The worst thing I've heard on R3...ever?

[ardcarp]

On last Sunday's Sunday Morning this happened:

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Scherzo)
Performer: Jan Kraybill.

I've nothing against Ms Kraybill personally, but why have an organ transcription of Mendelssohn's brilliantly orchestrated Scherzo played VERY SLOWLY?? I just wanted to scream. R3 seems to have a habit of playing 'popular' pieces on anything but their original instrumentation. I'm now waiting in terror for Elgar's Cello Concerto on banjo and Andean nose flute.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0011kv2

About 1 hr from the start.

On the bright side there was, earlier in the programme, a wonderful performance of Alison Firsova's setting of the Stabat Mater sung by The Sixteen.

[rauschwerk]

Yes, that Mendelssohn was dire, wasn't it? The sort of thing one might play for friends for a laugh, after a good few drinks.

[AuntDaisy]

For an encore, the Stylophone version would be perfect.

As an extra-special treat, you can listen to the whole "The Orchestral Organ" CD on YouTube, or buy from Amazon (a snip at ~£17). I'm saving Finlandia for later.

Dan Morgan's review doesn't quite echo Sarah Walker's "... quite slow, but very charming.. more like a gentle waltz".

As for Mendelssohn’s Scherzo, attractively transcribed by the Canadian-born organist Samuel Prowse Warren (1841-1915), it allows players and instruments to show off their agility. In particular, Kraybill brings a freshness and spontaneity to this old staple that’s long overdue.

[rauschwerk]

For an encore, the Stylophone version would be perfect.

As an extra-special treat, you can listen to the whole "The Orchestral Organ" CD on YouTube, or buy from Amazon (a snip at ~£17). I'm saving Finlandia for later.

Dan Morgan's review doesn't quite echo Sarah Walker's "... quite slow, but very charming.. more like a gentle waltz".

I have known this scherzo for at least 60 years, and its freshness and spontaneity delight me every time!

[cloughie]

On last Sunday's Sunday Morning this happened:

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Scherzo)
Performer: Jan Kraybill.

I've nothing against Ms Kraybill personally, but why have an organ transcription of Mendelssohn's brilliantly orchestrated Scherzo played VERY SLOWLY?? I just wanted to scream. R3 seems to have a habit of playing 'popular' pieces on anything but their original instrumentation. I'm now waiting in terror for Elgar's Cello Concerto on banjo and Andean nose flute.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0011kv2

About 1 hr from the start.

On the bright side there was. earlier in the programme, a wonderful performance of Alison Firsova's setting of the Stabat Mater sung by The Sixteen.

Not exactly exciting ardcarp but the worst ever on R3? Not by a long chalk I’d say - there are far worse - probably at least one per hour most mornings - top of the list are seemingly endless minimalist pieces short of a tune and nasty voices!
On the positive side there are some really good orchestral music arranged for organ on CDs eg Gunnar Idenstam on BIS La Mer and Some Ravel and the Anna Lapwood from Ely Cathedral with a lovely transcription of Britten’s Sea Interludes.

https://youtu.be/GCYWRHttI1c

https://youtu.be/Q1ruvyFQRuc

[ardcarp]

I'm not against orchestral transcriptions for organ in general. In fact in times gone by they were quite a feature of organ recitals, and were also a way for people who couldn't afford orchestral concert tickets to hear 'the great masters'. George Thalben Ball used to include at least one in his free weekly recital at Birmingham Town Hall. (He was the City Organist in Brum for many years.) I remember a stunning version of The Ride of the Valkyries, but I don't think that was GTB. Someone more recent, I think.

[pastoralguy]

Yes, I heard it too. I was only half listening and wondered if it was conducted by Klemperer! (I’d not sufficiently woken up to realise it was being played on the organ!)

[oddoneout]

"And now, this is what it should sound like" could usefully have followed...
I'll admit I wasn't particularly concentrating at the time but it did take a while for the sounds to register as something I did actually know, if not in that form.
I agree about the setting of the Stabat Mater - that got me listening properly!

[Suffolkcoastal]

I can confirm, from collecting data for my annual survey, that there has indeed been a far higher number of works/chunks broadcast in arrangements/transcriptions (including some which could more accurately described as disarrangements) this year than is usual for R3.

[Opinionated Knowall]

Yes, I heard it too. I was only half listening and wondered if it was conducted by Klemperer! (I’d not sufficiently woken up to realise it was being played on the organ!)

Klemperer's recording with the Philharmonia is indeed stately, but still 30" quicker than that travesty! Why? Why on earth make the arrangement, learn it, play it, record it, and then put it on the radio?

[french frank]

Klemperer's recording with the Philharmonia is indeed stately, but still 30" quicker than that travesty! Why? Why on earth make the arrangement, learn it, play it, record it, and then put it on the radio?

Just listened again (partly). It's quite a neat virtuoso performance but … the music, the music …