I've been avoiding this topic during a time when other of life's distractions have been getting in the way. But I couldn't let it go without a couple of thoughts, hopefully without re-doing other arguments in the thread. Originally, Richard Tsuyuki wrote: >In the interest of learning more about period performances, I am seeking >recommendations. Specifically, I was wondering if anyone would care to >recommend *two* recordings of the *same* work, one period and one modern. >Ideally, the piece would be something one would want to own and listen to >anyway (i.e., as opposed to obscure and hard to get to know; be gentle with >me), and both performances would be of roughly equal merit, in their own >genres. And then there's the apparent contradiction that a Beethoven symphony, for example, recorded by Gardiner in the 1990s would be "period" while one by Furtwaengler in the 1940s would be "modern"..... As has already been hinted at in other postings, what's considered period or HIP has changed over the decades, due to new musicological discoveries, and (in some cases) better performance abilities over that time. The recordings using period instruments by Concentus Musicus or the Collegium Aureum in the 1960s have definitely been superceded in many ways by later groups and recordings, but that doesn't mean the older ones don't have their own artistic merits, or that people can't enjoy them because of newer scholarship. So there's HIP, and there's HIP. That said, I might suggest the following: Bach's Brandenburg Concertos: Benjamin Britten's recording with the English Chamber Orchestra (late 60s), versus that led by Gustav Leonhardt from ca. 1976, or Pinnock's from a few years later, contrasted perhaps by a more "modern" HIP (X-treme HIP?) by Giardino Armonico or Musica Antiqua Cologne/Goebel. How about some Monteverdi? I'd think that the Raymond Leppard/Glyndebourne sets of both "Poppea" and the Book VIII Madrigals are an interesting comparison to the Poppeas by Gardiner (recent HIP) and Harnoncourt (hoary old HIP). As for the Madrigals, compare Leppard's with some of Gardiner's early 80s versions, vs. the Consort of Musick's versions (early 90s HIP) and the Concerto Italiano's very recent and wonderful versions. Biber's "Mystery" (or Rosary) Sonatas for violin and continuo: the earliest recording I know is still available is the Lautenbacher (early 60s), compared to the Holloway (early 90s HIP) or the Letzbor (later 90s HIP). However, the more I listen to the Lautenbacher, I think it is really a HIP recording for that time, so you can get a good feel for how much things have changed in the past 35 years or so with regard to period performance. Purcell's Fairy Queen: Would go for either the Anthony Lewis or Benjamin Britten versions from the 50s/60s, compared to either Gardiner's 80s version or Christie's 90s version. As for "Dido and Aeneas", Tore Steenslid has already mentioned Janet Baker/Lewis, compared to the wonderfully theatrical version by Veronique Gens/Christie (except for the odd French accent here and there in the latter). Handel's Opus 6 Concerti Grossi: Not sure if it's available, but Menuhin's Bath Festival Orchestra version, or the new Orpheus Chamber Orch. is worth comparing side by side with Pinnock's (80s HIP) or Manze's (late 90s HIP) ones. Handel's Water Music/Fireworks Music: Menuhin or Leppard for versions on modern instruments (with Mackerras for modern windband Fireworks versions) versus the Usual HIP Suspects (Hogwood/Pinnock/Gardiner). Maybe King for the HIP windband Fireworks version. Handel's Messiah: No contest here--Beecham! and perhaps Hogwood as the HIP alternative. Bill H.