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Messages - mc ukrneal

#2
The sky really is the limit on this one. A few that you might like:
Alnaes- Piano Concerto on Hyperion (first two movements are about as close to being Rachmaninov without actually being Sergei) (Lyapunov is also excellent from that series, among others)
Lumbye - Something a bit lighter, and the Marco Polo series is surprisingly good (as are two discs from Odense/Guth)
Noskowski - Volume 2 of the Sterling trio.
Richard and Eduard Franck - Fine music on Audite and a wonderful orchestral disc from Richard on Sterling
Farrenc - Symphonies on CPO are a good starting place
Burgmuller - Symphony No.1 on Sterling
Offenbach - Entre Nous on Opera Rara (a lot of rarities, well done, and great booklet)
Rheinberger - Piano Music on Carus (perhaps a bit too much, but surprisingly good and consistent)

There are also numerous ballets and operas to recommend, even from big names like Bellini and Donizetti - many works that are not well known. But then there are names like Thomas, Herold, Messager, Mercadante, Moniuszko, etc.

There is a lot out there. Have fun!
#3
The list can be sort of endless, and it depends a bit on your preferences, but some alternatives are (and trying not to repeat what has already been said):

Gottschalk (the Hyperion series is brilliant, and my first recommendation if you (or anyone else) doesn't already have it)

Ries (the Naxos series has been good, the concertos even better)
Burgmuller
Schulhoff (Julius)
German (Edward. may be too light for some)
Arensky (I like the Anthony Goldstone disc as well as discs on Hyperion)
Herzogenberg (again with Goldstone, on Toccata; or a set on CPO if you want more)
Lyapunov (performed by him again)
Kjerulf (set on Simax)
Tellefsen (again on Simax)
Alnaes (toccata)
Donostia: Basque preludes (at the end of the period, but stylistically enough in synch perhaps)
Rheinberger (on Carus, I love this set, but it may be a bit much for most at 10 discs)
Liadov (I love the disc on Hyperion)
Balakirev (I actually prefer the non-sonatas, but Nicholas Walker is my go-to for this composer)
Carl Arnold (simax again)

But really, there is SOOOOO much to suggest. I would need to look through my collection for some more ideas...if there is more interest...
#4
Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: The future of music storage
Saturday 13 February 2016, 21:20
When I first started, I needed to travel a lot and mp3 was the only way I could get all my music on one portable external drive. Today, with drives at 4TB, someone just starting out should use FLAC. Assuming 3 cds per GB, you'd get roughly 9k discs on a 4TB drive assuming 1 TB used for other stuff (say, pictures and work files). Even so, by the time you get close to filling it up, it's likely a 6TB or 8TB portable drive will become available.
#5
Composers & Music / Re: Romantic Piano Concerto series
Tuesday 27 August 2013, 18:52
Greatest discovery - Lyapunov. What glorious and intersting music. I have since acquired numerous discs of his and continue to explore his output.

Best of the lot - Alnaes. This probably gets the most listening from me (followed by that Sauer/Scharwenka disc already mentioned). It's very reminiscent of Rachmaninov. It's big and tuneful, and why it's not played more I cannot fathom. It's got an opening of a big fat piano right from the start, with that orchestra right there with it. The second movement is gorgeous. I love how the orchestra and piano play so big as it goes along, but not always the same tune/line. The pianist has a lot runs and such throughout the piece. The Sinding is not bad either! :)

Honorable mention: Arensky/Bortkiewicz. Both are very fine. Bortkiewicz, in general, is quite tuneful (and can be recommended for his symphonies as well - the same for Arensky).