Schubert 9 on Ao3 4/3/15 Mena/BBC Phil - a cracking pace!

[Flay]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05401mn

I'm really enjoying this performance. It's moving along at great speed, and is none the worse for it. I don't think I've ever heard it done so quickly.

What a brilliant symphony!

[Nick Armstrong]

Doing something very dull in the office and I have the door shut and the Schubert going - and I agree, a delight!

[ahinton]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05401mn

I'm really enjoying this performance. It's moving along at great speed, and is none the worse for it. I don't think I've ever heard it done so quickly.

What a brilliant symphony!

At the risk of inviting a megaton of curses and chagrin, I'm afraid that, for me, that symphony can never go anything like fast enough! Sorry!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

At the risk of inviting a megaton of curses and chagrin, I'm afraid that, for me, that symphony can never go anything like fast enough! Sorry!

You don't like the Schubert; you think that Mussorgsky's piano writing is "clumsy"; you admire Segerstam's Bruckner#8.

A megaton of sympathy and best wishes is more likely!

[ahinton]

You don't like the Schubert; you think that Mussorgsky's piano writing is "clumsy"; you admire Segerstam's Bruckner#8.

A megaton of sympathy and best wishes is more likely!

Then may I thank you profusely for it in advance?!

No, I find it hard to get on with much (though not all) of Schubert and I've long since recognised that this is a blind spot the blame for which rests entirely with me.

Yes, I do find the piano writing of Pictures clumsy and unidiomatic but that doesn't stop me loving the piece itself! What do you think about the other versions? What's your preference among those that you've heard?

Much as indeed I do admire Segerstam's Bruckner 8 (notwithstanding the quality of BBC iPlayer presentation and the acoustical shortcomings of its performance venue), I don't suggest that this is the only way to perform it effectively!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Then may I thank you profusely for it in advance?!

Yes, I do find the piano writing of Pictures clumsy and unidiomatic but that doesn't stop me loving the piece itself! What do you think about the other versions? What's your preference among those that you've heard?

My preference is for the piano original - I think the composer's own "orchestration" here is superb. I have long wondered how such a superb master of orchestral colour as Ravel could have forsworn his innate gift for blending timbre in his dull transcription (a comparison with the shifting instrumental timbres in any of his own work with the literal, "we've started with a tuba, so we'll stick with a tuba" craftsmanship here - most distressing) and can only feel that he took the whole idea of providing an orchestration of the piano masterpiece as ridiculous, and sought to reflect that absurdity in his orchestration.

Quite like the PJBE version - and Stokie's and Wood's have their moments. But every time, the piano original just demonstrates its superiority just by existing!

[ahinton]

My preference is for the piano original - I think the composer's own "orchestration" here is superb. I have long wondered how such a superb master of orchestral colour as Ravel could have forsworn his innate gift for blending timbre in his dull transcription (a comparison with the shifting instrumental timbres in any of his own work with the literal, "we've started with a tuba, so we'll stick with a tuba" craftsmanship here - most distressing) and can only feel that he took the whole idea of providing an orchestration of the piano masterpiece as ridiculous, and sought to reflect that absurdity in his orchestration.

Quite like the PJBE version - and Stokie's and Wood's have their moments. But every time, the piano original just demonstrates its superiority just by existing!

Well, had it not exisgted, none of the others would ever have come into being! I agree that Ravel - most of whose work I admire immensely - let himself down with his orchestration of the work, which seems to me to do no favours either to Musorgsky or to himself (and, after all, he was no mean orchestrator!); I cannot imagine that, its shortcomings notwithstanding, Ravel took the task other than seriously when doing it, though...

[BBMmk2]

My preference is for the piano original - I think the composer's own "orchestration" here is superb. I have long wondered how such a superb master of orchestral colour as Ravel could have forsworn his innate gift for blending timbre in his dull transcription (a comparison with the shifting instrumental timbres in any of his own work with the literal, "we've started with a tuba, so we'll stick with a tuba" craftsmanship here - most distressing) and can only feel that he took the whole idea of providing an orchestration of the piano masterpiece as ridiculous, and sought to reflect that absurdity in his orchestration.

Quite like the PJBE version - and Stokie's and Wood's have their moments. But every time, the piano original just demonstrates its superiority just by existing!

You shouldn't have mentioned the PJBE version Ferney!! Have you heard Black Dyke Band's version on Doyen label? Cracking stuff!

Enjoying this concert rather! the Schubert well!!!

[Nick Armstrong]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05401mn

I'm really enjoying this performance. It's moving along at great speed, and is none the worse for it. I don't think I've ever heard it done so quickly.

What a brilliant symphony!

This performance continues to be the entertainment of choice in the kitchen!

I'll be sad when it's no longer available.

Still time for anyone who missed it

[Dave2002]

Then may I thank you profusely for it in advance?!

No, I find it hard to get on with much (though not all) of Schubert and I've long since recognised that this is a blind spot the blame for which rests entirely with me.

I always liked the Schubert 9, but my dad hated it. Seemed to think it sounded like a train - diddlee-dum diddlee-dum diddlee-dum diddlee-dum da dadaaaa diddlee-dum diddlee-dum diddlee-dum diddlee-dum etc.

I find some of Schubert's works take heavenly lengths to hellish extremes.

[Nick Armstrong]

I find some of Schubert's works take heavenly lengths to hellish extremes.

Try this performance. There's none of that!

[teamsaint]

Another performance to provide a comparison from the BSO tonight

.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05mrs0w

Very helpful of the BBC to programme different performances so close together, to help us compare and contrast.

[Nick Armstrong]

very helpful of the BBC to programme different performances so close together, to help us compare and contrast...

It's the best part of a month later... so I assume the gratitude in your post is entirely genuine, with no irony whatever (and the the cheerful whistle is purely the result of your happy mood this Wednesday evening! )

[teamsaint]

It's the best part of a month later... so I assume the gratitude in your post is entirely genuine, with no irony whatever (and the the cheerful whistle is purely the result of your happy mood this Wednesday evening! )

nothing like the "end of Q1 rush" to bring a cheery whistle to a chap's lips !! ( no sandbagging at the back......)

You say best part of a month, I say just over fortnight.....

But hey, you can't have too much of FS #9.......