BaL 22.03.14 - Mozart's Coronation Mass

[Bryn]

By the way, please note that the 2014 'First Choice' re-issue of the Pinnock is not only appears to be available for less than the previous issue, it also offers "exclusive" access to a recording of Symphony 25, presumably an mp3 download.

[aeolium]

I thought JS coped well with the discussion format, though it isn't as good as the straight "report" format - why don't they ever disagree about anything?! I was glad to hear the Colin Davis version which for some reason I had not heard before. I still think the ASMF version, of which a brief extract was heard early on, is a very good one but the Pinnock sounded impressive as did the Nethsinga one with the boys' choir. A shame that Kubelik's BRSO recording did not get a mention AFAIR, especially as there were extracts from two Karajan recordings.

[I would have liked to have heard JS give us his real uncensored thoughts about recordings as mentioned in his note jottings - who was that shrieking soprano?]

[gurnemanz]

A trivial point but slight anomaly maybe: he said was he was listening "blind" (laudable approach) to CDs, yet the selections - and one winner - included download only versions.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Oxygen for Alpie, please - he's been in the refined Alpine heights too long (well, Mr Maaaaaaazel's "priviledged" tempi can have that effect) and he's off about his favoured imaginary "establishment" again.

Now there's an argument relying on desperate measures, seeking the most extreme example available - like Bernstein's Enigma Variations.

[slarty]

Now there's an argument relying on desperate measures, seeking the most extreme example available - like Bernstein's Enigma Variations.

Bravo Alpie, I'm with you all the way on this, BTW did you hear this morning the excerpt from Harding's Alpensinfonie on CD review - a live recording coming in at 51 minutes and
the reviewer thought it a little fast! Sorry - OT!

[Bryn]

A trivial point but slight anomaly maybe: he said was he was listening "blind" (laudable approach) to CDs, yet the selections - and one winner - included download only versions.

Well the claim that the Davis is only available as a download was just plain wrong. The Philips Duo album which includes it is easily available, and cheaply, even if only "new" as an import.

[I see the bottom price for "new" via the amazon.co.uk marketplace has just gone up a bit. Still good though.]

[aeolium]

In which case perhaps the result should have been a tie between Davis and Pinnock, as it was only CD availability which decided it in favour of Pinnock.

[Flosshilde]

As is so often the case with titles the name 'Coronation' was only applied after Mozart's death; I liked the suggestion that it could have been called the 'Job application' Mass as M wrote it to apply for a post; the suggestion that he was a bit put out because it had to be short suggests another title - the 'Petulant Mass'

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In which case perhaps the result should have been a tie between Davis and Pinnock, as it was only CD availability which decided it in favour of Pinnock.

Yeah, but Colin Davis ain't HIPP.

[Bryn]

Yeah, but Colin Davis ain't HIPP.

Really? Again it appears that you were not listening. Modern instruments, certainly, but one of the main points in his favour was his HIPP interpretation of Mozart's tempo characterisations.

[amateur51]

Really? Again it appears that you were not listening. Modern instruments, certainly, but one of the main points in his favour was his HIPP interpretation of Mozart's tempo characterisations.

I hope Sir Colin was listening and felt Summerly's approval

Time & again Pinnock's recordings do well on BAL - why not Sir Trevor by this?

[Flosshilde]

Perhaps Brenda isn't HIPP?

[MickyD]

She's more likely to be up for an artificial HIP, I think.

[Barbirollians]

What happened to the Hogwood?

[BBMmk2]

I rather liked the Colin Davis(as he was then), the only disadvantaged is it's only available on download