Re: “SFBC shutting down”

On 7 Jan 2025 14:41:53 -0000, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

Paul S Person  <psperson@old.netcom.invalid> wrote:

On Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:07:38 GMT, scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal)
wrote:
>

kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) writes:

Paul S Person  <psperson@old.netcom.invalid> wrote:

>
Or MHS, from which I built a large collection of very good (if very
old) music.

>
MHS always sent me records in boxes marked "Delicate Classical Music
Enclosed."  But the music wasn't always delicate.  Sometimes it was
heavy and ponderous.  I got the von Karajan set of Beethoven symphonies
and it was anything but delicate.

>
I also got that one.   I still consider it the best version of the
9th on vinyl (the tenor, in particular, was fine).

>
If you are referring to /9 Symphonien/, it's available on CD as well.
I listen to it when it comes up on my Final Playlist.

>
There are actually two von Karajan sets, the 1963 set and the one from
the 1980s.  The 1963 set was had the later symphonies performed much
slower, but the recording quality was good.  The set from the 1980s had
better tempi on the later symphonies but the recording quality was
plagued by an excess of fooling around.
>
Neither one of them have what I would consider good recordings of the
first two symphonies, which are stylistically very different than the
later ones and really need a different sort of orchestra.

All I will say is, that the CD matched my memory of the LPs.

Beethoven is a bit late for my taste. I prefer JS Bach and friends.
Also harpsichord music -- played on harpsichords, not on pianos.

OTOH, an MHS album of Bach organ works played on a small group of
other instruments is always a joy to listen to. And the very few jazz
piano albums I have are worth hearing.
--
"Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"