BaL 2.04.16 - Brahms: Violin Sonata no. 1 in G

[rauschwerk]

My 'problem' or rather - issue - with this one is that I find the sound sort of old-fashioned, a bit ancient....

I submit that there is nothing technically wrong with the Suk recording. The technician was Kenneth Wilkinson, whose work is regularly lauded on these boards. But 50 years ago, chamber music was recorded in much less ample acoustics than we have since become used to. So, in the Kingsway Hall on this occasion, KW took the mikes in fairly close to give the usual smallish-room sound.

[umslopogaas]

I have three on LP on the opening list: Stern and Zakin, Katchen and Suk, David Oistrakh and Bauer. I also have one on LP, Menuhin and Kentner, which isnt on the list, unless I missed it, on HMV ASD 474. Surprising that two such famous players havent made it to CD, or maybe they did and it isnt currently available. I shant be in the market for any more.

[richardfinegold]

I submit that there is nothing technically wrong with the Suk recording. The technician was Kenneth Wilkinson, whose work is regularly lauded on these boards. But 50 years ago, chamber music was recorded in much less ample acoustics than we have since become used to. So, in the Kingsway Hall on this occasion, KW took the mikes in fairly close to give the usual smallish-room sound.

It sounds somewhat cramped and veiled, especially so on a highly resolving system. Certainly not unlistenable. I've been listening quite a bit to Oistrakh/Oborin Beethoven Sonatas of a similar vintage, also Decca recordings, which are worse than the Suk. I'd still rather have the superior musicianship of these fine players (Suk, Oistrakh, etc) in less than
stellar sonics, but it is a bit of a pity that the full glory of their playing isn't optimally reproduced

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I thought the Mullova a complete travesty. You seemed to be inside the lid of the piano, with the violin hardly audible and the players in an empty swimming pool. Can't think why it was ever considered.

Having just listened to a recording of the broadcast, I admit to finding the violin/piano balance quite realistic. A piano is a big instrument and by its very nature is likely to swamp a small instrument like a violin. Balance can only be achieved by the players themselves acknowledging this natural difference.

[vinteuil]

.... A piano is a big instrument and by its very nature is likely to swamp a small instrument like a violin. Balance can only be achieved by the players themselves acknowledging this natural difference.

... another way is to use the kind of instruments which the composer might have had in mind.

[verismissimo]

... another way is to use the kind of instruments which the composer might have had in mind.

That would be Faust / Melnikov... Which I enjoyed, particularly for the 1875 piano.

[teamsaint]

Having just listened to a recording of the broadcast, I admit to finding the violin/piano balance quite realistic. A piano is a big instrument and by its very nature is likely to swamp a small instrument like a violin. Balance can only be achieved by the players themselves acknowledging this natural difference.

big is relative.

Mine is exactly 6 octaves, but rather attractive, and sounds pretty decent.



well, not when I play it, obviously.

[ardcarp]

Having just listened to a recording of the broadcast, I admit to finding the violin/piano balance quite realistic. A piano is a big instrument and by its very nature is likely to swamp a small instrument like a violin. Balance can only be achieved by the players themselves acknowledging this natural difference.

One of my 'things' is that when there is a duo (violin-piano, flute-piano, singer-piano, whatever) the current trend is to have the lid of the massive Model D Steinway fully open. What is the short-prop for? IMVHO pianists often swamp soloists in the concert hall...or at least make them play/sing louder and often more stridently than is necessary. I suppose the artists are aware of all this...but one does wonder. I was sitting at the back of a medium-sized concert venue a few years ago with a retired professional cellist. We were listening to a certain Russian pianist (not known as a shrinking violet) 'accompanying' a Russian cellist. The latter, for all his furious sawing, was virtually inaudible. My companion (elderly, female) said 'He might as well **** off home'.

[Nick Armstrong]

I'm spitting feathers, just as when a newspaper article is headed with a picture which is given no caption as to where it is.

BaL was introduced with the start of the work, and I thought 'beautiful, I'll take that one now', but we were never told who were playing it! How to upset your listeners in one easy stroke.

Exactly my thoughts - and it's NOT the first time this has happened.

Indeed it isn't - I had similar thoughts to you, Don, during the Mozart Requiem BAL (though perhaps I wasn't quite as annoyed... ).

I suggest an email to david.papp@bbc.co.uk - he kindly replied to my email to the programme on that occasion:

Apologies for the late reply. It was the Peter Schreier/Dresden Staatskapelle/Philips recording.

Best wishes,
David
(producer, Record Review)