A bit of a mixed bag here, which may have been intended to increase its attraction to a wide audience but, judging from the lack of interest displayed on these message boards, has had the opposite effect.
I was not impressed by the Turina. Very run of the mill Latin music and very little that conductor or orchestra could have done with it.
Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story displayed the versatility of the BBC Scottish players, who seemed to enjoy their little diversion from more serious fare.
Ravel's G major piano concerto introduced us to a fine solo performance and notable contributions from the Principal Trumpet, 1st horn (a bit confidential, but it is a b____y difficult solo in the first movement) and a splendid cor anglais solo in that enchanting slow movement.
After the helter skelter excitement of the finale, a suitable closing item was essential and Tchaikovsky's lively Italalian Caprice* filled the bill very nicely.
* An excuse (if ever I needed one) for a little anecdote:
Our very first commercial recording with Silvestri for HMV , was of the 1812 overture (with the band of the Royal Marines), March Slave, and Capriccio Italienne.
During rehearsal of the latter, in the final bars Silvestri took off at such a breakneck speed that the orchestra fell off the rails, section by section. Our Principal Trumpet, the late, great, Rodney Senior felt the need to say something.
Rodney: "Mr Silvestri?"
Silvestri: "Yes, Mr Rodney?"
Rodney: "Are you going to beat that last section in two or in four?"
Silvestri: (Sheepish grin) "Yes"
There's no answer to that!
'morning all,
HS
I was not impressed by the Turina. Very run of the mill Latin music and very little that conductor or orchestra could have done with it.
Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story displayed the versatility of the BBC Scottish players, who seemed to enjoy their little diversion from more serious fare.
Ravel's G major piano concerto introduced us to a fine solo performance and notable contributions from the Principal Trumpet, 1st horn (a bit confidential, but it is a b____y difficult solo in the first movement) and a splendid cor anglais solo in that enchanting slow movement.
After the helter skelter excitement of the finale, a suitable closing item was essential and Tchaikovsky's lively Italalian Caprice* filled the bill very nicely.
* An excuse (if ever I needed one) for a little anecdote:
Our very first commercial recording with Silvestri for HMV , was of the 1812 overture (with the band of the Royal Marines), March Slave, and Capriccio Italienne.
During rehearsal of the latter, in the final bars Silvestri took off at such a breakneck speed that the orchestra fell off the rails, section by section. Our Principal Trumpet, the late, great, Rodney Senior felt the need to say something.
Rodney: "Mr Silvestri?"
Silvestri: "Yes, Mr Rodney?"
Rodney: "Are you going to beat that last section in two or in four?"
Silvestri: (Sheepish grin) "Yes"
There's no answer to that!
'morning all,
HS
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