add to wish list | library


25 of 25 recommend this,
would you recommend it?

yes | no

Support this site by purchasing from these vendors using the paid links below. As an Amazon Associate SA-CD.net earns from qualifying purchases.
 
amazon.ca
amazon.co.uk
amazon.com
amazon.de
 
amazon.fr
amazon.it
 
 

Discussion: Ives: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4 - Litton

Posts: 34
Page: prev 1 2 3 4 next

Post by fausto K January 31, 2015 (21 of 34)
well, it appears that Chandos will release an Ives orchestral works "cycle" on SACD with Andrew Davis conducting the Melbourne SO. First up are the 1st and 2nd symphonies (on 15.3). Question is, will he use the Ives Society critical Elkus edition for the 2nd, which had its world premiere recording by Schermerhorn/Nashville SO in 2000 (Naxos). If not, that'd surely be a lost opportunity. I for one want the unadulterated Ives 2nd on SACD, not Bernstein's tamed, Tchaikovskyed version, as is the case on Litton's Ives: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 - Litton

Otherwise, as an Ives fan, I'd say great news about this recording project!
I'm sure, or at least I hope, that they will also record "Central Park in the Dark", "Three Places in England", the Orchestral Suite no. 2, "The Unanswered Question" and especially Tone-Roads and the Robert Browning Overture, which demands to be on SACD.

EDIT: the first disc in the series (Symphonies 1 + 2) will be released on 2nd of March for the UK (see Amazon uk)

Post by Simon V. January 31, 2015 (22 of 34)
fausto K said:

well, it appears that Chandos will release an Ives orchestral works "cycle" on SACD with Andrew Davis conducting the Melbourne SO. First up are the 1st and 2nd symphonies. Question is, will he use the Ives Society critical Elkus edition for the 2nd, which had its world premiere recording by Schermerhorn/Nashville SO in 2000 (Naxos). If not, that's surely a lost opportunity. I for one want the unadulterated Ives 2nd on SACD, not Bernstein's tamed, Tchaikovskyed version, as is the case on Litton's Ives: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 - Litton

Otherwise, as an Ives fan, I'd say great news about this recording project!
I'm sure, or at least I hope, that they will also record "Central Park in the Dark", "Three Places in England", the Orchestral sets, "The Unanswered Question" and especially Tone-Roads and the Robert Browning Overture, which demands to be on SACD.

Thanks for the heads-up. I hope that the series is as full and "scholarly" as possible. Naxos' Ives series is one of the best things it has done (I particularly like James Sinclair's rendition of The Housatonic Stockbridge), but the sound engineering is not up to the job.

Post by Nethersage February 6, 2015 (23 of 34)
fausto K said:

well, it appears that Chandos will release an Ives orchestral works "cycle" on SACD with Andrew Davis conducting the Melbourne SO. First up are the 1st and 2nd symphonies (on 15.3). Question is, will he use the Ives Society critical Elkus edition for the 2nd, which had its world premiere recording by Schermerhorn/Nashville SO in 2000 (Naxos). If not, that'd surely be a lost opportunity. I for one want the unadulterated Ives 2nd on SACD, not Bernstein's tamed, Tchaikovskyed version, as is the case on Litton's Ives: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 - Litton

Otherwise, as an Ives fan, I'd say great news about this recording project!
I'm sure, or at least I hope, that they will also record "Central Park in the Dark", "Three Places in England", the Orchestral Suite no. 2, "The Unanswered Question" and especially Tone-Roads and the Robert Browning Overture, which demands to be on SACD.

EDIT: the first disc in the series (Symphonies 1 + 2) will be released on 2nd of March for the UK (see Amazon uk)

I don't think you have anything to worry about re. editions to be used. Back in 1996 Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony orchestra gave what to me are the finest performances of the 2nd and 4th Symphonies I have heard to date (the 4th replete with theremin part in the final movement). I have both, transferred to CD-R from Dolby S cassette recordings of the FM broadcasts. Regarding the 2nd, there was none of the horrible Bernstein elongation of the final chord. It was played curt, just as Ives added it. I am eagerly awaiting delivery of the new SACD as soon as MDT are able to send it. The Litton recordings were indeed a big disappointment.

Post by fausto K February 6, 2015 (24 of 34)
Nethersage said:

I don't think you have anything to worry about re. editions to be used. Back in 1996 Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony orchestra gave what to me are the finest performances of the 2nd and 4th Symphonies I have heard to date(the 4th replete with theremin part in the final movement). I have both, transferred to CD-R from Dolby S cassette recordings of the FM broadcasts. Regarding the 2nd, there was none of the horrible Bernstein elongation of the final chord. It was played curt, just as Ives added it. I am eagerly awaiting delivery of the new SACD as soon as Presto Classical are able to send it. The Litton recordings were indeed a big disappointment.

Thanks for that! THat sounds indeed promising.

Post by Nethersage February 28, 2015 (25 of 34)
fausto K said:

Thanks for that! THat sounds indeed promising.

It has lived up to its promise. My disc arrived today and I have never heard the 1st sound so Ivesian, and the 2nd is brought off even better than Davis's 1996 performance with the BBCSO at the Barbican, London. Though it is not made crystal clear in the booklet notes, Davis uses the Ives Society Critical Edition for both symphonies. Gone are the dreadful Bernstein cuts in the finale and extension of the final add-on chord in the 2nd.

No need to look further, and those inaccurate and unidiomatic Litton SACDs can safely find their way to a charity shop.

I eagerly await later volumes of this edition.

Post by samayoeruorandajin February 28, 2015 (26 of 34)
Nethersage said:


No need to look further, and those inaccurate and unidiomatic Litton SACDs can safely find their way to a charity shop.

Or to your nearest ebay account where you'd probably recover any money you paid for it in the beginning. The Hyperions are out of print and will bring in some money.

Post by Nethersage February 28, 2015 (27 of 34)
samayoeruorandajin said:

Or to your nearest ebay account where you'd probably recover any money you paid for it in the beginning. The Hyperions are out of print and will bring in some money.

Hmm, worth considering, but not until the Davis 3 and 4, plus Booth and Central Park come out.

Actually, it's Litton's 1st and 2nd I have most problems with.

Post by rammiepie February 28, 2015 (28 of 34)
samayoeruorandajin said:

Or to your nearest ebay account where you'd probably recover any money you paid for it in the beginning. The Hyperions are out of print and will bring in some money.

Not so fast, FD. The two Litton Ives discs are currently available, brand new, from Berkshire Record Outlet for $10 each along with a scant few additional Hyperion SACDs.

Post by samayoeruorandajin February 28, 2015 (29 of 34)
He lives in the UK or Europe, I believe. And 1 & 4 are not available on Berkshire.

Post by fausto K March 1, 2015 (30 of 34)
Nethersage said:

It has lived up to its promise. My disc arrived today and I have never heard the 1st sound so Ivesian, and the 2nd is brought off even better than Davis's 1996 performance with the BBCSO at the Barbican, London. Though it is not made crystal clear in the booklet notes, Davis uses the Ives Society Critical Edition for both symphonies. Gone are the dreadful Bernstein cuts in the finale and extension of the final add-on chord in the 2nd.

No need to look further, and those inaccurate and unidiomatic Litton SACDs can safely find their way to a charity shop.

I eagerly await later volumes of this edition.

excellent! look forward to it, will be receiving the disc this week.

I'm keen to see what's next in the series!

Page: prev 1 2 3 4 next

Closed