Royal Performance at the Barbican

**Alison** · 05-12-12, 20:47

I've always felt the Tchaikovsky needs a feminine touch.

**Serial_Apologist** · 05-12-12, 20:56

Originally posted by Hornspieler View Post

Two nights ago, Her Majesty had to sit through a boring 2½ hours of Royal Command Performance. Now, not even being a devotee of classical music, she has to suffer this.

You quite sure about that, HS? I seem to remember Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, when he became Master of the Queen's Music, saying that Her Majesty had said to him words to the effect that neither she nor Prince Philip were the philistines they were made out to be in the press.

**Alison** · 05-12-12, 21:45

Finding it hard to get into a rather soul free Enigma.

Or was it just the prize nonsense that dulled the musical appetite ?

**Petrushka** · 05-12-12, 22:07

Originally posted by Alison View Post

Or was it just the prize nonsense that dulled the musical appetite ?

Pretty much why I avoided this concert. Comments so far would seem to indicate the right decision.

HS may rightly complain about so few listeners to the evening concerts but with so many dozens of unheard CD's awaiting audition since the summer and the need to make maximum use of my free time I look very carefully at what is on offer and decide accordingly. Next week looks quite promising.

**Alison** · 05-12-12, 22:23

Very wise Pet, you missed absolutely nothing.

Is it me or have LSO concerts gone a bit stale of late ?

**Petrushka** · 05-12-12, 22:36

Originally posted by Alison View Post

Very wise Pet, you missed absolutely nothing.

Is it me or have LSO concerts gone a bit stale of late ?

Sir Colin Davis was originally slated to do this concert, Alison, so perhaps the LSO felt out of sorts. How is Sir Colin, anyone know?

Perhaps the LSO need a new music director to rejuvenate them.

**amateur51** · 06-12-12, 10:54

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

Sir Colin Davis was originally slated to do this concert, Alison, so perhaps the LSO felt out of sorts. How is Sir Colin, anyone know?

Perhaps the LSO need a new music director to rejuvenate them.

The Barbican website says that as a result of his recent illness Sir Colin's doctors have advised him to cancel engagement up to Christmas.

I confess that I have been to only a very few Gergiev/LSO concerts since the beginning of their partnership. Occasionally it seems they catch fire but more often the maestro's hectic schedule gets in the way. I wonder when Gergiev's current contact runs out?

**BBMmk2** · 06-12-12, 11:40

Maybe it isGergiev's hectic schedule, is the reason for this? Too many commttments, perhaps?

**alywin** · 06-12-12, 11:58

Originally posted by Hornspieler View Post

My God! What has happened to this man? Is this the result of his dabbling with "popular" music and showmanship? The man cannot play in tune. His intonation, especially in the 1st movement cadenza is appalling. Also some very careless playing throughout the succeeding movements.

He *did* retune after the first movement. But yes, I agree, I was thinking "I've heard you play this much better in the past".

**Petrushka** · 06-12-12, 22:03

Originally posted by Brassbandmaestro View Post

Maybe it isGergiev's hectic schedule, is the reason for this? Too many commttments, perhaps?

In terms of quality programming and exciting music making I'd say that Jurowski and the LPO have the edge right now. Gergiev is fine in Russian music but variable elsewhere. Jurowski's Brahms and Mahler have been much praised along with his Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev and much else. There's a great example on R3 next Wednesday when the LPO and Jurowski can be heard in Mahler 5 preceded by a song cycle by Gerard Grisey (a name new to me).

**amateur51** · 07-12-12, 10:52

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

In terms of quality programming and exciting music making I'd say that Jurowski and the LPO have the edge right now. Gergiev is fine in Russian music but variable elsewhere. Jurowski's Brahms and Mahler have been much praised along with his Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev and much else. There's a great example on R3 next Wednesday when the LPO and Jurowski can be heard in Mahler 5 preceded by a song cycle by Gerard Grisey (a name new to me).

I agree - Jurowski & LPO are well worth catching

.. and there a several recordings of their 'live' performances available http://www.lpo.org.uk/shop/cd_catalogue.html

**Nick Armstrong** · 07-12-12, 12:01

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

In terms of quality programming and exciting music making I'd say that Jurowski and the LPO have the edge right now. Gergiev is fine in Russian music but variable elsewhere. Jurowski's Brahms and Mahler have been much praised along with his Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev and much else. There's a great example on R3 next Wednesday when the LPO and Jurowski can be heard in Mahler 5 preceded by a song cycle by Gerard Grisey (a name new to me).

And I'm going to hear them a week tonight in Bruckner 1, a work I don't really know at all (it's never emerged from my Jochum/Dresden box)...

**RobertLeDiable** · 10-12-12, 17:09

It's fairly well known (well I thought it was) that Vengerov injured his shoulder about four years ago and had to give up playing. He took up conducting instead. Recently he seems to have decided to return to playing and has been giving 'come-back' concerts all over the place. He sounded pretty ropey the other night, so clearly he hasn't quite found his old form yet. Perhaps he should have avoided high-profile appearances until he's back to his old self.