BAL Topics

[french frank]

Why is the very complicated analysis we get of Wales’s rugby attacking style (on Six Nations yesterday) not to mention Rugby’s impenetrable ref decisions and all the expert commentary following it not considered elitist ? .

Of course. You're interested (in finding out) or you're not interested. If you're not interested in 'finding out', why expect a BBC radio station devoted to classical music to cater for your (non) interest? In the case of Radio 3, make that also jazz, world music, the arts ...

[Retune]

I have been looking at recent and forthcoming works discussed in BAL. Am I the only person disappointed by the choice of composers; all those discussed this season have been "standard repertory" composers, even if some of the works are not the most frequently performed by the composers (eg Stravinsky's Soldiers Tale, which requires an unusual combination of instruments plus actor(s)).

I'm not bothered by the choice of composers, but I'm not convinced that some pieces of major repertoire have to be re-reviewed quite so frequently, especially now that we have an accessible archive of previous editions. As often as not, the 'winner' is a back catalogue recording that was available to, but was passed over by, the previous reviewer just a few years earlier, rather than some revelatory new performance. The Saint-Saens Organ Symphony they did the other week is a case in point. An excellent programme, to be fair, but done in 2015 and four other times before that, and this time and the last a decades old recording was picked. There must be plenty of other major works that havn't been reassessed in 20 years, and significant but less well known pieces that have never been reviewed.

[CallMePaul]

To be fair to BaL CDMcG has invited suggestions from listeners several times...I've made a couple, but heard nothing since, the last time for Delius's Mass of Life. The problem is, as with the Bax and Bridge you mention there aren't enough versions of their works to make a program. Take Bax, I love the symphonies dearly but there just are not many recordings of each. That leaves the tone poems, and there may be enough Tintagels...but only just, same with my Delius above probably, although with the new one there are now five I think. What they have done occasionally is a general survey of a particular composer, but I find this unsatisfactory, I don't know about you.

By the way does anyone like the 'cosy chat' format rather than the studio made variety of old? Oh, and does anyone like the 10.30 slot?

Presto lists 26 recordingd of Bridge's Cello Sonata (I did a Summer BAL discussion on this but it did not attract alot of attention) which has been recorded by Rostropovich and Britten amongst others, and 14 of The Sea, surely enough for a BAL comparison. The most versions of a Bax symphony on Presto is 9, but a BAL on the works of Arnold Bax might open more ears.

[Roger Webb]

Presto lists 26 recordingd of Bridge's Cello Sonata (I did a Summer BAL discussion on this but it did not attract alot of attention) which has been recorded by Rostropovich and Britten amongst others, and 14 of The Sea, surely enough for a BAL comparison. The most versions of a Bax symphony on Presto is 9, but a BAL on the works of Arnold Bax might open more ears.

Yes, I'm amazed at the number of recordings of the Bridge Cello Sonata - the number of the Bridge 'The Sea' is a bit misleading, the actual number of CD recordings is only two...and one on SACD only, all the others are either re-releases of the same perf or just single movements (usually 'Seascape') - although I think, otherwise, this would make an ideal BaL.

The Bax is deceptive too, which Sym. are you claiming has 9 recordings? - I think 6th has the most: Handley Chandos (only in box of complete); Lloyd-Jones Naxos; Brydon Thompson Chandos (Download only); Bostock Classico; Del Mar Lyrita. So on CD you only have 4, and one of those is in a box of the complete. But I think a general survey of the Bax symphonies would be a great idea.

I've been a fan of Bax since the 70s when there was not much available....the Lyritas and a 3rd on RCA with Ed Downes (which doesn't seem to be available - I still have my LP!), so things have improved - I'm playing through the Handley's on Chandos now on Qobuz at 24bit 96k and sounding superb....the 6th is on now!

[smittims]

Bax was poorly served by the record industry until Richard Itter came along. I can remember when there were only two short works of his listed, both in old, reissued mono recordings. Chandos and Naxos have done him proud.

[Roger Webb]

Bax was poorly served by the record industry until Richard Itter came along. I can remember when there were only two short works of his listed, both in old, reissued mono recordings. Chandos and Naxos have done him proud.

I loved those early Lyrita Bax recordings, did you know Ken Russell put up some of the money to make the 1st and 2nd with Myer Fredman? - on the sleeve it reads ' Recorded in association with Ken Russell Enterprises'. Russell had been planning a film about Bax, but didn't get round to it until very late on...and I don't think the result was one of his finest.

[Barbirollians]

And the reponse of Mark Lowther, producer of Record Review::

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...adcasting.arts

This was of course long before the ghastly twofer format arrived.

