Felix Mendelssohn: The Hebrides; Violin Concerto in E Minor; Symphony No. 4

On this CD:

1. The Hebrides, overture in B minor for orchestra ("Fingal's Cave," 4 versions), Op. 26
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Istropolitana Capella
Conducted by David Heer

2. Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Istropolitana Capella
Conducted by David Heer

3. Symphony No. 4 in A major ("Italian"), Op. 90
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by Istropolitana Capella
Conducted by David Heer

Tracks:

Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' Op. 21
Concerto For 2 Pianos In A-Flat Major: Allegro vivace; Presto
'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Scherzo
Song Without Words No. 30 In A-Major, Op. 62 No. 6 'Spring Song'
Octet In E-Flat Major, Op. 20: Scherzo
St. Matthew: Chorale
Hebrides Overture ('Fingal's Cave'), Op. 26
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Vivace non troppo
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': Con molto moderato
Overture To 'Calm Sea And Prosperous Voyage,' Op. 27
Symphony No. 4 In A Minor, Op. 90 'Scottish': Saltarello-presto
'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Wedding March
St. Paul, Op. 36: Dir Herr, Dir Will Ich Michs Ergeben
Piano Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: Molto allegro con fuoco
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegretto non troppo
Song Without Words No. 23 In C Major, Op. 67 No. 4: 'Spinning Song'
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Allegro un poco agitato
Overture To 'Ruy Blas,' Op. 95
'On Wings Of Song,' Op. 95
A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Op. 61: Scherzo
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro molto appassionata
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Andante
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro non troppo; allegro molto vivace

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos

Average customer rating:

Triumphant return of Flor's Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Sibelius: The 7 Symphonies; Finlandia; Kullervo; etc.
Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies
Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 1-9; In Nature; Serenade for Winds; Serenade for Strings, etc.
Elgar: The 2 Symphonies; Enigma Variations; Overtures; Serenade; Violin Concerto; Cello Concerto
Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1-6, 8 & 9

ASIN: B0009A1AJG
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Tracks:

Merce, Diletti Amici - O Tu, Che L'alma
Scena, Coro E Brindisi
Mamma...Quel Vino E Generoso
Lamento Di Federico
Improvviso
Come Un Bel Di Dimaggio
Oh! Fede Negar Potessi
Fontainebleau, Foresta Immense
Amor Ti Vieta
Cielo E Mar
Epilogo
Vesti La Giubba
Dio, Mi Potevi Scagliar
La Danza

Customer Reviews:

Triumphant return of Flor's Mendelssohn.......2005-06-01

At last Claus Peter Flor's Mendelssohn symphonies, overtures and piano concertos (with Edelmann) have returned. On the basis of these recordings (all previously issued) Flor, who is probably in his early 50s now, is still one of the better Mendelssohn conductors out there.

In particular, his Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5 have been hailed by critics on this side of the Atlantic for their beauty, proportion and Mendelssohnian sensibility. His other symphonies are also good and his collected overtures have been revered on both sides of the Atlantic by critics from Gramophone (which gave the overtures a rosette) to American Record Guide (which continued to promote his works even after they were out of print).

Flor's regualr partner in these performances, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, is a European band of the second rank. While not being confused with the more well-known orchestras in Vienna, Berlin or London, they perform universally well in these CDs in recordings that sound better than ever.

This is a very good collection of Mendelssohn's symphonic music and piano concertos that will rank with the best recorded boxes including Abbado and Karajn. In musical terms is far exceeds the collections led by Masur, Ashkenazy and the newer Naxos cycle of mixed quality.

Collectors that have never heard Flor conduct (or have never heard of him) can rest assured that this is a worthy alternative collection in this music. If this grouping and this price are attractive, go for it.

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto; Symphony No. 4; Hebrides Overture

Average customer rating:

A great early Italian Sym., but Zukerman is nothing special in the concerto
Zukerman is magic!
Magic Zukerman
Excellent performances

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto; Symphony No. 4; Hebrides Overture

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mendelssohn: Greatest Hits
Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 8 "Unfinished" & 9 "The Great"
Bernstein Century - Tchaikovsky: Symphony no 4, etc / New York PO
The Bernstein Century - Beethoven: Symphony no 3 'Eroica' / Bernstein, New York PO
Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos

ASIN: B00003WGO3
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Customer Reviews:

A great early Italian Sym., but Zukerman is nothing special in the concerto.......2007-02-20

The raves below for Pinchas Zukerman's Mendelssohn Concerto from 1969 seem deluded to me. This is a reading that moves along like any other generic performance, with a bit of sparkle but thin tone and nothing at all special in the way of ideas. Many other violinists have offered more personality, and if you want depth, the Menuhin/Furtwangler version, although in somewhat dull mono on EMI, remains unsurpassed. I don't hear any great enthusiasm from Bernstein, either. This was a walk-through assignment for both.

