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

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Presumably, there's some sort of editorial policy whereby all areas of the repertoire are covered. There's plenty of music presented on the show that I don't care for so its not as if he's just presenting his 'picks'. After all, he can't play EVERY new release or the show would never end and there are plenty of other sources where can learn and evaluate new recordings before purchase.

But can he be both a "Musical sieve" (as you suggested in your previous post) and subject to "some sort of editorial policy"? It seems singularly unfair on listeners and AMcG to expect one individual to sieve through even a pre-edited selection of new releases and re-releases week after week and be expected to pronounce on which are amongst the best. If it is an individual's choice each week, then common justice demands a variety of presenters on a regular rota, each with different specialisms and areas of expertise. Especially if that individual is then being required/requesting further input - albeit of the most unhelpful nature - into the content and presentation of the BaL section of the programme as well.

Furthermore, there's a constant stream of guests who are given ample opportunity to display thier preferences and knowledge. I certainly don't feel he interrupts guests. He simply encourages them along a bit.

There we must disagree, I suppose.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I certainly don't feel he interrupts guests. He simply encourages them along a bit.

But these "guests" are experts in their fields, who don't need helping along, particularly if they have written a script.

[Barbirollians]

But these "guests" are experts in their fields, who don't need helping along, particularly if they have written a script.

And I thought his intervention in the Schubert Mass BAL with Jeremy Summerly was egregious where he appeared to change the final recommendation - Summerly having preferred the Philips to the EMI Sawallisch .

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

And I thought his intervention in the Schubert Mass BAL with Jeremy Summerly was egregious where he appeared to change the final recommendation - Summerly having preferred the Philips to the EMI Sawallisch .

This is a pity, as AMcG is undoubtedly one of the jewels in Radio 3's crown.

[pastoralguy]

This is a pity, as AMcG is undoubtedly one of the jewels in Radio 3's crown.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

This is a pity, as AMcG is undoubtedly one of the jewels in Radio 3's crown.

Well ... on R3's current form, perhaps: but there's a lot of paste in there.

[Barbirollians]

Going back to the work I dug out the Zimerman/Giulini - it is another live account and rather good and in no way foursquare !

[BBMmk2]

Going back to the work I dug out the Zimerman/Giulini - it is another live account and rather good and in no way foursquare !

Barbs, that does sound like a worthwhile investigation!

[MickyD]

I have just caught up with this BAL - so disappointed that not one HIP version was considered.

[Bryn]

I have just caught up with this BAL - so disappointed that not one HIP version was considered.

The Ax (1851 London Érard)/OAE/Mackerras was briefly mentioned as considered the best HIPP version available.

[MickyD]

The Ax (1851 London Érard)/OAE/Mackerras was briefly mentioned as considered the best HIPP version available.

Ah, OK, thanks Bryn...I must have missed that bit!

[Nick Armstrong]

Caught up very belatedly with this BAL, and echo positive views above. I thought Sara Mohr-Pietsch transcended the 'chat with Andrew' format, and showed real class both in terms of her approach to analysing the work and its recordings, and also as a well-nigh ideal 'voice for radio'.

She couldn't however make up for the waste of time caused by the 'chat' format - the number of recordings considered wasn't enough really, but could have been had she been left to her own devices.

Very good to hear the version by the infant Kissin given full consideration - it's been one of my favourites for years, quite astounding and very moving... and I actually don't mind the way he zips along. It's utterly involving, to me, and loses nothing of the lyricism.

Twenty years ago, I'd no doubt have agreed with SM-P about Argerich, but I've noticed that over recent years, I've become increasingly resistant to her manic way with a lot of music. My feelings about her version (chosen as 'the winner') echo SM-P's (amusing) comments about the self-indulgent Zimerman/Polish Festival reading.

The one recent version I was sorry wasn't considered, and which is near the top of my pile, is the Rafal Blechacz recording with the Concertgebouw under Jerzy Semko - glorious imho.

[BBMmk2]

Much that I admire Argerich's talent, I can quite see where your coming from, Cali. Is it the pyrotechnics of MA's talent that display more, that we were spellbound when we were younger and perhaps now feel we want something more "soul"?, now we are older?

[Nick Armstrong]

Much that I admire Argerich's talent, I can quite see where your coming from, Cali. Is it the pyrotechnics of MA's talent that display more, that we were spellbound when we were younger and perhaps now feel we want something more "soul"?, now we are older?

Quite right!

[BBMmk2]

Quite right!

Mine's the first round then!