Hannah French chats to the Dunedin Consort's artistic director John Butt in the ensemble's 25th anniversary year, and John chooses some of his favourite recordings from their discography.
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Originally posted by ardcarp View Post
I once bumped into John Butt at a firm in Edinburgh who hired vehicles. He was hiring a large passenger bus and I was hiring a Luton van to take the orchestra I played in percussion instruments to Carlisle. Nice bloke. -
Good programme. John Butt informatively chatty. I think at one point he was describing the sort of small choir from which the soloists 'step out'. I love that sort of group, but don't think step-out soloists should 'lead' ensemble numbers...as I think he suggested might have happened in Mozart's day. Just blend in please.Comment
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Leading doesn't have to mean sticking out though - section leaders in orchestras have to be able to solo and blend. It wasn't that aspect I found a particular issue on the clip played, but the tuning, which I found painful in a couple of places.Originally posted by ardcarp View PostComment
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Or should that be 'ought to be able'? I've spent half a life-time conducting orchestras which think of themselves as semi-pro. i.e some professionals and some very good amateurs. I've lost count of the number of times I've (tactfully, I hope) asked the leader to cool-it a bit! Good choral singers OTOH seem to know the rules.section leaders in orchestras have to be able to solo and blendComment
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