Through the Night

[Pulcinella]

If it were we wouldn’t be able to hear it.

We could hold a Symposium about it though.

[kernelbogey]

Off topic, but a good old Cambridge myth:
A distinguished Classics Prof had been invited to give a sermon at the University Church. As he proceeded, the congregation's faces grew increasingly puzzled.

Concluding, he descended the steps from the pulpit, but paused a few steps from the bottom, returned to where he had been speaking and said 'Er, wherever I said 'Plato', please read 'Jesus Christ'.

[kernelbogey]

27 April 2023: 05:06 AM
Cesar Franck (1822-1890)
Quintet for piano and strings (M.7) in F minor
Cristina Ortiz (piano), Fine Arts Quartet

This is a work to which I've often felt attracted, and thought 'must get to know it better', then don't: I don't own a CD including it. This morning I happened upon it in TTN and was able to give it reasonable attention - and want to listen properly. (Memo to self: order a CD.)

One attraction is the recurrence of melodies/rhythms between movements: I daresay this has a technical name. It reminds me of the Ravel String Quartet in that respect, and perhaps the Debussy, which I know less well. Is this a particular feature of French music? Of course it's common to all music in some sense, but I'm identifying particularly the reworking of theme(s) from earlier movements as my point of interest here.

[smittims]

Yes, it's known as 'cyclic form' and Franck used it in several works, as did his followers. There are examples in Haydn and the other classical masters too.

The quintet has long been a favourite of mine, since I first heard it in Clifford Curzon's Decca recording. It's a passionate work, said to have been inspired by his hopeless love for a pupil, Augusta Holmes. Ronald Harwood wrote a fanciful novel about their relationship : 'Cesar and Augusta'.

[Nick Armstrong]

Cesar Franck: Quintet for piano and strings in F minor

This is a work to which I've often felt attracted…

Me too (because piano trios, quartets and quintets are among my very favourite musical forms, and I absolutely love Fauré’s two piano quintets)…

… but then I listen to the Franck and am always disappointed There’s something about the way Franck’s mind worked melodically and harmonically that leaves me cold. There are one or two isolated exceptions among his works but the piano quintet isn’t one of them…

[gradus]

Off topic, but a good old Cambridge myth:
A distinguished Classics Prof had been invited to give a sermon at the University Church. As he proceeded, the congregation's faces grew increasingly puzzled.

Concluding, he descended the steps from the pulpit, but paused a few steps from the bottom, returned to where he had been speaking and said 'Er, wherever I said 'Plato', please read 'Jesus Christ'.

See Beachcomber: 'Erratum: In my article on the Price of Milk, 'Horses' should have read 'Cows'.

[Ein Heldenleben]

See Beachcomber: 'Erratum: In my article on the Price of Milk, 'Horses' should have read 'Cows'.

Wonder what horse milk is like . Globally more people drink goats milk than cows - supposed to be easier to digest I believe.

[kernelbogey]

Wonder what horse milk is like...

Wasn't it Antony who 'drank the stale of horses' - possibly in error?

[Bryn]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mare_milk

[smittims]

I add my heartfelt endorsement to kernelbogey's post above. For me, TTN is the last survivor of the spirit of the BBC Third Programme, no adverts, no trailers, no dumbing-down. I think this is why the arrival of 'Dan Yell' occasioned some concern, so I've been glad to see her settle in so quickly.

[antongould]

I'm back on TTN duty, as it were, after a gap in listening, and just so appreciative of John Shea and Jonathan Swain (the latter long a hero of mine).

Both these men seem to present beautifully and somewhat in the old Third Programme tradition of impeccable microphone technique, scripts that are respectful of their listeners' intelligence, and stylish pronunciation: I don't know how Jonathan manages to get what always sounds like authentic pronunciation of performers' names, no matter where from. John Shea has a lovely sense of humour and often has a little quip about the obscure performances served up on TTN - Goldberg Variations on a piano accordion, say - as though we're members of a private concert club.

The above is not in any way a diminution of my respect for both Catriona and Danielle, both of whom have their own style, DJ's impeccable enunciation and CY's very personable style - as though you'd called by to borrow a cup of sugar and leave having listened to Bach over a glass of Manzanilla.

Very much agree kb …. for me Jonathan has the best voice in radio …….

[kernelbogey]

Very much agree kb …. for me Jonathan has the best voice in radio …….

I agree Anton. If you listen carefully you can also hear the skill and practice that has gone into that. It isn't just that he has a naturally beautiful voice: the pitches and intonations have been carefully honed. He mentioned Associated Board music exams so he's clearly a musician. Someone recently said that a good broadcasting voice comes from years of singing. Aah, it was Peter Snow, who I think was a boy chorister at Winchester Cathedral.

[french frank]

Aah, it was Peter Snow, who I think was a boy chorister at Winchester Cathedral.

Jon Snow?

[kernelbogey]

Jon Snow?

Indeed:

[oddoneout]

Wonder what horse milk is like . Globally more people drink goats milk than cows - supposed to be easier to digest I believe.

Expensive! https://maresmilk.co.uk/