RLPO/Petrenko/Liverpool Phil. Hall 1.10.15 ( R3 In Concert 2.10.15 )

[Maclintick]

Eine Alpensinfonie ? Comments from fellow Bergsteigern, or from our eponymous correspondent ? This one hit the spot. Having earlier goggled at the spectacle of inhumanly muscle-bound behemoths colliding in the Rwgbi, Petrenko & the RLPO at full tilt served up similarly hair-raising sonic impacts in Strauss’s Alpenstürm, even as heard on the radio. Locally, you could probably hear it in Birkenhead, though there was finesse aplenty in the playing as well as sheer volume – unison winds affecting & heartfelt in the “sanfter extase” passage of the finale.Terrific performance.

A brave programme, too. Not sure exactly if there was a “theme” running through it, or if indeed one was needed, though nowadays it seems that concert-planners think it obligatory to find links between pieces, but the first half was equally fine. Jen Johnston in Berio’s Folksongs projecting tender simplicity & fiery folkiness with equal conviction (plenty of power under the bonnet, there ! ) & Sergei Abir’s new arrangements of 4 Tchaik “Seasons” glowing under Petrenko & the band's loving care.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I MISSED IT.

[mercia]

it got swapped with what should have been broadcast (Mahler 2, which will now go out on Monday) - "technical issues". I did give notice but nobody took any notice .. if you see what I mean

[Flay]

There's another performance tomorrow afternoon and tickets are still available

http://www.liverpoolphil.com/16659/events-classical-music/alpine-symphony.html

With Songs from the Auvergne

[jean]

I'll be at the repeat tomorrow (probably a slightly different programme, I haven't checked).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

That's good! It's been strangely neglected in its centenary year.

[Stanley Stewart]

First, a 'thank you' to mercia for alerting us to the change in R3 scheduling. I was all set to record the finals of the Leeds Int Piano Competition on BBC 4 when her timely posting also sent me scuppering in the direction of my minidisc recorder for the RLPO/Petrenko, R3, journey which later provided heady late-night listening. An embarrassment of riches devoutly to be wished on a day when the Ibragimova recording of the Ysaye Sonatas (Hyperion) and a bargain offer of the Mozart Quintettes, (Caliope) Le Quatuor Talich, also arrived! Belated thanks to the forum contributor who also provided this tip.

[Stanfordian]

Friday evening I was at Preston Guild Hall for the performance of the Strauss 'An Alpine Symphony' by the Liverpool Phil. I've heard the 'Alpine' 3 times in the last 2 seasons the finest was in June 2014 by the Staatskapelle Dresden under Christian Thielemann from the Semperoper, Dresden. The Liverpool Phil also played 4 pieces from 'The Seasons' and a selection from 'Songs of the Auvergne'. Petrenko's brass in particular was loud, very loud, too loud.

[Dave2002]

muscle-bound behemoths colliding in the Rwgbi,

Brain not up to working out what Rwgbi is today! Something in snow on mountains? Abominable snowman or Yeti perhaps!

[Maclintick]

Brain not up to working out what Rwgbi is today! Something in snow on mountains? Abominable snowman or Yeti perhaps!

Apologies for typo -- of course it's rygbi & it's on the telly now....must dash

[Dave2002]

Apologies for typo -- of course it's rygbi & it's on the telly now....must dash

Ah - I guess Bernard Shaw spelling - unless it's Welsh, which I doubt. Sorry - "we" lost! 13-33.

[Bryn]

Ah - I guess Bernard Shaw spelling - unless it's Welsh, which I doubt. Sorry - "we" lost! 13-33.

Why would you doubt that rygbi is the Welsh spelling?

[Dave2002]

Sorry Bryn. I didn't know. I thought it might have been something ghotiy!

Thanks for putting me right.

[Alison]

I really enjoyed the Alpine at full throttle and lots of fresh orchestral timbres.

I wonder if Simon B was present?

[Maclintick]

Friday evening I was at Preston Guild Hall for the performance of the Strauss 'An Alpine Symphony' by the Liverpool Phil. I've heard the 'Alpine' 3 times in the last 2 seasons the finest was in June 2014 by the Staatskapelle Dresden under Christian Thielemann from the Semperoper, Dresden. The Liverpool Phil also played 4 pieces from 'The Seasons' and a selection from 'Songs of the Auvergne'. Petrenko's brass in particular was loud, very loud, too loud.

“Brass too loud” can be a problem in less-than-ideal halls – e.g. RFH & Barbican, or Free Trade Hall of blessed memory (though Cox’s Bar might have contributed materially to the extra decibel levels there) or with conductors who fail to balance textures properly. I’ve no experience of the Preston Guild Hall – are concerts there as few and far between as the apocryphally infrequent meetings of the actual guild itself ? If so, it would seem that the Alpine Symphony has been far luckier in enjoying regular outings on Radio 3 in the last few years. Proms with Dresden/Luisi (2009) & VPO/Haitink (2012) were highlights, though both rather more accident-prone in the brass & woodwind department than was the RLPO the other night . In 2015 we’ve had Philharmonia/Maazel back in March, a combined BBCPhil/Halle jamboree last year, & BBCNOW/Sondergard in 2013.

Incidentally, the offstage “Jagdhörner von ferne” in Luisi’s Dresden Proms performance were onstage, which of course is contrary to the composer’s instructions & presumably done for cost reasons. How was it in the Semper Oper ?