John Eliot Gardiner and Ottavio Dantone The Early Music Show 14/15 May

[doversoul1]

This will be good for the Baroque music fans after the rather disappointing live concert on Tuesday.

Saturday
Catherine Bott talks to conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner about his illustrious career in the music industry, and includes recordings by his own Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists and Orchestra Revolutionnaire et Romantique, as well as performances from the Göttingen Handelfest and Opera de Lyon

Sunday
Lucie Skeaping presents highlights of two concerts given by Accademia Bizantina directed by Ottavio Dantone at the Torroella de Montgri Music Festival in Spain last summer. They are joined by soprano Sandrine Piau in music by Handel and Vivaldi.

[pilamenon]

Re. the JEG programme, I only caught the second half, but learned very little. This was a poor interview and a missed opportunity to ask him some meaningful questions. We were led to believe that until he turned up at Gottingen in 1981, German audiences were still stuck in a Third Reich time warp when it came to Handel's music. Really??? As much as I admire his achievements, I'd expect a specialist show to dig a bit deeper than this. Or are they, like others, just a bit afraid of him?

I'm sure the Ottavio Dantone programme will be much better. Looking forward to seeing him conduct at the Proms.

[MickyD]

Re. the JEG programme, I only caught the second half, but learned very little. This was a poor interview and a missed opportunity to ask him some meaningful questions. We were led to believe that until he turned up at Gottingen in 1981, German audiences were still stuck in a Third Reich time warp when it came to Handel's music. Really??? As much as I admire his achievements, I'd expect a specialist show to dig a bit deeper than this. Or are they, like others, just a bit afraid of him?

I'm sure the Ottavio Dantone programme will be much better. Looking forward to seeing him conduct at the Proms.

Well, I've just got through the first half of the programme, and I have to say that JEG was admirably open about the problems and prejudices he encountered with his own Monteverdi choir when he began switching to period instruments. It was a fascinating anecdote to this early music fan. And of course I was absolutely thrilled that the divine Rameau "Entrée de Polymnie" made it into the programme - definitely one to be played at my funeral!

[pilamenon]

Well, I've just got through the first half of the programme, and I have to say that JEG was admirably open about the problems and prejudices he encountered with his own Monteverdi choir when he began switching to period instruments.

Just listened again to the first half, and fair comment, Micky, there was a bit more substance and interest. The Rameau was definitely highlight of the extracts played. Happy to back down! I still think there was more to say in a programme like this. I'd be interested to know who JEG admires among his peers, and why, for example.

[vinteuil]

I think JEG admires JEG

[doversoul1]

This should be on Performance but it won’t stand up to the sound of Wagner and Mahler etc. so I’ll sneak it in here.

If you missed the CD Review from 11.00, do listen again. Most interesting discoveries (to me) and delightful music. And I think Jan Smaczy is a very good reviewer. I hope we’ll hear him more often.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0112crk

As for JEG, I get an impression that he doesn’t really like or doesn’t believe in talking about music. Still what he said was very interesting. Vegetarian horn sound indeed.

[MickyD]

Just listened again to the first half, and fair comment, Micky, there was a bit more substance and interest. The Rameau was definitely highlight of the extracts played. Happy to back down! I still think there was more to say in a programme like this. I'd be interested to know who JEG admires among his peers, and why, for example.

Glad you got to hear the first bit, Pilemenon. To be honest, this programme could easily have stretched into two hours, during which maybe JEG would have more of a chance to elaborate. But I have to say I agree with Vinteuil, JEG is certainly no shrinking violet!