[CanadianMaestro]

Hey CC,

I bought those CDs at the EMI Store in Wien. Karntnerstrasse.
There are some vinyl shops near MHFstrasse, but I didn't visit them. I like to travel light.
Enjoy your summer fests.

 

[cherylyn]

Looks like you got a nice deal. The Bernstein box of NYPhil recs may also suit you.

I recently acquired two boxes of Richter when I was in Wien for R & R (no concerts):

Dang, nice find.

 

[CanadianMaestro]

Dang, nice find.

Not that hard to find; it's a regularly stocked item over there (EMI Store in Wien).
Amazon and Presto Classical have it, too, I think.

 

[Christer]

Not that hard to find; it's a regularly stocked item over there (EMI Store in Wien).
Amazon and Presto Classical have it, too, I think.

Good to know that there are still EMI shops at least in Vienna.
But isn't EMI part of Warner Music since quite a while?

And in KL Malaysia where I used to buy many cheap classical cds in the early to mid 90s there is as far as I know not a single classical cd shop any longer.

And the only remaining places I know of in Singapore to buy western classical cds are the concert shop at the Esplanade Theatres where the SSO performs and two small shops at the Adelphi which mainly stock SSO's own recordings.

The only and once BIG specialist classical cd shop in Stockholm where I actually met Barenboim once, browsing for his own recordings, many years ago,is long gone. And if I am not wrong,the only reliable places for new releases, are the two concert halls that have small cd shops on their premises.

Even in a city like London classical cd shops are rare.
I doubt the EMI shop on Oxford Street is still there?
But there are still some really nice shops if you are into secondhand cds and LPs of classical music.

I have to admit that the only recent new cd apart from the ones bundled with BBC Music Magazine now and then, that I have bought was the SACD of Beethoven's 4th and 5th Piano Concertos by Olli Mustonen on Ondine after one of his concerts in Singapore last season.

Though I have to say I have better versions of both works than that one.
But I like his first and second Beethoven Concertos as hi res downloads.
In Singapore he actually played the third very well.

But my HMS has made me aware again that cds can be desirable provided they are cheaper than the hi res download version.

Talking about Barenboim it seems he just got awarded the "Ehren Dirigent" position at the BPO according to the German music magazine Fono Forum.
And he is still at the Helm of the Staatsoper an den Linden.
I suppose when you are at his level in the musical world, you are bound to make both "friends and foes".
Cheers CC

 

[CanadianMaestro]

^ Barenboim shopping for his own recs. That's priceless LOL.

The EMI Wien shop has the top floor all classical CDs/DVDs, LPs too.
The rest is non-classical, including lots of audio gear/speakers. Delicious, I think.

cheers

 

[Peter Hyatt]

Good to know that there are still EMI shops at least in Vienna.
But isn't EMI part of Warner Music since quite a while?

And in KL Malaysia where I used to buy many cheap classical cds in the early to mid 90s there is as far as I know not a single classical cd shop any longer.

And the only remaining places I know of in Singapore to buy western classical cds are the concert shop at the Esplanade Theatres where the SSO performs and two small shops at the Adelphi which mainly stock SSO's own recordings.

The only and once BIG specialist classical cd shop in Stockholm where I actually met Barenboim once, browsing for his own recordings, many years ago,is long gone. And if I am not wrong,the only reliable places for new releases, are the two concert halls that have small cd shops on their premises.

Even in a city like London classical cd shops are rare.
I doubt the EMI shop on Oxford Street is still there?
But there are still some really nice shops if you are into secondhand cds and LPs of classical music.

I have to admit that the only recent new cd apart from the ones bundled with BBC Music Magazine now and then, that I have bought was the SACD of Beethoven's 4th and 5th Piano Concertos by Olli Mustonen on Ondine after one of his concerts in Singapore last season.

Though I have to say I have better versions of both works than that one.
But I like his first and second Beethoven Concertos as hi res downloads.
In Singapore he actually played the third very well.

But my HMS has made me aware again that cds can be desirable provided they are cheaper than the hi res download version.