[Retune]

Now I'm wondering if BaL has a future at all. Record Review is moving to a truncated 2 hour afternoon slot as the process of R3 morphing into Classic FM accelerates. Saturday mornings will be 3 hours of Tom Service:

https://www.for3.org/forums/forum/arts-ideas/radio-3-arts/1299587-radio-3-edging-away-from-speech

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/feb/26/a-james-bond-night-radio-3-boss-sam-jackson-shakeup-jools-holland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/new-classical-music-programming-tv-radio

[oliver sudden]

Is anyone else here a fan of La Tribune des critiques de disques? France Musique, in French of course (sorry), generally six recordings discussed by a panel of critics who are not told what they are. Can be incredibly insightful, depending of course on the critics and the selection—of course the critics have to talk about what they are actually hearing, which I freely admit has often helped me sharpen my ears (I have mentioned elsewhere here that the programme helped me find my way back to Kubelík’s Mahler a few years ago, for which I am most grateful). And the gasps of the critics when they have just eliminated their favourite recording are always jolly good fun.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Is anyone else here a fan of La Tribune des critiques de disques? France Musique, in French of course (sorry), generally six recordings discussed by a panel of critics who are not told what they are. Can be incredibly insightful, depending of course on the critics and the selection—of course the critics have to talk about what they are actually hearing, which I freely admit has often helped me sharpen my ears (I have mentioned elsewhere here that the programme helped me find my way back to Kubelík’s Mahler a few years ago, for which I am most grateful). And the gasps of the critics when they have just eliminated their favourite recording are always jolly good fun.

I have even more regret at not learning a foreign language. (For my purposes, here it would be a choice between German, French and Dutch). And a bet on which nation is most likely immune from trivialising its classical music provision.

Maybe increasing IT capability will provide simultaneous translation of speech (internet accessed) radio programmes? As to Record Review, its always been problematic - Saturday is often a busy day, but at least BAL was over at 10:15 previously. With Sounds its easy to wait for feedback as to whether its worth a serious listen, a background listen or a miss. And at my convenience.

[Roger Webb]

Is anyone else here a fan of La Tribune des critiques de disques? France Musique, in French of course (sorry), generally six recordings discussed by a panel of critics who are not told what they are. Can be incredibly insightful, depending of course on the critics and the selection—of course the critics have to talk about what they are actually hearing, which I freely admit has often helped me sharpen my ears (I have mentioned elsewhere here that the programme helped me find my way back to Kubelík’s Mahler a few years ago, for which I am most grateful). And the gasps of the critics when they have just eliminated their favourite recording are always jolly good fun.

Yes, big fan! I first encountered it whilst staying in a cottage in France which only had FM radio, and I tuned-in out of curiosity, and there it was! The first one was a revelation: Maurice Delage's 'Quatre poèmes hindous', a work I had always loved in a couple of versions....Baker (they laughed when that came on!) and Lott (which they liked). But the palme went Sofie von Otter with an honourable mention to Sabine Devieilhe.

[ucanseetheend]

So Record review moving to a Saturday Afternoon? Sacrilege! After at least 60 years. RIP

[oliver sudden]

Yes, big fan! I first encountered it whilst staying in a cottage in France which only had FM radio, and I tuned-in out of curiosity, and there it was! The first one was a revelation: Maurice Delage's 'Quatre poèmes hindous', a work I had always loved in a couple of versions....Baker (they laughed when that came on!) and Lott (which they liked). But the palme went Sofie von Otter with an honourable mention to Sabine Devieilhe.

Also a big fan of that piece since encountering the Upshaw recording. (The only time I’ve heard it in concert, all the cello retunings really chopped it up.)

I’m pretty sure I heard that particular programme as well, although having had the Otter for ages, the one I marked down for future reference was conducted by Cluytens. Don’t remember who was singing. Unlikely to have been Mrs Cluytens.

[Barbirollians]

So Record review moving to a Saturday Afternoon? Sacrilege! After at least 60 years. RIP

And for what three hours of Tom Service on Saturday mornings !

[Serial_Apologist]

Yes, big fan! I first encountered it whilst staying in a cottage in France which only had FM radio, and I tuned-in out of curiosity, and there it was! The first one was a revelation: Maurice Delage's 'Quatre poèmes hindous', a work I had always loved in a couple of versions....Baker (they laughed when that came on!) and Lott (which they liked). But the palme went Sofie von Otter with an honourable mention to Sabine Devieilhe.

Someone just mentions Maurice Delage on the forum - and as being featured on Radio 3. Many many thanks - wonders will never cease! Perhaps some time we will get a broadcast of Delage's later Sept Haiku, for similar instrumentation and post "Sacre" harmonies:

Could fit in the palm of a hand or between two chat exchanges!