Thread: Are these worth purchasing?

Hello. Just saw this at half price, http://www.dvdventas.com/index.php?modulo=max&id=100064, since Im kinda new to classical, I was wondering if it could be a good start on Mozart, there`s a Bach one too, Im really tempted, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance. Regards.

No, I think the DVD medium for classical is a terrible way to listen to this music. You should the try the following Mozart box sets:

For a complete survey:



For solid performances of the symphonies:



For the piano concertos try this one:



For an outstanding performance of the Requiem:



Mozart has never been one of my favorite composers, in fact, I have degraded much of his music here on this very forum, but I think there is a lot of merit to "Requiem." This is the only piece I return to and come away feeling completely fulfilled emotionally and intellectually.

Good luck in your endeavors.

Originally Posted by Mirror Image

No, I think the DVD medium for classical is a terrible way to listen to this music.

I'm curious why you would state that. I don't much use DVD's for classical either, but sometimes it's very nice to rent them to get an idea of the orchestral ambience, how the conductor behaves and so forth. They're usually not worth watching again and again

Or would that DVD have images of flowers and bubbling brooks while Mozart plays in the background? That would defeat the purpose of the music I would think.

Thanks a lot for the recomendations, I`ll go for Requiem then, since any box would be too much for me... although the complete works looks amazing and cheap considering the amount of CDs. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by R.K.

Thanks a lot for the recomendations, I`ll go for Requiem then, since any box would be too much for me... although the complete works looks amazing and cheap considering the amount of CDs. Thanks again!

You're welcome, godspeed young Mozartian!

Originally Posted by Weston

I'm curious why you would state that. I don't much use DVD's for classical either, but sometimes it's very nice to rent them to get an idea of the orchestral ambience, how the conductor behaves and so forth. They're usually not worth watching again and again

Or would that DVD have images of flowers and bubbling brooks while Mozart plays in the background? That would defeat the purpose of the music I would think.

Well, I was just giving my opinion, but I never liked any kind of music video to be honest. I guess I'm old-fashioned in that respect, but I always enjoying listening to music, not watching it. It's just the way I'm wired. We're all wired differently.

I would rather spend $4 on a recording of Mozart's "Requiem," then spent $14 on a DVD to watch it being performed. Not only that, it's the same thing everytime you see a DVD concert anyway. The camera is on the orchestra, then it's on the conductor, then it's back on the orchestra, then it's on the conductor, etc. It gets old real quick for me.

Give me a nice stereo system, some PolkAudio speakers, and the CD and I'm in heaven.

Originally Posted by Mirror Image

No, I think the DVD medium for classical is a terrible way to listen to this music. You should the try the following Mozart box sets:

For a complete survey:



For solid performances of the symphonies:



For the piano concertos try this one:



For an outstanding performance of the Requiem:



Mozart has never been one of my favorite composers, in fact, I have degraded much of his music here on this very forum, but I think there is a lot of merit to "Requiem." This is the only piece I return to and come away feeling completely fulfilled emotionally and intellectually.

Good luck in your endeavors.

Awful choices, MI. I'm really surprised you decided to give recommendations on works you barely heard.

Originally Posted by bdelykleon

Awful choices, MI. I'm really surprised you decided to give recommendations on works you barely heard.

This is coming from a guy who likes Messiaen. What are your recommendations then?

The Bohm Mozart symphony recordings are regarded as some of the best ever recorded. The Solti Requiem recording has been praised by everyone with ears. The Brilliant box set is a wise choice, epsecially if you want everything Mozart composed in one box. The piano concerto recordings with Perahia have also gotten quite favorable reviews.

Originally Posted by Mirror Image

This is coming from a guy who likes Messiaen. What are your recommendations then? .

What this ahs to do? Someone how likes Messiaen can't like Mozart? That's bizarre.

A great recording from the piano concerti:


the symphonies:


or Marriner, St. Martin in the Fields:



and the Requiem:

Originally Posted by bdelykleon

What this ahs to do? Someone how likes Messiaen can't like Mozart? That's bizarre.

A great recording from the piano concerti:


the symphonies:


or Marriner, St. Martin in the Fields:



and the Requiem:

Nah....those recordings aren't as highly acclaimed as the the ones I suggested. Nice try, but no cigar. You have a private message from me waiting on you by the way.

Originally Posted by Mirror Image

Nah....those recordings aren't as highly acclaimed as the the ones I suggested. Nice try, but no cigar. You have a private message from me waiting on you by the way.

Yes they are, there is much more music beyond the Penguin guide.

I will quote only about Anda's recording, a recording which is quite remarkable and groundbreaking:

As to the performances, Géza Anda was a thoughtful and scholarly Mozartian, and indeed, this ground-breaking series established standards for "modern" Mozart concerto interpretation, laying down a path that Brendel, Perahia, and to a lesser degree Schiff have pursued.

I mean, Anda created a new style of playing Mozart, he is like a yardstick from which every later recording can be measured. You can't be more acclaimed than that.

Originally Posted by bdelykleon

Yes they are, there is much more music beyond the Penguin guide.

I will quote only about Anda's recording, a recording which is quite remarkable and groundbreaking:

I mean, Anda created a new style of playing Mozart, he is like a yardstick from which every later recording can be measured. You can't be more acclaimed than that.

I guess you failed to read the glowing reviews for my recommendations. Anyway, it's not important. I'm right in my recommendations and I think they're solid recordings.

Böhm is certainly a solid recommendation... although I personally prefer Marriner. I also have some marvelous recordings of selected works by Jochum, Szell, and others. I say this as someone who truly loves Mozart... so take it or leave it... as you will.

Geza Anda doing the piano concertos is without equal in my opinion....but don't bite my nose off.

Originally Posted by StlukesguildOhio

Böhm is certainly a solid recommendation... although I personally prefer Marriner.

Yes, both are good. And you can add the Pinnock set if you like HIP.