...from Neeme Järvi/Chandos:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9769853--wilhelm-furtwangler-symphony-no-2-in-e-minor
There can be only one question: will it match Barenboim?
Here is a video of him conducting the work last year. I wonder if it is the same live recording that will be on the album.
Ooh.
If it comes close to Barenboim I will be well pleased.
I don't think Barenboim's recording is easily available these days.
A rough calculation suggests that Järvi is about 5-6 minutes quicker than Barenboim overall.
Quote from: John Boyer on Saturday 05 April 2025, 23:52There can be only one question: will it match Barenboim?
I don't think it will, but I sort of feel obliged to buy it anyway. And Järvi père is 87, bless him - 88 on 7th June this year. He's always been an adventurous spirit...
Re Barenboim: someone's asking USD 86 for it on ebay so I guess not!
The curse of algorithmic pricing.
Available from 3rd party sellers on Amazon UK at prices between £12 and £15. But there was also one offered at the truly ridiculous price of £178!!!
Also just checked ebay and found 2 at around £13 (post free), together with, admittedly, quite a few at silly prices.
Thanks, Gareth. Well worth the reasonable prices you quoted.
There were a couple of places where I wished Järvi had applied the sort of tempo articulations that the composer and Barenboim both do, like about 6-6.5 minutes or so into the first movement, but overall it really is a terrific performance.
Agreed, Eric. Definitely worth a punt, I'd say.
(I should say I was listening to the May 2024 live performance someone has up on YouTube, which of course may not be the same as the performance that will be released on Chandos, to which I don't have access yet :)...)
Understood, Eric. We'll see...
Neeme Jarvi is 88. It is remarkable that he never ceases to amaze us with recordings of sadly undervalued works. I await his recording of Furtwangler 2 with optimism. Hopefully it will compare with the Barenboim. Long may this champion of the almost forgotten be with us.
Quote from: Elgar4Ever on Tuesday 22 April 2025, 14:31Long may this champion of the almost forgotten be with us.
Hear! Hear!
Any opinions on the Furtwängler/VPO Second on Orfeo?
Quote from: Febct on Tuesday 22 April 2025, 20:47Any opinions on the Furtwängler/VPO Second on Orfeo?
Depends whether you want modern sound...
If you're starting from scratch, I'd strongly advise searching out Barenboim which is as good as it gets - and is in superb sound.
Quote from: Alan Howe on Tuesday 22 April 2025, 21:27Quote from: Febct on Tuesday 22 April 2025, 20:47Any opinions on the Furtwängler/VPO Second on Orfeo?
Depends whether you want modern sound...
If you're starting from scratch, I'd strongly advise searching out Barenboim which is as good as it gets - and is in superb sound.
Hardly starting from scratch. I've lived with this recording and never have considered an alternative. I simply was interested in other opinions.
Quote from: Febct on Tuesday 22 April 2025, 21:53I simply was interested in other opinions.
Well, if sonics are important, then Barenboim. If not, the composer's own recording with the VPO would seem to be a good choice. It's just not for me in such a richly-textured symphony.
Quote from: Alan Howe on Tuesday 22 April 2025, 22:34Quote from: Febct on Tuesday 22 April 2025, 21:53I simply was interested in other opinions.
Well, if sonics are important, then Barenboim. If not, the composer's own recording with the VPO would seem to be a good choice. It's just not for me in such a richly-textured symphony.
Yes, indeed. That makes sense. Thanks.