Haydn Cello Concertos

[Barbirollians]

Any fool can be a "critic" in these days of the internet etc. There used to be an old disparaging thing about teaching: "If you can't Do it Teach it!". Could be equally well said about critics. If they are so marvellous why aren't they the ones performing and recording?

I think we all value critics who know their stuff technically and are balanced in their understanding the approach and execution of a given performance. We avoid those that base judgements on dogma [ except of course when theya gree with us!! .

Beautifully put Gordon . I agree entirely but we don't put ourselves forward as critics on here just music lovers with opinions .

The reviewer in question is/was a cellist but the catalogues do not seem to be groaning with lists of his records .

[vinteuil]

Any fool can be a "critic" in these days of the internet etc. There used to be an old disparaging thing about teaching: "If you can't Do it Teach it!". Could be equally well said about critics. If they are so marvellous why aren't they the ones performing and recording?

... because being a critic is a different skill from being a performer. As Johnson put it : "You may abuse a tragedy, though you cannot write one. You may scold a carpenter who has made you a bad table, though you cannot make a table. It is not your trade to make tables."

[Sir Velo]

... because being a critic is a different skill from being a performer. As Johnson put it : "You may abuse a tragedy, though you cannot write one. You may scold a carpenter who has made you a bad table, though you cannot make a table. It is not your trade to make tables."

When I read a review of a theatrical performance, I don't demand that the critic is a knight (or dame) thespian.

Do we read a review of a car only if the reviewer is Nigel Mansell or Jenson Button?

Can no one review a restaurant unless they are a Michelin starred chef?

Richard Osborne is, IMV, a great critic but I don't see his name down as a former conductor of the LSO. The fact that a critic can't make music does not deny them the faculty of being able to distinguish a great performance from a poor one.

[MickyD]

Even so, has anyone ever seen any statues of a critic?

[Bryn]

Even so, has anyone ever seen any statues of a critic?

Sure[sic], GBS.

[vinteuil]

Even so, has anyone ever seen any statues of a critic?

... there is a statue of Samuel Johnson in the Strand near St Clement Danes - and also this rather fine one in Lichfield :

https://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/lucas/3.html

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... there is a statue of Samuel Johnson in the Strand near St Clement Danes - and also this rather fine one in Lichfield :

www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/lucas/3.html

Whereas you have to go to Canada to see one of Corno di Bassetto:

http://www.enjoyontario.ca/niagara-on-the-lake/photos/100_3769.html

[MickyD]

Interesting. I wonder how many now would clamour for statues of our critics today?

[gamba]

Han Na Chang - to get back to Haydn again. Just listen & take a look at her on utube. Takes years of your life !

Music for a young person - watch & be bewitched !!

[Barbirollians]

When I read a review of a theatrical performance, I don't demand that the critic is a knight (or dame) thespian.

Do we read a review of a car only if the reviewer is Nigel Mansell or Jenson Button?

Can no one review a restaurant unless they are a Michelin starred chef?

Richard Osborne is, IMV, a great critic but I don't see his name down as a former conductor of the LSO. The fact that a critic can't make music does not deny them the faculty of being able to distinguish a great performance from a poor one.

No I agree but it seems to me that often those critics are much better and more open minded than those who do play a particular instrument and who have an instinctive preference for performances like those they would wish to achieve had they been given the chance or ability.

[Barbirollians]

Han Na Chang - to get back to Haydn again. Just listen & take a look at her on utube. Takes years of your life !

Music for a young person - watch & be bewitched !!

She seems to have not quite had the meteoric career once expected but I had heard rumours she could be quite demanding .

[Barbirollians]

I greatly enjoy Rostropovich in both concerti. He is definitely my favourite in the C major concerto (the recording on Decca with the ECO under Britten). However, my true favourite for the D major concerto is with Maurice Gendron with the Lamoureux Orchestra conducted by Pablo Casals a long deleted Philips recording.

Interesting, I am also a fan of the Rostropovich/Britten - I did not know there were remakes with Marriner - The Gendron/Casals sounds fascinating and it was apparently coupled with the first recording of the Boccherini without the Grutzmacher additions. I remain very keen on the du Pre recordings both in C with Barenboim and in D with Barbirolli.

[mikealdren]

Yes the Gendron/Casals is excellent. I've loved it since I bought the LP. It's partly down to Casals loving conducting of the two scores and the obvious empathy between the two cellists.

Certainly not HIPP but strongly recommended.

Mike