By comparison, the Italian Sym. fairly bursts out of the speakers. It dates from 1958, the year LB took over the NY Phil., and I doubt there has ever been a performance that radiates such roisterous joy. We are in Beecham land, where the conductor is having such undiluted fun that the listener must join in. The sound is a bit thin but on a big scale and very listenable. One of the nicest things about this reading is that it's loose around the edges; you don't feel that the music is being mechanically turned out by tight-minded virtuosos. No speed records in the finale, either, which is another advantage.

The War March of the Priests from Athalie must have been tossed in from a pops program; it's harmless enough but raises no militant feelings--these must be Protestant ministers going to war over cupcakes. Finally, we get a bright, fast-moving Hebrides Over. that's so good you forget you're listening to a moldy chestnut.

Zukerman is magic!.......2000-07-30

Magic Pinchas Zukerman, certainly the best Mendelssohn violin concerto available today even with the long legendary list of well known violinists who have registered this famous masterpiece ..... In 1969 Zukerman was young! The musicality, sweet sound of his violin and enthusiasm are the source of the incomparable emotion getting out of his fantastic play. Bernstein conducts the orchestra like it should be, without over weighting the sound of the violin. A fantastic emotion come and the interpretation is magic. Note the continuity between first and second movement. Person who are looking for a romantic, talent, a marvelous violinist ....listen Zukerman in this concerto and you will understand what make difference with the other violinists.....this is the only advise I could suggest. As a bonus you have the best Italian Symphony version recorded by Bernstein in 1958! A miracle of technology with a very good sound still there. Personally I have a preference for the incomparable version by Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, and both are so magnificent. But the interpretation of Zukerman is unique and send you to the nirvana.....five stars are not enough! Again catch up the CD quick before it is too late!

Magic Zukerman.......2000-07-22

Magic Pinchas Zukerman, certainly the best Mendelssohn violin concerto available today even with the long legendary list of well known violinists who have registered this famous masterpiece ..... In 1969, Zukerman was young! The musicality, sweet sound of his violin and his perception, enthusiasm are the source of the incomparable emotion getting out of his fantastic interpretation. Bernstein conducts the orchestra like it should be, without overweighting the sound of the violin. A fantastic emotion is there and the interpretation is magic particularly in the Andante without interruption with the first movement. Gents who are looking for a romantic, talent, a marvelous violinist ....listen Zukerman in the Mendelssohn concerto and you will understand what makes difference with the others.....this is the only advise I could suggest. As a bonus you have the best Italian Symphony version recorded by Bernstein in 1958! A miracle of technology with a very good sound still present; Personally I have a preference for the incomparable version by Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, even if both are magnificent. But the interpretation of Zukerman is so unique and send you to the Nirvana.....five stars are not enough! Again catch up the CD and quick before it is too late!

Excellent performances.......2000-05-10

No less an authority than Gramophone magazine has this version of the Mendelssohn violin concerto listed as their top choice. I completely agree. This 1969 recording catches the young Zukerman at his peak, with lovely phrasing, sweet tone, and complete virtuosity. Bernstein doesn't overpower his soloist, but the NYPO does provide full blooded accompaniment with very good sound. The recent remastering for "The Bernstein Century" has only helped. There is an overall sense of teamwork between the artists here, and they are in sync the whole way. The Fourth Symphony, the "Italian", is also vibrant. When I checked the liner notes I could not believe this was recorded in 1958! The sound is unbelievably good for that time period, better even than some cd's being released today. It is a lively account, better than Bernstein's later recording with the Israel Philharmonic. One of the best of the "Bernstein Century" reissues.

