BaL 12.07.14 - Wagner: Siegfried Idyll

[Pabmusic]

I had no idea that Siegfried Wagner had recorded the work. I've done a quick search, but haven't been able to find a link. If anyone can help?

It came out on CD, issued by Trax (I have it!):

http://www.discogs.com/Siegfried-Wagner-Siegfried-Conducts-Richard-Wagner/release/5014538

[Pabmusic]

I think it's rather more than just a 'pleasant' piece...

Yes I agree. Remember what it represents - an unbroken movement of (?) 19 minutes of generally slow, accumulative music that's easy to assimilate. In 1870 or so. How impressive is that!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What a fascinating BaL so far - one of the very best, perhaps, and a good one to end the season.

Well, yerrrs, Lord Copper - aside from the obligatory dissing of Karajan (in context, the passage played works - and the colours Herbie conjures from the players was completely ignored - and if Siggy's oedipal muckings-about of his father's score is so highly esteemed, Karajan's fidelity deserves more careful consideration) and the obligatory Abbado recommendation (a very good performance, but not as fine as others that were illustrated, I thought: why was this 1980s recording not released until just after the conductor's death, I wonder).

Good to hear Cantelli: a recording I borrowed from a Public Library forty years ago, played about sixty times that week, and haven't heard since! (A tape editing giltch at the start of Bar 259 - a side change on 78s???) and the Boult and Klemperer readings were interesting, too. Wasn't that keen on Marriner.

But no reservations about the wealth of information contained in this BaL - how I wish they'd reintroduce a Performance History programme on the lines of Interpretations on Record into the schedules.

[Nick Armstrong]

But no reservations about the wealth of information contained in this BaL - how I wish they'd reintroduce a Performance History programme on the lines of Interpretations on Record into the schedules.

Still think the Karajan sounds narcissistic to the nth degree though...

[Flosshilde]

the Boult and Klemperer readings were interesting, too.

Except that I thought the Boult had rather too much tension & drama; fine if you're thinking of it in operatic terms, but is that what you'd really want to wake up to on your birthday on Christmas morning? I'm not saying that I'd want it to be Smooth Classics (FM) style, but Boult sounded too driven - a brisk getting up rather than luxuriating in bed & your husband's love.

[Pabmusic]

E... a brisk getting up rather than luxuriating in bed & your husband's love.

I can't disagree, but can you imagine Sir Adrian "luxuriating in bed"… (with a mug of Horlicks)?

[Flosshilde]

I'm not familiar enough with him to comment . But I also wonder if Cosima was the luxuriating type (although she did spend enough time in bed with Richard before they married to produce three children by him). She does seem to emanate an air of briskness.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Still think the Karajan sounds narcissistic to the nth degree though...

I thought it just sounded sluggish! But in the context of the whole (Live [-ish]) performance, it's a moment of mystery; the Music shimmering around E minor before moving to E major (and then onto F major) - the tempo Karajan "choses" takes its basis from the previous section (the Horn solo with birdsong Clarinet & Flute) as Wagner requires Lebhaft ( = "slowly") as well as continuing the G pedal from that section. The change of instrumental timbre of that pedal note (from second Horn to [solo] Double Bass) gives Karajan his cue to emphasize the subtle differences in timbre between lower and upper strings as they share the triplet material.

I can't argue against anyone who finds it "too lebhaft" for how they would prefer the work to be played, and I wouldn't describe it as my favourite recording of the piece; but what Karajan and his players do comes from the score, not the conductor's personal vanity. And, in context, it works beautifully.

[Pabmusic]

I'm not familiar enough with him to comment . But I also wonder if Cosima was the luxuriating type (although she did spend enough time in bed with Richard before they married to produce three children by him). She does seem to emanate an air of briskness.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Except that I thought the Boult had rather too much tension & drama; fine if you're thinking of it in operatic terms, but is that what you'd really want to wake up to on your birthday on Christmas morning? I'm not saying that I'd want it to be Smooth Classics (FM) style, but Boult sounded too driven - a brisk getting up rather than luxuriating in bed & your husband's love.

Fairy Nuff (and I did use the word "interesting") - but on those grounds I'd also criticize all performances that didn't use the "solo" strings of that First performance. If it's given in its big sound guise, then I've no objection to a bit more fire being brought out.

D'you know - I think this must be the only time that I've heard anyone has criticized Boult for being "too dramatic"! Just suggests what one might get up to in the morning with a luxuriating mug of Horlics to help! (Seven Shades of Biege?)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It came out on CD, issued by Trax (I have it!):

http://www.discogs.com/Siegfried-Wag...elease/5014538

Thanks for that. It doesn't appear to be obtainable any more.

But I'll keep looking. It isn't on YouTube either, as far I can see…

STOP PRESS!!! Here it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOZcLIrQnSg

[Tony Halstead]

Thanks for that. It doesn't appear to be obtainable any more.

But I'll keep looking. It isn't on YouTube either, as far I can see…

STOP PRESS!!! Here it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOZcLIrQnSg

16 minutes 7 seconds. Astonishing.
Beautiful horn playing, sounds a bit like Dennis Brain but clearly it couldn't have been... most probably Dennis's father Aubrey.

[verismissimo]

Thanks for that. It doesn't appear to be obtainable any more.

But I'll keep looking. It isn't on YouTube either, as far I can see…

STOP PRESS!!! Here it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOZcLIrQnSg

Well found, Alpie. Made my day.

[BBMmk2]

Which one was chosen?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Which one was chosen?

Hint. When a particular Italian conductor, who recently passed away, has made a recording of a BaL work, his normally wins.