Wed 19 Feb, 7.30pm: Live in Concert

[french frank]

Wed 19 Feb: Live in Concert: the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Osmo Vänskä

Balakirev: Islamey (orch?)
Khachaturian: Piano concerto in D-flat major (soloist Marc-André Hamelin)
Kalinnikov: Symphony No. 1 in G minor

Q. Is that correct that Islamey is an orchestrated version - with M-A Hamelin in the hall? I've never heard that version.

A. Yes, I've just spotted - it's the Casella orchestration.

[Sir Velo]

Maybe Hamelin will give the piano version as an encore.

[french frank]

Maybe Hamelin will give the piano version as an encore.

Nice thought . I expect the orchestral version is better known than I imagined.

[Barbirollians]

Romantic stuff but at least slightly off the beaten track . I am very fond of the Kalinnikov in Jarvi's recording with the SNO I think.

[teamsaint]

Romantic stuff but at least slightly off the beaten track . I am very fond of the Kalinnikov in Jarvi's recording with the SNO I think.

Given its very obvious charms, I'm amazed it isn't done to death on CFM/ Daytime R3. Perhaps it is, as I usually have a CD or spotty or youtube on during the day now !

[Sir Velo]

Romantic stuff but at least slightly off the beaten track . I am very fond of the Kalinnikov in Jarvi's recording with the SNO I think.

Interesting. I find I have a Bluffers' Guide to Balakirev: 1st symphony; Tamara; and Islamey, as orchestrated by Liapunov. The Russian State SO, (formerly the USSR State Symphony Orchestra) conducted by Golovschin on Naxos. Serviceable.

[Barbirollians]

Interesting. I find I have a Bluffers' Guide to Balakirev: 1st symphony; Tamara; and Islamey, as orchestrated by Liapunov. The Russian State SO, (formerly the USSR State Symphony Orchestra) conducted by Golovschin on Naxos. Serviceable.

Balakirev 1 always used to be seen as a battle between the EMI Beecham and Karajan recordings .

I was not overly impressed by that Khachaturian - virtuosity in spades but not very colourful musically - I think Kapell and Lympany are very difficult to match.

[Flosshilde]

Maybe Hamelin will give the piano version as an encore.

No - Nicholas Parsons instead .

[Flay]

No - Nicholas Parsons instead .

"Re-tooled." I thought he had lost it for a minute...

[Flosshilde]

A touch of deviation, perhaps?

[DracoM]

That encore was simply wonderfully funny - and fiendish to play!!

[edashtav]

Khachaturian doesn't "do" subtle, does he?

The whole programme was trivial and inappropriate for its distinguished performers.

[french frank]

The whole programme was trivial and inappropriate for its distinguished performers.

I think that's a bit harsh. At least it was playing works that aren't programmed as often as many 'great' works. Should they be left to the less talented amateur orchestras to perform?

[edashtav]

That's a pertinent question, ff - I'd answer, "Yes, they should otherwise, the more important, or new, scores that they've edged out will not receive the professional performances that they need & deserve."

I note that the BBC relayed this "dumbed down" programme. It was full of easy-listening, music that may become film music any day now.

It was not Radio3 fare, IMO.

[Flosshilde]

What a depressing view.