Average customer rating:

50 All Time Favorite Classics (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

25 Classical Favorites
Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
Masters of Classical Music (Box Set)
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe
25 Beethoven Favorites

ASIN: B000000L7D
Release Date: 1994-09-09

Tracks:

The Marriage Of Figaro
Exultate Jubilate: Halleluiah
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
The Blue Danube
Emperor Waltz
Die Fliedermaus
The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz
The Nutcracker Suite: March
1st Movement: Piano Concerto No. 1 -
Serenade For Strings
1st Movement: Moonlight Sonata
Pastoral Symphony No. 6 Finale
Symphony No. 2
Finale: Piano Sonata No. 20
1st Movement: Symphony No 5
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
1st Movement: Concerto for Violin
3rd Movement: Symphony No. 4
2nd Movement: Piano Concerto
The Carnival Of Animals: The Aviary
The Flying Dutchman
Humoresque
Ballet Music: Rosamunde
3rd Movement: Symphony No. 2

Tracks:

2nd Movement: Symphony No. 40
Symphony in C
3rd Movement: Violin Concerto
Arabesque
Waltz: Tales From The Vienna Woods
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Nocturne
Berceuse
Siegfried Idyll
Piano Quintet: The Trout
Ballet Suite: Swan Lake
Swan Lake: Hungarian Dance And Czardas
Oh Lamb Of God
To Spring
Finale: Piano Cocerto in a Miror
Light Calvary
Mazurka
Thunder And Lightning Polka
Moto Perpetuum
Radetzky March
Consolation E Major
March
Waltz No 2
Moment Musical F Minor Op. 94
Raindrops
Minute Waltz AS-Major

Average customer rating:

Uneven quality but great value
A superb collection of Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]

ASIN: B00062FLJ2
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

Uneven quality but great value.......2007-04-30

Brilliant Classics has found a niche with their extremely low-price multi-disc collections of the work of a single composer or performer. The Bach, Mozart and Chopin Complete Editions are legitimately considered to be artistic and economical triumphs. But the Masterworks series are more uneven. Currently available from Amazon France at about a buck per CD, they're still a bargain for those interested in quickly building a music library. But it's worth keeping a few things in mind. Unlike the Bach and Mozart Editions, these are not always historically informed performances. In this Mendelssohn set, the Hanover Band puts in a cameo (in Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage), but most of the ensembles use modern instruments, techniques and proportions. This doesn't always work out, as in the case of the ponderously heavy recordings of the String Symphonies by an apparently full complement of Gewandhausorchester Leipzig strings (Mendelssohn likely wrote these early works for a much smaller group). The caliber of the performances varies too, ranging from good to poor, and from marquis musicians such as Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau to a few Dutch who-dats. The chamber musicians generally acquit themselves well (though the Octet recording is marred by an engineering flaw in the last movement, distortion, at least on my copy). But the symphonies suffer from some substandard performances, such as the Italian Symphony's live recording with not only audience noise but also ensemble flaws such as a distracting clarinet squeak in the first movement's recapitulation. Another strike is the lack of program notes. Brilliant's Complete Editions provide a booklet or CD-ROM with program notes, but here you'll need to do your own research.

Despite these shortcomings, this set is still good value (at least at Amazon France's current price of 31 Euros). And it's a fine way to become acquainted with Mendelssohn's music.

A superb collection of Mendelssohn.......2007-03-24

Let me preface this by saying that most of these works were not new to me - I own many other Mendelssohn CDs and have enjoyed his compositions for some time now. Also, this set is available much cheaper elsewhere, particularly from European retailers.
The symphonies are well-performed. 'Reformation' is an inspired live recording. The 12 string symphonies, written in Mendelssohn's youth, are also included. The concertos are exceptional - the violin concerto is as good as you'll find anywhere. The oratorios Elijah and Paulus are included, as well as the complete chamber works and a diverse assortment of choral works. The last few discs include the Lied ohne worte, the epic organ sonatas, and excellent renditions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Fingal's Cave. While there are a few sketchy performances in the choral and chamber works, the performances and recordings are generally very solid, and the body of work couldn't be better.

