BaL 15.10.16 - Cabaret

[underthecountertenor]

We seems to be hearing about various productions of the musical but little about ‘critical examination’ of the performance of the music. It can be interesting in its own way (as Stage and Screen?) but not when I am expecting to hear a BaL.

Agreed. There's a lot of predictable knee-jerk (I resisted the temptation to say goose-step) above. I think this is absolutely fine for R3, and I loved hearing Judi Dench, the French production eventually (bravely) chosen, and the poignant clip from the Israeli version. But, as a BaL, I don't think it quite worked (for reasons I foreshadowed earlier), and I think Richard Sisson almost acknowledged as much at the end. It was a fascinating and learned historical survey though, and I learned a lot.

[underthecountertenor]

Ps Brassbandmaestro's CABERET (sic) could I suppose be a tribute to that French production.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Ps Brassbandmaestro's CABERET (sic) could I suppose be a tribute to that French production.

- a cap one wears in a taxi, perhaps?

[underthecountertenor]

- a cap one wears in a taxi, perhaps?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Does anyone know where to buy this version?

[french frank]

Agreed. There's a lot of predictable knee-jerk (I resisted the temptation to say goose-step) above. I think this is absolutely fine for R3, and I loved hearing Judi Dench, the French production eventually (bravely) chosen, and the poignant clip from the Israeli version. But, as a BaL, I don't think it quite worked (for reasons I foreshadowed earlier), and I think Richard Sisson almost acknowledged as much at the end. It was a fascinating and learned historical survey though, and I learned a lot.

That seems a sensible response. It's always been the case that Radio 3 (and the Third) have been free to try new things - and fail. Writing that one listened carefully annd decided for reasons x, y and z that it didn't really work is a rational response. "This is R3 going to the dogs. What next? Musicals on R3!" - in my personal view, isn't. It's the green ink response that doesn't get anywhere as long as there is an alternative view which defends the programme (e.g. Micky D, pastoralguy - leave me out, I've been busy doing the washing).

To me, this isn't what the 'Battle of Radio 3' has ever been about. Write to the controller if you didn't think it worked and say exactly why. Don't just tell him he shouldn't have allowed it. :Tinhat:

[underthecountertenor]

That seems a sensible response. It's always been the case that Radio 3 (and the Third) have been free to try new things - and fail. Writing that one listened carefully annd decided for reasons x, y and z that it didn't really work is a rational response. "This is R3 going to the dogs. What next? Musicals on R3!" - in my personal view, isn't. It's the green ink response that doesn't get anywhere as long as there is an alternative view which defends the programme (e.g. Micky D, pastoralguy - leave me out, I've been busy doing the washing).

To me, this isn't what the 'Battle of Radio 3' has ever been about. Write to the controller if you didn't think it worked and say exactly why. Don't just tell him he shouldn't have allowed it. :Tinhat:

[Bryn]

Well I certainly found it informative. I also applaud the follow-up mini-BaL on Berlioz's ReJ, especially as it lent support to my recent purchase of the Ticciati SACDs on Linn.

[underthecountertenor]

Does anyone know where to buy this version?

Which - Sissons's recommendation? Or bbm's French Taxi Driver?

[Bryn]

Does anyone know where to buy this version?

https://www.amazon.fr/Cabaret-Musical-Broadway-Kander-John/dp/B000M2EH4G/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1476526002&sr=1-4&keywords=cabaret+comedie+musicale

Rather more pricey from other countries' Amazon sites.

[underthecountertenor]

Merci, Bryn.

[MickyD]

Does anyone know where to buy this version?

You can get it from Amazon.fr:

https://www.amazon.fr/Cabaret-Bof-Nouvelle-Version/dp/B005QVX7LM/ref=sr_1_8?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1476527658&sr=1-8&keywords=Cabaret

...and listen to some extracts, too.

[Bryn]

You can get it from Amazon.fr:

https://www.amazon.fr/Cabaret-Bof-Nouvelle-Version/dp/B005QVX7LM/ref=sr_1_8?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1476527658&sr=1-8&keywords=Cabaret

...and listen to some extracts, too.

As is so often the case with Amazon, it's listed more than once on amazon.fr.

[ardcarp]

With all the things said upthread in mind, it seems to me there are two distinct questions to answer.

1. Was BAL well presented?
2. Was Cabaret a suitable topic for BAL?

1. For me Richard Sisson conducted a splendid survey of the piece. He was (obviously) very well-informed and played lots of examples to illustrate his case. His manner was also just right for a R3 audience; intelligent, with occasional dry humour. It was an eye-opener to me to hear Judy Dench in the role of Sally Bowles! (I might add how awful 'a chat-with-Andrew' format would have been.)

2. Yes it most certainly was. Apart from the film, I'd only seen a student production of Cabaret (with one of my daughters as MD as it happens!) and I felt I wanted to get to know the show and its additional material better. No need to be highbrow or sniffy IMVHO.

I did feel the chosen version came as a bit of a rabbit out of a hat, though I respect entirely RS's opionion of its musical excellence. In spite of being a Francophile with knobs on, I do think I'd prefer an English language version if I bought a CD to live with.

I was left with a real enthsiasm to go and see a (professional) live staging were one to appear in a theatre near me...or a live streaming.

[underthecountertenor]

With all the things said upthread in mind, it seems to me there are two distinct questions to answer.

1. Was BAL well presented?
2. Was Cabaret a suitable topic for BAL?

1. For me Richard Sisson conducted a splendid survey of the piece. He was (obviously) very well-informed and played lots of examples to illustrate his case. His manner was also just right for a R3 audience; intelligent, with occasional dry humour. It was an eye-opener to me to hear Judy Dench in the role of Sally Bowles! (I might add how awful 'a chat-with-Andrew' format would have been.)

2. Yes it most certainly was. Apart from the film, I'd only seen a student production of Cabaret (with one of my daughters as MD as it happens!) and I felt I wanted to get to know the show and its additional material better. No need to be highbrow or sniffy IMVHO.

I did feel the chosen version came as a bit of a rabbit out of a hat, though I respect entirely RS's opionion of its musical excellence. In spite of being a Francophile with knobs on, I do think I'd prefer an English language version if I bought a CD to live with.

I was left with a real enthsiasm to go and see a (professional) live staging were one to appear in a theatre near me...or a live streaming.

Well said, and for all my slight cavils, I agree with every word.