The Chamber Orchestra of Europe - Episode 2

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  • Hornspieler
    Late Member
    • Sep 2012
    • 1847
    #1

    The Chamber Orchestra of Europe - Episode 2

    Strauss, Mozart and Beethoven

    Another opportunity tonight to hear the COE playing at the Edinburgh Festival.

    I don't know the Strauss piece.

    But of course I am familiar with the Mozart Concertante and set as my benchmark that fine recording by Isaac Stern and Leonard Rose.

    Being well aware that the key of E flat is not the favourite amongst string players, I sincerely hope that the reassurance of A major will assist with some of those intonation problems in the lower strings.

    I'm looking forward to enjoying tonight's concert.

    Hornspieler.
    Tags: None
  • Hornspieler
    Late Member
    • Sep 2012
    • 1847
    #2
    I like this Strauss piece. Very derivative, like much of the composer's post war works, but very entertaining and a good blend of sound from the two soloists.


    A very good ensemble in the Mozart, both between the two soloists and the orchestral accompaniment. But I still feel that the violin sound is very edgy and shrill on the upper notes. Could this be due to the type of microphone* used for the soloists? It would be interesting to know how the violin sounds in the hall.
    One slight discrepancy towards the end of the finale, but what an accomplished performance by all involved!

    * I always used to favour a "figure of eight" response for soloist's microphones for stringed instruments or piano.

    Now for the Beethoven:
    This is more like it!
    I can't believe that this is the same orchestra that I was listening to last night. (The timps are still too loud, but at least they are in tune)
    Nice tight rhythm. (Ams-ter-dam, Ams-ter-dam and not "Macclesfield, Macclesfield" which one hears so often.)

    Oh dear! Poor second horn. One of the few chances that he gets to shine and he blew it - literally.
    Now into the finale. A bit of a scramble here and the orchestra is becoming a little untidy. Too many repeats for my liking and the orchestra is flagging a bit.

    Nearly there. Yes, an exciting climax coming.

    Is this really the band that I heard last night? Chalk and cheese for me.

    Well done all!


    HS
    Last edited by Hornspieler; 10-09-13, 20:17.

    Comment

    • LeMartinPecheur
      Full Member
      • Apr 2007
      • 4717
      #3
      Originally posted by Hornspieler View Post
      I like this Strauss piece. Very derivative
      It derives from what precisely, HS? Do you mean just earlier Strauss, or someone else?
      I keep hitting the Escape key, but I'm still here!

      Comment

      • Hornspieler
        Late Member
        • Sep 2012
        • 1847
        #4
        Originally posted by LeMartinPecheur View Post
        It derives from what precisely, HS? Do you mean just earlier Strauss, or someone else?
        Shades of the oboe concerto, (which I had the pleasure of producing a recording by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta with Heinz Holliger as soloist
        and also included Le Bourgois Gentilhomme). A few twiddles from the second horn concerto were also in evidence tonight - and I know that piece very well.

        No, Strauss is unmistakable. No need to copy anyone else.

        Did you enjoy tonight's concert?

        Comment

        • Bryn
          Banned
          • Mar 2007
          • 24688
          #5
          Originally posted by Hornspieler View Post
          Shades of the oboe concerto, (which I had the pleasure of producing a recording by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta with Heinz Holliger as soloist
          and also included Le Bourgois Gentilhomme). A few twiddles from the second horn concerto were also in evidence tonight - and I know that piece very well.

          No, Strauss is unmistakable. No need to copy anyone else.
          A pleasure to find myself I concurrence with you for once Capt.

          Comment

          • Nick Armstrong
            Host
            • Nov 2010
            • 26575
            #6
            Originally posted by Hornspieler View Post
            I like this Strauss piece. Very derivative, like much of the composer's post war works, but very entertaining and a good blend of sound from the two soloists.


            A very good ensemble in the Mozart, both between the two soloists and the orchestral accompaniment. But I still feel that the violin sound is very edgy and shrill on the upper notes. Could this be due to the type of microphone* used for the soloists? It would be interesting to know how the violin sounds in the hall.
            One slight discrepancy towards the end of the finale, but what an accomplished performance by all involved!

            * I always used to favour a "figure of eight" response for soloist's microphones for stringed instruments or piano.

            Now for the Beethoven:
            This is more like it!
            I can't believe that this is the same orchestra that I was listening to last night. (The timps are still too loud, but at least they are in tune)
            Nice tight rhythm. (Ams-ter-dam, Ams-ter-dam and not "Macclesfield, Macclesfield" which one hears so often.)

            Oh dear! Poor second horn. One of the few chances that he gets to shine and he blew it - literally.
            Now into the finale. A bit of a scramble here and the orchestra is becoming a little untidy. Too many repeats for my liking and the orchestra is flagging a bit.

            Nearly there. Yes, an exciting climax coming.

            Is this really the band that I heard last night? Chalk and cheese for me.

            Well done all!


            HS

            Fun review, HS - thanks!

            I only heard the Strauss, and enjoyed it very much. It's a piece I know very well, from a late Strauss "phase" some years ago - but not heard recently. I know what you mean about the late Strauss fingerprints. I think the opening clarinet melody is quite sublime, one of his best - and then there's a section in the middle which is particularly glorious. They played it very well, getting the lilt and the transparency. Good stuff!!
            "...the isle is full of noises,
            Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
            Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
            Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."

            Comment

            • Alison
              Full Member
              • Nov 2010
              • 6474
              #7
              Not that impressed by the Beethoven 7. Too much reliance on fast and loud and an orchestra not quite on top of it.

              I felt brow beaten rather than exhilarated.

              Comment

              • LeMartinPecheur
                Full Member
                • Apr 2007
                • 4717
                #8
                Originally posted by Hornspieler View Post
                Shades of the oboe concerto, (which I had the pleasure of producing a recording by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta with Heinz Holliger as soloist
                and also included Le Bourgois Gentilhomme). A few twiddles from the second horn concerto were also in evidence tonight - and I know that piece very well.

                No, Strauss is unmistakable. No need to copy anyone else.

                Did you enjoy tonight's concert?
                Thanks HS, much relieved by your answer. Was worried I'd been missing something obvious!

                Yes I did enjoy the concert, very much. Can't recall hearing the Strauss live before, though I do know it from recordings. The Sinfonia Concertante is always a joy, or at least for me it would take a very bad performance for it not to be And if the 7th was "too much fast and loud" (per Alison), I for one could stand it.
                I keep hitting the Escape key, but I'm still here!

                Comment

                • Alison
                  Full Member
                  • Nov 2010
                  • 6474
                  #9
                  I had no idea you were so dapper Mr Hornspieler.

                  Comment

                  • pastoralguy
                    Full Member
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 7816
                    #10
                    Originally posted by Alison View Post
                    Not that impressed by the Beethoven 7. Too much reliance on fast and loud and an orchestra not quite on top of it.

                    I felt brow beaten rather than exhilarated.
                    Perhaps you had to be there. We were and LOVED it!!

                    Comment

                    • Alison
                      Full Member
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 6474
                      #11
                      Some interesting comments on the Strauss, Haydn and Beethoven thread. At least I am not completely out on a limb !

                      Comment

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