Hey, Alla I canna say, is what dem Tedeschi call Alleluia, though I notice this term has been plagiarized by a certain Canadian ( who I love very much.)
Dieter, it would seem that you have missed the fact that I have already "done" - and am done with - Rossini:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2021/Jun/Rossini-survey.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2021/Jan/Rossini-Tell-survey.htm
Dear Ralph
That was a German joke, a la Markus Twain, obviously no laughing matter. Um, hopefully Rossini isn't next on your shopping list. Momma Mia! Enough already, E Basta!
Per favore, Ralph. don't a wastea your time with Gaetano: he's a no good, he's a organ grinder composer, he writea for monkeys. You stick to Anton Bruckner. As a Lou Reed oncea said, Those Italians need a lesson to be taught.
I am so glad that you have found my reviews helpful, John. If you are confused by the ever-increasing plethora of Bruckner recordings - not to mention (which I am) the debate about the desirability of exploring the different versions of the symphonies - all I can say is that you are hardly alone - and I include myself in the bafflement.
On the other hand, we should be grateful for the upsurge of interest in a once-neglected composer and the huge range of high-quality recordings now available.
You might have noticed that I have now pretty much covered the works I wanted to do but still try to respond to requests; hence I am currently engaged upon a survey of the best Donizetti recordings, prompted by the recent posting by Terence Ollerhead below.
I must point out, however, that MusicWeb colleagues have done a lot of work in the Bruckner field and you might like to refer to these:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/May/Bruckner_symphonies_revisited.pdf
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/May/Bruckner_sy8_survey.pdf
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/feb05/bruckner_symphonies_pwjq.htm
Obviously such recommendations are subjective - mine not least - and I have to say that I quail at the thought of embarking on anything approaching a more comprehensive conspectus. On the other hand, Brucknerian friends and I have occasionally played the nerdy game of nominating just one or two favourite recordings of each symphony and that is a much more feasible - if again, almost aleatory - challenge.
So once Gaetano is out of the way, let me see if I can produce something like that - with the proviso that it will doubtless provoke scorn and derision from better informed Brucknerians who disagree with my choices.
Over the last few years my exploration of music has been aided enormously by "stalking" Ralph Moore's reviews - first on Amazon and now here.
So now it's Bruckner's turn and I am more confused than ever!
Mr. Moore, if you ever feel inclined to do a survey of Bruckner recordings you will be assured of at least one avid reader.
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