Belshazzar's Feast

[AjAjAjH]

I am surprised that no one has written about the performance of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast on 'Afternoon on 3' today.

On a number of occasions the choir was:-
Out of tune; did not enter together; was out of time with the orchestra and appeared to be shrieking/shouting.

Maybe St. Manus' High Kirk has a bad acoustic because the whole thing seemed to be recorded through a fog.

Because it was played by the BBCSSO I suppose the BBC had to record it; but why broadcast it when it was so bad despite Katie Derham eulogising it.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

but why broadcast it when it was so bad despite Katie Derham eulogising it.

That goes without saying.

But thanks for the pointer. I'll investigate this performance.

However, I'm a little spoilt. I heard this work conducted by the composer himself in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool in the early 1970s. My student friends suggested asking Sir William for his autograph after the performance, so we went back-stage, only to be told that the composer was very tired and would not be meeting members of the audience. Almost as the words were being spoken, Sir William was escorted past us along the narrow corridor and, as he passed me, he TROD ON MY TOE - my closest encounter with a great composer. (His heavy black coat stank of tobacco.)

[Don Petter]

That goes without saying.

But thanks for the pointer. I'll investigate this performance.

However, I'm a little spoilt. I heard this work conducted by the composer himself in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool in the early 1970s. My student friends suggested asking Sir William for his autograph after the performance, so we went back-stage, only to be told that the composer was very tired and would not be meeting members of the audience. Almost as the words were being spoken, Sir William was escorted past us along the narrow corridor and, as he passed me, he TROD ON MY TOE - my closest encounter with a great composer. (His heavy black coat stank of tobacco.)

Great story!

(I would like to think that in your passport, under 'Distinguishing Features' it says 'Walton toe'?)

[BBMmk2]

I do love Bryn Terfel and Sir Andrew avis's old Prom performance of this work. Really lit it up.

[Historian]

I am surprised that no one has written about the performance of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast on 'Afternoon on 3' today.

On a number of occasions the choir was:-
Out of tune; did not enter together; was out of time with the orchestra and appeared to be shrieking/shouting.

I felt it was kinder not to mention this performance. Especially given some of the other artists involved.

[umslopogaas]

I think you are very unkind to Katie Derham. She is not paid to slag off performances someone else has selected for her to introduce, and she would be fired very rapidly if she did.

[Stanfordian]

I am surprised that no one has written about the performance of Walton's Belshazzar's Feast on 'Afternoon on 3' today.

On a number of occasions the choir was:-
Out of tune; did not enter together; was out of time with the orchestra and appeared to be shrieking/shouting.

Maybe St. Manus' High Kirk has a bad acoustic because the whole thing seemed to be recorded through a fog.

Because it was played by the BBCSSO I suppose the BBC had to record it; but why broadcast it when it was so bad despite Katie Derham eulogising it.

Hiya AjAjAjH,

Sadly broadcasting poorly performed works happens all too frequently on Radio 3 for the Walton Belshazzar's Feast the conducter lost control. The way the station is managed many programmes are given presenters that act like cheerleaders. I look forward to Saturdays when excellent and knowledgeable presenters like Andrew McGregor, Rob Cowen and recently more Simon Heffer are in action.

[Dave2002]

I think you are very unkind to Katie Derham. She is not paid to slag off performances someone else has selected for her to introduce, and she would be fired very rapidly if she did.

I listened to the announcement, and it was perfectly reasonable, and did not say anything of a gushing or unwarranted enthusiastic nature about the performance. Most of it was about the piece itself, and some might not have heard the stories concerning its composition and first performance before. I would say that criticism of the announcer was not justified.

[ChrisBennell]

I heard this performance which also left me cold.

By way of contrast, I have a recording of Belshazzar from Walton's 80th birthday concert at the RFH with Previn and the Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra, and Thomas Allen. Although the recording (from cassette originally, now transposed to CD) shows signs of age now, it is in a different world, and excites from the word go.

Also impressive is the measured tones and commentary of the Radio 3 presenter from the RFH - as all the applause is directed at the composer in the Royal Box. Marvellous occasion, and so well presented!

[makropulos]

I heard this performance which also left me cold.

By way of contrast, I have a recording of Belshazzar from Walton's 80th birthday concert at the RFH with Previn and the Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra, and Thomas Allen. Although the recording (from cassette originally, now transposed to CD) shows signs of age now, it is in a different world, and excites from the word go.

Also impressive is the measured tones and commentary of the Radio 3 presenter from the RFH - as all the applause is directed at the composer in the Royal Box. Marvellous occasion, and so well presented!

The whole of that terrific concert can also be heard on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7kLoEGb8SA, with the unmistakable tones of Cormac Rigby as the announcer.

[Petrushka]

I heard this performance which also left me cold.

By way of contrast, I have a recording of Belshazzar from Walton's 80th birthday concert at the RFH with Previn and the Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra, and Thomas Allen. Although the recording (from cassette originally, now transposed to CD) shows signs of age now, it is in a different world, and excites from the word go.

Also impressive is the measured tones and commentary of the Radio 3 presenter from the RFH - as all the applause is directed at the composer in the Royal Box. Marvellous occasion, and so well presented!

I remember that 1982 concert well as I watched it live on BBC2. A prime candidate for an ICA Classics DVD I would have thought.

Regarding the BBCSO broadcast, I didn't hear this, but I always thought that the BBC exercised some form of quality control in that poor performances not suitable for broadcast were not aired. Has the afternoon slot become a dumping ground for the sub-standard? A pity if so.

[Petrushka]

The whole of that terrific concert can also be heard on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7kLoEGb8SA, with the unmistakable tones of Cormac Rigby as the announcer.

Many thanks for this

[makropulos]

Many thanks for this

Isn't it good to be reminded of it? I went to Walton's 70th birthday concert at the RFH (Previn, LSO) which also ended with Belshazzar, but only heard this 80th birthday one on the radio.
As you say, a video of it (since it was also televised) would be most welcome!

[Barbirollians]

The whole of that terrific concert can also be heard on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7kLoEGb8SA, with the unmistakable tones of Cormac Rigby as the announcer.

I haven't got as far as BF but that is a superb performance of the Violin Concerto !

I have very fond memories of a BF conducted by Charles Groves in Sheffield in the late 1980s .

[ChrisBennell]

The whole of that terrific concert can also be heard on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7kLoEGb8SA, with the unmistakable tones of Cormac Rigby as the announcer.

Many thanks for that - I had no idea this was available on youtube - the whole concert too! What a great resource that is. Maybe I can now improve on my aged recording from Cassette!