BaL 9.04.11 - Beethoven: Violin Concerto

[amateur51]

Most HIPP conductors are unfit for purpose as reviewers, because everything has to fit their tunnel-visioned agenda.

EA you have tantalised us with a snippet earlier of the views of The Ultimate Contributor, but have left us a-dangling!

What was Frau EA's Ultimate Verdict?

I think we should be told

[BBMmk2]

I must admit.Not one of the best BaLs. I am coming to the conlcusion thgat this type of review, simply does not work. Havin g said that, I thought that Adnrew's contribution had changed, by letting the reviewer speak more at his own level. Again, having said that, I think RG's views to this classic seem to me rather restricted, in some ways. Especially when he was talking about the dots and dashes etc.

[ardcarp]

Just a few random comments.

The format. If it's got to be done as a dialogue, then this is a bout as good and as spontaneaous-sounding as it could be...even though the course of the programme was pre-planned. I have two problems; firstly too much of the presenter's voice through the entire CD REview, and secondly too much comfortable agreement between the parties. Would it have been possible for RG or AMcG to have disagreed about a point?

The HIPP thing. Was it a pre-condition that the piece (which I love) should be judged by this yardstick alone? Artists from previous generations (and who after all lived closer to Beethoven!) surely had something to say about the work? Whilst Goodman did allude to having an overall concept of the shape of the piece...and arriving at the final moment of glory.... his discussion was all about nuts and bolts. I wouldn't go as far as Alps ('twaddle') but I wonder if a reviewer in (say) 20 years time will rubbish Goodman's approach?

The 'Beethoven' cadenza. Whilst I wouldn't want to be without the Kreisler, I was bowled over by Isobel[?] Faust's playing of the Beethoven-derived cadenza with timps....and indeed by what I heard of her version of the whole thing. So when I can afford to wean myself away from my vinyl treasures, hers will be my choice too.

[Nick Armstrong]

Is it just my problem, or is the "HD" service not working properly this morning?

What is the HD service?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

EA you have tantalised us with a snippet earlier of the views of The Ultimate Contributor, but have left us a-dangling!

What was Frau EA's Ultimate Verdict?

I think we should be told

Well you asked for it:-

The language used was affected and verbose - "Slurring, not interpreting the dots and dashes" etc. and remarks about "the dreaded V" are typical of BBC Radio 3 commentators who use their high moral ground to "inform and enlighten" the meagre likes of Frau A. It is at best arrogant and at worst, demeaning and belittling to the listener. It would cause me switch off.
How can something be "deeply intensive"? Again, a patronising (and incorrect) mis-use of language.

That's the printable version.

[amateur51]

Well you asked for it:-



That's the printable version.

She's what Euda might call " a tough crowd", eh EA?

What's a "incorrect mis-use of language"?

And a correct misue is .....?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Hey, now; you asked, and I delivered. Don't shoot the messenger.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Ah, Frau A says it should be "deeply intense", but even that is linguistic overkill.

If I promise not to quote Frau A again, will you leave her alone?

[amateur51]

Hey, now; you asked, and I delivered. Don't shoot the messenger.

Fairy nuff - da lady frightens me enough already!

[amateur51]

Another issue arising from this morning's BAL - almost all, if not all, the examples played were by very talented young women. It's the same with cellos and pianos - at last women are getting their due and the contracts

So when do they get to carve too? (pace Cellini )

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Another issue arising from this morning's BAL - almost all, if not all, the examples played were by very talented young women. It's the same with cellos and pianos - at last women are getting their due and the contracts

So when do they get to carve too? (pace Cellini )

Joshua Bell?

[vinteuil]

Another issue arising from this morning's BAL - almost all, if not all, the examples played were by very talented young women. :)

Christian Tetzlaff?? - and weren't Repin and Zehetmair in there somewhere too?

[amateur51]

Christian Tetzlaff??

Well done chaps but two well-established male violinists out of the substantial roster that we heard this morning rather makes my point, I feel.

it was sad that Ida Haendel didn't make the cut, though

[LeMartinPecheur]

I only caught the very start of the programme (had to rehearse then sing a Faure Requiem - very bad planning). I did like RG's stress on a decent pace in the 1st movt though. I'm hunting down really brisk performances as for me, all too often this work sounds like it starts with two slow movements and only wakes up in the 3rd. So far my briskest is Milstein/ Steinberg at 21'13". Are there any decent faster versions??

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

If tempo is a priority, one way to test the water might be to check the timings of the first movement on download sites.

Just a thought.