International Record Review

[makropulos]

I wonder if, by the time it comes to be published, you will be able to refer to a recording of the edition prepared by Jiří Zahrádka and Leoš Faltus, as played on the first night of this years proms, and so badly dynamically compressed for broadcast and the iPlayer?

Bryn, I've certainly referred to the edition in considerable detail (and it should be in print any day) although there's no commercial recording as yet. I don't know of any plans for one at the moment (nor did Zahrádka when I asked him) - but surely it can't be too long before someone takes it up. The newest Naxos recording (with Wit) is of the standard version.

[Barbirollians]

IRR continues to be so inconsistent . This month includes a rave review of Hamelin's Haydn 3.4 & 11 Piano Concerto recordings that does not bother to compare them with the marvellous Andsnes of a few years back .

At least there are a great deal of intelligent reviews of cello works this month - free of Michael Jameson.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

IRR continues to be so inconsistent . This month includes a rave review of Hamelin's Haydn 3.4 & 11 Piano Concerto recordings that does not bother to compare them with the marvellous Andsnes of a few years back .

You raise an interesting point: which recordings to use for comparative purposes? Every reader/ listener will have an opinion as to which recordings would make for a relevant comparison, but ultimately, it does rather depend on which discs are in the reviewer's library. It may be that when a review is commissioned, there's another recent recording by a major artist which would make for a pertinent comparison. However, turnaround for review copy is quite quick, so it's not always possible to order it and receive it in good time.

Forum mods - I'm sure there's an IRR thread somewhere. Any chance Barbirollians' post and this follow could be shunted there, please?


[ED. Moved as requested :-) - ff]

[VodkaDilc]

It is fascinating just how distinct IRR and Gramophone look now, but what a pity IRR can't afford to put their archive online...

My IRR archive is on-shelf, which is far more convenient, for me, than online. The entire set of IRR is within a couple of feet of this chair. My only regret is that the annual index has been discontinued. If IRR management still reads this forum, perhaps they could explain this - and, even better, reintroduce this helpful aid to tracing reviews.

[jayne lee wilson]

My IRR archive is on-shelf, which is far more convenient, for me, than online. The entire set of IRR is within a couple of feet of this chair. My only regret is that the annual index has been discontinued. If IRR management still reads this forum, perhaps they could explain this - and, even better, reintroduce this helpful aid to tracing reviews.

How lovely... for you (index notwithstanding...ah, the fun of leafing through...)

Just to spell it out - a well-designed online IRR Archive would increase the magazine's appeal and probably their readership too. In addition to being a lot more fun, and providing yet another highly edifying way to waste time.

[french frank]

The dedicated IRR thread resuscitated with the latest posts, as requested.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

The dedicated IRR thread resuscitated with the latest posts, as requested.

Thank you, ff.

My IRR archive is on-shelf, which is far more convenient, for me, than online. The entire set of IRR is within a couple of feet of this chair. My only regret is that the annual index has been discontinued. If IRR management still reads this forum, perhaps they could explain this - and, even better, reintroduce this helpful aid to tracing reviews.

It might also be worth sending a letter/ email to enquire, VodkaDilc.

[VodkaDilc]

It might also be worth sending a letter/ email to enquire, VodkaDilc.

I have just sent an email. I will report back.

[Ferretfancy]

Bryn, I've certainly referred to the edition in considerable detail (and it should be in print any day) although there's no commercial recording as yet. I don't know of any plans for one at the moment (nor did Zahrádka when I asked him) - but surely it can't be too long before someone takes it up. The newest Naxos recording (with Wit) is of the standard version.

This is not meant unkindly, but when a message forms part of an ongoing conversation whose origins may be some way back, would it be possible for contributors to
remind us all what the subject is from time to time? It may seem indolent of me, but there isn't always time to search every message to find the start of a discussion.Wit may have recorded the Naxos version, but of what?

[Bryn]

This is not meant unkindly, but when a message forms part of an ongoing conversation whose origins may be some way back, would it be possible for contributors to
remind us all what the subject is from time to time? It may seem indolent of me, but there isn't always time to search every message to find the start of a discussion.Wit may have recorded the Naxos version, but of what?

Where a message includes a quote from the message to which it is a response, there is usually a blue double pointer icon to the right of the name of the poster quoted. Clicking on that icon takes you to the message quoted. Following the trail in this case leads one to an original message re. Janacek's Glagolitic Mass.

[makropulos]

How lovely... for you (index notwithstanding...ah, the fun of leafing through...)

Just to spell it out - a well-designed online IRR Archive would increase the magazine's appeal and probably their readership too. In addition to being a lot more fun, and providing yet another highly edifying way to waste time.

Absolutely agreed - it would be great to have all of IRR online.
I know for sure that IRR's editor would very much like an online archive to be available too. Apparently it's a very expensive project, so I fear it's not going to happen quickly.

[Ferretfancy]

Where a message included a quote from the message to which it is a response, there is usually a blue doube pointer icon to the right of the name of the poster quoted. Clicking on that icon takes you to the message quoted. Following the trail in this case leads one to an original message re. Janacek's Glagolitic Mass.

Thanks Bryn, as a bear of little brain I was quite unaware of this> I do try though !
Ferret

[mikealdren]

You and me both Ferret, thanks Bryn!

Mike

[richardfinegold]

IRR continues to be so inconsistent . This month includes a rave review of Hamelin's Haydn 3.4 & 11 Piano Concerto recordings that does not bother to compare them with the marvellous Andsnes of a few years back .

At least there are a great deal of intelligent reviews of cello works this month - free of Michael Jameson.

I think that it is unreasonable to expect a reviewer to have all previous recordings or a work at their disposal for comparisons.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I think that it is unreasonable to expect a reviewer to have all previous recordings or a work at their disposal for comparisons.

A few relevant comparisons should suffice, unless undertaking a BaL-type piece. It's unfortunate, when reviewing, not to have a high profile recent release to hand, but budgets are limited (I scour the Bargains thread as much as many members here!).

For a current review, however, I have spent out on a few new versions specifically because I didn't want to be influenced by familiar 'benchmark' recordings in doing a 'blind listening' test, which was the only way I felt I could fairly assess the new recording up for review.