Average customer rating:

A riveting example of classical music

Mendelssohn: Works for Orchestra

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Sym No.1 in C: I. Allegro
Sym No.1 in C: II. Andante
Sym No.1 in C: III. Allegro
Sym No.2 in D: I. Allegro
Sym No.2 in D: II. Andante
Sym No.2 in D: III. Allegro
Sym No.3 in e: I. Allegro Di Molto
Sym No.3 in e: II. Andante
Sym No.3 in e: III. Allegro
Sym No.4 in c: I. Grave-Allegro
Sym No.4 in c: II. Andante
Sym No.4 in c: III. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.5 in B flat: I. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.5 in B flat: II. Andante
Sym No.5 in B flat: III. Presto
Sym No.6 in E flat: I. Allegro
Sym No.6 in E flat: II. Menuetto
Sym No.6 in E flat: III. Prestissimo

Tracks:

Sym No.7 in d: I. Allegro
Sym No.7 in d: II. Andante
Sym No.7 in d: III. Menuetto
Sym No.7 in d: IV. Allegro Molto
Sym No.8 in D: I. Adagio E Grave-Allegro
Sym No.8 in D: II. Adagio
Sym No.8 in D: III. Menuetto
Sym No.8 in D: IV. Allegro Molto
Sym No.10 in b: I. Adagio
Sym No.10 in b: II. Allegro

Tracks:

Sym No.9 in C: I. Grave-Allegro
Sym No.9 in C: II. Andante
Sym No.9 in C: III. Scherzo
Sym No.9 in C: IV. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.11 in F: I. Adagio-Allegro Molto
Sym No.11 in F: II. Scherzo Commodo Schweizerlied
Sym No.11 in F: III. Adagio
Sym No.11 in F: IV. Menuetto: Allegro Moderato
Sym No.11 in F: V. Allegro Molto
Sym No.12 in g: I. Fuga: Grave-Allegro
Sym No.12 in g: II. Andante
Sym No.12 in g: III. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Pno Con No.1 in g, Op.25: I. Molto Allegro Con Filoco - Joseph Kalichstein
Pno Con No.1 in g, Op.25: II. Andante - Joseph Kalichstein
Pno Con No.1 in g, Op.25: III. Presto - Joseph Kalichstein
Hebrides Ov ('Fingal's Cave') Op.26 - Joseph Kalichstein
Pno Con No.2 in d, Op.40: I. Allegro Appassionato - Joseph Kalichstein
Pno Con No.2 in d, Op.40: II. Adagio-Molto Sostenuto - Joseph Kalichstein
Pno Con No.2 in d, Op.40: III. Finale-Presto Scherzando - Joseph Kalichstein

Tracks:

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Ov & Incidental Music): Ov - SCO/Jaime Laredo
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Ov & Incidental Music): Scherzo - SCO/Jaime Laredo
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Ov & Incidental Music): Intermezzo - SCO/Jaime Laredo
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Ov & Incidental Music): Nocturne - SCO/Jaime Laredo
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Ov & Incidental Music): Wedding March - SCO/Jaime Laredo
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Ov & Incidental Music): Bergomask Dance - SCO/Jaime Laredo
Sym No.3, Op.56: I. Andante Con Moto-Allegro Un Poco Agitato - SCO/Jaime Laredo
Sym No.3, Op.56: II. Vivace Non Troppo - SCO/Jaime Laredo
Sym No.3, Op.56: III. Adagio - SCO/Jaime Laredo
Sym No.3, Op.56: IV. Allegro Vivacissimo - SCO/Jaime Laredo

Tracks:

Sym No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': I. Allegro Vivace - Benjamin Hudson
Sym No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': II. Andante Con Moto - Benjamin Hudson
Sym No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': III. Con Moto Moderato - Benjamin Hudson
Sym No.4 in A, Op.90 'Italian': IV. Saltarello: Presto - Benjamin Hudson
Vn Con in e, Op.64: I. Allegro Molto Appassionato - Benjamin Hudson
Vn Con in e, Op.64: II. Andante - Benjamin Hudson
Vn Con in e, Op.64: III. Allegretto Non Troppo-Allegro Molto Vivace - Benjamin Hudson
Calm Sea And Prosperous Voyage, Op.27 - Benjamin Hudson

Customer Reviews:

A riveting example of classical music.......2000-09-22

The poet, Goethe, once wrote that "music is architecture in a fluid state." That statement is exceptionally correct in describing Mendelssohn: Works for Orchestra. The compilation is filled with Mendelssohn's greatest, most beautiful works. His "Hebrides" is a most rich and intense audio portrait of the Scottish shoreline on a stormy night. The music is wonderful and pregnant with detail. It is definately five star quality.

