Some Recordings of Interest

[Chuck Jackson]

Good Afternoon,

A nice relative recently sent me his entire cd collection. Here are some of the nicer recordings I have run across:

1. Bruckner 7/Von Karajan/VPO- Live recording from April 1989. I wouldn't recommend it for it's recording quality, the mike placement is very odd. The horns and Wagner tuba's are way "in back", BUT if you want to hear the tuba part played in it's entirety, warts and all, this is the one to own. Odd that a European DG recording would be this hot on the tuba mic given their propensity(or, rather Von Karajan's somewhat odd balance ideas) for not having a real present low brass sound in the mix. Very nice, really present playing, with a couple of good clams. As Von Karajan insisted that he was in on every mix session, I sense this put together after his death and rushed, along with his Live Bruckner 8 with the same forces, to cash in on the name value.

2. Vaughn-Williams 4/BBCSO/Andrew Davis-I plucked this out of a complete set as I have had trouble finding a good recording of the piece. This is stupendous in every way. It bites, snarls, threatens, and conjoles. The Scherzo is perfect as is the tuba playing. This guy, who ever he is, deserves to be in the tuba Hall-Of Fame for the precision and sound he demonstrates!!!! Recorded in 1992. Any ideas who the player might be?

3. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Sings Schubert- Complete cycles of Die schone Mullerin, Winterreise, and Schwanengesang with Gerald Moore at the piano. Along with Dennis Brain's Complete Mozart Concerto's and Furtwangler's 1944 Bruckner 8 Live recording with the VPO, these are as close to musical and technical perfection and may be the best recording of ANYTHING ever done. If you do not own these, you must. If you can play like he sings, you will work forever. These are the original 1955, 57, and 58 recordings. Gerald Moore is stunning.

4. The best recording of the Meistersinger Prelude I have heard in a LONG time: On the budget LaserLight label the Budapest Symphony with Gyorgy Lehel. The tuba player flat out owns the piece technically and musically. The orchestra is brilliant

Happy Listening. I have 630 more to go through. I'll pop in from time-to-time to share with you any more gems I may find.

[tubapower]

Hi Chuck, sounds like you have an awesome collection! for the VW4/BBCSO recording I would guess it may well be the incredible Jim Anderson http://www.jimtuba.co.uk/" target="_blank who used to play for the orchestra although it might well have been the equally magnificent Paul Smith. Both players were serious blowers. The new seat holder Sam Elliott is also one of our countries top players. Well worth checking him out playing with the 'Fine Arts Brass Ensemble'.

[The Deep End]

Paul Smith was on this recording. He was a great tubist and is sadly missed. By the way, Jim Gourlay was his predecessor at the BBC Symphony. You might also enjoy the Roger Norrington recording of VW Symphonies 4 & 6 with the LPO. Chris McShane was playing on these sessions.