BBC NOW from St David's Cathedral

[Hornspieler]

Sorry that I missed giving you a 'heads up' on this splendid concert by the BBC NOW tonight. May 31st.

I only just caught it myself by chance. Do have a listen on the iPlayer.

I'm sure you will be impressed.

HS

[salymap]

Thanks HS I have several concerts to listen to on iPlayer. Must stay off housework and try to catch them.

[Hornspieler]

Sorry that I missed giving you a 'heads up' on this splendid concert by the BBC NOW tonight. May 31st.

I only just caught it myself by chance. Do have a listen on the iPlayer.

I'm sure you will be impressed.

HS

There are many criticisms of the presenters on these 'live in concert' broadcasts, so I think it is appropriate to offer praise where praise is due.
Nicola Heywood Thomas does not gush. She speaks calmly and clearly and offers to the listener all that they need to know. Would that all presenter/announcers did the same.

So we had Thomas the presenter, Thomas (Sondergard)the conductor and Thomas (Trotter) the Organ soloist.

I missed the Brahms/Haydn. Loved the Haydn Symphony and was impressed by the Organ Concertante.

I was most impressed by the slick performance of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and particularly by the trumpet playing in the Wagner Prelude and in the Organ Concertante.

Brahms: Variations on the St Anthony Theme
Haydn: Symphony Nº 73 in D (La Chasse)
Wagner; Prelude to Die Maestersinger von Nuremburg
Joseph Jongens: Symphonie Concertante for Organ and orchestra

What thoughts on the Organ Work? I quite enjoyed it.

HS

[mercia]

yes I loved the organ work, particularly the middle slow section, very sensuelle and impressionistic I thought
missed the Brahms because of the 7pm start
considering the performance was in a cathedral, the sound didn't seem at all mushy

[amateur51]

yes I loved the organ work, particularly the middle slow section, very sensuelle and impressionistic I thought
missed the Brahms because of the 7pm start
considering the performance was in a cathedral, the sound didn't seem at all mushy

If that sound distortion you mentioned occurred mostly when the music was quiet, would this be a case of mushy ps?

I've got me coat on already

[salymap]

I heard and enjoyed the playing - so far haven't heard the lastwork. I'm beginning to enjoy the Brahms/Haydn again after a surfeit years ago.

[Richard Tarleton]

considering the performance was in a cathedral, the sound didn't seem at all mushy

Interesting acoustics in St David's Cathedral - I've been to many concerts there, from early music to orchestral. The fact that it has a flat panelled wooden ceiling seems to help, though a friend who regularly sings there in large scale choral works tells me it's a problematic acoustic to perform in. She says the one really sweet spot for performers is in the north transept , the best seats in the audience (for large scale works) right at the back. And you get a relatively comfortable folding chair there. The pews and small wooden chairs are grim

The other problem with St Davids is that you are prayed over by the Dean before the concert, and the performers' efforts blessed in advance whatever their religious convictions. They probably leave that bit off the radio.

[Hornspieler]

Interesting acoustics in St David's Cathedral - I've been to many concerts there, from early music to orchestral. The fact that it has a flat panelled wooden ceiling seems to help, though a friend who regularly sings there in large scale choral works tells me it's a problematic acoustic to perform in. She says the one really sweet spot for performers is in the north transept , the best seats in the audience (for large scale works) right at the back. And you get a relatively comfortable folding chair there. The pews and small wooden chairs are grim

The other problem with St Davids is that you are prayed over by the Dean before the concert, and the performers' efforts blessed in advance whatever their religious convictions. They probably leave that bit off the radio.

We used to have that problem in Winchester Cathedral. The sight of the procession of clergy in full regalia with poor old Silvestri in the middle in full white tie and tails, because our management had not warned him, drew many grins but much sympathy from ourselves. (we always wore what was called 'morning dress' - Pinstripe Trousers and Black Jacket with Grey tie during daytime or church concerts)

Here's an extract which I wrote in my memoires "Bravo Maestro" relating to that occasion:

. ..... Performances in churches and cathedrals in the days when applause was discouraged, when it was mandatory for clergyman to ascend to the pulpit to utter prayers, collects and blessings both before and afterwards in order to remind the audience, as it seemed to us, that they were, in fact, a congregation and should maintain a suitably solemn countenance throughout the proceedings, imposed a fatal gloom on many a fine performance. I often wondered whether the audience (or congregation) shared our feeling that the lack of opportunity to show their appreciation in applause lessened their enjoyment.

The acoustics from St Davids did not worry me at all - unlike Salisbury Cathedral, where a cracked note in a Mozart symphony once chased me round the building for about 8 seconds!

I really enjoyed this concert. Perhaps the Brahms was a little untidy in a few places, but the rest of the programme was immaculate.

HS

[Richard Tarleton]

Great extract, thanks HS. I remember being asked not to applaud at a concert in Winchester Cathedral in the late 60's - I'm pretty sure it was the BSO, and the programme was Schumann cello concerto and Tchaikovsky 6, but I can't remember who was conducting.

[Hornspieler]

Great extract, thanks HS. I remember being asked not to applaud at a concert in Winchester Cathedral in the late 60's - I'm pretty sure it was the BSO, and the programme was Schumann cello concerto and Tchaikovsky 6, but I can't remember who was conducting.

That's very kind of you, Richard.

In Salisbury Cathedral, you didn't buy admission tickets - there was what was called "a retirement collection" (Silver only, of course.)

Choose whatever exit you will, a collection plate would be thrust firmly into your path as you attempted to leave the building. They even tried to get money out of the orchestra members (no hope there of course) which leads me to offer you another little extract from my memoires.

More than slightly off post, but I'll chance it:

I recall an occasion when we played the 1812 Overture in Salisbury Cathedral.
Not a wise move, we felt, in a building that was in constant danger of its magnificent spire collapsing and
where the use of the 32 foot reedpipes on the organ had been banned for many years.

What a disastrous choice of music for a cathedral atmosphere!
Half way through the piece, I noticed a succession of clergy wending their way towards the exits.

“Don't take any notice of them,” a colleague whispered. “That will be the Canons going off!”

HS

[Richard Tarleton]

That will be the Canons going off!

[jonfan]

The other problem with St Davids is that you are prayed over by the Dean before the concert, and the performers' efforts blessed in advance whatever their religious convictions. They probably leave that bit off the radio.[/QUOTE]

Not sure why it's a 'problem' to be prayed over before a concert at St Davids as the festival is a 'St Davids Cathedral Festival', not a 'St Davids Festival'. Every event has a short prayer at the start and I'm sure performers and audience accept it in good faith whatever their convictions. The Festival is right to stress the foundation of the festival is the worshipping community and that's what they're celebrating.

[Zucchini]

I agree 101% jonfan - your last sentence is perfect

[Richard Tarleton]

I agree 101% jonfan - your last sentence is perfect

Zucchini to be strictly accurate it's actually the cathedral's form of words, which jonfan is quoting. It's OK, I'm used to it.

[Zucchini]

RT: Point taken