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Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by cageface on Monday August 30, 2021 @02:13PM (#28358953)
If you think you might like opera check out the René Jacobs' recordings of Mozart's Italian Operas on the Harmonia Mundi label: Cosi Fan Tutte, Le Nozze di Figaro & Don Giovannni.

In general as a beginner I wouldn't worry too much about finding the best recording of any particular piece. Once you start to develop some favorites then you can pick a few and compare. Streaming services make this a lot easier and cheaper than it used to be.

Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by spoonjim on Monday August 30, 2021 @02:30PM (#28359172)
I don't know if I agree with that. The recording can make the difference between a transcendent piece and dogshit. For example if Beethoven's Fifth is played too fast, especially if there's not enough of a pause between the first two phrases... it just ruins the whole thing.
Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by olau on Monday August 30, 2021 @03:32PM (#28359902)
Hah, that's funny. I grew up with a super fast Karajan (perhaps to make it fit on an LP?), and have had a hard time adjusting to the slower tempo that most recordings have.

Personally, for me all Beethoven symphonies >= 4 are a treat. If you ever get the chance to see one live, go. It's overwhelming.

Youtube can be helpful when it comes to interpretations. With some luck, there's going to be music geeks recommending other versions, so you can click around and find one you prefer.

Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by tdumitrescu on Monday August 30, 2021 @08:15PM (#28362537)
> If you ever get the chance to see one live, go. It's overwhelming.

This is an important aspect of classical music (like any other music) that's easily missed. Even the finest recordings don't capture anything like the feelings of experiencing a live performance up close. The acoustics, the sense of space, the tension and urgency of mistakes and recoveries (which are barely tolerated in modern professional recordings, as lovely and "perfect" as they try to be).

If you have a chance to get to the symphony, or a string quartet recital, or a polyphonic vocal ensemble in a cathedral, take the opportunity! I guarantee it sounds different, often more vibrant, more real. (Not that this stops me from collecting tons of recordings, which are great too, just a different beast.)

Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by cageface on Tuesday August 31, 2021 @05:40AM (#28365750)
You don't like the 3rd? I'd put the Eroica in my top 10 list of symphonies by anybody.
Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by spoonjim on Monday August 30, 2021 @06:44PM (#28361806)
Honestly I’ve never seen a Karajan that I liked
Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by jfvinueza on Monday August 30, 2021 @11:28PM (#28363661)
wouldn't choose his recordings for the beethoven/bach/mozart, but he definitely had his moments

critics argue about his mahler 9th; i think it's amazing

they don't argue about his bruckner 8th and 9th; among his last gigs

and then there's stuff like strauss where he was unparalleled

Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by cageface on Monday August 30, 2021 @02:40PM (#28359286)
Yeah that's true but if you stick to the major labels and performers you're very unlikely to hear a performance that bad. IMO worrying too much about this as a beginner is a distraction.

But once you start to develop some favorites then hearing different takes can add a lot of enjoyment I agree.

Re:Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic by staticautomatic on Monday August 30, 2021 @03:12PM (#28359672)
I agree this is mostly a matter of taste. Consider the endless debates over Heifetz and Argerich’s playing styles.