Britten chat

[Nick Armstrong]

Anyone hear it? Any good? Need to catch-up, if so.

(Did they clarify / play extracts from the recent quartet recordings - Endellion 2 / Belcea / Takacs... ?)

[Mary Chambers]

I'm not particularly interested in comparing recordings, but it sounded pretty lively to me, and those names certainly got a mention, though I can't remember which versions were played.

I'm listening to all programmes, with varying degrees of concentration.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

(Did they clarify / play extracts from the recent quartet recordings - Endellion 2 / Belcea / Tackacs... ?)

They certainly did, with several extracts from each quartet (and a mention for yours truly).

A very enjoyable discussion, with Kenneth Sillito recounting his experiences playing for Britten. A good overview of Decca's 'Britten the Performer' set as well - I especially liked Curzon in the Mozart. Also interesting to hear about recording in Snape Maltings and how difficult the acoustic it is when empty. I wish they'd had longer so other Britten releases this year could have been considered.

[Nick Armstrong]

They certainly did, with several extracts from each quartet (and a mention for yours truly).

Great - I wanna try before I buy

[Richard Tarleton]

An excellent couple of hours, likewise the session from 1-2 followed by Curlew River. (I was out enjoying the sunshine 11-1).

The only sour note was when Andrew (who was talking to Messrs Bridcut and Sillito at the time) read out a tweet/text from some numbskull who'd tweeted (or whatever) to say that apart from a couple of works he thought Britten was overrated. Without dwelling on the state of mind of the individual who thought this an appropriate message to send on this occasion, why bother reading it out? There seemed to be an uncomfortable silence for a second or two.

[Nick Armstrong]

some numbskull who'd tweeted (or whatever) to say that apart from a couple of works he thought Britten was overrated.

They have made some play online of the contribution of the above gentleman (Mr Hassell as he is known to his acquaintances) who apparently recanted subsequently:

[Anna]

read out a tweet/text from some numbskull who'd tweeted (or whatever) to say that apart from a couple of works he thought Britten was overrated. Without dwelling on the state of mind of the individual who thought this an appropriate message to send on this occasion, why bother reading it out? There seemed to be an uncomfortable silence for a second or two.

Yes! This mania for Tweets has to stop! Now! (I heard it too) As my neighbour's Aged Aunt said to me, whilst we were discussing R3 "What does it add to the programme"
Edit: Just seen Cali's above. So, I suppose they think it's funny? Seems very childish to me.

[Richard Tarleton]

Interesting, Cali,. thanks for that! Have you an emoticon of someone being crushed by 10 ton block, Monty Python style, or buried by a load of manure?

[Nick Armstrong]

Interesting, Cali,. thanks for that! Have you an emoticon of someone being crushed by 10 ton block, Monty Python style, or buried by a load of manure?

I don't - but also don't think one is required. Your comment was perfectly reasonable!

[Mary Chambers]

I've never heard these interviews about Albert Herring, from 1947, before. Britten was what, 33? Did he ever sound young?

[Richard Tarleton]

I've been dipping in and out of the Britten weekend on 3 and should just like to say I've really enjoyed what I've heard. Well done Radio 3. Of the spoken parts I've particularly enjoyed John Bridcut's contributions. Lots of lovely atmosphere from my favourite part of the world.

Also thanks to Sky Arts. Currently recording for future viewing - the Tony Palmer Death in Venice. Already watched and recorded for repeat viewing, the Jamie Walton Britten cello suites from Blythburgh Church - outstanding.

[Hornspieler]

Whose centenary will it be in 2014?

Never mind - I'm looking forward to it.

HS

[amateur51]

I think the BBC's Britten Centenary output this last weekend has been the best thing the BBC has done for ages.

I'm planning to catch-up on the many programmes I missed via i-Player and well as hearing/watching some programmes for a second time. Really it has been worth the modest Licence fee on its own. I'm gratefully amazed & delighted

[DracoM]

And if it means that someone noticed Tom Service gibbering and faffing and talking non-stop in apparent interviews through everyone and everything - in marked contrast to the generally compsed Suzy Klein - maybe Service will be taken out of........yeah, you get it.

Bridcut was worth it.

[Mary Chambers]

I loved the fact that the centenary celebrations weren't retrospective. It was all so lively, a real sense of occasion and involvement. The professional contributions were excellent, but I think I valued most the Friday Afternoons project (100,000 children in different countries singing Britten songs on his birthday) and the very tear-jerking Noye's Fludde from Lowestoft. How those would have pleased Britten!

(Not sure what all this is doing on the CD Review thread, but never mind.)