BaL 24.09.16 - Chopin: Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor

[Thropplenoggin]

I thought far too few recordings discussed -where were Fliter, Vasary,Perahia for example.No doubt partly because 15 minutes or so lost to McGregor's interjections.,

I have always found him poor whenever he has guests on, either dominating the talk (why bother with the guest?), trying to steer it in a particular direction, or talking over them.

[teamsaint]

SMP's commentary seemed rather vapid and wishy-washy to me. Terms like 'vital' playing, 'liquid' playing aren't particularly instructive.

Did she mention something like " wonderful phrasing", and then not demonstrate with an excerpt?
not that she is especially guilty of this, but it particularly irks me.
and who needs irking on a saturday morning?

[Richard Tarleton]

SMP's commentary seemed rather vapid and wishy-washy to me. Terms like 'vital' playing, 'liquid' playing aren't particularly instructive.

I thought this work called for the forensic approach of a proper pianist - a David Owen Norris, or a Kenneth Hamilton (I always like to learn something from BAL, not just listen to opinions).....but, whoever, we would have got through a lot more without AMcG, I really don't like these 2-hander BALs.

[silvestrione]

I thought this work called for the forensic approach of a proper pianist - a David Owen Norris, or a Kenneth Hamilton (I always like to learn something from BAL, not just listen to opinions).....but, whoever, we would have got through a lot more without AMcG, I really don't like these 2-hander BALs.

I agree with those who thought this one worked...and I did learn something, e.g. I'll hear more now in the orchestration than ever before, and I learnt about the Polish dance rhythms in the finale.

[Sir Velo]

I agree with those who thought this one worked...and I did learn something, e.g. I'll hear more now in the orchestration than ever before, and I learnt about the Polish dance rhythms in the finale.

Isn't most of Chopin's music influenced by the different types of Polish dances? Just flicking through a couple of CD liner notes and they all refer to the Krakowiak or modified Polonaise, so I'm not sure how much original research went into that observation.

[visualnickmos]

Isn't most of Chopin's music influenced by the different types of Polish dances? Just flicking through a couple of CD liner notes and they all refer to the Krakowiak or modified Polonaise, so I'm not sure how much original research went into that observation.

I think the point the reviewer was makng, was detailing more precisely how the krakowiak was an influence in that particular movement. Therefore for anyone who wasn't knowledgeable about the influences of dance in Chopin's work, this is a highly relevant point, IMV, as it was followed by clear examples of 'how to' and 'how not to', thus giving substance as to the 'hows' and 'how nots' argument.

I say again, that for me, it was a two-hander BaL that worked well.

[Barbirollians]

I think the point the reviewer was makng, was detailing more precisely how the krakowiak was an influence in that particular movement. Therefore for anyone who wasn't knowledgeable about the influences of dance in Chopin's work, this is a highly relevant point, IMV, as it was followed by clear examples of 'how to' and 'how not to', thus giving substance as to the 'hows' and 'how nots' argument.

I say again, that for me, it was a two-hander BaL that worked well.

I would agree that it was far from the worst of the twofer reviews I have heard but worked well I would not have said when it leads to so many recordings that have received high praise elsewhere being ignored . If you have Andrew McGregor chipping in all the time it significantly reduces the time for analysis of recordings and excerpts . Also one finds inexplicable omissions hence why discuss Zimerman's live recording and the self directed accounts but not the Giulini recording which was a prime recommendation in the past ?

[ardcarp]

"I thought this work called for the forensic approach of a proper pianist - a David Owen Norris, or a Kenneth Hamilton (I always like to learn something from BAL, not just listen to opinions)"

Agreed. But if we must have a R3 staff member, then why not Sarah Walker?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Agreed. But if we must have a R3 staff member, then why not Sarah Walker?

But why not SM-P (especially SM-P minus AMcG)?

[Bryn]

But why not SM-P (especially SM-P minus AMcG)?

I think the point being made is that SW is a pianist, whereas SM-P practical musical background is principally as a singer and occasional player of the cello. That said, I thought SM-P spoke with a fair degree of authority re. pianistic technique.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think the point being made is that SW is a pianist,

Aha! Yes - that makes very good sense in the context of mentioning DON and KH.

whereas SM-P practical musical background is principally as a singer and occasional player of the cello.

Forget-ye-not the Djembi!

That said, I thought SM-P spoke with a fair degree of authority re. pianistic technique.

- exactly. There's no real reason why the piano repertoire require a commentator/reviewer with specific experience as a pianist, any more than orchestral Music needs a conductor*, vocal Music a singer, String Quartet works a violinist/viola player/'cellist etc etc.


(* - this did happen in t'olden days when Bernard Keefe reviewed orchestral works.)

[doversoul1]

But why not SM-P (especially SM-P minus AMcG)?

I thought this was a good BaL, especially / at least for someone like me to whom Chopin’s works are not the main interest (i.e. don’t know much about them). The points S M-P made were easy to follow and I was particularly impressed by the way she explained what Polishness was by referring to her grandmother being Polish and the sound of the language being familiar to her (yes, this point could have been expanded but that probably is for another programme)

I think S. M-P has a very good voice and speaking manner for the radio, which may not be the most important quality for a BaL reviewer but it adds a lot.

[Richard Tarleton]

"I thought this work called for the forensic approach of a proper pianist - a David Owen Norris, or a Kenneth Hamilton (I always like to learn something from BAL, not just listen to opinions)"

Agreed. But if we must have a R3 staff member, then why not Sarah Walker?

Indeed, not least on the strength of her excellent Liszt outing last week, but perhaps she couldn't be on two weeks running.... Being part-Polish may have been a consideration in this case, what with all that talking authoritively on krakoviaks

[visualnickmos]

I would agree that it was far from the worst of the twofer reviews I have heard but worked well I would not have said when it leads to so many recordings that have received high praise elsewhere being ignored . If you have Andrew McGregor chipping in all the time it significantly reduces the time for analysis of recordings and excerpts . Also one finds inexplicable omissions hence why discuss Zimerman's live recording and the self directed accounts but not the Giulini recording which was a prime recommendation in the past ?

I have to say that I agree with your comments - especially "...far from the worst of the twofer reviews" and also more specifically "...when it leads to so many recordings that have received high praise elsewhere being ignored". That was a pity, but that said I did enjoy the programme, but it could have been even better...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Saying this was better than other twofers, is rather like the comment of the new headteacher I was working under in the early 90s. When the discipline rapidly deteriorated, teachers and parents complained.

His reply: "It's a lot better than in my last school."