Review: Two Boulez Bartók Boxes of Unequal Value

Pierre Boulez made some excellent Bartók recordings for Sony, and having them all in a box is quite a bargain. Then he remade virtually all of the same stuff for Deutsche Grammophon, plus additional repertoire. Did have have anything new to say?

[dianelewis]

Thanks for all these informative videos that you have given to us. It's been a hit and miss situation when buying cds, until I found you. Thanks, you have saved me a lot of money, and my classical library is growing fast.
diane lewis

[barryguerrero]

I don't really care how 'hot' or 'cold' Boulez's Bartok is or isn't. I don't really listen to music to test how my water heater is working. His Bartok is plenty good for me and the DG box has lots of goodies (I like both boxes). The "Wooden Prince" disc is really good, as are the three piano concertos. The "Concerto for Orchestra" is no worse than any of the other Chicago ones, except Reiner (obviously). I don't even mind Jessye Norman that much in "Bluebeard" - it's not my favorite one, but it's decent. The whole set is a keeper for me. Obviously, Reiner is essential for Cto. for Orchestra and "Music for S., P., and C."

[matts]

Being new to classical music I’m glad I’ve found and subscribed to your channel. I love your videos ! Thank you so much.

[NickZwar]

I tend to enjoy the DG Bartók recordings by Boulez, which is why I got most of them as individual recordings when they were initially released, so I don't have the need to buy the box. Was he less interested in recording the repertoire than he was in his younger days? Maybe, maybe he had a "been there, done that" attitude and did if for commercial reasons, at a time when CD sales were at their peak and one could actually make classical recordings of Bartók for commercial reasons. (Try that today, ey?) But regardless, I think the detached, clean and clear performances of most of these works are well worth having, and some would be top choice. "The Wooden Prince" is probably my favorite version of the piece. I've heard Boulez perform "The Wooden Prince" live (conducting the London Symphony Orchestra) and that is still one of my cherished concert experiences.

[johnwright]

Thank you for comparison of Boulez’s Bartok recordings. Of his DG set I agree the piano concertos are really good—for me as a supplement to Anda’s accounts with Fricsay. I also think the Chicago recordings of the Wooden Prince and Cantata profana are great, but I could skip the rest of his DG box.

[VoceCorale]

The DG disc with The Wooden Prince and Cantata Profana is excellent in my opinion, the ballet in particular receiving a wonderful reading. The Dance Suite, though, does not quite dance as it should. And I agree that The Miraculous Mandarin on Sony is extremely good.

[williamwhittle]

I remember Andrew Kazdin produced NYPO recordings that had good sound. Some were Boulez recordings.

[alfredgonzalez]

So glad to hear the approval of Bluebeard's Castle with the BBC. I've heard so many other versions, but Troyanos makes it for me.

[jg]

This is exactly what I always felt. Boulez got more boring with the years, not even being particularly thrilling in the beginning. His Webern boxes on Sony and DG show that same difference very clearly, even if the Sony sound shows its vintage. Thank you for summarizing the contents of each. I probably won't go for any of them unless I can't find more persuasive recordings of the 4 orchestral pieces and little else.

[mistywalters]

Didnt you list DG Mandarin as one of your references on classicstoday? I like both versions.

[colinwrubleski]

"The French Correction": awesome...^^

[MegaVicar]

Glad to hear someone else dislikes that Two piano thing... I also saw Sam Ramey sing Bluebeard’s Castle, but I doubt Jessye Norman was anywhere near Omaha.

[kend.]

I have a copy of the Boulez Columbia complete album collection, but a very limited number of the DG recordings, so I guess I'm set. Admittedly, I have barely made dent in listening to the box I have. There never is enough time for me to listen to everything! Perhaps some people want the digital technology vs. Analog?

[kevinw.]

Thanks as ever, Mr. Hurwitz. The box is no longer readily available, but the NY Phil "Concerto for Orchestra" is on "The Complete Columbia Album Collection" which came out in, I think, 2014. I purchased the box in 2016, and it has for the most part been sitting quietly on the shelf since it arrived. There are too many conductors (and composers) within arm's length to make picking up Boulez' work a very tempting option. It's there should I happen to need it. I do for some reason find "Eclat" an interesting piece. Twenty-seven minutes, and done; that will hold me for a while.

[giacomofirpo]

Boulez is too much analytical...often too much cold in my humble opinion...and partially overrated...