BaL 18.03.17 - Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time

[Pulcinella]

Haven't they got a copy of the score? The "non legato" marking is given only to the Piano - and Serkin observes this - the other parts are marked "decide, vigoureux, granitique" ("confident, vigorous, granite-like") with articulation marks showing that a rigid non legato style for all the players throughout the movement is simplistic, unfeasible and unwelcome.

(And the "hammering" piano in the preceding Louange that so bewildered them in the other recording - it's there in the score: the pianist plays what Messiaen writes in the score. The problem is the poor balance between the two instruments which they seemed to think was the pianist's fault!)

Phew!
Confidence in forumite judgement restored.

Waiting for the Tashi to drop through the letterbox, and then I intend to follow it through with the score.

Thanks, ferney!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But the comment about Tashi not following Messiaen's instructions seems warranted.
And to think that I ordered the CD on someone's recommendation hereabouts!

You've got a copy (or two ) of the score - who is right: the forumista who recommended the Tashi or the stranger on the radio who only quotes from the verbal "pree-face" from the score?!

Following the Tashi with the score last Sunday, it struck me as near-miraculous how closely they all stuck to the score whilst simultaneously communicating a sense of spontaneity. Whatever the merits of her alternative choice(s), you have an unsurpassed version in the Tashi. (The only reservation that I had with it was the engineers' tampering with dynamics between movements - the first movement could have done with being taken down a notch or so, and the second up a similar notch to get the full contrast between ppp and fff, for example.)

[DracoM]

Why, for music so complex, go for a dialogue BAL? Beats me. At times confusing and rarely illuminating.
WHY do they keep doing it?

[Bryn]

You've got a copy (or two ) of the score - who is right: the forumista who recommended the Tashi or the stranger on the radio who only quotes from the verbal "pree-face" from the score?!

Following the Tashi with the score last Sunday, it struck me as near-miraculous how closely they all stuck to the score whilst simultaneously communicating a sense of spontaneity. Whatever the merits of her alternative choice(s), you have an unsurpassed version in the Tashi. (The only reservation that I had with it was the engineers' tampering with dynamics between movements - the first movement could have done with being taken down a notch or so, and the second up a similar notch to get the full contrast between ppp and fff, for example.)

Hmm. What constitutes a notch in this case? I might try a touch of post, post production via a rip, level adjustment and re-burn.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Phew!
Confidence in forumite judgement restored.

Waiting for the Tashi to drop through the letterbox, and then I intend to follow it through with the score.

Thanks, ferney!

- love to hear your response after listening with the score. (That balance between the three simultaneous dynamic levels right at the start, for example - the piano pp, the clarinet p, the two strings ppp, for a start - they just do it as if it's the most natural thing in the world - the balance and articulation in the Intermede - Stoltzman's simultaneous rhythmic precision with a real communication of the marked "désolé" in the Abime ...

[Richard Barrett]

But the comment about Tashi not following Messiaen's instructions seems warranted.

Hang on, I don't have the radio on this morning but if the presenter thinks there's anything inaccurate about this performance she needs to take a look at the score some time!

edit: ah, I see that this has already been pointed out. Don't believe everything you hear on the BBC!

[Bryn]

The Bell, Collins, Isserlis, Mustonen is one I do not have. Soon to be rectified by a "Used: Very Good" copy, however.

Strange that no mention was made of the recycling from 'Fetes des belles eaux'. All in all a poor BaL.

[LeMartinPecheur]

My first purchased version of this work isn't in Alpie's list though it's still available as a download according to the Riverpeople. It still seemed good last time I played it. Any views from forumites? I have two others and am wondering if I need a 4th! Particularly if it needs to be via an 18CD box


PS Looks like that Macgregor version is still available as a CD on her SoundCircus label, but mine is the Collins Classics original c1994 with a different cover picture to the one above. How did you know it wasn't going to figure at all Alpie??

[Beef Oven!]

Hang on, I don't have the radio on this morning but if the presenter thinks there's anything inaccurate about this performance she needs to take a look at the score some time!

edit: ah, I see that this has already been pointed out. Don't believe everything you hear on the BBC!

It did sound bad to my ears, all that legato. Seemed terribly wrong to me. Instinctively, I mean.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I'm surprised nobody's yet vilified the horribly intrusive background noise on this broadcast, particularly during the should-be-ethereal closing notes at the end...

...so I've saved you all the bother!

[pastoralguy]

When I went to the Sage for the Free Thinking weekend a couple of years ago, there was a stage on which the presenters sat. However, by the time lunchtime came it sounded like market day complete with screaming infant which is probably why they've resorted to the Tardis! Obviously, said box doesn't keep all the racket out although, yes, I would expect the music to be a direct feed.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Hi Pulcie! Yes it's the coupling on Rattle's Turangalila recording and also wondered whether Alpie had deliberately left this version out, in favour of just chamber music collections?

Alpie rarely leaves things out on purpose. He does, however, miss a few if he doesn't know about them.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Why, for music so complex, go for a dialogue BAL? Beats me. At times confusing and rarely illuminating.
WHY do they keep doing it?

As I've said repeatedly, if Andrew wants to do a BaL, he should programme himself into the schedule to do one on his own.

[pastoralguy]

As I've said repeatedly, if Andrew wants to do a BaL, he should programme himself into the schedule to do one on his own.

I suspect Andrew has little input into that decision and is merely told what to do by the editorial team. We might do well to contact the programme and express our displeasure. (Although, imho, not ALL the twofers are bad).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It did sound bad to my ears, all that legato. Seemed terribly wrong to me. Instinctively, I mean.

Well - people might dislike it, or prefer it done differently, as with all Music performance; but the suggestion that what Tashi plays goes against what is written in the score is simply wrong: the notes are given the weight and articulation that Messiaen wrote. If Ms Molleson and her nodding companion believe that this is wrong, their argument is with the composer, not the performers.