Reasonable efforts here. Gardiner's CD is the more dynamic performance of the two and is my preference. The other recording has its merits but is a little too one-paced overall.
I think these days this Mass has just about been accepted by the establishment as a Beethoven piece worthy of his name.
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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
What a damned fool Esterhazy was. It is a brilliant work, every inch a masterpiece, with moments of transcendent power which anticipate the later setting.
It is a scandal that it hasn't achieved the standing in the core repertoire that it deserves. I feel even the Missa Solemnis isn't quite as recognized as it should be...
Btw, I thoroughly enjoyed these performances. I'm normally 'modern instruments' through and through, but I'm starting to appreciate the authentic movement a lot more these days. The 'Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus' in particular was superb.
I had a 'modern' CD by Riccardo Chailly, RIAS Chamber Choir and RSO Berlin Orchestra on Decca, which I thought was a nice effort but had problems with the recording balance favouring the singers way too much so that sometimes the orchestra lost its effect. A common problem with vocal recordings. Once I got Gardiner's CD I gave Chailly's away.
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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 08-26-2005).]
Originally posted by Rod:
I had a 'modern' CD by Riccardo Chailly, RIAS Chamber Choir and RSO Berlin Orchestra on Decca, which I thought was a nice effort but had problems with the recording balance favouring the singers way too much so that sometimes the orchestra lost its effect. A common problem with vocal recordings. Once I got Gardiner's CD I gave Chailly's away.
I have that very recording, on a 'Double Decca' coupled with a Solti Missa. I hardly ever listen to the Solti - despite the Missa being my favourite work - but I like the Chailly op.86. I know what you mean about the sound imbalance, though, and I am definitely going to buy Gardiner's effort. I think I've seen it advertised in Britannia before - is it coupled with op.65?
Originally posted by untamed_personality: ... I know what you mean about the sound imbalance, though, and I am definitely going to buy Gardiner's effort. I think I've seen it advertised in Britannia before - is it coupled with op.65?
Yep, and Meerstille...
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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
I've deleted the files from op86, so the links won't work now. I uploaded op90 yesterday but Peter has not revised the page so I assume he's on holiday.
Originally posted by Rod: I've deleted the files from op86, so the links won't work now. I uploaded op90 yesterday but Peter has not revised the page so I assume he's on holiday.
Seems everyone knows but me. I would have delayed the deletion of the old tracks had I known and now the Handel music is occupying most of the space. Too late!
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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 09-01-2005).]
Originally posted by Rod: Seems everyone knows but me. I would have delayed the deletion of the old tracks had I known and now the Handel music is occupying most of the space. Too late!
I sent you an email before abandoning civilisation for my desert Island retreat!
Originally posted by Peter: I sent you an email before abandoning civilisation for my desert Island retreat!
I didn't get it Peter, but the delay was fortunately not a great one. If you sent it to my beethoven.com address I can tell you they have closed their email operation down. Use my yahoo address in future if you need to.
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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
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