War Requiem

[Mary Chambers]

Thanks to a politico-economic situation that offers them few if any choices, maybe?

To some extent, yes. The fact that many of them are (so I'm told) of low intelligence and poorly educated doesn't help. I imagine, though, that isn't true of all the ranks.

[LaurieWatt]

To some extent, yes. The fact that many of them are (so I'm told) of low intelligence and poorly educated doesn't help. I imagine, though, that isn't true of all the ranks.

I think that you have all lost the plot. This thing is about performance; there are other places in the Forum for these discussions about poppies etc. Not here!

[Nick Armstrong]

I think that you have all lost the plot. This thing is about performance; there are other places in the Forum for these discussions about poppies etc. Not here!

has anybody actually got anything interesting to say on the performance, singers, conductor???

Frenchie could move the non-'performance' posts to the Politics thread if thought preferable.

[Mary Chambers]

I think that you have all lost the plot. This thing is about performance; there are other places in the Forum for these discussions about poppies etc. Not here!

Well, I did comment on the performance as well, though not in a very interesting way, I'm afraid. It was heard imperfectly on the radio.

The moral questions raised by the piece and the performance seem relevant to me. This is a discussion, not a review.

[LaurieWatt]

Well, I did comment on the performance as well, though not in a very interesting way, I'm afraid. It was heard imperfectly on the radio.

The moral questions raised by the piece and the performance seem relevant to me. This is a discussion, not a review.

Yes, indeed; a discussion it should be but about performances!

[MrGongGong]

Apparently the choice given to the choir last night was red poppies or no poppies.

That's the kind of 'freedom' worth fighting for isn't it

Maybe some respect for Britten would be in order ?
BUT as music has nothing to do with politics then maybe we should all shut up and stick to the script

[teamsaint]

To some extent, yes. The fact that many of them are (so I'm told) of low intelligence and poorly educated doesn't help. I imagine, though, that isn't true of all the ranks.

A few years ago, before the recession, I was walking through the naval dockyard in Portsmouth.
A lad jogged past on a training run, wearing a Dundee United shirt. I mentioned to the chap I was with that this sailor was a long way from home, and he replied that many recruits came from there, due to the extreme difficulty of getting work.

[Maclintick]

Yes, indeed; a discussion it should be but about performances!

Overall I'd give it 4 out-of 5 stars. Roddy Williams & Allan Clayton outstanding - the latter delivering Owen's words with riveting clarity & power, though not sacrificing anything in security of intonation, Williams displaying a wide range of vocal timbres, & colouring the denouement of "Strange Meeting" with an affectingly hoarse whisper, though sabotaged by a ruinous cougher at this climactic moment. Sabina Cvilak sang well, & I'll refrain here from comparisons with Slavic predecessors. Chorus & orchestra nailed it pretty comprehensively, apart from a few rough moments in the trumpets. The Westminster Cathedral boy trebles warbled effectively from the gallery, though it didn't really sound as though there were quite enough of them. Bychkov seemed to have it all under control, although the studied pose with cupped hands at the end was a mite over-theatrical.

I wasn't disturbed by the association with the British Legion ostensibly compromising Britten or Owen's (?) pacifist vision. There was a collection afterwards. Then we all went home.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Yes, indeed; a discussion it should be but about performances!

I meant to post a link to our review before I left for work yesterday - it arrived in my inbox before 6am! - but ran out of time. It earned a rare 5 stars from our man in the RAH:

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1045:war-requiem-bbcso-bychkov-10th-november-2013-&catid=10:concert-and-recital-reviews&Itemid=16

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I used to wear a white poppy, but I came to the conclusion that the message I wanted to send - 'I care about peace' - could not be detached from '...and all those of you around me who are wearing red ones don't care.'

I decided it was arrogance on my part to imply that I knew why other people did what they did. So I stopped.

One solution to this is to wear one of each. It should never be, as Mary so aptly puts it, "Poppy Wars".

[MrGongGong]

One solution to this is to wear one of each. It should never be, as Mary so aptly puts it, "Poppy Wars".

Trouble is (and this probably should be on the "other" thread)

so it's there now ...........

[Mary Chambers]

Trouble is (and this probably should be on the "other" thread)

so it's there now ...........

Where is this 'other thread', please?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I presume this is the one.

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?9809-Poppies-and-the-quot-Heroes-Industry-quot

[french frank]

I presume this is the one.

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...-Industry-quot

Indeed, the dreaded P&CA board. I posted my reply there. This board is called 'Performance'.

[Mary Chambers]

Thank you! Will have a look.