Boult Conducts Brahms and Elgar

[hackneyvi]

It's not 'important' but can I ask where Boult's reputation is these days?

I know very few of his recordings - which receive such enthusiastic tribute above. However, I have in mind that he was very much out of fashion. I've always, I think, felt a little apologetic about loving above all his Elgar cello concerto with Paul Tortelier (with the Introduction and Allegro on side 2 and a gorgeous version of the Serenade for Strings, as I recall). My only other knowledge of Boult is of the famous breakdown of the Tippett 2nd symphony and Sir Adrian's supremely gentlemanly acceptance of responsibility (though, I believe the fault lay with neither man).

[Chris Newman]

In my opinion Boult and Mackerras were the only great conductors of my lifetime with exceptionally wide and excellently played repertoires. Rarely did I ever hear anything less than 9 out of 10. Orchestras adored them both.

The Tippett 2 was unfortunate. The fault lay with David Macallum the leader of the orchestra who rearranged the bar lines to suit himself in a manner which did not work. Sir John Barbirolli promptly got the Halle to play it as originally written to teach Macallum a lesson. Boult was superb in British music, contemporary and the classical repertoire.

A bit of useless information: Macallum was the father of the actor of that name who played Illya Kuryakin in The Man From Uncle. A few years ago I read that DM (Jr) was taking up conducting but never heard more about it.

[pastoralguy]

The Second was sublime .

I heard James Loughran conduct Brahms 2 with the SNO in 1978 and just loved the piece. I borrowed the tape of Boult and the LPO from my local library and literally wore it out!! I bought the cd years later and it was like finding an old friend again!

[pastoralguy]

Someone is selling Brahms 4 and the 'Alto Rhapsody' (with Dame Janet) on an old EMI 'Studio' disc for £9.00 on eBay. Bit expensive but if one really wants it...

[pastoralguy]

The fault lay with David Macallum the leader of the orchestra who rearranged the bar lines to suit himself in a manner which did not work.

I always thought the leader was Paul Beard on that infamous occasion.

[Chris Newman]

Oh, gosh...these last remaining wretched brain cells again!! You are right, pg. Thank you for the correction. My apologies to the Macallums. My only excuse is that both Beard and Macallum were old when I heard them and both were mostly leading amateur/semi-pro orchestras by then and I have confused them.

Good to see you around again, pastoralguy.

[hackneyvi]

In my opinion Boult and Mackerras were the only great conductors of my lifetime with exceptionally wide and excellently played repertoires. Rarely did I ever hear anything less than 9 out of 10. Orchestras adored them both.

Thanks, Chris. I'll make a point of looking out for Sir Adrian.

[pastoralguy]

Good to see you around again, pastoralguy.

Thanks, Chris. And sorry - I should have qualified my 'correction' with a smiley or two!!

It's nice to be back. We've just moved house from the small town back to the big city. Quite an upheaval but things are settling down.