CARL SCHURICHT Decca Recordings 1949-1956

Average customer rating:

Beautiful early 1950s recordings by an unknown conductor to many Americans
Schuricht's Classic Studio Recordings 1949-56
Carl Schuricht: An Original Master

CARL SCHURICHT Decca Recordings 1949-1956

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Decca Recordings 1949-1955
Edward van Beinum : The Decca Recordings 1948-1953
Ernest Ansermet: Decca Recordings 1953-1967
The 1950s Haydn Symphonies Recordings
Pierre Monteux Decca & Philips Recordings, 1956-1964

ASIN: B000276K3W
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful early 1950s recordings by an unknown conductor to many Americans.......2006-04-29

Carl Schuricht (1880-1967) may be an unknown conductor to many Americans, but had an active career in Germany, Holland and France from the 1930s until his death in 1967. Schuricht was known to me primarily from his EMI stereo recording of Bruckner Symphonies 8 and 9 with the Vienna Philharmonic. The recordings in this Decca set are MONO, but in very clear, well defined sound. Decca's engineers have done excellent work for this reissue.

Some listeners will know which works are by the Paris Conservatory Orchestra, as their trumpets, horns, and woodwinds have a certain vibrato laden timbre which their American and British counterparts, for example, do not. You either like the Paris Conservatory or you don't, and I DO. Beethoven's Symphony 5; Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Orchestra Suite No. 3 Variations; Schumann's Symphonies 2 and 3 + Overture, Scherzo and Finale are all by the Paris Conservatory Orchestra in this collection. The other works: Beethoven Symphonies 1 and 2, Mendelssohn RUY BLAS, HEBRIDES, FAIR MELUSINA and CALM SEA AND PROSPEROUS VOYAGE Overtures; Brahms Symphony 2 and Schubert Symphony 8 "Unfinished" are all with the Vienna Philharmonic from the early 1950s.

There is much here to love, even if you have other recordings of these works. Schuricht had a special solidity but was never stodgy or dry. I compare him favorably with Karl Bohm (1894-1981). Recommended, and I have other recordings of all these works, but am glad to have Schuricht, too.

Schuricht's Classic Studio Recordings 1949-56.......2005-04-08

To my mind, Schuricht's sane and very musical conducting always occupied an appealing "middle ground" between the more subjectively romantic way of Furtwangler/Abendroth/Mengelberg and the tougher rhythmic drive of Toscanini and Kleiber. Here is a brief assessment of each CD in this 5-disc collection:

CD 1. Schuricht draws wonderfully disciplined playing from the VPO in this superb Beethoven 1st, which is one of my favorite versions along with the more Haydnesque, gemutlich Weingartner/VPO (best heard on an Opus Kura CD from Japan, coupled with Weingartner's magnificent Beethoven 7th). Schuricht's Beethoven 5th with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra has appeared elsewhere on Italian bootleg labels. The transfer here is vastly superior. This is, to my ears, one of the greatest-ever accounts: it's very straight (lean and mean) and better-played than Schuricht's later recording in his complete Beethoven symphony set (French EMI). Even though Furtwangler remains my exemplar here (his 1943 wartime concert performance on DG and the mellower 1952 account on Tahra), Schuricht's more classical manner is very persuasive. This surely ranks among the finest "straight" 5ths of Weingartner (Naxos), Erich Kleiber (Decca) and Carlos Kleiber (DG). Schuricht's Mendelssohn is well-played, if a bit sober and penny-plain. In the Hebrides (Fingal's Cave) Overture, I still prefer Beecham, Furtwangler, Maag and Fritz Lehmann. In the Ruy Blas, Beecham is simply inimitable. For the Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, there was once an excellent version on Columbia LP (England) by Paul Kletzki and the Israel Philharmonic (coupled with a great Scotch Symphony) that deserves to be on CD. My favorite account remains the Lehmann/Berlin Phil., which DG ought to re-issue in a coupling with the Hebrides and the Roloff/Lehmann readings of Mendelssohn's piano concertos.

