Tchaikowsky Night at Symphony Hall

[teamsaint]

Thanks for the heads up - I hope my post is no longer repeating its exposition.

If the composer wants the exposition repeated, then who are we to argue?!

[BBMmk2]

Is it worth hearing this on iplayer?

[Hornspieler]

Is it worth hearing this on iplayer?

Of course! Tell us all what you think.

HS

BTW I'm just listening now to the Oromo recording with the CBSO. 100% better IMV. The woodwind in the scherzo acquit themselves very well, especially the bassoonist. In the third movement, the horn sounds as I would expect - urgent and plaintive.
It is difficult to believe that this is the same orchestra as was playing last night (but as I wrote in a previous post, maybe it isn't, quite.)

[Sir Velo]

Interesting that Manfred seems to be coming into its own finally. I would rank it probably third finest of PT's symphonies, behind only the last two. Personally, I think it can take the episodic approach over the strictly symphonic, given the subject matter. Look forward to hearing the concert.

[Hornspieler]

Of course! Tell us all what you think.

HS

BTW I'm just listening now to the Oromo recording with the CBSO. 100% better IMV. The woodwind in the scherzo acquit themselves very well, especially the bassoonist. In the third movement, the horn sounds as I would expect - urgent and plaintive.
It is difficult to believe that this is the same orchestra as was playing last night (but as I wrote in a previous post, maybe it isn't, quite.)

I am now listening to Silvestri's recording with the French National Radio Orchestra. This would have been recorded when Silvestri was domiciled in Paris (where he met his wife Victoria) so it precedes his Bournemouth performances.

And I have to admit that it is even better. The emotion conveyed, even in the first movement - sad, contemplative, frustrated. Is this the exiled Rumanian Silvestri speaking?

Sad music? If you want a heart in the mouth experience, try to get hold of this recording.

HS

[BBMmk2]

I am now listening to Silvestri's recording with the French National Radio Orchestra. This would have been recorded when Silvestri was domiciled in Paris (where he met his wife Victoria) so it precedes his Bournemouth performances.

And I have to admit that it is even better. The emotion conveyed, even in the first movement - sad, contemplative, frustrated. Is this the exiled Rumanian Silvestri speaking?

Sad music? If you want a heart in the mouth experience, try to get hold of this recording.

HS

Oh HS! how could you get me to buy another two recordings of Manfred!!! :)

[Bryn]

Part 1 of the iPlayer Listen Again offering has now been fixed, i.e. it is now available in HD Sound. Thanks to the iPlayer team for sorting it.

[richardfinegold]

I dug up my old Melodyia lp. Svetlanov was the conductor. Very unsubtle with typical Soviet era braying horns. Exciting but crude. I still prefer Toscanini, cuts and all

[Zucchini]

I haven't listened to the concert yet but I've just read:

Review: CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 26 Sep 2013 14:52
Full marks for orchestra's triumphant rendition of Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony
"You just rejoice at the burgeoning achievements of the CBSO . Last week's concert found a nationwide BBC Radio 3 audience and potentially worldwide CD market marvelling at a fantastic Rite of Spring, and this week exactly the same listenership relished a gripping Manfred Symphony, both concerts marshalled by Andris Nelsons.

...Manfred [is] undoubtedly one of Tchaikovsky's greatest works...and who better than Nelsons and his amazingly responsive orchestra to do it full justice. Rhythms were taut (brilliantly percussion-driven), a singing lyricism from strings and woodwind delivered this cornucopia of Tchaikovsky's most gorgeous melodies, and orchestration, from silvery harps, through rasping brass to nobly assertive organ cast more magic than can be described."

from

http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/whats-on/music/review-cbso-symphony-hall-birmingham-6099766

[Hornspieler]

I haven't listened to the concert yet but I've just read:

Review: CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 26 Sep 2013 14:52
Full marks for orchestra's triumphant rendition of Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony
"You just rejoice at the burgeoning achievements of the CBSO . Last week's concert found a nationwide BBC Radio 3 audience and potentially worldwide CD market marvelling at a fantastic Rite of Spring, and this week exactly the same listenership relished a gripping Manfred Symphony, both concerts marshalled by Andris Nelsons.

