World Orchestra for Peace on BBC4

[ardcarp]

The Solti centenary concert gave us many lollipops, but the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra was a treat. Gergiev's cocktail stick, whirling arms and fluttering fingers somehow elicited a tight performance from a scratch orchestra of great players. Ironic that this WOP concert should be screened just as Israel and Palestine are bombing hell out of each other. How sad.

[Hornspieler]

The Solti centenary concert gave us many lollipops, but the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra was a treat. Gergiev's cocktail stick, whirling arms and fluttering fingers somehow elicited a tight performance from a scratch orchestra of great players. Ironic that this WOP concert should be screened just as Israel and Palestine are bombing hell out of each other. How sad.

I enjoyed the Bartok immensely. Not so keen on that Rumanian lady (Georgio?) who sings flat all the time, but the bass (almost a basso profundo) had a wonderful timbre to his voice.

HS

[ardcarp]

who sings flat all the time,

...I wasn't going to mention that, but yes she did! The bass aria (Sarastro) doesn't go that low, only to F (just below bass stave) if I recall correctly. Nothing like those bottom notes in Rach Vespers.

[teamsaint]

I wasn't able to watch it last night...so Fast Forward to the Bartok is the advice?

As an amateur, I think that employing singers who sing flat all the time is a poor idea, really !!

[Bryn]

I joined it late, at the end of the Strauss (so no great loss ). Until a year or so ago one could pretty much rely on any 'classical music' broadcast on BBC FOUR getting an early hours repeat. These days it's only "Rock and Roll and other children's music" which is given that treatment.

[Paul Sherratt]

Where's that quote from, Bryn ?

[Bryn]

Where's that quote from, Bryn ?

The great Tom Lehrer, of course.

Actually it was a slight misquote, it should have read "Rock and Roll and other children's records":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mScdJURKGWM

[ardcarp]

Talking of the Strauss (Don Juan) I'd love to know how the orchestra managed that difficult start from Gergiev's twitches. Has anyone played under his baton? It's one of life's mysteries.

[salymap]

Talking of the Strauss (Don Juan) I'd love to know how the orchestra managed that difficult start from Gergiev's twitches. Has anyone played under his baton? It's one of life's mysteries.

Yes, agreed, how do they keep together at the start. And thanks be, Gergiev has had A HAIR CUT. i always find his greasy locks very offputting.

[secondfiddle]

Yes, agreed, how do they keep together at the start. And thanks be, Gergiev has had A HAIR CUT. i always find his greasy locks very offputting.

Some may remember how Andre Previn, in one of his BBCTV Music Nights, demonstrated how to deal with the tricky opening of Don Juan. He went off stage, asking the audience the applaud when he returned, and started the work before the applause had finished!

[salymap]

I've just caught up with the Bartok, one of my favourite pieces. I had to have it so loud that the TV hard drive nearly exploded but it sounded wonderful to me.
I enjoyed the whole concert and rather liked the upbeat ending with the march. I though Valerie Solti did well too = itmusthave been sad for her in a way.