Favorite Bass Sections on Recordings

jdapodaca · #1 11-11-2006, 06:03 PM

When I first listen to any symphony recording, my ear gravitates to the sound of the bass section.

...Which leads me to believe that you all do the same.

What are some of your favorite bass sections to listen to?

When you buy cds, do you often decide which cd to buy depending on which orchestra (which bass section) you will be listening to?

I don't really want this to turn into a "What is your favorite orchestra" thread, as that already exists.

I'm more interested in which sections you all like to listen to when you are listening for exerpts, playing along with recordings, listening for fun, etc.

What is it about certain sections that attract you to them?

edit: I realize that maybe this should have been posted in the Orchestral Technique section, as this pertains exlusively to the Orchestral playing. If a moderator feels that this thread should be moved...you know.

Cory Palmer · #2 11-11-2006, 07:30 PM

The Berlin Philharmonic recordings with Karajan have a great bass section. Really fat and ballsy.

I also like the New York Philharmonic recordings with Bernstein.

Snakewood · #3 11-11-2006, 08:11 PM

Mahler 4, Vienna Phil/Bernstein

Huge warm bass sound.

BMason · #4 11-12-2006, 12:10 AM

Vienna Phil and the RPO (though it can be a bit too much at times).

THE SAW · #5 11-25-2006, 02:12 PM

Cory, I've had the chance to hear the Berlin Phil live in thier cute little recording studio /concert hall in the city park, there in Berlin. You'd be amazed at the LACK of sound compared to their recordings. When I heard them they were using that faggy tuned down solo string approach, I hope they have come to their senses by now.
If you want real balls to the wall, old school section playing get Solti Mahler 6-I heard an extra mike was placed as close as possible to Joe G. (don't know him personally, just can't spell his last name) Lots of rosin, incredably brutal yet musical as hell. Forget Solti's butchering of the score, just check out the basses. If you are without sub-woofers (I would guess no one here is but you never know) listen with head phones.
I think the Vienna phil section sucks most of the time on recordings but I have seen them live in their fantastic hall (believe me, your High School band would sound great in there) and they sound fat and gorgeous there.
I've been all over the world due to my work and always fit in a concert if I can-I sometimes heckle and clap in the wrong places on purpose-I love the look of a disgusted Euro!

Cory Palmer · #6 11-25-2006, 02:41 PM

I don't think the bass section in Berlin's more recent recordings are as heavy as when Karajan was there. I know Karajan really built the orchestra from the bottom up so he all had the fattest bass section.
I saw the Berlin Phil at Carnegie Hall last year and the bass section sounded amazing there.
How big was the orchestra when you saw them recording?

Rob Sleeper · #7 11-25-2006, 05:41 PM

Yea Berlin with me as well. I have a DVD of the Berlin Phil with Karajan and there is at least 12 people in the bass section in 3 rows. Besides I loved Karajan's approach as well to the orchestra's sound.

kontrabass · #8 11-25-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Sleeper

I have a DVD of the Berlin Phil with Karajan and there is at least 12 people in the bass section in 3 rows.

Those DVDs are one of the many reasons I hope to be an orchestral bassist for the rest of my life (whether in a community orchestra or the Boston Symphony, I haven't yet decided

)

Rob Sleeper · #9 11-25-2006, 07:27 PM

But with the Berlin Phil, the personnel has almost completely changed since Karajan and Abbado's time and the focus is more on brilliancy and virtuosity than on weight and solidity of tone. Even today an orchestra like the Berlin Philharmonic isn't as recognizable by it's sound as it use to be.

jdapodaca · #10 12-06-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Sleeper

Yea Berlin with me as well. I have a DVD of the Berlin Phil with Karajan and there is at least 12 people in the bass section in 3 rows. Besides I loved Karajan's approach as well to the orchestra's sound.

I love the Karajan DVDs.

You know how on some dvds you can choose to see the same scene, from different angles? I wish they would let you just play the angle that shows the bass section throughout the entire DVD. I would re-buy all of them.