Gibson conducting Sibelius

[Hamish MacCunn]

Many thanks indeed, Curalach and thanks too for the link

In your opinion, is it time for a re-appraisal?

Perhaps. I hesitate to comment in the light of all the positive stuff that's been posted so far. But when I was a student in Glasgow in the late 60s, going to SNO concerts with friends, we used to play a game along the lines of 'Spot the Tune'. We knew what the orchestra was playing, but the object of the game was to guess what Sir A was actually conducting.

To balance that, some of the most exciting performances of Sibelius symphonies I've ever heard were conducted by Gibson with the SNO. We should also remember his sterling work establishing Scottish Opera and making it such an adornment of the arts scene in Scotland (sad to see how it has shrunk in recent years).

[Tony Halstead]

when I was a student in Glasgow in the late 60s

Ahaa... so, you must have 'overlapped' with me...
I lived ( and worked) in Glasgow from 1966 until 1970, playing in the BBCSSO during the 'Jimmy Loughran / Graham Treacher / George Malcolm / Christopher Seaman' era.
During those 4 years, I played for Alex Gibson on a handful of occasions and I will always remember his intense musicality, his sometimes 'obscure' beat ( a deliberate ploy - as he memorably explained to me in a friendly conversation in about 1969) and his passionate commitment to music in Scotland.
Many years later it was still a great pleasure to play for him in e.g. the LSO and the ECO.
As 'amateur51' has suggested, it really and truly IS time for a re-appraisal of this wonderful and sadly under-valued conductor.

[Stanley Stewart]

In particular, an effervescent production of "The Mastersingers", 1977, conducted by Sir Alex. Norman Bailey brought his natural authority and vast experience of Hans Sachs to his performance and the production also introduced me to the work of Linda Esther Gray as a radiant Eva.

I have a copy of Scottish Opera - the first ten years - by Conrad Wilson (1972) and it is a fitting tribute to the dedication of Sir Alex over a long period. Many happy memories of visits to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and my years in London.

[pastoralguy]

We knew what the orchestra was playing, but the object of the game was to guess what Sir A was actually conducting.

We in Edinburgh have just had 4 nights of the LSO and Gergiev with his fluttery fingers and almost lack of perceptible beat. Gergiev would probably argue that if you want a bandmaster then engage a bandmaster! Gergiev is more concerned with musical shape and phrasing than beating the bars. Any good professional orchestra should be able to maintain a sense of pulse without being slaves to a relentless beat.

The SNO seemed to be used to Sir Alex although I admit that he became very erratic towards the end of his career although I think he was quite ill by that time.

[salymap]

It's good to read the memories of AG, whom I only knew when we were both very young and he came into the library occasionally. Has the Beeb any films or concerts it could show again?

[amateur51]

his sometimes 'obscure' beat ( a deliberate ploy - as he memorably explained to me in a friendly conversation in about 1969) and his passionate commitment to music in Scotland.

Many thanks for your fond memories, waldhorn

Your mentioning AG's beat reminds me: I'm sure I read once that Boult would on occasion stop beating or beat incorrectly (surely not) just to keep the orchestra on their toes. Is that likely? Am I getting past it?

[pastoralguy]

Has the Beeb any films or concerts it could show again?

There should be archive stuff in both the BBC's and STV's vaults. I suspect that he's not 'high profile' enough to have the programmes released commercially.

A real shame.

[Ariosto]

Ahaa... so, you must have 'overlapped' with me...
I lived ( and worked) in Glasgow from 1966 until 1970, playing in the BBCSSO during the 'Jimmy Loughran / Graham Treacher / George Malcolm / Christopher Seaman' era.
During those 4 years, I played for Alex Gibson on a handful of occasions and I will always remember his intense musicality, his sometimes 'obscure' beat ( a deliberate ploy - as he memorably explained to me in a friendly conversation in about 1969) and his passionate commitment to music in Scotland.
Many years later it was still a great pleasure to play for him in e.g. the LSO and the ECO.
As 'amateur51' has suggested, it really and truly IS time for a re-appraisal of this wonderful and sadly under-valued conductor.

I can't remember if we have had this discussion before, but I was In Glasgow from 1967-69 - just over two years, so we must have overlapped too. I was in the Radio Orchestra at the time, but I knew most of the BBC Scottish Symphony lot. I definitely knew the horn section.

I also worked a little with Gibson. I had the feeling the orchestra (SNO) did not particularly like him, and I remember not being too impressed myself, but I probably only did a few concerts with him. Can't remember to be honest, it was a long time ago.