CD 2. This disc holds two treasurable 2nds of the "desert island" variety. The Beethoven Symphony has a wonderfully trenchant first mvt., a Larghetto with delectable interplay between the VPO's beautifully sweet strings and its plangent winds, a witty Scherzo, and an affectionately slow last mvt. At a length of 7:07, the latter is hardly Allegro Molto (for that you have to hear the brilliant Erich Kleiber on Teldec), but to my ears this is one of the truly classic performances, along with the Kleiber and the outstanding Weingartner (best transfer: Naxos). The Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto with Backhaus is a great collaboration - this pianist was always at his best in Brahms - and the transfer is HUGELY superior to what was (barely) heard in the Philips "Great Pianists" series. It's my favorite account, though I wouldn't be without the exceptional readings by Clifford Curzon/Hans Knappertsbusch (Living Stage) and Sviatoslav Richter/George Georgescu (Dorian, coupled with Richter's only recording of the Handel Variations).

CD 3. Schuricht's gorgeously lyrical, very pastoral account of Brahms' 2nd Symphony is more uptempo than his live Stuttgart account (Archiphon). If I could have only 3 recordings, they would be this Schuricht (excellent transfer!), the Fritz Busch (EMI) and the Furtwangler (EMI). Incidentally, I can't help noticing (in the last mvt., the passage starting at 4:43 here) an odd similarity to the opening of Mahler's 1st (since the opening of Mahler's 3rd is clearly patterned on the main theme of the Brahms 1st's last mvt., I think this may be more than just a coincidence). Christian Ferras' interpretation of the Brahms Violin Concerto reminds me somewhat of Fritz Kreisler's (Ferras also uses the Kreisler cadenza). It's a lovely, small-scale account, and joins a lengthy list of "greats" (e.g., Kreisler/Blech, Busch/ Steinberg, Szigeti/Harty, Martzy/Kletzki, De Vito/Schwarz, etc.)

CD 4. This disc is all Schumann: The Overture, Scherzo & Finale (rather like a symphony without a slow movement), plus the 2nd and 3rd Symphonies. All are with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra, whose billowing brass may be an acquired taste. These are all masterly readings. The CD notes fail to mention that, in the "Rhenish," Schuricht uses Mahler's re-orchestration. My other favorite 2nds (the opening measures so like Haydn's #104!) are the more richly romantic readings by Stokowski (Cala) and Pfitzner (Koch Legacy), and the chastely classical Enescu (Dutton). My favorite stereo 3rd is probably the Leibowitz (Chesky). Hopefully a long-extinct 10" DG LP of the 3rd with Leitner and the Berlin Phil. will achieve a CD transfer: it had the loveliest slow mvt. I have ever heard.

CD 5. This disc is of lesser distinction. Mendelssohn's Fair Melusine Overture receives a sturdy reading that isn't quite on the level of Busch or Beecham. The Schubert 8th strikes me as a mis-fire - it's also available on Schuricht's "Great Conductors" volume on IMG (see my review). And the Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien is simply no match for the ebullient Kondrashin (RCA).

This Decca set is essential listening, especially for its pace-setting accounts of Beethoven and Brahms. If you would like to hear a broader representation of Schuricht's artistry, you may want to explore his 10-disc set on Scribendum (available at Amazon.uk), which includes stylish accounts of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, Mozart's 38/40/41, a fine Bruckner 7th, and a very warm-hearted Brahms 4th.

Strongly recommended.

Carl Schuricht: An Original Master.......2005-01-13

Conductor Carl Schuricht has been unfairly neglected over the years, but a recent string of reissues should go to great lengths to remedy that problem. Compiling many of his greatest recordings for the Decca label from 1949-1956, this box set will be a most welcome addition to the shelves of classical music connoisseurs. Unfortunately, this title is not without its problems. While the set claims on its back cover that all of this material, save a 1952 account of the Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto with Backhaus (amazing BTW) and a 1956 Schubert 8th Symphony, are receiving their first international CD release, a lot of this material has been readily available for years. In addition to the aforementioned "Unfinished," the 1954 performance of Mendelssohn's "Hebrides" Overture with the Vienna Philharmonic was recently included in Schuricht's "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" title. Also the 1954 recording of the Brahms Violin Concerto with Christian Ferras is the very same version featured on Testament SBT 1293, and it is an alarming trend, if you ask me, that these "licensed" recordings are starting to appear simultaneously on two labels (see my recent review of EMI's "Great Recordings of the Century" release of David Oistrakh performing Prokofiev's Violin Concertos). Finally, why UNI chose to issue this and the recent Erich Kleiber set in clunky plastic jewel cases, instead of the normal slim paperboard box with paper sleeves for the discs, is beyond me. Overall though, "Original Masters: Carl Schuricht" is another first rate historical reissue from Universal. Schuricht's earlier performances of Beethoven's 1st, 2nd & 5th Symphonies featured here offer a nice contrast to his accounts of a few years later on EMI, and his Schumann -- the 2nd & 3rd Symphonies and "Overture, Scherzo and Finale" comprising CD4 -- is surprisingly good. In fact, I can hardly wait for the next batch of Decca OMs next month!

