BaL 17.01.15 - Berg: Wozzeck

[LeMartinPecheur]

I hope the Segerstam/ Naxos one doesn't get pushed out too quickly, so I don't feel obliged to get another one! (On grounds of lack of shelfspace, not disrespect to the work.)

Hopes dashed!

May have to buy the recommendation...

...and send Mr Segerstam to Oxfam to make room.

[Flosshilde]

If you like the one you've got, why replace it?

[LeMartinPecheur]

If you like the one you've got, why replace it?

Have to admit that some of the singing we heard did sound more fluent and, um, beautiful...

...and the reviewer's comments about actual wrong notes have rather dented my confidence in it It wasn't a set I really felt was the bee's knees or the dog's b***locks, but still hoped might sneak in as a surprise left-field wild card, unexpectedly, if you follow me

[Flosshilde]

Ah well, in that case ...

At least you won't have lost too many £s dumping the Naxos recording.

[Black Swan]

I also have the Segerstam.... I bought it because of the price and that Katarina Delayman was singing Marie, as she is a favourite Soprano for me. I have the Barenboim DVD with Waltraud Meier singing Marie as well yet again because she has always been a favourite.

I think I will have another listen to both. The Abbado is also available on DVD from the river people.

I did really enjoy todays BAL.

[ardcarp]

I found Gillian Moore to be a useful guide but I did wonder whether she she concentrated too much on explaining the story of the opera at the expense of deeper analysis of the merits of the various recordings.

I was glad of Gillian Moore's approach. I felt she used 'the story' as a way of structuring the programme, and as I haven't really had much exposure to Wozzeck since university days the reminders were welcome. (I am wondering what that LP set might have been c.1965? I don't think many versions were available.)

[umslopogaas]

It might have been the DG version with DFD and Evelyn Lear, cond. Bohm. The LPs are dated 1965 and received a Grand Prix du Disque.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I am wondering what that LP set might have been c.1965? I don't think many versions were available.

I think that only the Mitropoulos or the Böhm were readily available at that time (the Böhm just released in 1965).

[ardcarp]

Thanks both. I was fairly sure it wasn't Bohm because I'd have remembered DF-D. I looked up the Mitropoulos and found an image of the old LP...and that's it!

[Don Petter]

I think that only the Mitropoulos or the Böhm were readily available at that time (the Böhm just released in 1965).

The Bohm, issued in late 1965, was the only recording available in that year. The 1951 Mitropoulos, which was issued in 1961 in the Philips Modern Music series had gone by mid 1964, and the Boulez was not to come until early 1967.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The Bohm, issued in late 1965, was the only recording available in that year. The 1951 Mitropoulos, which was issued in 1961 in the Philips Modern Music series had gone by mid 1964, and the Boulez was not to come until early 1967.

"Available" to buy in the shops, perhaps DonP (although the Mitropoulos might still have been on some shelves a year later) - but ardy did say "c 1965" and was talking about "university days", so may have been talking about what was available there?

[Don Petter]

"Available" to buy in the shops, perhaps DonP (although the Mitropoulos might still have been on some shelves a year later) - but ardy did say "c 1965" and was talking about "university days", so may have been talking about what was available there?

I think it was gurny, not ardy, who got it from the library while at university, but at that time it would have had to be either Mitropoulos or Bohm, I agree.

[Nick Armstrong]

I found Gillian Moore to be a useful guide but I did wonder whether she she concentrated too much on explaining the story of the opera at the expense of deeper analysis of the merits of the various recordings.

True - probably why I found it interesting, as I know next to nothing about the opera (I'm familiar with the story from the Werner Herzog film). It's not really a piece I feel the need to have in the house.

[VodkaDilc]

I hope the Segerstam/ Naxos one doesn't get pushed out too quickly, so I don't feel obliged to get another one! (On grounds of lack of shelfspace, not disrespect to the work.)

I'm happy with that recording. I think the reviewer only dismissed it so quickly on the grounds of stage noises in a live performance - something which does not bother me.

[edashtav]

I'm happy with that recording. I think the reviewer only dismissed it so quickly on the grounds of stage noises in a live performance - something which does not bother me.

I thought that Gillian Moore was further dissatisfied with the Segerstram version because he allowed his singers such latitude w.r.t pitching Sprechgesang.