CD From Hell: Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin Botches Handel

[Mal]

As far as I can make out, the Op.6 featured today is the one Classics Today gave 9/10 for recently, titled 'stylish, vivacious Handel'

https://www.classicstoday.com/review/stylish-vivacious-handel-from-berlin/

Hurwitz himself has made it clear for years what he thinks of HIP, but clearly some of his colleagues don't share that view...

That review was by David Vernier, "editor in chief", where Hurwitz is "executive editor".

It's a fascinating contrast to Hurwitz's review! It shows that "Classics Today" has a totally inconsistent stance at the highest level. It's as if Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn were to become joint leaders of a political party. Such a platform should at least attempt to explain such inconsistencies. Does Hurwitz rate this CD? Why is the band so bad in Water Music and so good here? Does Vernier like the CD that Hurwitz trashed? There must be some interesting moments in the coffee room.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It's a fascinating contrast to Hurwitz's review! It shows that "Classics Today" has a totally inconsistent stance at the highest level. It's as if Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn were to become joint leaders of a political party. Such a platform should at least attempt to explain such inconsistencies. Does Hurwitz rate this CD? Why is the band so bad in Water Music and so good here? Does Vernier like the CD that Hurwitz trashed? There must be some interesting moments in the coffee room.

Of course there'll be inconsistencies. A review by one person will often be vastly different from a review by someone else, even in the same publication. Otherwise we have R3 Twofer Syndrome nationwide.

[MickyD]

I've been a fan of the Manze set for a long time, but I must say that I find this new one very nice indeed in its own way, can't think what all the fuss is about.

[Bryn]

Of course there'll be inconsistencies. A review by one person will often be vastly different from a review by someone else, even in the same publication. Otherwise we have R3 Twofer Syndrome nationwide.

The thing about Hurwitz's 'erudition' is that if one happens to have more that the most basic grasp of the subjects he pontificates about, one quickly find such 'erudition' to be largely bogus.

[sidneyfox]

The thing about Hurwitz's 'erudition' is that if one happens to have more that the most basic grasp of the subjects he pontificates about, one quickly find such 'erudition' to be largely bogus.

He's not erudite, he's exceptionally bright but misguided.

[cloughie]

He's not erudite, he's exceptionally bright but misguided.

Probably cunning 'comme un renard'

[Tony Halstead]

Probably cunning 'comme un renard'

[HighlandDougie]

I've been a fan of the Manze set for a long time, but I must say that I find this new one very nice indeed in its own way, can't think what all the fuss is about.

Nor can I. It's currently on offer at e.classical.com so the Hurwitz anathema had me immediately head for the "purchase" button on their site. "Stylish and vivacious", is an apt description. The (slightly cavernous) church acoustic differentiates it from AAM/Manze, so it's good to be able to listen to and enjoy equally both sets of performances of this life-enhancing music.