R3 in Concert one-stop shop

[Pulcinella]

Very disappointed with the BBCSO concert from Monte Carlo tonight: Agon was agony, and Bartok's PC2 decidedly ropy too.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Very disappointed with the BBCSO concert from Monte Carlo tonight: Agon was agony, and Bartok's PC2 decidedly ropy too.

Yes I have to say François-Frédéric Guy is not my cup of tea at all . I bailed to do a Qobuz exploration of the Leinsdorf , Mehta and Pappano recordings of Turandot.

[smittims]

Agon and the Schoenberg Variations are so rarely broadcast live that I wish I could be more enthusiastic. I thought the orchestra played well , but the interpretations didn't catch fire. Maybe we're spoilt by 'classic' recordings of these works.

I was reminded of Stravinsky's 1958 Festival Hall concert, repeated in the 1970s and released on a BBC Legends CD. The BBC S.O. after seven years of conservative repertoire under Malcolm Sargent , are just about hanging on throughout. With the Schoenberg,they had an honourable history, having given the British and the Viennese premieres in1931 under Adrian Boult, and they recorded them for CBS with PIerre Boulez in the 1970s. Perhaps its asking too much to have precision and passion.

[Pulcinella]

Agon and the Schoenberg Variations are so rarely broadcast live that I wish I could be more enthusiastic. I thought the orchestra played well , but the interpretations didn't catch fire. Maybe we're spoilt by 'classic' recordings of these works.

I was reminded of Stravinsky's 1958 Festival Hall concert, repeated in the 1970s and released on a BBC Legends CD. The BBC S.O. after seven years of conservative repertoire under Malcolm Sargent , are just about hanging on throughout. With the Schoenberg,they had an honourable history, having given the British and the Viennese premieres in1931 under Adrian Boult, and they recorded them for CBS with PIerre Boulez in the 1970s. Perhaps its asking too much to have precision and passion.

I gave up at the interval so have no comment on the Schoenberg!

[Roger Webb]

I gave up at the interval so have no comment on the Schoenberg!

I gave up at half-time too!........and for those who didn't like it last night, there's the second part tonight, Debussy Jeux, Schoenberg Piano Conc and in the second part, if we last that long, Stravinsky Sym in 3 movts.

Or perhaps celebrate Boulez as they do in Munich!

https://www.br.de/radio/live/br-klassik/programm/2025-03-26/3628390

In fact most German stations are carrying this tonight.

[Nick Armstrong]

I thought the Philharmonia and Jarvi in Stravinsky's Petrushka last night were stunning, as was the sound quality of the broadcast. RFH so much better than Barbican?

Weren’t they just! I’m glad I caught up with this thread before the concert disappears into the ether, and grateful to you for highlighting it. Fantastic performance & broadcast.

[smittims]

I must say I thought the Schoenberg piano concerto in last night's R3 in Concert went much better. A very good performance from my point of view, in fact. It's possibly my favourite work of his , so I've taken the chance to hear it on many occasions, including Alfred Brendel's memorable performance at the 1979 Proms on a rather warm evening. Last night's performace stood the comparison.

[smittims]

Just to say tomorrow's R3 in Concert starts with Per Norgard's 8th symphony. His music isn't often played on R3, though I do recall the seventh a few years ago. I've enjoyed his music ever since I heard Constellations nearly 60 years ago on a Turnabout Lp . I was delighted when his sixth symphony was played at a Prom and someone posted on the old BBC board 'I can only assume it was an elaborate hoax perpetrated onthe orchestra and the audience.'

[oddoneout]

Looking at the blurb for tonight's concert I couldn't help musing that things might be rather different if Korngold and Bartok tried to flee to America today?

[LMcD]

Just to say tomorrow's R3 in Concert starts with Per Norgard's 8th symphony. His music isn't often played on R3, though I do recall the seventh a few years ago. I've enjoyed his music ever since I heard Constellations nearly 60 years ago on a Turnabout Lp . I was delighted when his sixth symphony was played at a Prom and someone posted on the old BBC board 'I can only assume it was an elaborate hoax perpetrated onthe orchestra and the audience.'

Perhaps it could be repeated tomorrow.

[Pulcinella]

Looking at the blurb for tonight's concert I couldn't help musing that things might be rather different if Korngold and Bartok tried to flee to America today?

I found the Rachmaninov Paganini variations too wayward for my liking, but things improved in the Bartok: I heard aspects I'd not been aware of before (misjudged the interval so missed the first movement). The chorale section in the second movement was particularly well handled, I thought.

[edashtav]

I found the Rachmaninov Paganini variations too wayward for my liking, but things improved in the Bartok: I heard aspects I'd not been aware of before (misjudged the interval so missed the first movement). The chorale section in the second movement was particularly well handled, I thought.

I echo your warm reception for the Bartok.I did hear its first movement which was never dull and, often, illuminating.
I admired the pianist’s refinemen of touch and tone. Yes, he went his own way but I quickly realised that Bruce brings a fresh approach based not on hearing and copying the many versions available on record but on a close reading of what Rachmaninov wrote. He’s one to watch!

[HighlandDougie]

I echo your warm reception for the Bartok.I did hear its first movement which was never dull and, often, illuminating.
I admired the pianist’s refinemen of touch and tone. Yes, he went his own way but I quickly realised that Bruce brings a fresh approach based not on hearing and copying the many versions available on record but on a close reading of what Rachmaninov wrote. He’s one to watch!

I thought that it was a well-played performance - not quite sure how it was "wayward", given that its composer in virtuoso pianist mode (cf Schumann's "Carnival") didn't always stick strictly to what was on the page. Whatever, he is a really interesting pianist as evinced by his various CDs for DG.

[smittims]

I understand the Norgard 8th is twelve years old but it was still the most interesting new misic I've heard since Arvo Part's fourth in 2010. I wonder how much longer Radio 3 will be doing this sort of thing. According to them,the (in my view very dull) '25 for 25' pieces were all commissioned for 'leading composers'. Apart form Stephen Hoiugh I'd never heard of them .