Building a Library - General Discussion

[Dave2002]

Starting the day with some calculus would work better for many of us , commuters for example, if we had an integrated transport system......

... as opposed to a lot of differentiated operators, I suppose.

[Serial_Apologist]

... as opposed to a lot of differentiated operators, I suppose.

Differential calculators, or deferential....?

[Darloboy]

Eugene Onegin scheduled for 19 September. Hopefully a new programme and not a repeat of the 1994 broadcast ;)

[visualnickmos]

Eugene Onegin scheduled for 19 September. Hopefully a new programme and not a repeat of the 1994 broadcast )

Bring a book, 'just in case!'

[Pulcinella]

Well, the website does say

9.30am
Building a Library
Nicholas Baragwanath joins Andrew to discuss different recordings of Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky's tale of emotional repression and hidden love, working towards the must-have performance.

so not a repeat (though we do have to suffer another twofer!).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

How BaL could be improved

I think it’s clear that twoferism is in full swing today. Completely unnecessary interruptions.

[Goon525]

Yes, she knows her onions, and I like her. But what I find frustrating about the way BaL is run now, even more than the twofer format, is how few versions get a look in. Was it six or seven out of dozens? No classic Sawallisch (admittedly hampered by its recording quality), either of the JEGs, Ticciati etc etc. There was no indication she’d even listened to any of these. Not her fault, but it’s reducing the value of the exercise for me.

[Pulcinella]

Yes, she knows her onions, and I like her. But what I find frustrating about the way BaL is run now, even more than the twofer format, is how few versions get a look in. Was it six or seven out of dozens? No classic Sawallisch (admittedly hampered by its recording quality), either of the JEGs, Ticciati etc etc. There was no indication she’d even listened to Amy of these. Not her fault, but it’s reducing the value of the exercise for me.

As others have suggested, maybe we should try to encourage the powers that be to publish their shortlists in advance.
Then, we'd know what to expect, and be able to have a good old moan about our favourites on Alpie's longlists that don't feature in the shortlist.

[DracoM]

Yes - why not publish the long list and that would actually give the irredeemably AWFUL twofer format a chance to move forward faster.

PS would be interesting to know how many people switch off BAL whenever there is a twofer. Esp with AMcG. R3 just do NOT get it, do they? How many reporting
fora from engaged listeners give them daily feedback as much as we do here? Is it part of his contract? Do any of the critics refuse to participate if AMcG is due to be on, and then bullies and interrupts and cajoles?

[Ein Heldenleben]

Yes, she knows her onions, and I like her. But what I find frustrating about the way BaL is run now, even more than the twofer format, is how few versions get a look in. Was it six or seven out of dozens? No classic Sawallisch (admittedly hampered by its recording quality), either of the JEGs, Ticciati etc etc. There was no indication she’d even listened to any of these. Not her fault, but it’s reducing the value of the exercise for me.

Good point. I’m pretty sure BALs in the past drew from a wider range and there was a FA Cup style honing down and discarding of competing versions leaving two or three for the final.Maybe they thought that was becoming a bit of a cliche. I’m still reeling from Marina’s depth of knowledge and that massive rit. before the big horn moment in the Bernstein slow movt. I wonder if he ever crunched the gears when driving....

[Barbirollians]

She doesn’t need any help does she?

How many more extracts might we have heard or recordings discussed without these interruptions.

[gurnemanz]

PS would be interesting to know how many people switch off BAL whenever there is a twofer.

Some BaLs are worse than others. I did not switch off today but did find myself only half listening.

[visualnickmos]

Yes, she knows her onions, and I like her. But what I find frustrating about the way BaL is run now, even more than the twofer format, is how few versions get a look in. Was it six or seven out of dozens? No classic Sawallisch (admittedly hampered by its recording quality), either of the JEGs, Ticciati etc etc. There was no indication she’d even listened to any of these. Not her fault, but it’s reducing the value of the exercise for me.

I agree. She's good, and I enjoyed HER narrative. I think when BaL was conceived, there far fewer 'available' recordings (indeed, even styles) to start with, and many music-lovers would have only one version of a piece. Problem, now with such a vast array of recordings, the present parameters of BaL are inadequte. A bit like trying to cram an orchestra into a Mini.

[visualnickmos]

Reading through this thread from start to finish, it really does seem that BaL is a dead duck.

[Edgy 2]

Reading through this thread from start to finish, it really does seem that BaL is a dead duck.

It is for me,I don’t listen nowadays