Andrew Manze conducts the BBCSSO tonight 8th March at 19.30

[salymap]

I've just caught up with the RVW 6 as I had an early night. What a wonderful performance. I agree the ending could have faded away more. In the concert hall when it was first performed one had to watch the orchestra very carefully so as not to clap too soon. I've always thought it my favourite RVW symphony,
startling in the very new RFH with cruelly clear acoustics in the early days before modification.

[Panjandrum]

It's a job to keep up with everyone when you have 65 years of music and musicians fighting for space in your mind Panjandrum

Apologies if I seemed a trifle short salymap-caffeine deficiency; just that Manze has a well established reputation, and not just in the world of HIPP.

[salymap]

Apologies if I seemed a trifle short salymap-caffeine deficiency; just that Manze has a well established reputation, and not just in the world of HIPP.

That's okay, just playing the RVW 6, yes he's moved on from early things on one note. [Runs for cover]

[Flosshilde]

In the concert hall when it was first performed one had to watch the orchestra very carefully so as not to clap too soon.

In the hall Manze held the silence at the end beautifully.

There has been some sniping on the board in the past about Manze, & I have to say that at the beginning (during the Purcell) I found his very energetic style rather off-putting, but it soon settled (or I got used to it :smiley). The orchestra certainly seemed to like him, with plenty of smiles at the end of the VW.

[Flosshilde]

early things on one note. [Runs for cover]

Is this a reference to the Purcell 'Fantasia on one note' that he orchestrated & included in the concert?

[salymap]

Is this a reference to the Purcell 'Fantasia on one note' that he orchestrated & included in the concert?

You might think so, I couldn't possibly comment. Also I didn't hear the first half,to be honest.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

In the 2011 Proms Andrew Manze conducted the BBCSO a repectable account of Brahms's Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (1861) orchestrated by Arnold Schoenberg. Like another Brahms Symphony it is certainly dramatic as well as fun.

A "heads up" (with apologies if this has already been mentioned: it's still true!) that these splendid artists playing this splendid work can be heard in Afternoon on 3 today at 2.45. (Fear not: the introductions are by Penny Gore!)

[3rd Viennese School]

The Vaughan Willians 6 was very good! Except they went straight into it from the previous work so I had no time to prepare for the opening! I still say that Holst planets was an inspiration but that comment didnt go down to well last time...

Come on then Radio 3! No.4 next.

P.S. Missed the first half also. Clashed with Eastenders!


3VS

[Flosshilde]

The Vaughan Willians 6 was very good! Except they went straight into it from the previous work so I had no time to prepare for the opening! I still say that Holst planets was an inspiration but that comment didnt go down to well last time...

Come on then Radio 3! No.4 next.

P.S. Missed the first half also. Clashed with Eastenders!


3VS

The BBCSSO will be playing the VW 4 & 5 on the 19th April, with 'The Lark ascending' (Jennifer Pike, Violin) & Manze conducting.

They are doing all the VW symphonies "over the coming years".

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I've just finished listening to this concert on the i-Player and wish to add my own applause for the RVW 6 to everyone else's. Absolute identification with the work from the very opening (which at first I thought a little too fast, but which gradually won me over) - the best performance of the work I can remember. I didn't share Jayne's feeling that the finale might have not been quiet enough: I thought this was a good idea of pianissimo (it's not marked "PPP" after all!) and in perfect keeping with Manze's view of the rest of the Symphony. I'm delighted by Flossie's news that these forces will be doing the 4th and 5th next month - although it might put the shebangs on tomorrow's BaL if they're also (as I hope) going to record the works!

The Britten was well performed, too; the orchestral "accompaniment" clear and confident in a work that is as cuddly as a cactus, but whose thorny language brings its own rewards.

Didn't like the syrupy Purcell arrangements at all. This surprised me: Manze is a superb Baroque performer - his Handel Op6 recordings are my favourites, as are his recordings of the Bach Sonatas. I presume he felt that last night's approach was more appropriate for a post-Mahlerian Symphony Orchestra?

[Chris Newman]

I thought the finale of the RVW 6 was about right. Most live performances that I have heard were so soft that you could see members of the audience looking at each other wondering if the music was still being played. An honourable exception was Andre Previn with the BBCSO in the Maida Vale Studios, but even hearing Sir Adrian Boult only 20 feet away had us straining at Proms in 1972 and 3. Fabulous Elgar Cello Concerto from Joan Dickson in 1973 just before the 6th Symphony. She is still going strong in Salisbury ensembles.

[EdgeleyRob]

They are doing all the VW symphonies "over the coming years".

I woder how long I will have to wait for no 9 , my favouriteRVW Symphony.

I have just caught up with Andrew Manze BBCSSO concert.
I thought the RVW 6 was just about perfect,would love to have been there!

[Flosshilde]

Ticket holders for the Brahms concert on the 22nd will be treated to a preview of next season afterwards. Presumably it will be in the press & on the orchestra website soon after that.

[Tony Halstead]

Hello Chris ( Newman) I am somewhat amazed at what you say about Joan Dickson.. "She is still going strong in Salisbury ensembles.".
In the 1960s, when I was in the BBC Scottish Orchestra, Joan played regularly as a ( superb) soloist and I will always remember her Elgar and Dvorak in particular.
BUT, on 'Wikipedia' there is this information:
"Joan Dickson (born 21 December 1921 in Edinburgh; died 9 October 1994 in London) "
so, maybe there is another cellist called Joan Dickson, currently active around Salisbury..?
WH

[Flosshilde]

Perhaps she is notable for her spirited playing in Salisbury?