Talking about Barenboim it seems he just got awarded the "Ehren Dirigent" position at the BPO according to the German music magazine Fono Forum.
And he is still at the Helm of the Staatsoper an den Linden.
I suppose when you are at his level in the musical world, you are bound to make both "friends and foes".
Cheers CC

Fair minded/balanced assessment.

I’ve read some that love him yet describe him as “tough” and exacting while others call him “bully.”

 

[Christer]

Fair assessment.

I’ve read some that love him yet describe him as “tough” and exacting while others call him “bully.”

I just read that the British music magazine Gramophone also noted that Barenboim has been awarded Honorary Conductor by the BPO and there was even a quote from one of the members of the orchestra lauding Barenboim nor only for his great musicianship but also regarding him as a friend.

A couple of nights ago there was a documentary on Swedish televison about the singer Cecilia Bartoli and Barenboim was featured as one of her early mentors going back to 1987 and judging from the documentary they seem to get along very well after all these years.

Talking big names in music, Barenboim mentioned that not long after his discovering Bartoli Herbert von Karajan called him on the phone and asked Barenboim about her.
He even admitted that he was not used to talking with Karajan on the phone.

As a photographer I have been to quite a few rehearsals and recording sessions with some famous conductors ,and I have met and photographed a few of the big names and yes without mentioning any names they can be be both vain, temperamental and not always easy.

During rehearsals tensions can sometimes be high.

But in my experience the tempers I have seen fly under such conditions have mainly been in the interest of the music as the conductor saw it.
But there have been situations where the conductor was wrong as well.


Barenboim I have only talked to in person once in a record shop many years ago.
And in a for him maybe a bit embarrassing situation.

But I have respect and admiration for the results he is getting not only as a conductor but also as a pianist. A musician who has got all the 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas under his fingers and can play them all superbly well from memory I have great respect for as a musician.

And Karajan so disliked by many today was imho judging from the couple of live concerts I saw him conduct and the MANY recordings I still like, was also a GREAT musician and conductor, I think.

Maybe a Karajan quote might help explaining why some collegues have problems with Barenboim?

Karajan once responded in an interview when he had been accused of Elitism.
"I am not an Elitist I am a Super Elitist"

When you strive really high not everyone will be able to follow you all the way. And those who fail to do so may feel personally hurt and resentful, when in fact and musical terms,it was maybe they themselves who where not capable enough?

Or maybe he is sometimes just in a bad mood and lets that spill out over his colleagues?
I have seen such things too behind the scenes.

Whatever the case with Barenboim he is at the helm of both a Berlin Orchestra and leading an Opera House and Honorary Conductor of a third in the musical capital of Germany and those are facts.
Cheers CC

 

[Quinto]

Reminisces by Mahler's associated and by musicians who played under his baton

Interesting how orchestra members have different views on Mahler's genius yet dominant character

 

[gerelmx1986]

The best headphones for classical music

 

[Quinto]

The best headphones for classical music

I can't stand in-ear I'm afraid.. I like my HD800S (ADI2->V280) a lot for classical (&jazz)

 

[some1x]

I’ve been obsessed with Mahler recently, mostly the 2nd and 9th symphonies. Fischer, Kubelik, and Chailly have good high-resolution recordings of these symphonies.

 

[Quinto]

 

[Quinto]

Bought this on DVD while back, much enjoyed it..

 

[Christer]

Bought this on DVD while back, much enjoyed it..

It is very interesting.
I am going to play their Mahler 9 from Amsterdam on a DECCA double SACD tonight via my HMS.
One of the best ever recordings of Mahler's maybe greatest symphony imho. As gripping as Karajan's but in much better sound. Last time I heard it live was in Singapore with Inbal conducting.Cheers CC

 

[Christer]

I wonder if one can download a facsimile of that score somewhere?
During rehearsals of Mahler's 9th in KL a few years ago I sat behind the assistant conductor and followed his score while he explained his own markings in the printed score of how to beat certain tricky sections. Very interesting morning indeed. I'd love to be able to see the original in this video.
The only facsimile copy of a symphony I have is the handwritten one of Bruckner's 1st which I downloaded from IMSLP.
A great source for scores. Cheers CC