...Manfred [is] undoubtedly one of Tchaikovsky's greatest works...and who better than Nelsons and his amazingly responsive orchestra to do it full justice. Rhythms were taut (brilliantly percussion-driven), a singing lyricism from strings and woodwind delivered this cornucopia of Tchaikovsky's most gorgeous melodies, and orchestration, from silvery harps, through rasping brass to nobly assertive organ cast more magic than can be described."

from
http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/what...ingham-6099766

.
Christopher Morley goes on to say:

This "Totally Tchaikovsky" programme began with the rarely-heard Marche Slave, less sprawling than the 1812 Overture with which it shares the Tsarist national anthem, shaped by Nelsons with a sense of mournful gravity until smiling body-language unleashed chattering woodwind.

But then came the downside which can beset live broadcasts.

We had to wait a restless age while the BBC announcer ploughed through his linking script (it would have been a tactful sop to have been enabled to hear it) before the exciting young cellist Daniel Muller-Schott was allowed to take the stage for the Variations on a Rococo Theme.

A strange work, this, seeming to begin in mid-phrase, and ending far too perfunctorily, but Muller-Schott did his best for it, direct in projection, his fingerwork dazzling, and relishing the often operatic status of the material given to his instrument.

Anyone who can write utter tosh like this, loses all respect as far as I am concerned.

I can only suggest that you switch on the iPlayer and listen for yourselves, rather than swallow such glowing effusiveness.

I have a great respect for the CBSO, who have achieved great things since the Fremaux disasters of the late 60s.
If Sir Simon Rattle were to hear this performance of Manfred he would be shattered to hear playing like this by his CBSO.

Sometimes, it is best to listen with one's head - not one's heart.

HS

[Zucchini]

HS - Only a few months ago HS, you were bestowing lavish praise on the CBSO's playing in Nelsons' Beethoven cycle. Anyway, there's another review for you:

Andris Nelsons and the CBSO in White-Hot Tchaikovsky
United Kingdom, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 25.9.2013 (JQ)

“…The finale is huge and needs a no-holds-barred performance, which is exactly what it received..This is probably the most challenging music in the symphony to which the CBSO responded with edge-of-the-seat playing. It was an electrifying performance...

It’s always been evident that there’s a real synergy between Nelsons and the CBSO and this Tchaikovsky concert showed that in spades… Offhand, I can’t think of anyone better to lead the orchestra up to its centenary in 2020 than this inspirational conductor.”
John Quinn from

http://www.seenandheard-international.com/2013/09/26/andris-nelsons-and-the-cbso-in-white-hot-tchaikovsky

[Hornspieler]

HS - Only a few months ago HS, you were bestowing lavish praise on the CBSO's playing in Nelsons' Beethoven cycle.

Yes I did. And I have praised the CBSO in other posts since. Even on this one, I enjoyed the playing in the first half and said as much.

Anyway, there's another review for you:

Andris Nelsons and the CBSO in White-Hot Tchaikovsky
United Kingdom, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 25.9.2013 (JQ)

“…The finale is huge and needs a no-holds-barred performance, which is exactly what it received..This is probably the most challenging music in the symphony to which the CBSO responded with edge-of-the-seat playing. It was an electrifying performance...

It’s always been evident that there’s a real synergy between Nelsons and the CBSO and this Tchaikovsky concert showed that in spades… Offhand, I can’t think of anyone better to lead the orchestra up to its centenary in 2020 than this inspirational conductor.”
John Quinn from
http://www.seenandheard-internationa...ot-tchaikovsky

Have you listened to it yourself yet? Don't take my word or anyone else's. Let us all know what you think.

HS

[Barbirollians]

I wonder whether the CBSO just was on a bit of a downer after their sensational opening concerts last week .

The Rite - even only heard on iplayer was stupendous and I plan to buy the Orfeo recording the moment it comes out and Anne Sophie Mutter's performance of the Dvorak Concerto is still giving me goosebumps in recollection.

[BBMmk2]

this is what I always say to people, HS. Nevermind what critics say or anyone, it's what and how you feel what an event goes by?

[Alison]

I am always wary of critics going OTT about their local orchestra and preserving their place on the gravy train.

It just sounded like an off night for the C B S O to me with Barbs providing a very reasonable analysis.