Optimum number of choices?
We seem to be agreed that these days there are usually too many versions to make a decent 45-60 minute programme. But what is the best number?
I still own two published volumes of BaL progammes from c1978-9, and out of curiosity just leafed through to count the numbers for each programme. Of course, I can't be absolutely sure that each one considered all available versions, but IIRC that was always the assumption in those days (except of course that pirate opera issues were studiously ignored!).
In the first vol there are a lot of double-figure counts (Beethoven Pastoral 23, Tchaik Vln Conc 20, Enigma 18, R-K Scheherazade 17, Bruckner 4th 14, Paganini Rhapsody 13...). But Verdi Macbeth got a look-in with only 4 versions, and Pierrot Lunaire with 5. Odd to see only 9 Unfinisheds though!
The numbers in the second are generally smaller for some reason, ranging from 3 (Handel Op6 Concerti Grossi) to 18 (Rite of Spring) with 8-12 covering nearly all the others. Possibly this is due to Vol 1 having dealt with more 'popular classics'/ '100 Best Tunes'.
My own feeling is that for most of the repertoire ten or a dozen makes (made?
) a good programme, or something around 4-6 for operas. Some boarders clearly would be happy with far fewer judging by suggestions above from potential reviewers. Perhaps those of us who only dare to listen might care to propose their ideal number?
We seem to be agreed that these days there are usually too many versions to make a decent 45-60 minute programme. But what is the best number?
I still own two published volumes of BaL progammes from c1978-9, and out of curiosity just leafed through to count the numbers for each programme. Of course, I can't be absolutely sure that each one considered all available versions, but IIRC that was always the assumption in those days (except of course that pirate opera issues were studiously ignored!).
In the first vol there are a lot of double-figure counts (Beethoven Pastoral 23, Tchaik Vln Conc 20, Enigma 18, R-K Scheherazade 17, Bruckner 4th 14, Paganini Rhapsody 13...). But Verdi Macbeth got a look-in with only 4 versions, and Pierrot Lunaire with 5. Odd to see only 9 Unfinisheds though!
The numbers in the second are generally smaller for some reason, ranging from 3 (Handel Op6 Concerti Grossi) to 18 (Rite of Spring) with 8-12 covering nearly all the others. Possibly this is due to Vol 1 having dealt with more 'popular classics'/ '100 Best Tunes'.
My own feeling is that for most of the repertoire ten or a dozen makes (made?
) a good programme, or something around 4-6 for operas. Some boarders clearly would be happy with far fewer judging by suggestions above from potential reviewers. Perhaps those of us who only dare to listen might care to propose their ideal number?
Comment