Average customer rating:

Super-Budget Way to Gain Some Understanding of Romantic Era

Discover: Music of the Romantic Era

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Discover Music of the Classical Era
Discover Music of the 20th Century
Discover Music of the Baroque Era
Discover Early Music
A History of Musical Style

ASIN: B0006OL5EU
Release Date: 2005-01-18

Tracks:

Movement 1: Allegro Con Brio - Bela Drahos
Movement 4: Marche Au Supplice (March To The Scaffold) - San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Movement 1: Allegor Maestoso - Tempo Giusto - Joseph Banowetz
Polonaise In D Minor, Op.71 No.1 - Idil Biret
Gretchen At The Spinning Wheel - Lynda Russell
The Hebrides - Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Movement 4: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo - Jeno Jando
Intermezzo In A Major, Op.118 No.2 - Idil Biret
Nacqui All'affanno E Al Pianto - Hungarian State Opera Chorus
Spargi D'amaro Pianto - Luba Orgonasova
E Lui... Dio Che Nell'alma Infondere - Giacomo Aragall

Tracks:

Prelude And Liebstod - Johannes Wildner
Kamarinskaya - Anthony Bramall
Movement 1: Allegro - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Movement 2: Allegro Con Grazia - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Vltava - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Slavonic Dance In C Major, Op.46 No.1 - Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Romance In B Flat For Violin And Piano - Pascal Devoyon
In The Hall Of The Mountain King - Jerzy Maksymiuk
Solemn And Measured, Without Dragging - Michael Halasz
Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op.3 No.2 - Idil Biret
Variation 9: Nimrod - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Super-Budget Way to Gain Some Understanding of Romantic Era.......2005-03-05

This 2CD set from Naxos at super-budget price is a wonderful way for teens or adults to acquaint themselves with the Romantic Era of classical music. It contains complete movements from works ranging from Beethoven (the 'Eroica' Symphony that started the Romantic era) to Elgar (the Nimrod variation from the 'Enigma Variations'). And pegged to those selections is an extensive and clearly-written 100-page essay by David McCleery that gives all kinds of background information as well as blow-by-blow descriptions of the pieces being played [e.g., in Schubert's song, 'Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel', "when she imagines kissing him the piano stops its repetitive spinning motif, indicating that she is so overcome by the thought that she has stopped working."]. Accompanying the text are pictures of the composers as well a quotation from most of them, from the sober [Mahler: 'To write a symphony is, for me, to construct the world.'] to the humorous [Grieg: 'I am sure my music has the taste of codfish in it.']. Also, there are reproductions of historical documents that illustrate the social currents of each period of time, from the Declaration of Independence, illustrating the spread of the idea of democracy, to a letter from Dvorák to his music publisher taking him to task for his anti-Czech sentiments.

Composers represented by their music are Beethoven, Berlioz, Liszt, Chopin, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Wagner, Glinka, Borodin, Tchaikovsky, Smetana, Dvorák, Fauré, Grieg, Mahler, Rachmaninov and Elgar. Among the musical selections are all sorts of music, from the Beethoven symphony movement, chamber music of Schumann, a song by Schubert, an operatic duet (from 'Don Carlo') by Verdi, Fauré's Romance for Violin and Piano, the first movement of Mahler's First Symphony, a Chopin polonaise, and a Liszt piano concerto. The recordings of all these works are excerpted from Naxos's huge library of releases of classical music, and the performances are universally quite acceptable and in good stereo sound.

Provided as a kind of background for the newcomer to classical music is a Timeline of the Romantic Era (music, history, art, literature) so they can place various composers and their works in a cultural context. There are extensive suggestions for further listening, a listing of Romantic era composers including many more than those whose works are included here, and a helpful glossary of musical terms written in everyday language.

This is a very thoughtfully done short-course in the Romantic era that will not only answer questions of casual classical music listeners but also stimulate interest in further exploration. I recommend it highly.

