Ida Haendel - new BBCMM CD

[Ferretfancy]

...and can Ferret correct the spelling of Rozhdestvensky please?

Sorry you old pedant! I always put my haitches in the wrong place!

[Ferretfancy]

I've only had time to sample so far, just to satisfy my curiosity. On both recordings the violin seems very backward in the balance to me, as if she had no microphone. I'm not a fan of 'end of the nose' balances, but this one does seem odd.

[Barbirollians]

Perhaps we have all got used to Perlmanising of violin balances . It does seem somewhat recessed albeit more so in the Britten but I like the effect that has . I really enjoyed the Brahms albeit I agree she outshines the accompaniment . These recordings show what a great shame it was that she was not given the opportunity to record the Brahms etc in the studio when she was at the height of her powers in the 1970s and 1980s .

[pastoralguy]

Well, I finished work and went straight to Tesco to pick up the BBC Music Magazine. When I got home and popped the cd in the player I was not disappointed! For me, this is classic Ida Haendel at the very apex of her playing ability. The Brahms is, imho, superior to many studio recordings by big name soloists. Her playing in the slow movement has some phenomenal portamenti, one or two which had me squeaking in delight! (Try 2' 33" or 4' 15") It's a long time since I've employed the 'search down' button on my remote control in order to encore a phrase again ( and again and again!) What makes my jaw drop even further is that, having held la Heandel's left hand, which is very small, I'm amazed at how she gets those big stretches so bang in tune!

Yes, the accompaniment is not up to the standard set by the soloist but it's certainly very good. Again, I've heard less committed accompaniment from many commercial recordings. And it's probably worth remembering that rehearsal time was probably limited. The audience are super too with minimal noise.

The Britten is superb too, if only very slightly failing to hit the heights set by her commercial recording with Berglund and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. This really is a disc to treasure and it'll be getting a second spin tonite when I visit my best musical friend for an evening of cd playing.

Quite why the BBC Music Magazine devoted its cover to the joke that Nigel Kennedy has become I really don't know. (His newest recording of Vivaldi's Four Season's "...Spring incorporates someone whispering tweet, tweet and a loud snore that could be something more flatulent.) Why note go the whole hog and just devote a big article to Ms. Haendel?

Anyway, many thanks for drawing my attention to this.

[Barbirollians]

Well, I finished work and went straight to Tesco to pick up the BBC Music Magazine. When I got home and popped the cd in the player I was not disappointed! For me, this is classic Ida Haendel at the very apex of her playing ability. The Brahms is, imho, superior to many studio recordings by big name soloists. Her playing in the slow movement has some phenomenal portamenti, one or two which had me squeaking in delight! (Try 2' 33" or 4' 15") It's a long time since I've employed the 'search down' button on my remote control in order to encore a phrase again ( and again and again!) What makes my jaw drop even further is that, having held la Heandel's left hand, which is very small, I'm amazed at how she gets those big stretches so bang in tune!

Yes, the accompaniment is not up to the standard set by the soloist but it's certainly very good. Again, I've heard less committed accompaniment from many commercial recordings. And it's probably worth remembering that rehearsal time was probably limited. The audience are super too with minimal noise.

The Britten is superb too, if only very slightly failing to hit the heights set by her commercial recording with Berglund and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. This really is a disc to treasure and it'll be getting a second spin tonite when I visit my best musical friend for an evening of cd playing.

Quite why the BBC Music Magazine devoted its cover to the joke that Nigel Kennedy has become I really don't know. (His newest recording of Vivaldi's Four Season's "...Spring incorporates someone whispering tweet, tweet and a loud snore that could be something more flatulent.) Why note go the whole hog and just devote a big article to Ms. Haendel?

Anyway, many thanks for drawing my attention to this.

I think we should all write in and say more Ida Proms recordings please . I agree about her playing in the Brahms - it is stupendous .

Unless I am going mad I also remember a concert on Radio3 at about the same time as the Britten in which she played the Tchaikovsky with the CBSO . I came home late from work put the radio on and thought " Oh the Tchaikovsky concerto " and as soon as the soloist entered I was transfixed and did not even get up to make a cup of tea . Now that is a recording I should love them to find .

[Barbirollians]

I note that there are a number of BBC recordings of Ida H at the Proms that could be issued - the Elgar with Haitink that Laurie Watt has discussed , the saint Saens 3 with Pritchard in 1989 that can be seen on YT and a Beethoven concerto with Edward Downes that was played a few years back as a part of an interview series with Ida and Humphrey Burton on Radio 3 in Morning Performance in 2001.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJWnCn0GgG8

[Barbirollians]

Whilst we are at it - for anyone who has not seen these before

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79xUn7GkJKA

[Pianophile]

Really enjoying this disc. Sensational playing. I find it inexplicable that Ida Haendel hasn't been invited to play at a Prom since 1994.

[Pianophile]

I was listening to her 'live' Elgar with Rattle on Testament this afternoon (which for me makes all other recordings pale in comparison) and I wondered how it compares to the 1977 studio recording with Boult which I've never heard. Is it worth investing in another Haendel version? I also have Nigel Kennedy/Handley and Campoli/Boult.

[pastoralguy]

I was listening to her 'live' Elgar with Rattle on Testament this afternoon (which for me makes all other recordings pale in comparison) and I wondered how it compares to the 1977 studio recording with Boult which I've never heard. Is it worth investing in another Haendel version? I also have Nigel Kennedy/Handley and Campoli/Boult.

The Haendel/Boult Elgar recording was his last studio recording. IMHO, it's been rather under-rated over the years since its initial review highlighted that it was really quite 'broad'. ( ie slow!) I wouldn't recommend it as a first recording but it's well worth hearing for the mighty Ida's wonderful playing. If the price is right, go for it!

Have a look at the Amazon reviews. There are three and they make valid comments.

[Pianophile]

The Haendel/Boult Elgar recording was his last studio recording. IMHO, it's been rather under-rated over the years since its initial review highlighted that it was really quite 'broad'. ( ie slow!) I wouldn't recommend it as a first recording but it's well worth hearing for the mighty Ida's wonderful playing. If the price is right, go for it!

Have a look at the Amazon reviews. There are three and they make valid comments.

Thanks for that. I'm going to go for it; after all, any Haendel recording has to be a winner

[Pabmusic]

The Haendel/Boult Elgar recording was his last studio recording...

If you mean "was his last studio recording of the Elgar violin concerto" then you're right. If you mean "was his last studio recording" then you're wrong. That was the all-Parry programme that included the Fifth Symphony, famously chosen by himself because it was his last recording (1979 I think). Part of that recording was made (in parallel) in experimental digital, but it's never been issued. Presumably it was a flop. Anyhow it makes Boult perhaps the only conductor who recorded acoustic 78s, electric 78s, all types of LP tapes and digital.

[Stunsworth]

Boult also recorded a digital version of The Planets. That _was_ released commercially.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... it makes Boult perhaps the only conductor who recorded acoustic 78s, electric 78s, all types of LP tapes and digital.

Many of which are now available as downloads.

[pastoralguy]

If you mean "was his last studio recording of the Elgar violin concerto" then you're right. If you mean "was his last studio recording" then you're wrong.

Thanks for that. Memory playing tricks again!