BaL 23.12.23 - Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty

[Alison]

My dad says it was often remarked that the LSO strings weren’t up to scratch in the mid to late seventies. How times have changed!

[Ein Heldenleben]

My dad says it was often remarked that the LSO strings weren’t up to scratch in the mid to late seventies. How times have changed!

The standard of string playing in London orchestras (including the Royal Opera and ENO) is generally better than it was fifty years ago.I suspect it’s an influx of foreign players esp European and Asian. I also wonder whether the Colleges have considerably upped their game.

[Maclintick]

Ah! Only read this, Maclintick, after posting the above. We are of one mind (or two ears…) [/COLOR]

Glad to learn of your trombonistical proclivities, Nick - keep practising ! ( off-topic, I know, but if you missed it I'd thoroughly recommend the BBCSO/Oramo Sibelius concert -- 8th Dec so still on I-player -- where Helen Vollam graced a superb performance of the 7th with her resplendently sonorous playing. 6th equally excellent,BTW)

[Nick Armstrong]

Glad to learn of your trombonistical proclivities, Nick - keep practising ! ( off-topic, I know, but if you missed it I'd thoroughly recommend the BBCSO/Oramo Sibelius concert -- 8th Dec so still on I-player -- where Helen Vollam graced a superb performance of the 7th with her resplendently sonorous playing. 6th equally excellent,BTW)

(I heard it! Excellent!)

[mikealdren]

The standard of string playing in London orchestras (including the Royal Opera and ENO) is generally better than it was fifty years ago.I suspect it’s an influx of foreign players esp European and Asian. I also wonder whether the Colleges have considerably upped their game.

I suspect a major factor has been the wonderful instrumental teaching in state schools that started in the 1960s but is now almost extinct.

[Sir Velo]

And professional journalist broadcasters like Ed Seckerson dont even get asked now. Perhaps the producers likes amateurs and AM can jump in at anytime.

Wasn't Seckerson earlier this year on Mahler 6?

I do agree with the wider point that the quality of reviewers has deteriorated as has the overall quality of the programme since the move to the wretched "twofer".. I don't think I've heard more than half a dozen BALs through to the end this year, shocking for a feature which was once required listening.

[Goon525]

And professional journalist broadcasters like Ed Seckerson dont even get asked now. Perhaps the producers likes amateurs and AM can jump in at anytime.

Isn’t his job merely to say how much better the Bernstein version is than anyone else’s?

[visualnickmos]

Oh dear.Great performance by Mariinsky band.As ever Russian orchestra playing home composer the best.Also the RNO /Pletnev on a double is very good.Russian strings the best!

It's nothing to do with the performance; Gergiev is the pollutant.

[ucanseetheend]

Wasn't Seckerson earlier this year on Mahler 6?

I do agree with the wider point that the quality of reviewers has deteriorated as has the overall quality of the programme since the move to the wretched "twofer".. I don't think I've heard more than half a dozen BALs through to the end this year, shocking for a feature which was once required listening.

yes in January and hasn't been on since .But I gather he is pretty busy with his musical magazine contributions and other classical and theatre interviews

[ucanseetheend]

Isn’t his job merely to say how much better the Bernstein version is than anyone else’s?

Ah.someone hasn't actually noted his BAL recommended selections!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I had the 6-CD Previn boxset, but on learning that it was incomplete, I splashed out £11.99 on the 7-CD update this week. I’ve yet to test the Dance of the Snowflakes in The Nutcracker to see if the choral distortion is still apparent (as it was on the LP and earlier CD pressings).

[visualnickmos]

I had the 6-CD Previn boxset, but on learning that it was incomplete, I splashed out £11.99 on the 7-CD update this week. I’ve yet to test the Dance of the Snowflakes in The Nutcracker to see if the choral distortion is still apparent (as it was on the LP and earlier CD pressings).

I checked, and found that both boxes were the same - just the split tracks that were in the 6 CD set, were eliminated, thus stretching the set to 7 CDs. I may have not checked carefully, enough....

[voltisubito]

I checked, and found that both boxes were the same - just the split tracks that were in the 6 CD set, were eliminated, thus stretching the set to 7 CDs. I may have not checked carefully, enough....

The main difference is explained here (assuming you are referring to the same sets). Apart from the extra music in the 7 CD set and the acts no longer split across discs, the longer numbers within each act are now split (e.g. the Prologue Pas de six has separate tracks for each fairy's variation).

[Maclintick]

Bought the RNO/Pletnev discounted at Presto. It’s terrific.

[mikealdren]

Bought the RNO/Pletnev discounted at Presto. It’s terrific.

Followed your lead, for £2.76 on Ebay I couldn't turn it down.