1812

Posted by: 151 on 06 April 2008

could someone please recommend the best c.d recording of 1812. thanks

Posted on: 06 April 2008 by scottyhammer

i have the mercury living presence version on cd which i can recommend and has real cannons of the time too which really gives great effect.
hope this helps.
scotty

Posted on: 06 April 2008 by Jeremy Marchant

You could try the inexpensive one on Naxos (Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra/Theodore Kuchar, 8555923): "After opening nobly and sonorously, 1812 generates plenty of thrust at the allegro, yet again Kuchar is able to relax to bring out the Russian colouring of the lyrical secondary themes, the violins singing out ardently, so that one wants to hum along. Kuchar then presses forward strongly to a very spectacular climax indeed. The closing melée is totally uninhibited, with the hugely resonant carillon all but dwarfing the canon* fire. The sheer amplitude of the closing bars is sensational, as long as you don’t expect inner clarity!" (Gramophone)
* I don't think the writer meant "a clergyman belonging to the chapter or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate church" (Merriam-Webster) - the idea of a pyre of clerical gentlemen accompanying the performance is most upsetting.
Regards

Posted on: 06 April 2008 by Martinleon

quote:
Originally posted by scottyhammer:
i have the mercury living presence version on cd which i can recommend and has real cannons of the time too which really gives great effect.
hope this helps.
scotty

Ditto for MLP as well.

Posted on: 07 April 2008 by 151

thanks everyone.

Posted on: 07 April 2008 by 555

Record buying temptation, & having read this thread I've succumb!

Posted on: 10 April 2008 by 151

has anyone heard the telarc 1812 cd ?

Posted on: 10 April 2008 by u5227470736789439

The 1812 is a piece that probably really demands a fine recording. Telarc regularly make some of the most spectacular recordings going, so for once, without even knowing who the performers are, I think it would be safe to say that they would issue an at least very fine performance in what would be a very suitable recording quality.

George

Posted on: 12 April 2008 by Guido Fawkes

quote:
has anyone heard the telarc 1812 cd ?

Yes, but not in the context where enjoying the music was the reason for it being played; it was often used to demonstrate a cartridge's ability to track a vinyl record because the digital sound effects for the cannons were recorded at a very high level. I remember the cover saying Caution! Digital Cannons. IIRC, it was performed by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

ATB Rotf

Posted on: 13 April 2008 by 151

o.k i think i will go for MLP 1812 but there are two versions one released 1997 and one in 2001

anyone know which one is best. please and thank you

Posted on: 13 April 2008 by Jeremy Marchant

quote:
Originally posted by 151:
o.k i think i will go for MLP 1812 but there are two versions one released 1997 and one in 2001 anyone know which one is best. please and thank you

After a bit of research, I have concluded:
(1) This performance was recorded in 1958 (though it still gets excellent reviews soundwise).
(2) As such it has probably been reissued several times, so the two you list are almost certainly the same version.
(3) A press release from Mercury promised the 1812 would be included in their SACD versions of MLP albums, but there is no evidence that this either did or did not happen. The pres release is dated 2004.

Mercury is owned by Philips.
The Universal website lists the MLP album as catalogue number 00289 434 3602
(release date September 1995)
and again as catalgue no 00289 475 8508 (release date May 2007) as part of Univeral's "The Originals" label

cheers

Posted on: 13 April 2008 by Jeremy Marchant

quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Marchant:
quote:
Originally posted by 151:
o.k i think i will go for MLP 1812 but there are two versions one released 1997 and one in 2001 anyone know which one is best. please and thank you

After a bit of research, I have concluded:
(1) This performance was recorded in 1958 (though it still gets excellent reviews soundwise).
(2) As such it has probably been reissued several times, so the two you list are almost certainly the same version.
(3) A press release from Mercury promised the 1812 would be included in their SACD versions of MLP albums, but there is no evidence that this either did or did not happen. The press release is dated 2004.

Mercury is owned by Universal Classics.
The Universal website lists the MLP album as catalogue number 00289 434 3602 (release date September 1995)
and again as catalgue no 00289 475 8508 (release date May 2007) as part of Univeral's "The Originals" label

cheers

Posted on: 15 April 2008 by 151

Mercury is owned by Universal Classics.
The Universal website lists the MLP album as catalogue number 00289 434 3602 (release date September 1995)
and again as catalgue no 00289 475 8508 (release date May 2007) as part of Univeral's "The Originals" label

cheers[/QUOTE)so does anyone know which would be the better recording 1995 or 2007. thanks

Posted on: 15 April 2008 by Jeremy Marchant

quote:
Originally posted by 151:
so does anyone know which would be the better recording 1995 or 2007. thanks

It is the same recording of the same performance on both CDs.
As the contents of the two releases are identical, it is highly likely that the latter is not a remastered version of the former. The relevant webpage (here) makes no mention of any remastering, so that seals it for me. The CDs are identical. Choose on price, availability or cover design (the earlier release more fully reproduces the original cover).
Hope that answers it.