A hip 1812?

[Flosshilde]

The performance of the 1812 (conducted by Antal Dorati) (played just now, on 'Breakfast') apparently was the first to use real cannons, and ones from the period (1812, not the period of composition)

[mercia]

.................. and authentic bells (I think she said). are you still in essential breakfast mode?

[chapman19]

I think this must have been the version which often closed 'Family Favourites' on the Light Programme on Sunday lunchtimes in the 50s - I can almost smell the roast beef!!!

[salymap]

I would not wish to attend a Prom where real cannon were used in the 1812 overture. It might be the last straw for the dear old place as it crumbled into dust.

I think this version has been played at the Edinburgh Festival in the past IIRR.

[johnb]

The famous Dorati recording is one of the classics of the catalogue but selecting it (not to mention choosing the 1812 Overture) seems incredibly lazy programming.

[Nick Armstrong]

are you still in essential breakfast mode?

[barber olly]

The performance of the 1812 (conducted by Antal Dorati) (played just now, on 'Breakfast') apparently was the first to use real cannons, and ones from the period (1812, not the period of composition)

The early Stereo Decca, later on Ace of Diamonds then World of..., but not to my knowledge ever on CD, did not use cannons but instead used a revlover and then slowing down the recording to simulate a cannon. I think later the Dutoit version uses synthesisers and not only for the cannons.

[Norfolk Born]

I think this must have been the version which often closed 'Family Favourites' on the Light Programme on Sunday lunchtimes in the 50s - I can almost smell the roast beef!!!

Indeed it was - although I doubt if it was ever the 'bumper bundle'!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I supposed true HIPP fanatics would not use a cannon at al it was not used in the first performance.

[Chris Newman]

I do not know what is used for Tchaikovsky Nights at the Albert Hall these days but in the 60s at Anatole Fistoulari's concerts with the massed "Grenadier Guards" they had dustbins in the gallery containing the Thunderflash bangers as used on Army training manouevres. These were positioned way above the choir stalls near the organ and were fired electronically. They sounded very realistic and filled the place with smoke.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I think later the Dutoit version uses synthesisers and not only for the cannons.

That's for the "band" which doesn't specify what instruments are to play. So technically, a synthesiser is OK, I suppose.

[barber olly]

That's for the "band" which doesn't specify what instruments are to play. So technically, a synthesiser is OK, I suppose.

I think you can get away with most things in 1812, Stokowski took several liberties!

[johnb]

The early Stereo Decca, later on Ace of Diamonds then World of..., but not to my knowledge ever on CD, did not use cannons but instead used a revlover and then slowing down the recording to simulate a cannon. I think later the Dutoit version uses synthesisers and not only for the cannons.

Is this the recording you mean:

http://www.pristineclassical.com/LargeWorks/Orchestral/PASC200.php

(It was discussed in another thread.)

[Flosshilde]

The famous Dorati recording is one of the classics of the catalogue but selecting it (not to mention choosing the 1812 Overture) seems incredibly lazy programming.

I actually like the 1812. I wouldn't want to listen to it every day, but it is a rather exhilerating. I thought the outbreak of the bells in this morning's performance sounded particularly joyful.

The listing for this morning's broadcast miss it out entirely, so it's not possible to see which recording it was - but it was, according to the presenter, definitely conducted by Dorati. (so not the one mentioned by john b above)

[barber olly]

Is this the recording you mean:

http://www.pristineclassical.com/LargeWorks/Orchestral/PASC200.php

(It was discussed in another thread.)

The very same - and Cap It and M Slave to match.

Which versions 53 years on match them?