Having listened to two and a half of these performances I am inclined to agree with your overall assessment: Vondráček excellent; orchestra middling to good, though they are more powerful in the finale of the Paganini Rhapsody than you suggested, in my view. Did I hear you say that you didn't care about piano competitions? Not even the Van Cliburn? Last year's winner, Yunchan Lim, is phenomenal and is going to be BIG. I heard him play Rachmaninov 3 and work his way through all 12 of Liszt's Transcendental Studies without a break. For sheer stamina, technical virtuosity as well as musical insight and sensitivity he is extraordinary. And all at the age of 18! I look forward to his recordings.
I've watched that winning performance of the Rach.3 5 or six times--the conductor (Marin Alsop) literally in tears as this extraordinary performance unfolded. In follow-up interviews, the artists on the Completion jury fumble for words to describe the greatness they've witnessed. (No, this still doesn't validate the concept of competitions, but...well, lucky we to witness this performance!)
Thanks so much for mentioning this performance! I've been one of those insufferables who ignore Rachmaninoff, but I've begun to realize the error of my ways, partly due to listening to Dave these past few years. So, NOW I'm anxious to hear Lim's performance, but I feel I should get familiar with other performances first, to appreciate his achievement. I have watched most of the commentary video from Tonebase Piano, and it is really intriguing what is standing out in his performance. That sort of subtle but telling detail is rare in any repetoire, but it's unforgettable once you hear it. (PS: can it be you moved Dave to reconsider his comment about competitions?😁)
@@dennischiapello3879 I doubt whether Dave will change his mind but while piano competitions may have their limitations it’s absurd to say they are meaningless as they’re obviously not meaningless to the participants.
I bought this cycle a few years ago, because the Editor/Publisher of another (*ahem*) 'Record Guide' kept recommending it as the only cycle romantic enough to satisfy him. Well, Rösel is wonderful (when wasn't he?), but Sanderling's romanticism is of a VERY serious nature, leaving a whiff of Brahms in the air. Other than that, as good as anything out there.
Having listened to two and a half of these performances I am inclined to agree with your overall assessment: Vondráček excellent; orchestra middling to good, though they are more powerful in the finale of the Paganini Rhapsody than you suggested, in my view. Did I hear you say that you didn't care about piano competitions? Not even the Van Cliburn? Last year's winner, Yunchan Lim, is phenomenal and is going to be BIG. I heard him play Rachmaninov 3 and work his way through all 12 of Liszt's Transcendental Studies without a break. For sheer stamina, technical virtuosity as well as musical insight and sensitivity he is extraordinary. And all at the age of 18! I look forward to his recordings.
I really don't care about piano competitions. They are meaningless.
I've watched that winning performance of the Rach.3 5 or six times--the conductor (Marin Alsop) literally in tears as this extraordinary performance unfolded. In follow-up interviews, the artists on the Completion jury fumble for words to describe the greatness they've witnessed. (No, this still doesn't validate the concept of competitions, but...well, lucky we to witness this performance!)
Thanks so much for mentioning this performance! I've been one of those insufferables who ignore Rachmaninoff, but I've begun to realize the error of my ways, partly due to listening to Dave these past few years. So, NOW I'm anxious to hear Lim's performance, but I feel I should get familiar with other performances first, to appreciate his achievement. I have watched most of the commentary video from Tonebase Piano, and it is really intriguing what is standing out in his performance. That sort of subtle but telling detail is rare in any repetoire, but it's unforgettable once you hear it. (PS: can it be you moved Dave to reconsider his comment about competitions?😁)
@@dennischiapello3879 I doubt whether Dave will change his mind but while piano competitions may have their limitations it’s absurd to say they are meaningless as they’re obviously not meaningless to the participants.
That is a meaningless statement.
Hi David!, I would be glad to hear your opinion on the Nelson's Romeo Et Juliette (Berlioz) released on April
Could it be the Bavarian Radio Symphony that sunk the new Mahler 9 on BR-Klassik, or could have the maestro had something to do with this?
Dave, I have seen that another set has been just reissued: Rösel with Sanderling in Berlin Classics. What do you think about that cycle?
I bought this cycle a few years ago, because the Editor/Publisher of another (*ahem*) 'Record Guide' kept recommending it as the only cycle romantic enough to satisfy him. Well, Rösel is wonderful (when wasn't he?), but Sanderling's romanticism is of a VERY serious nature, leaving a whiff of Brahms in the air. Other than that, as good as anything out there.
@@richardfrankel6102 , thanks for your review.
Dave - I am glad that you got some new cats. What are their names?
Mildred and Finster.
Cool is ok in the case of Rachmaninov; his music can get sappy very easily, I think.