International Record Review

[mikealdren]

It must be a difficult balance, readers will justifiably expect comparisons with benchmarks. perhaps the answer is to listen blind and then compare with the benchmark.

Where does one begin with the four seasons of Beethoven 5? However, I would typically expect, say the Elgar cello concerto to reference Du Pre or Verdi Otello, Toscanini.

Old and new is also an interesting conundrum. I have some very old benchmarks (Otello?) but I would also expect a more modern comparison similar to BaL.

Finally, do you compare with similar or contrasting performances? I don't envy you IGI!

Mike

[Barbirollians]

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.

A fair point but could the reviewer not have borrowed a copy or downloaded it ?


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]

A fair point but could the reviewer not have borrowed a copy or downloaded it ?

When a reviewer is giving an outstanding rating - if we must have such things like Gramophone choices of the month - and putting it at the top of the tree it is helpful to know how it compares to the leading recordings especially where for those three concertos there is one recording that general critical opinion appeared to have rated above others.

[Barbirollians]

I found IRR a depressing read this month - despite the august contributions of the two forum members who review for the magazine which remain excellent and illuminating - there are now far too many reviews by reviewers for whom I have little time and with whom I find I disagree all too often . Why so many reviews by Michael Jameson and Nicholas Salwey ?

I considered whether to go back to Gramophone instead but that appears to be slipping again judging from this month's issues - about half of the magazine before you get to the reviews which are getting well and truly on the short side again .

I suppose I should like to see most of Gramophone's writers given IRR length reviews - the old Gramophone ! and the present products don't cut the mustard .

[VodkaDilc]

As an IRR stalwart, I am surprised at your reaction. It's been too hot to shop this week, so I have yet to buy my copy. However I have seen no reduction in quality up to now. I'll be interested to see what others say.

Perhaps Barbirollians also reads Fanfare. The new issue arrived today and has plenty to get ones teeth into. I've begun my reading with a full and detailed Q&A session with Stephen Cleobury, with interesting questions coming from a US standpoint - and some very informative answers. I really see no need to go back to Gramophone-lite.

[Barbirollians]

As an IRR stalwart, I am surprised at your reaction. It's been too hot to shop this week, so I have yet to buy my copy. However I have seen no reduction in quality up to now. I'll be interested to see what others say.

Perhaps Barbirollians also reads Fanfare. The new issue arrived today and has plenty to get ones teeth into. I've begun my reading with a full and detailed Q&A session with Stephen Cleobury, with interesting questions coming form a US standpoint - and some very informative answers. I really see no need to go back to Gramophone-lite.

Perhaps I should give Fanfare a go - I know JLW felt Gramophone had improved markedly since the departure of Inverne and I agree it is not at the nadir of those times but it is nowhere near its zenith .

I am sorry I feel the way I do about IRR - it used to be very good but some of the recent additions to the reviewers roster I feel are well below the standard expected .

[amateur51]

Perhaps I should give Fanfare a go - I know JLW felt Gramophone had improved markedly since the departure of Inverne and I agree it is not at the nadir of those times but it is nowhere near its zenith .

I am sorry I feel the way I do about IRR - it used to be very good but some of the recent additions to the reviewers roster I feel are well below the standard expected .

Certainly I do feel that currently IRR expects its readers to accept additions to its reviewers' roster on trust. The old Gramophone used to introduce new reviewers with a reasonable cv and I would hope that IRR should start doing the same; otherwise, just who is Bilbo Baggins and why should I find and trust her in the pages of IRR?

[VodkaDilc]

Certainly I do feel that currently IRR expects its readers to accept additions to its reviewers' roster on trust. The old Gramophone used to introduce new reviewers with a reasonable cv and I would hope that IRR should start doing the same; otherwise, just who is Bilbo Baggins and why should I find and trust her in the pages of IRR?

I'm not sure how often this is updated, but most reviewers seem to appear there:

http://recordreview.co.uk/reviewers.php

[amateur51]

I'm not sure how often this is updated, but most reviewers seem to appear there:

http://recordreview.co.uk/reviewers.php

Thanks for this VodkaDilc.

Confession-time: I enjoy reading IRR copy in hand on the loo where this item is not usually accessible

[Don Petter]

Confession-time: I enjoy reading IRR copy in hand on the loo where this item is not usually accessible

The copy, the hand or the loo?

[jayne lee wilson]

I found IRR a depressing read this month - despite the august contributions of the two forum members who review for the magazine which remain excellent and illuminating - there are now far too many reviews by reviewers for whom I have little time and with whom I find I disagree all too often . Why so many reviews by Michael Jameson and Nicholas Salwey ?

I considered whether to go back to Gramophone instead but that appears to be slipping again judging from this month's issues - about half of the magazine before you get to the reviews which are getting well and truly on the short side again .

I suppose I should like to see most of Gramophone's writers given IRR length reviews - the old Gramophone ! and the present products don't cut the mustard .

Yes - a bit fed up with MJ here too... I think I still take Gramophone mainly because of that wonderful archive - but then, delving into it does remind you of what we've lost! Following a trail through Jon Swain's reviews of Haitink's Debussy releases recently - what eloquent models of comparison and analysis...

[richardfinegold]

Thanks for this VodkaDilc.

Confession-time: I enjoy reading IRR copy in hand on the loo where this item is not usually accessible

TMI

[Alison]

Yes - a bit fed up with MJ here too... I think I still take Gramophone mainly because of that wonderful archive - but then, delving into it does remind you of what we've lost! Following a trail through Jon Swain's reviews of Haitink's Debussy releases recently - what eloquent models of comparison and analysis...

Yes Jayne, an excellent example of what we're missing these days. A great shame that Sir Jonathan Swain has been lost to the world of written reviews. IRR could certainly do with a few heavyweights in their stable.

[Barbirollians]

Yes Jayne, an excellent example of what we're missing these days. A great shame that Sir Jonathan Swain has been lost to the world of written reviews. IRR could certainly do with a few heavyweights in their stable.

True enough there are too many claiming class reviewers IMO with the odd out and out selling plater.

[VodkaDilc]

True enough there are too many claiming class reviewers IMO with the odd out and out selling plater.

With respect, I don't understand this sentence. Not meaning to be rude!

[Alison]

With respect, I don't understand this sentence. Not meaning to be rude!

This is a rather apposite comparison with the classification of racehorses with those mentioned the lowest two grades out of ten.