the great schnabel

[alocispepraluger102]

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/cm/main/...75&page=all

[BruceH]

Nice article. Thanks!

[Late]

Where can a person find copies of Schnabel's Beethoven Sonatas on Pearl for less than a fortune? I keep reading that the Pearl editions are the most faithful to the 78's ... and that they're also out-of-print (and selling for exorbitant prices on the used market). Are the Naxos editions that much of a step down?

Argh!

[gnhrtg]

Where can a person find copies of Schnabel's Beethoven Sonatas on Pearl for less than a fortune? I keep reading that the Pearl editions are the most faithful to the 78's ... and that they're also out-of-print (and selling for exorbitant prices on the used market). Are the Naxos editions that much of a step down?

Argh!

I have the Naxos discs only but from what I've read, no they are not much of a step down compared to the Pearl transfers (but this is people comparing the Pearl to the Naxos, not sure many will have had the opportunity to compare the two to the originals and decide which comes closer). Considering the age of these recordings, I am certainly satisfied with the sound on the Naxos discs (and other Obert-Thorn transfers I've heard so far).

[Late]

Thanks gnhrtg. I currently have the Classica D'Oro edition ($27 for eight discs), and you get what you pay for. The music is amazing, but I can barely listen to the transfers. They actually sound best on the boombox I have in the garage.

Does anyone know an online vendor (other than Amazon or Tower) where Pearl discs are for sale and (possibly) in stock?

[gnhrtg]

Thanks gnhrtg. I currently have the Classica D'Oro edition ($27 for eight discs), and you get what you pay for. The music is amazing, but I can barely listen to the transfers. They actually sound best on the boombox I have in the garage.

Does anyone know an online vendor (other than Amazon or Tower) where Pearl discs are for sale and (possibly) in stock?

Re-you get what you pay for: Of course but if we take that to mean inferior/inexpert transfers I would disagree regarding the Ward Marston and Mark Obert-Thorn transfers in the Naxos Historical Series (including everything from solo to chamber to orchestral music to operas/arias). Hope you find a good deal on Schnabel's Pearls.

[Late]

You're right about Naxos. I have no problem with any of the discs I've purchased on that label. Despite being a "budget" label, they put out a high quality product.

I found the Schnabel "Named Sonatas" on Pearl through Amazon UK. Expensive, but no more than the label's (admittedly high) retail price.

[Chuck Nessa]

Having listened the Schnabel Beethoven material for over 40 years (RCA lps, Angel COLH box, various cd reissues and even a few original 78's) I think the Pearl reissues do reveal more details. I also think the eq diddling used to reveal the details have raised the groove noise to an unacceptable level. For me the noise detracts from the music unless I concentrate very carefully. If you have the interest and time to invest, the Pearls are interesting. I just don't want anyone to ignore other recordings of the music if they can't afford the Pearls. I usually reach for the Dante box when I want to hear this stuff. I have not heard the Naxos reissues but can't believe Obert-Thorne did anything but a decent job.

Edited October 18, 2008 by Chuck Nessa