The Cardinall's Musick: EMS 23 February

[jean]

I don't think it's either silly or hostile to want to know why someone dislikes a particular performance or group of performers, especially when their doubts are expressed so cryptically.

[ardcarp]

I've now had time to listen to the 'Carwood' EMS and I enjoyed it very much. I do have a gripe with the production team though. Someone upthread mentioned the music being played whilst LS and AC were talking and then being 'turned up' when they stopped. I do hope this is not going to be a recurring trend in EMS. I for one want to give my full attention to EITHER the music OR the discussion. (Never was any good at multi-tasking.) Also, Lucie had obviously been prompted to remind listeners that it was the EMS and that she was talking to AC at regular intervals during the programme. Is this really necessary? It's not a 'drivetime' show where listeners drop in and out. Maybe one 'rerminder' halfway through would be enough?

[Pulcinella]

I think that it is often hard to say what one likes or dislikes about the sound a choir makes in specific terms that others can latch on to, and that's why some comments can appear `cryptic'. The overall blend of a choir, for example, seems to create different problems for different people (or at least some seem more concerned/aware than others).

I am another of the group (which includes my partner and several members of the music society I sing in) that simply cannot bear the BBC Singers (or the Finzi singers, for that matter, though I do have some of their recordings, as they are the only versions available); sadly this means even more Radio 3 programmes (and BBC MM CDs) that I don't listen to!

I'm with DracoM here.
When I reviewed an early Byrd Edition Cardinall's Musick CD (Cantiones Sacrae), I used the word `relentless' to describe my feelings about their performances (at least compared to the New College versions), while admitting that the music should not in any sense be `easy listening'; nor should we really listen to a whole CD's worth at a time.
This is nothing to do with women/boys as the top line.

I don't in general find this problem with the Tallis Scholars or The Sixteen. I do find Stile Antico curiously uninvolving (i.e., I'm not drawn in to their performance), though they do produce (to my ears) a beautifully blended sound.

Perhaps I'd react differently at a live performance, but choosing a CD for repeated listening at home has its own criteria.

That's my twopenn'orth of quot homines, anyway!

[jean]

I think that it is often hard to say what one likes or dislikes about the sound a choir makes in specific terms that others can latch on to...

But you made the attempt!

Thanks for that.

[Gabriel Jackson]

I do have a gripe with the production team though. Someone upthread mentioned the music being played whilst LS and AC were talking and then being 'turned up' when they stopped. I do hope this is not going to be a recurring trend in EMS. I for one want to give my full attention to EITHER the music OR the discussion.

I was listening to Danish Radio P2 the other day, to hear a (very good) BBC Singers concert that hasn't been broadcast here yet, which I was involved in. During the very lengthy introduction to the concert, they played the opening of a saxophone quartet by me, faded it out, talked a bit, played the whole of a short choral piece by me, talked some more, faded up the sax quartet and played the rest of it. It was a bit odd...

[ardcarp]

Odd indeed. Clearly an international conspiracy among broadcasters. Moriarty at large?

[Gabriel Jackson]

Odd indeed. Clearly an international conspiracy among broadcasters. Moriarty at large?

Danish Radio P2 are terribly laid back, generally. Doing an interval chat for a live broadcast in Copenhagen a couple of years ago I was told by the presenter "just come and find us [they were set up at the east end of the church] when you have a minute - we'll just be chatting and playing some music".