of their performances. It is largely a very inconsistent performance and interpretation. I couldn't quite get comfortable with it. Perhaps, I should try listening to it a second time to see if it gets better. Oh well, with so many Bruckner 9th's in my collection, I won't lose too much sleep over it.Interestingly, they goofed when they shipped the CD to me - they sent me someone else's invoice and mine in turn went to somebody else. It's a good thing credit card information isn't printed on their invoices.
This reading I would probably only sample them thru borrowing from friends or the library.LSO/Davis excels in Berlioz, Elgar.. and hopefully Holst. I bought their Shostakovich 11 was because Rostropovich was conducting. Then again, it was s l o w (but still OK to me)>
.... as I'll be away a few days I've shut the main system down so have only done a preliminary hearing on this office system.Yes the LSO discs are a bit "dry" - a reflection of the Barbican, and I agree a little more hall ambience would improve the impact of the music. No further comment from me until it can be heard on the main system.
The biggest irritation to me in the LSO CDs is the enthusiastic singing of Davis as he conducts and this is also evident in the Bruchner. However the virtues of these releases offset this so I remain an admirer of the LSO CDs. I note the Gramophone "Classical Good CD Guide 2003" has not included all the LSO releases but is quite enthusiastic about the ones it does review. It will be interesting to see what the reviewers think of the Bruchner.
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