2 CDs TT=2hrs30mins and 161 page booklet in a slipcase

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating:

The Best of Mendelssohn

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Best of Schumann
The Best of Haydn
The Best of Brahms
Best of Schubert
The Best of Liszt

ASIN: B0000014HB
Release Date: 1997-10-20

Tracks:

Fingal's Cave, Op.26: The Hebrides - Overture
Songs Without Words, Op.62: Spring Song
A Midsummers Night's Dream: Overture, Op.21
A Midsummers Night's Dream: Wedding March, Op. 61, No. 4
A Midsummers Night's Dream: Scherzo, Op. 61, No. 1
Songs Without Words, Op.19 No.6: Venezianisches Gonellied
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': Andante con moto - Allegro un poco agiato - Andante come prima
Piano Concerto No.1 In G Minor: Molto allegro con fuoco
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Andante - Allegro non troppo
Symphony No. 4 In A Major: 'Italian' - Ssaltarello: Presto

Average customer rating:

The best Mendelssohn collection

Panorama: Felix Mendelssohn

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Panorama: Jean Sibelius
Panorama: Franz Schubert
Panorama: Joseph Haydn
Panorama: Sergey Prokofiev
Panorama: Hector Berlioz

ASIN: B00004W3IT
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Overture 'The Hebrides': Allegro moderato - Animato in tempo - Berliner Philharmoniker
Violin Concerto: Allegro molto appassionato - Anne-Sophie Mutter
Violin Concerto: Andante - Anne-Sophie Mutter
Violin Concerto: Allegro non troppo - Allegro molto vivace - Anne-Sophie Mutter
Symphony No.4 'Italian': Allegro vivace - Berliner Philharmoniker
Symphony No.4 'Italian': Andante con moto - Berliner Philharmoniker
Symphony No.4 'Italian': Con moto moderato - Berliner Philharmoniker
Symphony No.4 'Italian': Saltarello. Presto - Berliner Philharmoniker
Songs Without Words: Op. 62 No.5 in A Minor 'Venetian Gondola Song'. Andante con moto - Daniel Barenboim
Songs Without Words: Op.67 No.4 in C Major 'Spinning Song'. Presto - Daniel Barenboim
Songs Without Words: Op. 62 No. 6 in A Major 'Spring Song'. Allegretto grazioso - Daniel Barenboim
Songs Without Words: Op. 38 No.6 in A Flat Major 'Duetto'. Andante con moto - Daniel Barenboim

Tracks:

A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Overture (Op.21). Allegro di molto - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Fairies's March. Allegro vivace - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Song with Chorus - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Intermezzo. Allegro appassionato - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Nottumo. Con moto tranquillo - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Wedding March. Allegro vivace - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Funeral March. Andante comondo - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Dance Of The Clowns. Allegro di molto - Edith Mathis
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61: Finale: Allegro di molto - Edith Mathis
Octet In E Flat Minor, Op. 20: Allegro moderato, ma con fuoco - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Chamber Ensemble
Octet In E Flat Minor, Op. 20: Andante - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Chamber Ensemble
Octet In E Flat Minor, Op. 20: Scherzo. Allegro leggierissimo - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Chamber Ensemble
Octet In E Flat Minor, Op. 20: Presto - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Chamber Ensemble

Customer Reviews:

The best Mendelssohn collection.......2000-12-10

This compilation has the finest interpretations of the most-known Mendelssohn masterpieces, from the Digital recording of the Violin Concerto by the marvellous Anne-Sophie Mutter and the masterful Herbert von Karajan to the sparkling, reverberating recording of the Midsummer Night's dream conducted by Rafael Kubelik. It is a must-have. And the price is nice too!

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

Recommended Music:

Silverhand

Albert Coates conducts Wagner, Weber, and Mendelssohn

An Introduction to Tigran Mansurian

Music: Psychotrance, Vol. 5

50's-Rolling Back the Years [Import]

Anchors in the Sod

Baby Chill Out [Import]

25 Variations & Fugue on a Theme / Intermezzo 2

#1 Hits

15 Exitos Inmortales de Jorge Negrete

10 Year Anniversary Box Set (22 CD-singles, booklet, & case)

Arranca Toco [Import]

2000 Summer Hit Mix

Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos. 7-10; Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio

Grey Ghost