david@agora.hf.intel.com (David W. Robinson) (07/23/90)
[The following article is from the May issue of POSITIVE FEEDBACK, the newsletter of the Oregon Triode Society, and is Copyright 1990, all rights reserved, by the Oregon Triode Society. Permission to reprint this article is hereby given, provided that full attribution is given and that no changes are made to the body of the article. This posting is made pro bono publico to rec.audio.high-end; contact the Oregon Triode Society at 3623 S.E. Hawthorne, Portland, OR 97214 (503) 238- 1957.] VINYL REFLECTIONS: Handel's Opus 6; 12 versions compared Larry Sturtz The Handel Opus 6 Concerti for strings represent the pinnacle of baroque orchestral music, along with Bach's Brandenburgs. I bought Marriner's London set in the '60s when it was issued, and was hooked. There are now 12 sets on my shelves. I disposed of several others over the years, including Scherchen, Malgoire, and a Supraphon. At the risk of being a bit pushy, no collection should be without a set or two of this work. Opus 6 sets are a little like beer to me; no such thing as a bad one-- but some are better than others. (Although I would concede that that Harnoncourt, Budweiser--any issue, and Coors push it.) ["I could add some others," quoth the Editor.] Onward. Our sets, three discs unless otherwise noted, are as follows, listed alphabetically by conductor: 1. Iona Brown, St. Martins Academy, Philips Digital 6725036, 4 discs, includes Op. 3 also. 2. Collegium Aureum, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 153-99-645/7. 3. Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Vienna Concentus Musicus, Teldec Digital 6.35603. 4. Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic, DGG 139 012, 035, 036, 042, 4 discs. 5. Raymond Leppard, English Chamber Orchestra, Mercury SR3-9124. 6. Neville Marriner, St. Martins Academy, London 2309. 7. Jean-Francois Paillard, Paillard Chamber Orchestra, MHS 806-9, 4 discs. Includes Op. 3, also. 8. Trevor Pinnock, English Concert, DG Archiv Digital 2742002. 9. Karl Richter, Munich Bach Orchestra, DG Archiv 2723080, 6 discs, includes other orchestral works. 10. Janos Rolla, Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra, Hungaroton 12015-17. 11. Alexander Schneider, "His" Chamber Orchestra, RCA LSC 6172. 12. August Wenzinger, Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, DG Archiv 198 346-8. There you have it: 3 digitals, Brown, Harnoncourt, and Pinnock. Four original instruments, Collegium Aureum, Harnoncourt, Pinnock and Weinzinger, one big band romantic, Karajan, and the rest modern instrument analogue. Brown conducts an astringent but scintillating performance, fleet and bracing, crisp and precise with lovely dynamics, fast tempi, and inventive ornamentation. A fine first choice, but do check the digits. If you can't live with the sound, don't buy it. There are other choices. Brown is high energy in the Allegros, expressive in slow movements. This set is in my top three, and if it was your only choice for both Op. 3 & 6 you could do far worse. The only negative comment I can muster is that the high energy may be tiring for some who like expansive, warm performances. The Collegium Aureum set is quite rare. I got mine at Tower in San Francisco in the mid-seventies, and have never seen another set. The Collegium are the conservative wing of the original instrument crowd. Strings sound modern; winds are obviously original. ("Winds?" you ask. Well, yes. They use oboes and bassoons, giving a rich sound to concerti 1, 2, 5 & 6.) This is a wonderful set. If one comes your way, you will know what to do. Harnoncourt remains a mystery to me. He seems to delight in perverse performances featuring unexplainable choices. Concentrating on the music is difficult as you wait for the next surprise. Fast movements are lightning, slow movements almost stop. Dynamics are extreme--and yet there are good things. This set would be appropriate as the 5th or 6th set in a comprehensive collection. It deserves detailed study. The 1983 digital sound is pretty icy, but generally listenable. If you like Musica Antiqua Koln, you may like Harnoncourt's Handel. Herr v. Karajan, using what sounds like every string player in the Berlin Phil., provides the antithesis of Harnoncourt. Legato, legato, and then a little more legato. Yet he cares about the music, and within the boundaries he sets the performance succeeds. Try one of the four separately issued discs and see what you think. These indestructible concerti can stand virtually any approach and come out unscathed. The sound is quite good on the earlier tulip label; not so good on the later labels. Leppard offers a modern instrument performance in the Brown-Marriner style. The Emanuel Hurwitz-led English chamber orchestra in superb sound is good without being spectacular. No information is provided as to engineering, but I suspect this was a Philips 1960s job. (I would like to hear from anybody who knows about this.) My pressings are early Maroon Label, codes RFR-1. I prefer both Marriner and Brown to Leppard, but it's very close. The only thing I can pinpoint is that Marriner and Brown offer greater dynamic variety which makes their performances more interesting. Leppard is worth acquiring at a reasonable price. Marriner was my benchmark for years. He's still very close, with lithe modern instrument performances, beefy sound, terraced dynamics where appropriate, bouncy allegros, and expressive slow movements. A fine set, still available, but bound to become rare. Strongly recommended. The Paillard, originally on Erato, is well-pressed by MHS. The sound is rich and close, but the performances are listless and uncommitted. Competent, but little else. In view of the alternatives, don't accept this one even if it's free. Not recommended. Pinnock is one of my favorites of the current crop of original instrument conductors. The Opus 6 would seem to be his meat. These performances don't make it for me. There is little expressiveness. Strings are undernourished, digits claw at you. A major disappointment. An automatic pilot run-through. Did someone say expressiveness? Richter offers a ton. He also offers lugubrious tempos, massive string sound and a consistent approach. As opposed to Paillard and Pinnock he seems to care about the music. A little more bite in the allegros would suit me but, in general, Richter's performances are agreeable. Agreeable is not enough for me. Middle of the pack. The 1981 Rolla Hungarian set is a sleeper. Heavily ornamented, richly recorded, it's in the running. This set is the latest addition in my collection. I'm just becoming familiar with it. As of now, I'd say if a copy comes your way at a good price, pick it up. The Schneider set is like HVK without any pizazz. Big band romantic with little feeling. Unless you can locate a shaded dog (rare), avoid this one. August Wenzinger's 1964 set is worthy. As one of the first original instrument performances, there is some interest. This is an amiable performance. Sonorities remind one of the Collegium Aureum without any rough edges. Alas, also without any excitement. Too bad. Reluctantly, not recommended. A serious collection probably has room for 3 sets of Op. 6. My first string would be Brown or Marriner. Next would be Rolla or Collegium Aureum. Finally one or two of the Karajan discs would provide some variety.