What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol.VIII)

Posted by: Richard Dane on 29 December 2011

With 2012 almost upon us, it's time to start a fresh thread. I've gone back to an earlier thread title because often the "why" is the most interesting part of the post.

Anyway, links:

Volume VII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...6878604287751/page/1

Volume VI: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878604097229

Volume V: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605140495

Volume IV: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605795042

Volume III: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607309474

Volume II: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878606245043

Volume I: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607464290

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by EJS

Originally Posted by EJS:

First spin of the new DG Don Giovanni.

Cheers,

Halfway in, some initial thoughts:

- recorded sound is OK but slightly veiled and close-up, typical of many live classical recordings nowadays; otherwise, it is very difficult to hear that this is a live recording;

- Nézet-Séguin directs with care and an old fashioned attention to line, and generally broad tempi. He allows his singers the room to interpret. Don Giovanni is Mozart's most complex opera, with each character basically in his own sound world, but that fact is not emphasized by Nezet. He is more like Abbado than Haitink: he's here to support the singers and move the drama forward, not to unearth the different facets of this opera;

- The singers are - without exception! - very suited to their roles. This is one of the best cast Don Giovanni's I have heard. D'Arcangelo is a bass-baritone, the first in quite some time, and that makes this recording different from every other since the 60s. Except for a rough Fin ch'han del vino, he is suave and sensitive. His low voice makes him a darker even sadder Giovanni than usual. Pisarino as his servant is well cast, a vocal and temperamental fit to his master;

- The ladies are even finer. The immediate impression is that Damrau as Donna Anna and DiDonato as Donna Elvira are fully the equal of the greatest interpreters of the past. Quite special.

- Villazon is the other big find: he is simply stunning and it's great to hear him sing with such attention to breath control.

So far, then, a totally unexpected but fantastic surprise. But a great Don Giovanni requires a spectacular final scene, so I'll reserve judgement until I've heard the whole thing through. On to disc 3!

Cheers,

Reference recordings: Giulini/EMI; Muti/EMI; Haitink/EMI; Abbado/DG;Norrington/EMI; Krips/Decca; Gardiner/Archiv; Jacobs/HM (yes I have too many)

As hoped, a splendid descent for the Don and a very well done closing scene. A great addition to the catalogue! Only caveats are that its slow speeds demand that you give it full attention (no hardship) and that the recording quality falls short of greatness (it's a live recording, with all audience interaction edited out but sounding slightly veiled).

It will take some time to evaluate Nézet's contribution. He didn't make a huge impression on me here but at the same time, while even the best Don Giovanni's have their quiet moments, this is one of the few performances that kept me glued to the couch without hesitation, even after a long day at work and significant other vying for attention. He is doing something right.

Cheers,

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by Quad 33

On Original vinyl.

Mr Dury & the mighty Blockheads live 22 December 1990. Warts N' Audience is the only formal recording of Ian Dury & the Blockheads live in concert, at the height of his short career, as well as a collection of some of his best songs (even though it does lack two of his biggest hits and finest songs, 'Sex & Drugs & Rock N' Roll' and 'Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3'). Oi Oi.

Graham,

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by EJS

Originally Posted by VladtheImpala:

Could you recommend a recent (non-period instrument) version? The last versions I bought were all purchased in connection with the Mozartathon in 1992 e.g Sir Colin Davis/Philips & Ostman/L'Oiseau Lyre

Ah I forgot to list Davis! Actually his recording is OK without striking me as exceptional in any way. I don't think there are really good very recent recordings beside the one I have just finished listening to. The last one worthy of shelf space was Claudio Abbado, with Simon Keenlyside as the Don and Bryn Terfel as Leporello (1998). Well sung, but not as well cast as the present version and Abbado is slightly too relaxed. The last two truly great recordings were the Haitink from Glyndebourne, with the terrific Tom Allen as the Don, and even more so, Muti with William Shimell and Sam Ramey. These last two recordings focus on the demonic aspects of the opera; not much of the giocoso.

Before Haitink, Giulini's recording from 1959 received a spectacular mastering from EMI in the 80s - it still sounds with the best of them and remains a great interpretation. Unfortunately they completely messed up with their Great Recording of the Century reissue - avoid that one at all costs.

Jacobs' HIP version caused a splash a few years ago; in its historically informed ways, it's in many ways a less gripping tale than the aforementioned ones.

Edit: Harnoncourt on Teldec is a valid alternative: non-HIP, but embedding many of the good things (e.g. fierce attacks)

Cheers,

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by VladtheImpala

Thank you very much for your reply. The current version you review seems to be the one worth seeking out.

I was a relative newbie to classical music way back then & the Bicentennary flooded the market with Mozart "product".

I've never been completely happy with any opera set I've had (not that I have that many) - there always seems to be a weak member of the cast, or beautiful voices but no drama. I like the Davis set & I do like the sound Barbara Bonney's voice on the Ostman set.

Originally Posted by EJS:

Originally Posted by VladtheImpala:

Jacobs' HIP version caused a splash a few years ago; in its historically informed ways, it's in many ways a less gripping tale than the aforementioned ones.

Cheers,

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by naim_nymph

It's been 5 years already!

...since many of us pre-ordered and received this superb 3 CD digital remaster!

How time flies!

...think i like it even more now than when it first arrived 5 years ago! : )

Debs

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by DrMark

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by Guido Fawkes

Quite probably the best new album I've heard since 90 Bisodol (Crimond).

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by Florestan

J.S. Bach: The Six Brandenburg Concertos + Musical Offering

Linde-Concort

Along with the Klemperer, another very welcome addition in my household.

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by cto007

Spinning an original German pressing - love this record and the sound of Jon's cymbals

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by kuma

Leon Ware: Inside is Love

This is a 1999 reissue vinyl but I bet the 1979 original pressing ir hard to get.

He's one of my favourite soul/funk artist.

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by DrMark

When I only had 3 albums, this was one of them...

Posted on: 11 September 2012 by EJS

Originally Posted by VladtheImpala:

Thank you very much for your reply. The current version you review seems to be the one worth seeking out.

I was a relative newbie to classical music way back then & the Bicentennary flooded the market with Mozart "product".

Vlad,

A dutch critic once described Don Giovanni as a multifaceted diamond, and no single performance would be able to shed light on all its sides at once. I think it's an apt statement, and over time I have felt that the great performances are driven by a vision. Too early days to judge the Nézet performance on that count.

Cheers,

Posted on: 11 September 2012 by Flettster