Post by Beagle April 21, 2008 (1 of 11)
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It is pleasant to see the Kocianovo back again! And it is interesting to see them doing more Dohnányi chamber works on SACD -- so this disc went immediately into my Shopping Basket.
However, it is puzzling to watch these Czech quartets, Kocian and Prazak, consistently neglect the Janácek and Smetana quartets. Dohnányi is somewhat interesting*, but Janácek and Smetana quartets are essential to the quartet canon. This is not just a personal opinion; a quick search on a distributor's database found:
Janácek quartets: 88 titles
Smetana quartets: 74 titles
Dohnányi quartets: 9 titles
I do hope that SACD labels are not avoiding Janácek and Smetana just because the redbook market is perceived to be saturated!
*Yes I have Dohnanyi: Chamber Music - Kocian Quartet, Beethoven String Trio and recommend it. But I beg to differ with Geohominid, in that I can imagine better places for beginners "wanting to dip their toes in the chamber waters".
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Post by zeus April 21, 2008 (2 of 11)
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Beagle said:
However, it is puzzling to watch these Czech quartets, Kocian and Prazak, consistently neglect the Janácek and Smetana quartets.
Praga has already recorded these in the past, though for CD. Labels don't necessarily look for holes in the SA-CD catalogue ... they just record want they want, what their artists want to play and what they think they can sell.
FYI, there will be a third volume of the Dohnanyi.
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Post by Beagle April 21, 2008 (3 of 11)
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zeus said: they just record want they want, what their artists want to play
True, "The Praz" recorded Smetana 10 years ago and the Janacek 11 years ago.
Another Dvorák Cycle might be asking too much, but I can't imagine any good Czechs NOT wanting to record Smetana and Janácek again -- and again. (And my personal vote would be to hear the Kocian Quartet, for sake of tone and ensemble).
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The first quintet is actually an answer to prayers I initiated after I heard the work being rehearsed in Verbier in the summer of 2006 by a group of students under Gabor Takacs-Nagy. What a gorgeous piece of chamber music. I would have snatched up any sacd of this work, but to have it played by the Kocian with Klepac, well, wow! we are indeed very fortunate here.
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Anyone actually have this disc yet? I have in on order from Amazon.fr but they seem to have no idea when they will receive any to ship. Amazon.co wants something on the order of $51 USD for it and my price from Amazon.fr was 14.95 Euros. I see they have raised that price to 22.06 Euros.
Does that have any bearing on when I will receive my copy ???
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Post by Peter July 11, 2008 (6 of 11)
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Bruce, it isn't available from any UK seller yet, nor is the French cello sonatas disc.
Peter
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Post by Beagle July 11, 2008 (7 of 11)
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Windsurfer said: Anyone actually have this disc yet?
I ordered it from amazon.fr on April 23, and every week they say "Il s'avere assez difficile de se procurer cet article...". However, this En-attendant-Godot game has happened with other discs and Viola! it suddenly appears. PS: the on-site price is with VAT, which is deducted for us foreigners, so 22,06 is 17,87.
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Post by Beagle July 19, 2008 (8 of 11)
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Patience may soon be rewarded... today's message from amazon.fr says to expect delivery between 11 and 20 August.
PS: I got the French Romantic Cello disc about 3 weeks ago; it took 49 days from ordering to ship, but then a mere 9 days to float across the Atlantic.
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Beagle said:
Patience may soon be rewarded... today's message from amazon.fr says to expect delivery between 11 and 20 August.
I too received that same message and you bet, I am really looking forward to this disc!
Say - how do like that French Romantic Cello disc?
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Post by Beagle July 20, 2008 (10 of 11)
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Windsurfer said: how do like that French Romantic Cello disc?
Bruce,
I couldn't quite recall my reaction to this recording, so Julie and I had another listen just now. I'll post a mini-review for it: /showreviews/5301
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