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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!harpo!eagle!allegra!cbf
From: cbf@allegra.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Speaking of recordings
Message-ID: <1895@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 17-Oct-83 13:46:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: allegra.1895
Posted: Mon Oct 17 13:46:59 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Oct-83 03:44:01 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 37

Someone recently posted an item to net.audio suggesting more
discussions of favorite recordings.  I'd love to participate in those
discussions, although my interests are restricted mostly to classical
music.  I try to keep informed about recent releases, but my knowledge
of historical performances is rather limited, so I would love to hear
more on that.  I would also suggest that the discussion be kept in
net.records (that is why that group was created, right?).  To get the
ball rolling, I'll start by making a couple of potentially
controversial declarations:

Haitink's recent Philips recording of Shostakovich's 5th Symphony is
one of this year's very best classical records, as well as one of the
finest sounding.
Karajan's DG recording of Holst's "The Planets" is not only the greatest
ever recording of that piece, but the CD version is one of the best
CD's around, DG mixing and all.  A must for CD collectors.  No, I'm not
one, yet.
Solti's recent London recording of Mahler's Ninth is sonically
magnificent, but the performance can't hold a candle to Karajan's
apocalyptic recording, probably my favorite record.
Frederica von Stade's collection of Faure songs on EMI/Angel is a must
for any lover of the human voice.
The brand new Mutter/Menesnes/Berlin/Karajan DG recording of the Brahms
Double Concerto is simply awesome.  Menesnes' first recording!
If you've never heard Toscanini's reading of Beethoven's Seventh, then
you've never really heard that piece right.  I just discovered it.
A while back, "Stereo Review" gave a glowing rave to the soundtrack
of *Local Hero*.  Rightly so.  I've been enjoying it a great deal.
Has anyone heard or heard anything about the new Karajan recording
of "Carmen"?  What about Bernstein's "Tristan und Isolde"?

I'll be glad to defend the above statements if attacked.  Of course, I
don't expect to hear from those of you out there who wouldn't even
consider speaking to anyone who'd have anything good to say about
Herbert von Karajan.

--Charles (decvax!allegra!cbf)