John Bird: great guest on Ess. Classics 19-23 August

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  • Nick Armstrong
    Host
    • Nov 2010
    • 26533
    #1

    John Bird: great guest on Ess. Classics 19-23 August

    Essential Classics seems to have wholly lost its R3 Forum audience, given that the last post on the dedicated thread was mine ages ago about guest Nicholas Bratza.

    Still, if I like the look of the person who is the guest, I make a point of hearing it.

    This week I was glad I did: John Bird was I thought a wonderful guest. Humorous (of course) and sage, his tastes in and insights about music were revelatory in a quiet way.

    From Berio and Boulez via Sibelius to LvB and Haydn, it's very good radio I think (and the recording of his late wife playing Brahms v moving).

    The main discoveries for me:

    Berio's own recording of 4 parts of 'Sinfonia' with the NYPO (just after the première) - the 'Mahler's Resurrection' movement absolutely brilliant;

    Maazel's Sibelius 4 which has for some reason passed me by: the last movement fabulous.

    Two purchases.

    Worth a listen - the last 30 minutes of each programme last week http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode..._Sarah_Walker/
    Last edited by Nick Armstrong; 25-08-13, 19:08.
    "...the isle is full of noises,
    Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
    Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
    Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
    Tags: None
  • french frank
    Administrator/Moderator
    • Feb 2007
    • 30279
    #2
    I've gone beyond making a point of listening to anything - it makes me feel so tired and sad, but John Bird was on Private Passions many, many years ago, and he was one of two guests who impressed with his taste in music and the way he spoke about it (the other was Frances Partridge). I might manage to drag myself to the iPlayer to see if JB makes the same impression on me this time. A dig in the ribs ...
    It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

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    • aka Calum Da Jazbo
      Late member
      • Nov 2010
      • 9173
      #3
      would be worth it imv ff; Caliban is spot on .....
      According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe.

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      • Bryn
        Banned
        • Mar 2007
        • 24688
        #4
        Sad to relate the passing of this great comedic writer and actor. We can, at least, celebrate his recorded legacy, for instance, via https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZG0o0RnYC4NrX
        Last edited by Bryn; 28-12-22, 15:06. Reason: Punctuation slip.

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        • Ein Heldenleben
          Full Member
          • Apr 2014
          • 6779
          #5
          Not many know that John was a an enthusiastic fan of contemporary classical music . He presented a programme on Stockhausen for BBC Two in the 70’s complete with , IIRC , black polo neck. A great comedic talent who never quite got the acknowledgment he deserved.

          Comment

          • Serial_Apologist
            Full Member
            • Dec 2010
            • 37671
            #6
            I would like to wish him good Fortune in Comedy Heaven

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