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What's the best recording of Holst: The Planets? - Page 2

post #16 of 69
1/30/04 at 10:06am
It's alive again!
OK couple more comments to go with my original post here. I have since picked up the recent Lloyd-Jones/Naxos version and it is excellent, goes to the top 5 of all available versions in both performance and sound quality.......you can buy under $5 new many places.

I have the Bolt/EMI GROTC because all the critics love it but I really am not too impressed, I have listened to it several times and must be missing something

The Steinberg/DG Originals is very energetic exciting version, but the sound quality is poor, very brightly lit recording.

So the "best bang for buck" award currently goes to Jones/Naxos
at budget price followed by Dutoit/London (penguin classics series) at mid price. For full price I stay with Gardiner/DG for now........but keep looking for ultimate version.
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post #17 of 69
1/31/04 at 6:13pm
The CD version of the LP Recording/Production of "The Planets" referenced by RickG above (1971, Decca, Zubin Mehta conducting the LA Philharmonic) is available as a 2 CD set (also including some Williams and Strauss) at www.arkivmusic.com for $16.49.
FYI.
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post #18 of 69
4/14/05 at 9:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngel
It's alive again!
OK couple more comments to go with my original post here. I have since picked up the recent Lloyd-Jones/Naxos version and it is excellent, goes to the top 5 of all available versions in both performance and sound quality.......you can buy under $5 new many places.
Just an FYI, this selection is available in SACD and DVD-A as well.

Scott

PS these versions are missing the added "Pluto" work though. Not sure if this is a deal breaker or not.
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post #19 of 69
4/14/05 at 10:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottder
Just an FYI, this selection is available in SACD and DVD-A as well.

Scott

PS these versions are missing the added "Pluto" work though. Not sure if this is a deal breaker or not.
I transferred my CD to my computer player without the Pluto movement.

I like the Lloyd-Jones, and I'd like it even more if the recording had allowed the instruments to blend a little more naturally. A bit spotlit, especially the trumpets. I suppose the Dutoit is a little more my style.
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post #20 of 69
4/14/05 at 11:23am
Still not done with my ultimate quest for the reference voyage through the planets..........couple new versions are here.

Rattle/EMI
Got this from current 25% sale at Tower on budget label, avoid this version. Am puzzled at the dull anemic nature of Rattle's version, as lifeless as outer moons of Pluto, sound also has weak bass response which is fatal flaw for any Planets......this will be sold

Andrew Davis/EMI Seraphim
This blows the doors off the Rattle version and joins the elite list above in my permanent collection. Davis does everthing near perfect with great sound, at budget price this competes on equal footing with best full price versions, 25% off at Tower.

MacKerras/Virgin 2CD
This is next up for audition, 2nd CD has Carmina Burana with conductor David Hill, 25% sale at Tower.
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post #21 of 69
4/14/05 at 11:49am
MFSL Hybrid SACD, Brilliant! A must have.

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post #22 of 69
4/14/05 at 11:54am
LG
Do I dare ask how much that SACD sells for?
(even though I have no SACD player)

How does it compare to other versions? Is that available as Vox label CD?
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post #23 of 69
4/14/05 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngel
LG
Do I dare ask how much that SACD sells for?
(even though I have no SACD player)

How does it compare to other versions? Is that available as Vox label CD?
There is a budget 2CD Susskind/Vox Planets with Smetana Ma Vlast on 2nd CD, I just purchased used version at Amazon:



BTW.....I am losing my mind, we have two of these Planets threads active now and it is confusing me, Doc Sarvis has new one I posted last week with my active list of recommended Planets.
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post #24 of 69
4/17/05 at 10:28pm

Susskind

LeasingGuy is absolutely correct. The Susskind SACD is not for cheapskates, but is yet a true bargain at $25.00.

Getting so-so performances on the cheap is a fool's path.
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post #25 of 69
4/17/05 at 11:47pm

Pluto shmuto

Pluto is not worth hearing. If you buy a CD with it included, hit stop before it starts.
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post #26 of 69
4/19/05 at 2:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngel
There is a budget 2CD Susskind/Vox Planets with Smetana Ma Vlast on 2nd CD, I just purchased used version at Amazon:
Checked out this Planets and was pleasantly surprised, these Vox Box sets are dirt cheap and sometimes have great performances and sound. The Planets is 1974 recording with St Louis Symphony (many Slatkin recordings) and is most similar to the Dutoit/London version. Beautifully shaped and balanced with a smoldering intensity and richness, doesn't quite have the obvious electricity or sharp contrast of Bernstein or Solti but it is there just beneath the surface in a more controlled fashion.......many would probably prefer this balanced approach to more extreme styles.

The sound quality is excellent and again competes diectly with Dutoit who acheives a similar lush balanced sound with London label, great detail with bloom in the sound in large fully formed soundstage. Needless to say this is keeper and part of my permanent collection......now need to see what we have with the Smetana Ma Vlast on CD2.

Thanks to LG for pointing this out.
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post #27 of 69
4/19/05 at 3:13pm
Which do you like better DA? The Susskind or the Lloyd-Jones? can get both for about the same price.

Scott
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post #28 of 69
4/19/05 at 5:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottder
Which do you like better DA? The Susskind or the Lloyd-Jones? can get both for about the same price.
Scott
I say go with Susskind/Vox Box even without considering the quality of included Ma Vlast. I have been buying many Vox Box items over last 2 months mostly older Horenstein and Skrowaczewski performances.

I just scored 10 CD Vox Box collection of Skrowaczewski today on Ebay for $20

I must now pugre my Planets collection of performances rendered obsolete:
-Stokowski
-Boult
-Rattle
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post #29 of 69
4/19/05 at 5:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngel
I say go with Susskind/Vox Box even without considering the quality of included Ma Vlast. I have been buying many Vox Box items over last 2 months mostly older Horenstein and Skrowaczewski performances.
Ah why not, for $6.99 I have to give a whirl.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkAngel
I just scored 10 CD Vox Box collection of Skrowaczewski today on Ebay for $20

I must now pugre my Planets collection of performances rendered obsolete:
-Stokowski
-Boult
-Rattle
Good find on ebay
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post #30 of 69
4/19/05 at 5:53pm
I just noticed that ArkivMusic is doing some "On Demand" publishing of CDs, take a look here, not sure if this is a new thing, but I like the idea. I think there may be a business model for this, but costs down while providing quality may be an issue. But I wish someone could make it work, get these hard to find discs more accessable.

Scott
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