Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Recommended recordings
#1
Having thoroughly enjoyed ETO's performance of La Bohème yesterday evening, I'm looking out for a good recording.  Preferably something fairly recent (for sound quality reasons).  Ideally I'd like to try something on Qobuz first and then buy a copy on CD.

There are many to choose from, of course.  Any suggestions/recommendations from the opera-lovers amongst us?

Thanks,

Ian

PS - in case it wasn't obvious, the idea of this thread is to cover recommended recordings in general, not just specifically for La Bohème!
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
Reply
#2
Please don't be fooled by the idea that only modern recordings have good sound quality.
http://www.allmusic.com/album/beethoven-...0001797938 has more than excellent sound quality and was recorded in 1975 and 1976.
Another great example is "The Cafe Europa Sessions" (http://www.elvisinfonet.com/book_review_...uropa.html) recorded in 1960.
Something much more modern with fantastic sound quality is the White Stripes - Icky Thump on vinyl (http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/72815)
Devialet 200 <> Bowers & Wilkins 805 Diamond <> Aurender N100 <> Clearaudio Concept MC <> Audioquest Rocket 44/Coffee USB

The Netherlands
Reply
#3
Well done Thumb, I think this is an excellent idea for a thread. Lets hope we can keep it going, both for recommendations of particular recordings that anyone finds that are particularly good, as well as forum to post for any specific requests for recommendations.

I for example am after a decent version of Mozart's Requiem, maybe a nice full bodied gothic like rendition. Classical music is not normally my thing, so I'm sure many others on here will have a far better idea of where to start looking than I do.

Any suggestions?
Reply
#4
(26-Apr-2015, 09:59)Confused Wrote: Well done Thumb, I think this is an excellent idea for a thread.  Lets hope we can keep it going, both for recommendations of particular recordings that anyone finds that are particularly good, as well as forum to post for any specific requests for recommendations.  

I for example am after a decent version of Mozart's Requiem, maybe a nice full bodied gothic like rendition.  Classical music is not normally my thing, so I'm sure many others on here will have a far better idea of where to start looking than I do.

Any suggestions?

Thanks Confused, I'm glad the idea appeals to you too.

I've got the Daniel Barenboim (1986) recording of Mozart's Requiem, which sounds good to me - though it has a full and perhaps romantic sound so may not be "gothic" enough for you.
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
Reply
#5
(26-Apr-2015, 09:44)Eddye Wrote: Please don't be fooled by the idea that only modern recordings have good sound quality.
http://www.allmusic.com/album/beethoven-...0001797938 has more than excellent sound quality and was recorded in 1975 and 1976.
Another great example is "The Cafe Europa Sessions" (http://www.elvisinfonet.com/book_review_...uropa.html) recorded in 1960.
Something much more modern with fantastic sound quality is the White Stripes - Icky Thump on vinyl (http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/72815)

Agreed.  A while back I was given a copy of T Rex's Electric Warrior, 2012 re-master on 180g.  It did not sound good, I eventually found my original copy (nicked from my older brother some time ago, I think) which was much more listenable, even though it was over 40 years old.  Looking at the 24 bit version per this link might give you a clue as to why.

http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?a...ic+warrior
Reply
#6
(26-Apr-2015, 09:44)Eddye Wrote: Please don't be fooled by the idea that only modern recordings have good sound quality.

Eddye - yes, good point!  I mentioned sound quality because at least one of the recordings I'd seen recommended was in mono, and I think I'd find that distracting even if the performance and recording was otherwise excellent.  ("Sound quality" may have been the wrong term to use, in that case.)
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
Reply
#7
(26-Apr-2015, 08:52)thumb5 Wrote: Having thoroughly enjoyed ETO's performance of La Bohème yesterday evening, I'm looking out for a good recording.  Preferably something fairly recent (for sound quality reasons).  Ideally I'd like to try something on Qobuz first and then buy a copy on CD.

There are many to choose from, of course.  Any suggestions/recommendations from the opera-lovers amongst us?

Thanks,

Ian

PS - in case it wasn't obvious, the idea of this thread is to cover recommended recordings in general, not just specifically for La Bohème!

Well specifically for La bohème I can recommend this one:

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/puccini...2894210492

It's a "modern" La bohème with Mirella Freni as Mimi and Pavarotti as Rodolpho and directed by Karajan. The other great recording is the 1956 Beecham with Björling as Rodolfo but that's in mono!

Guillaume
Industry disclosure: UK distributor for Shunyata Research

220 PRO, totaldac d1 server with additional external power supply, totaldac d1-seven, Echole PSU for Totaldac, Wilson Audio Sasha 2, Shunyata Research cables, Shunyata Hydra Alpha A10 + DPC-6 v3, Various Entreq ground boxes and cables, Entreq Athena level 3 rack, 2 X SOtM sNH-10G with sCLK-EX + 10MHz Master Clock input + sPS-500 PSU, i5 sonicTransporter w/ 1TB SSD

UK
Reply
#8
Thanks Guillaume - both added to my list.  The other one I'm going to try is this one with Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon.  Plenty of listening to do...!
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
Reply
#9
I like the initiative for such a thread as it complements the "My Music" thread. The only suggestion that I' like to make is: To create a separate thread for each recommended recording or set of recommended recordings. In this way everybody can quickly find his/her interesting albums and recommendations. 
Perhaps "Recommended Recordings could even become a separate category of threads?
The present thread hence, could have the heading: Beethoven, Symphonies 5,7, Kleiber (Just a suggestion)
I just checked my iTunes library for this Kleiber recording and found it! I also have it as an SACD. Haven't listened for a long time though.
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)