Essential Classics - The Continuing Debate

[underthecountertenor]

[Is the playlist right? Did Julian Bream play the 2nd movement twice, both times with the CBSO and Rattle? And why is Andrei Yakovlevich Eshpai cited as Андрей Яковлевич Эшпай ? Automation, presumably]

I think this may reflect the fact that they are now playing a bit of the 'lead' piece a second time, just in case anyone could possibly have forgotten how it went in the intervening 20 minutes or so.

[underthecountertenor]

I didn't hang about to listen to the "choice" which would appear to have been the Miles Davis version - a version that RC, I know, is particularly fond of as he has played it a number of times on his programmes. Makes you wonder if that was going to be the "choice" all along and serendipitously a listener suggested it.

I would have thought that if you liked guitar concertos it would have been a perfect opportunity to play the Arnold Guitar Concerto. Maybe someone suggested it. Who knows? Who cares?

Certainly further ballast to the (furiously denied) suggestion that they pick something obvious in advance, knowing that at least one person is likely to propose it. RC must have been cock-a-hoop.

[Richard Tarleton]

... a pedant wonders whether it shd be "vinteuil's Reader's Digest's man's point" ...



apostrophe's - don'tcha love 'em?!!

.

All the same - Reader's Digest man. Hatchet man. Piano man - I maintain no apostrophe is an acceptable alternative in the circs.

There's no point in asking what these Miles Davis fans see in it I suppose? I'm mildly curious, but only mildly.

[vinteuil]

All the same - Reader's Digest man. Hatchet man. Piano man - I maintain no apostrophe is an acceptable alternative in the circs.
.

... o of course it is. I just liked the possibility you had created of such a concatenation, such a pile-up, of apostrophes.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

And RC forestalled the inevitable "rest of the concerto" replies by insisting the listener choose something else.

At least they're more aware now.

[Serial_Apologist]

There's no point in asking what these Miles Davis fans see in it I suppose? I'm mildly curious, but only mildly.

Just for the curious who may wish to know what it sounds like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr-hjwoAu6I

[french frank]

Just for the curious who may wish to know what it sounds like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr-hjwoAu6I

Thanks, S_A. I listened to the first 7 minutes and was the first to click on 'I dislike this' . It seems so completely at odds with the original, I wonder why they took that piece to rearrange. The original version seems to exude the shimmering, almost oppressive, heat of inland Spain which is enhanced by the sound of the guitar in particular and the hint of flamenco. The MD version is what it is, take it or leave it. Too lazy and relaxed, but if that's the kind of thing one likes … &c.

[LMcD]

Anybody who doesn't like the Miles Davis version might like to try The Shadows' version....

[french frank]

Anybody who doesn't like the Miles Davis version might like to try The Shadows' version....

Please, no. Not Hank Marvin

[Quarky]

Interesting discussion.

Why was Miles Davis played? Clearly by popular demand.

Why sandwiched between Shosta. Prelude & fugue and Vivaldi Violin Concerto? Bearing in mind that Radio 3 is aimed at the general public, not only a narrow band of knowledgeable Classical enthusiasts, it might:
persuade some listeners to adjust listening habits developed over the years, and
knock some of the perceived stuffiness out of the Classical music agenda.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

it might

It won't.

The idea that "the general public" will switch from their usual station of choice, happen to overhear a bit of the Miles Davies as they retune their radios (an old-fashioned set, without the pre-tuned stations) and stay listening to hear the Vivaldi snippet, and then continue with R3 for some of its other fare, is a nice fantasy - but it's no more (or, if you prefer, likely than a "knowledgeable Classical specialist", growing increasingly dissatisfied with Essential Classics is going to retune his/her radio, get their attention caught by a piece of Szymanowski that Clara Amfo has happened to broadcast, and stay with R1 for the rest of the day, having been persuaded to adjust listening habits developed over the years.

[Sir Velo]

There's no point in asking what these Miles Davis fans see in it I suppose? I'm mildly curious, but only mildly.

Ah, maybe you need to stop thinking in terms of the original and see it for what it is. It doesn't replace the Rodrigo clearly but provides an equally valid, alternative musical experience.

P.S. Glad to see Stan agrees with me!

[Sir Velo]

... a pedant wonders whether it shd be "vinteuil's Reader's Digest's man's point" ...

Uh?... "White Van's man"? "Essex's man"?

Not sure whether the pedant's right on this occasion!

[Richard Tarleton]

Not sure whether the pedant's right on this occasion!

As Monsieur V acknowledges, he was merely amused by the potential concatenation of apostrophes

[cloughie]

Interesting discussion.

Why was Miles Davis played? Clearly by popular demand.

Why sandwiched between Shosta. Prelude & fugue and Vivaldi Violin Concerto? Bearing in mind that Radio 3 is aimed at the general public, not only a narrow band of knowledgeable Classical enthusiasts, it might:
persuade some listeners to adjust listening habits developed over the years, and
knock some of the perceived stuffiness out of the Classical music agenda.

There's little stuffiness in the Classical agenda, and there's no problem with the occasional 'out of the box' track as indeed Rob used to put into CD Masters which was the excellent, brimming with full works, and informative intros from Rob and Jonathan Swain. What we have now is a Classic FM clone hijacking three hours of prime morning listening which should be playing full works. Why does the psyche of R3 control not twig copying to compete is not constructive and whilst they are trying to attract new listeners they are deserting a large cohort of our ageing population. And Vespare whilst you are having a go at Classical stuffiness, I don't notice the mainstream R2 programmes veering from their predictable fayre and perhaps playing the odd classical piece and saying that's really nice try more on Radio 3. Why doesn't Ken Bruce have a Classical Coffee Break around 10.50 and then perhaps ask Lynne Bowles for her views on the piece played. Come to think of it mainstream R2 does not play much Miles Davis or music at the Jazz end of the Easy Listening (when did you last hear Stacey Kent or Diana Krall on R2?)