BaL 8.10.16 - Elgar: Falstaff, Symphonic Study

[LaurieWatt]

Falstaff

as a p.s. to this thread. I have always loved the Handley/LPO version but there is one perhaps, in the view of many, a minor point but the bass drum plays quite an important part in the most repeated theme of the piece especially in contrast to the harder lighter tymp. On this recording, the bass drum even when marked forte (or fortissimo, I do not have the score) is, on my very wide ranging equipment, just not properly audible at all!

[Petrushka]

as a p.s. to this thread. I have always loved the Handley/LPO version but there is one perhaps, in the view of many, a minor point but the bass drum plays quite an important part in the most repeated theme of the piece especially in contrast to the harder lighter tymp. On this recording, the bass drum even when marked forte (or fortissimo, I do not have the score) is, on my very wide ranging equipment, just not properly audible at all!

This is a problem with lots of recordings of the 1960s and 70s. For the most realistic bass drum I've ever heard on CD go to Andris Nelsons' recent recording of the Shostakovich 8th Symphony. Prepare to have your windows punched out!

[Nick Armstrong]

Prepare to have your windows punched out!

Don't encourage him!!

[BBMmk2]

This shouldn't have been mentioned!