Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

Music Lane

Question: Karl Ristenpart recording

71.102.20.248

I was delighted to see that a 6 disc, box set of Bach recordings by Karl Ristenpart and the Orchestra of the Saar is now available on Musidisc. The title is "Oeuvres pour Orchestre" This includes the Brandenburgs and Orchestral Suites. The Brandenburgs were available on Nonesuch vinyl and I loved the recording, especially their version of the 2nd Brandenburg.

Has anyone heard these CDs? I'm wondering if they're worth buying. Since it's analogue to digital, if the transfer wasn't done well, it could be a waste of money.

I'm also wondering if they are in stereo. I once saw a CD of the Brandenburgs by Ristenpart and the Saar, but it was mono. Sorry, but I'm strictly a 2-channel guy.

With any luck, these will be worth acquiring. Barnes and Noble offers the set for under $48, including shipping.

Does someone have good news?

Thanks.

Follow Ups:

RE: Question: Karl Ristenpart recording - Travis 18:14:11 08/20/10 (9)
They're mostly from the '60s, stereo. It seems like a lot of money for old stereo recordings on modern instruments from a second or third rate orchestra. Back in the day, at that crucial transition point with sound, they issued the same perfomance in mono or stereo depending if you had the necessary equipment. More than likely, this was a stereo recording. I'm glad you liked those Brandenburgs. Maybe you could find them separately.
There are so many more better recordings and performances, both modern and historically informed, than any of these, even for that kind of money.
But I understand the nostalgia pull.
Just my too sense.

"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

Edits: 08/20/10
- One man's peach is another man's prune - psgary 18:45:46 08/20/10 (8)
  I'm not sure if you've heard the Orchestra of the Saar, but I would hardly call them second rate. A music professor commented on this recording and felt the orchestra was excellent.
  
  As with any music, one person likes a particular intepretation and another won't. I have only heard one other version of the Second Brandenburg that I like as well, and I've been searching for many long years. I have half a dozen versions of the Brandenburgs, including HIP recordings, and still don't like any of them as well as the Ristenpart versions.
  
  Thanks for the comments.
  - RE: One man's peach is another man's prune - Pat D 21:11:38 08/20/10 (1)
    I love the Ristenpart/Chamber Orchestra of the Saar Brandenburgs on LP. The consumer reviewers at Amazon.com say the Brandenburgs are in mono.
    
    On the other hand, in a comment on one of the reviews, one shureman says the stereo tapes have been found and the set was reissued in 2009 with the Brandenburgs in stereo. However, he says he got the set from Universal France.
    
    I listened to some of the 30 second sample selections on Amazon.com on my headphones and would judge the Brandenburgs to be in mono. The sound seems to be quite good.
    
    Take your pick!
    
    __
    "Always be sincere, whether you mean it or not."---Flanders & Swann
    - http://www.amazon.com/review/R23IEARBEFNCWJ/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt (Open in New Window)
    - Thanks - psgary 11:20:25 08/21/10 (0)
      I hadn't looked at Amazon. It just wouldn't be the same with them in mono. I'd rather get the B-burgs by the English Baroque Orchestra.
      
      You've given me a good clue, however. Maybe I can get a set from Universal France. Time to search the internet.
  - RE: One man's peach is another man's prune - Travis 19:31:23 08/20/10 (0)
    Sorry. I wasn't aware you had so much experience. My memory may be dim of the Ristenpart.
    
    Enjoy, as I recommended.
    
    "If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
  - That's it - hold your ground - Ristenpart was great! - Chris from Lafayette 18:50:37 08/20/10 (4)
    I've got the CD reissue of his performances of three Bach Cantatas. I don't know another performance of the opening of "Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme" that "swings" as well as Ristenpart's. :-)
    - I agree on the cantatas, ... - Luciano, IT 03:36:48 08/23/10 (3)
      but the material in the 6-CD pack (which I owned for some time) is not (IMO, at least) so revealing. There are plenty of much more stimulating Brandenburgs and Overtures/Suites around these days.
      
      l.
      - Do you recall . . . - psgary 15:59:48 08/23/10 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I agree on the cantatas, ... posted by Luciano, IT on August 23, 2010 at 03:36:48
        
        if the Brandenburgs were in mono?
        
        I may just like the recording because I cut my Brandenburg teeth on it. But still, my ear prefers them.
        
        RE: Do you recall . . . - Luciano,IT 11:46:33 08/24/10 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Do you recall . . . posted by psgary on August 23, 2010 at 15:59:48
        
        I may be wrong, but my recollection is that the whole set, including the Brandenburgs, was in stereo, recorded somewhere in the early-mid '60s.
        
        L.
        
        Thank you - psgary 16:00:56 08/24/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Do you recall . . . posted by Luciano,IT on August 24, 2010 at 11:46:33
        
        My search continues

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: