Coming Up Live This Week

[salymap]

I managed to sleep right through the Janacek and Ravel tonight. { woke at 4am today and it caught up with me ]

I really wanted to hear them too. Any reports ? Must catch up with them tomorrow.

[EdgeleyRob]

I managed to sleep right through the Janacek and Ravel tonight. { woke at 4am today and it caught up with me ]

I really wanted to hear them too. Any reports ? Must catch up with them tomorrow.

Just brilliant Saly.
I would't have thought the Ravel could possibly be played any better.

[salymap]

I've now heard the Janacek - a work I'm very fond of [ok of which I'm very fond ] It must be great to play in it. Lovely performance.

[Hornspieler]

Thursday 23rd May from the Bridewater Hall

Presented by Tom McKinney

Sir Mark Elder conducts the Hallé in a new work by the Hallé's Associate Composer Helen Grime, and music by Mozart and Mahler.

Helen Grime: Near Midnight

Mozart: Piano Concerto No.23, K488 (soloist Paul Lewis, piano).
INTERVAL
Mahler: Symphony Nº 1

Lovers of Mozart's piano concertos will be pleased to hear Paul Lewis playing one of the most popular and Mahler enthusiasts will be interested in Mark Elder's reading of the first symphony. A new work to whet the appetite? We shall see!

[Hornspieler]

Webern, Mozart and Strauss
Friday 24th May at 7.30 Live from St David's Hall

A large-scale symphonic masterpiece by Richard Strauss coupled with solo vocal showpieces by Mozart and an early orchestral work by Webern.

Webern: Im Sommerwind

Mozart: Concert Arias:
Chi sa chi sa qual sia (K. 582)
Vado ma dove (K. 583)
Alma grande e nobil core (K. 578)

Mozart: Exsultate, jubilate (K. 165)

8.15 Interval Music

R Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra (op. 30)

Rosemary Joshua (soprano)
BBC National Orchestral of Wales
Francois-Xavier Roth (conductor)

"Also sprach Zarathustra" ("Thus Spake Zarathustra") is one of Strauss's most audacious masterpieces - its opening a well-known musical depiction of sunrise over a black world, followed by music which journeys through the tempestuous joys and passions of life to culminate in serene fulfilment in its closing pages. François-Xavier Roth conducts this spectacular orchestral showpiece alongside a youthful tone poem by Webern. Completing the programme, three beautiful concert arias and an ecstatic solo motet by Mozart, sung by the great Cardiff-born soprano Rosemary Joshua.

Something for everybody here. My favourite Mozart motet and the first Mahler Symphony that I played in. I don't know the Webern piece but will listen with an open mind and, hopefully, not closed ears.

HS

[salymap]

That performance of Mahler sym 1 was very special. I don't usually say this but perhaps a CD will be issued at a later date.

It's still my favourite Mahler,anyway.

[Hornspieler]

Friday 21 June 2013 at 7.30
Live from City Halls, Glasgow

"Alive with Music" - Alexander Titov conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in an all-Tchaikovsky programme with Dmitri Alexeev as piano soloist.

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto Nº 1 in B-flat minor (op 23)
INTERVAL
Tchaikovsky: Symphony Nº 5 in E minor

Live from the City Halls in Glasgow, starting the Glasgow "Alive with Music" weekend, the BBC SSO kicks off with a night of unbridled passion in an evening of works by Tchaikovsky, The programme includes three of his greatest and most popular works, with the BBC SSO conducted by Alexander Titov, and the very highly regarded Russian pianist Dmitri Alexeev as piano soloist.
The Fantasy Overture 'Romeo and Juliet' depicts Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers in music of drama and huge energy, while the composer himself described the inexorable tread of his Fifth Symphony as "a complete resignation before fate". In between, one of the most popular concertos in the entire piano repertoire - a virtuoso showpiece famously rejected by its dedicatee, Nikolai Rubinstein, who later become one of its most passionate champions.

A feast of Russian Romanticism for Tchaikovsky lovers.

HS

[amateur51]

Friday 21 June 2013 at 7.30
Live from City Halls, Glasgow

"Alive with Music" - Alexander Titov conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in an all-Tchaikovsky programme with Dmitri Alexeev as piano soloist.

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto Nº 1 in B-flat minor (op 23)
INTERVAL
Tchaikovsky: Symphony Nº 5 in E minor

Live from the City Halls in Glasgow, starting the Glasgow "Alive with Music" weekend, the BBC SSO kicks off with a night of unbridled passion in an evening of works by Tchaikovsky, The programme includes three of his greatest and most popular works, with the BBC SSO conducted by Alexander Titov, and the very highly regarded Russian pianist Dmitri Alexeev as piano soloist.
The Fantasy Overture 'Romeo and Juliet' depicts Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers in music of drama and huge energy, while the composer himself described the inexorable tread of his Fifth Symphony as "a complete resignation before fate". In between, one of the most popular concertos in the entire piano repertoire - a virtuoso showpiece famously rejected by its dedicatee, Nikolai Rubinstein, who later become one of its most passionate champions.

A feast of Russian Romanticism for Tchaikovsky lovers.

HS

I don't know Mr Titov but it's very good to have a chance to hear Mr Alexeev's work again. He faded from the UK concert scene for a while I felt but I have always enjoyed his performances

[salymap]

I don't know conductor or soloist but am looking forward to hearing the Bflat minor again after a long absence.

