Stephen Johnson

[underthecountertenor]

It was good to hear Stephen Johnson back on Radio 3 on Saturday, discussing concerto discs with Lucy Parham. In the conversation with Andrew McGregor during Breakfast, Martin Handley expressed pleasure at the mention of his name, and rightly so. His intelligent, and occasionally amusingly trenchant, analyses are all too rarely heard these days.

I thought it was a pity, however, that AMcG thought it necessary to 'moderate' the discussion quite so intrusively. The experts should just have been allowed to get on with it.

[vinteuil]

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... I agree with all the above. But I think his name is Stephen Johnson.

https://www.stephen-johnson.co.uk/

[Thank you, monsieur - corrected ff]

[Alison]

Yes good to hear him again.

I prefer him talking (or writing) about music rather than the performance of it.

[Conchis]

I heard one of his pieces in Birmingham a few years back, and liked it. He still uses a bit of my review (without my permission) on his website. :)

[underthecountertenor]

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... I agree with all the above. But I think his name is Stephen Johnson.

https://www.stephen-johnson.co.uk/

[Thank you, monsieur - corrected ff]

Oops. How embarrassing. Thanks - I don't know how that happened (twice), as I know very well that he's a Stephen.

[Alison]

Maybe I’ve never quite forgiven him for not replying to a letter!

[Alison]

His tendency to gleefully sneer at Karajan recordings in BaLs a source of irritation to me even if a valid view.

[Conchis]

His tendency to gleefully sneer at Karajan recordings in BaLs a source of irritation to me even if a valid view.

A lot of people do that, but it's 'loser's talk'.

Everyone who likes orchestral music is a Karajan fan of some description, including literally everyone on this forum.

[french frank]

A lot of people do that, but it's 'loser's talk'.

Everyone who likes orchestral music is a Karajan fan of some description, including literally everyone on this forum.

That might depend on how you define "orchestral" and "literally".

[jayne lee wilson]

Well, respect to Stephen Johnson, who I was aware of from years ago as a very fine Gramophone reviewer, especially good on Bruckner, and Bruckner versions and editions. I recall following his Radio 3 series about these closely and rewardingly. His interval talks have often been both engaging and enlightening. He's good with words.

I didn't always find my ears or judgements in sympathy with his own, but so what? He was a careful, precise listener who always tried to be fair to performers - and I trust, still is all of those things.

He seems to have struggled with depressive illness all of his life. I know all too well how this feels, and can only admire the brave soul of his achievements all the more.

[DracoM]

A lot of people do that, but it's 'loser's talk'.

Everyone who likes orchestral music is a Karajan fan of some description, including literally everyone on this forum.

Wh-a-a-a-a-a-at?

[Alison]

A lot of people do that, but it's 'loser's talk'.

[Tony Halstead]

A lot of people do that, but it's 'loser's talk'.

Everyone who likes orchestral music is a Karajan fan of some description, including literally everyone on this forum.

[Conchis]

I'll stand by it. Everyone on this forum probably owns at least one Karajan recording and I don't think anyone on this forum would dismiss Karajan, even if they have their reservations about him.

[vinteuil]

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Everyone who likes orchestral music is a Karajan fan of some description, including literally everyone on this forum.

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That might depend on how you define "orchestral" and "literally".

... it will also depend on how you define "fan".


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