Mozart Fest

[kernelbogey]

Oddly, Alpensinfonie, that was the first Mozart symphony that I bought on LP. It had a context for me - and I think such often determines our likes and dislikes.

I've just posted on Simon's thread (If your aren't impressed....) about Mozart to say I'm enjoying the Mozartfest. Wondering which thread to contribute to as the twelve days unfold. I'm not finding it too much, tho it is only day two.

[french frank]

Ironically (given that I think the whole binge is a poor idea), I am likely to be coaxed back to listen during the next 12 days by spotting particular works I'm curious to hear (not ready to settle down to Amadeus just at the moment though). I shall listen to Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots as a curiosity, though isn't it a high profile slot for such a work?

What would be good would be if we were to produce a reasoned critique of the whole exercise afterwards and submit it to RW in the hope that we don't get any more... Worth a go?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's definitely worth having a go, but logistically challenging.

[Martin]

I heard the end of TTN, and a really excellent performance of K131, full of life and style, which brought this early piece to life.

I think that is the thing about the early works to which we wouldn't normally necessarily give lots of attention: if the performances are very good with appropriate style, tempo and articulation, they get a new lease of life, as it were, and become worthwhile hearing.

I heard much more of Breakfast this morning than I would normaly tolerate. The performances were crisp and lucid, and the early style made me think of JC Bach and CPE's pieces. I look forward to reading the full playlist when it appears, and listening again to some of it.

Even Private Passions held my interest this week, because the focus was on the music (supported by the various testimonials of the choosers) rather than the focus being on the celebrities, punctuated by musical illustrations which don't always seem to mean much.

We may yet well find that people's listening is quite different during the Twelve Days than one might have imagined.

[ardcarp]

There is, however, one major Mozart work that does nothing for me at all - his Symphony no. 35 in D "Haffner".

Oh dear, EA, I'm conducting the very same in Feb. Can you let me know what you don't like about it so that I can exorcise the demons by then?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

OK, when I hear the Menuetto, it sounds too much like the smae for Symphony no. 39, but not nearly so good. The Finale reminds me of the finale of Haydn 104, but not so good. The first movement does nothing for me - very unusual for a Mozart Symphony. Only the slow movement really lives up to Mozart's highest standards, but even that is tinged with memories of "Raising the Wind" with members of the "Carry On" team.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As a follow-up, I've just been listening to the Haffner Symphony on Radio 3. I did so in the hope I would grow to love it, but it was with the Ulster Orchestra, trying to be HIP. So we had the whiny, thin string sound, played without vibrato, simply because Mozart's father didn't like it to be overused. (Anyway, I always had the impresseion that Mozart didn't take too much notice of his father.)
Give me Beecham, Marriner, Bohm, Furtwangler, Bernstein and Krips in Mozart any day.

[ardcarp]

OK, when I hear the Menuetto, it sounds too much like the smae for Symphony no. 39, but not nearly so good. The Finale reminds me of the finale of Haydn 104, but not so good. The first movement does nothing for me - very unusual for a Mozart Symphony. Only the slow movement really lives up to Mozart's highest standards, but even that is tinged with memories of "Raising the Wind" with members of the "Carry On" team.

Oh dear, now I've got excess baggage. Oh well, I did ask for it. I'm going to abstain from R3 anyway until the fat lady sings...apart from the CE slot, maybe.

[DracoM]

Driving me to CFM. How serious is that?

[Frances_iom]

I think the BBC has reached CFm basement

Driving me to CFM. How serious is that?

have you sampled the post 10pm programme - the start of the R3 phone in - remember how the evening concert was wrecked during a similar RW special occasion (the 'listen up') and never recovered

[BetweenTheStaves]

I like Mozart. I like Mozart quite a lot. I can listen to Mozart for a few hours. At a time.

So I gave the Mozart-fest a go. I was hoping to hear a few gems. Maybe I was unlucky or bad timing on my part.

My conclusion.....wall to wall Mozart 24/7 for however long it's going to take..... is too much. Radio 3 now switched off for the duration.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I did want to listen to Mozart, so I switched off Radio 3 and listened to a CD of the Mozart I wanted to listen to...

[Stillhomewardbound]

Wanted some quite time radio when I go home late last night and switched to the phone-in programme.

I soon switched off again. I have no hesitation is saying that it was quite ghastly with a real local radio naffness about it.

Worse still, judging by a trailer this morning, they're going to keep this up throughout the week.

Pathetic.

[Martin]

A very good Classical Collection this morning, with Roy Goodman talking about differences in performance practice, well illustrated by the musical illustrations. A significant improvement on the usual format and content.

I think the trickthis week is not to try and listen to everything, which would be a bit like reading a whole encyclopedia, but focus on a selection of worthwhile programmes which might repay further listening.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The interesting thing is there appears to be more discussion about actual programmes on Radio 3 than usual.