Wish it was the 4th symphony but 5th welcome too.

[Bryn]

I don't know conductor or soloist but am looking forward to hearing the Bflat minor again after a long absence.

Wish it was the 4th symphony but 5th welcome too.

The soloists gained early fame for his recordings of the Shostakovich Piano Concertos (mfp).

[Hornspieler]

Friday 21 June 2013
Live from City Halls, Glasgow
“Alive with Music” - Alexander Titov conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in an all-Tchaikovsky programme with Dmitri Alexeev as piano soloist.
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto Nº 1 in B-flat minor (op 23)
INTERVAL
Tchaikovsky: Symphony Nº 5 in E minor

Well I’ve waited until now to listen to this programme to see what reaction other message boarders have come up with, but here goes:

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture

One of the most tear-jerking overtures that Piotr Ilych wrote, but I’m afraid that my tears were shed from disappointment, not emotion.
Initial problems with balance? The opening 16 bars by the woodwind sounded as if they were being played on a harmonium. That first horn solo was not nearly plaintiff enough. The soloist should lean on the first note of each couplet to give a sobbing effect – didn’t happen and the drama was lost.
Things improved for the exciting bits but the piece still fizzled out without an air of finality.

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto Nº 1 in B-flat minor

The announcer called for the orchestra to retune, but it was the piano which seemed to have a few discrepancies. Not to be compared, however, with the over-hyped pianist who sounded as if he was wearing boxing gloves. Never have I heard so many wrong notes – and I am a veteran of many Victor Hochauser’s Sunday night Albert Hall Tchaikovsky evenings. The second and third movements were better than some I’ve heard, but not the world beating experience that we were promised by the advance publicity.

* * *

Tchaikovsky: Symphony Nº 5 in E minor

So, on to the fifth symphony. Understandably a favourite for any horn player:

The orchestra now sound on more familiar ground. With a nice opening tempo moving forward with purpose. Sparkling woodwind, well balanced brass and good string tone. Can this really be the orchestra that was playing in the first half of the concert? A nicely measured horn solo in the second movement. I personally would have liked just a touch more rubato in places, but to each his own.
All tension eased in the third movement with a gentle waltz (and some very good bassoon playing).
One might say that the finale plays its triumphant self, but this was a stirring climax to a worthy performance.
Alexander Titov and the BBCSSO achieved something very special and majestic here.

What a contrast with the first half of the concert! Chalk and Cheese!

HS

[Bryn]

Well I’ve waited until now to listen to this programme to see what reaction other message boarders have come up with, but here goes:

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture

One of the most tear-jerking overtures that Piotr Ilych wrote, but I’m afraid that my tears were shed from disappointment, not emotion.
Initial problems with balance? The opening 16 bars by the woodwind sounded as if they were being played on a harmonium. That first horn solo was not nearly plaintiff enough. The soloist should lean on the first note of each couplet to give a sobbing effect – didn’t happen and the drama was lost.
Things improved for the exciting bits but the piece still fizzled out without an air of finality.

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto Nº 1 in B-flat minor

The announcer called for the orchestra to retune, but it was the piano which seemed to have a few discrepancies. Not to be compared, however, with the over-hyped pianist who sounded as if he was wearing boxing gloves. Never have I heard so many wrong notes – and I am a veteran of many Victor Hochauser’s Sunday night Albert Hall Tchaikovsky evenings. The second and third movements were better than some I’ve heard, but not the world beating experience that we were promised by the advance publicity.

* * *

Tchaikovsky: Symphony Nº 5 in E minor

So, on to the fifth symphony. Understandably a favourite for any horn player:

The orchestra now sound on more familiar ground. With a nice opening tempo moving forward with purpose. Sparkling woodwind, well balanced brass and good string tone. Can this really be the orchestra that was playing in the first half of the concert? A nicely measured horn solo in the second movement. I personally would have liked just a touch more rubato in places, but to each his own.
All tension eased in the third movement with a gentle waltz (and some very good bassoon playing).
One might say that the finale plays its triumphant self, but this was a stirring climax to a worthy performance.
Dmitri Alexeev and the BBCSSO achieved something very special and majestic here.

What a contrast with the first half of the concert! Chalk and Cheese!

HS

I have yet to listen to the concert. Am I to understand that DA abandoned the piano to conduct the Fifth Symphony in place of maesto Titov?

[Hornspieler]

I have yet to listen to the concert. Am I to understand that DA abandoned the piano to conduct the Fifth Symphony in place of maesto Titov?

A silly mistake for which I apologise. I have now amended the original post. Thank you for pointing it out.

HS

[salymap]

A silly mistake for which I apologise. I have now amended the original post. Thank you for pointing it out.

HS

'morning HS, I listened but only on cheap headphones on iPlayer. Combined with tinnitus
it rather washed over me so any comment wouldn't be worth the paper it's not written on. I still love Tchaikovsky but shall have to rely on memories of what it CAN sound like.

[Zucchini]

Thurs 27 June 2013 at 7.30
Live from Symphony Hall

Beethoven Symphonies 8 & 9

Andris Nelsons is back from signing his contract with the Boston SO and he and the CBSO complete their sellout Beethoven Symphony cycle. Another chance to hear lovely Lucy Crowe, plus Mihoko Fujimura, Ben Johnson and Iain Paterson. And the marvellous CBSO Chorus.

His Beethoven 7 (not broadcast) was incandescent so worth a listen tonight.