New Year concert/VPO nyd fwm

[Flosshilde]

What the heck was that thing that FW-M did with giving stuffed animals to orchestra members during one piece?

Petroc did explain - but I've forgotten what the explanation was. He did say something along the lines of it being an example of Austrian humour, which could be a bit, well, serious

[Richard Tarleton]

Petroc did explain - but I've forgotten what the explanation was. He did say something along the lines of it being an example of Austrian humour, which could be a bit, well, serious

Yes only he definitely gave it capital letters - Austrian Humour. Most years the percussionist puts on a station master's hat and blows a whistle, or produces an alarm clock, which is Hilarious.

I think he said they were "presents", and that FWM was being "Father Christmas".

[verismissimo]

... wooden gestures on the goggle-box...

Immobile face too. Lessons with Rattle in order, I think.

[Flosshilde]

I think he said they were "presents", and that FWM was being "Father Christmas".

Oh yes, that's right. Were they being given to the soloists in that item?

[Mr Pee]

For that, you might have to suggest Russell Watson, Alfie Boe or Katherine Jenkins.

What about Sue Perkins? She won that Maestro thingy on the Beeb and has conducted the Concert Orchestra a couple of times.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

I wish I could wholeheartedly say I don't believe you, Alison....

[hmvman]

Oh yes, that's right. Were they being given to the soloists in that item?

Yes, it was during the "Carnival of Venice" piece which had some fairly florid solos. After each of these FW-M produced an item from a box by his podium and gave it to the soloist (or leader of a section). Mostly they were soft toys but there were also wooden spoons for some reason. The leader received one of the latter and at the end someone put a chef's hat on the conductor's head and he used a wooden spoon to conduct the closing bars.

It was quite amusing to watch but it was all done a bit stiffly as if it had been carefully rehearsed. I guess it is a case of humour not necessarily travelling well!

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Well, Kleiber always had great respect for this music, imbibed from his father who taught him that it was the most difficult of all to conduct. His love of 'waltz' music, whether of J. or R. Strauss, was pronounced. Karajan, too, would have had no issues. Barenboim struggled last time, in my view. He has the personal vision and approach for this music, and is bold enough with tempi, but the schwung and the geist eludes him.

For everyone reminiscing about Carlos Kleiber, here's a link to a blog by tenor Christopher Gillett, recounting Kleiber's modest views about his New Year's Day performance...

http://sinfinimusic.com/uk/features/2012/12/inside-out-new-year-waltzing/

'You know, za problem wiz all zat Strauss is it all sounds za same,' he said in his thick Austro-German accent. 'I had no idea which piece was which. Zo I put down a downbeat, waited for it to start and then I thought oh yes, it's zis one, off ve go!'

[Petrushka]

'You know, za problem wiz all zat Strauss is it all sounds za same,' he said in his thick Austro-German accent. 'I had no idea which piece was which. Zo I put down a downbeat, waited for it to start and then I thought oh yes, it's zis one, off ve go!'

I'm sure NYDC fans will remember when Karajan started to conduct the wrong piece in 1987 (Blue Danube instead of the polka Ohne Sorgen) much to the merriment of all including the maestro himself. The issued video/DVD edited it out which was a great shame as it was a lovely moment.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm sure NYDC fans will remember when Karajan started to conduct the wrong piece in 1987 (Blue Danube instead of the polka Ohne Sorgen) much to the merriment of all including the maestro himself. The issued video/DVD edited it out which was a great shame as it was a lovely moment.

I must seek out my VHS tape of the broadcast.

[Prommer]

The difference between Kleiber and Karajan, and the present lot, is that the old stagers attempted to conduct the concert from memory. To do this absolutely faultlessly, even after the two preceding concerts for practice at the end of December, was no mean feat - and the trickiest bit was not remembering the pieces themselves but the running order!

I suspect this is the reason for CK's comments and for Karajan's boob. Good on them for trying!

[Barbirollians]

What a shame the VPO never asked Barbirolli - what a treat that would have been . As his old Halle Proms Viennese Night recording shows.