BaL 10.02.18 - Boulez: Le marteau sans maître

[Bryn]

Then there's this, which there are ways of downloading:

There is also an SACD/DVD with same conductor:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pierrot-Marteau-Insomnio/dp/B009KKOBC4/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1517706395&sr=1-1&keywords=insomnio

[Bryn]

Then there's this, which there are ways of downloading:

There is also an SACD/DVD with same conductor:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pierrot-Mar...words=insomnio

The SACD/DVD double disc album arrived today. I have not yet listened to the SACD but the DVD, a documentary relating to the Insomio Ensmble's approach to new music, is very interesting, especially the section where Boulez coaches the musicians in Le Marteau . . . I do hope it features among those recordings under consideration.

[I have only been able to find one review of the discs so far, http://www.dasorchester.de/en_UK/akt...how,36696.html . My German is meagre indeed, but by viewing in Chrome and opting to have the browser translate, at least the general sense is clear enough.]

[[While it would not be my first choice (somewhat lacking in precision of articulation at times) I think it a worthy performance of Le Marteau . . . One minor quibble is that while the artwork claims the surround option on the SACD to be in 5.1 format, it is, thankfully, actually in 5.0.]]

[ardcarp]

A newspaper interview with Boulez here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/3702982/Pierre-Boulez-I-was-a-bully-Im-not-ashamed.html

I've a feeling that the critical ear for which Boulez was renowned may be needed in some measure by McKinney, Andrew and us tomorrow. I shall dunk my biscuits so as not to crunch at critical moments.

[Beef Oven!]

13 recordings!

[verismissimo]

I rarely listen to BAL these days, but this one was terrific – a good example of the conversation mode. And the Boulez 1972 recording was adjudged winner, the one with Yvonne Minton, of course, who sounded to my ears a class apart from the other mezzos.

[Beef Oven!]

An excellent BaL, IMV. I really enjoyed the discussion concerning the various tempos, moving things on or allowing more space around the instruments (and time for the musicians!). The background/contextual information was first-class and I found it fascinating - an excellent reminder that when Boulez wrote this music he was a very angry young man!

BaLs just seem to me to get better year on year!

I already have the top recommendation, but not the runner up - a recording of which is downloading from Qobuz as I type (£6.39 for 16 bit CD quality).

Edit: The Karolyi/Gallois download also comes with two further significant works - Éclat and Dialogue de l'ombre double, for Ensemble and Dialogue de l'ombre double, for Bassoon and Electronics

[doversoul1]

I have no idea if this was a good BaL or not but I found Tom McKinney an excellent guide for a/this listener who is completely ignorant about the music of this sort. Fascinating music.

[Beef Oven!]

I rarely listen to BAL these days, but this one was terrific – a good example of the conversation mode. And the Boulez 1972 recording was adjudged winner, the one with Yvonne Minton, of course, who sounded to my ears a class apart from the other mezzos.

Yes, the conversation format was excellent, IMV.

[Bryn]

At the time of posting the Masterworks of the 20th Century box can be had from amazon.co.uk, new, for a not unreasonable price, (under £20). The Boulez is by no means the only gen on the box, Highly recommended, even if you already have the Boulez recording.

[The low priced copies have gone very quickly.]

[Beef Oven!]

At the time of posting the Masterworks of the 20th Century box can be had from amazon.co.uk, new, for a not unreasonable price, (under £20). The Boulez is by no means the only gen on the box, Highly recommended, even if you already have the Boulez recording.

I think many of us bought that a while back when it was circa £10, but as you say, a highly recommendable box-set anyway.

[Bryn]

In 2015 I got 2 sets for around £10 each, one of them for an old Scratch Orchestra colleague, mainly to replace her old LP version of the Extended Voices disc.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The Karolyi/Gallois download also comes with two further significant works - Éclat and Dialogue de l'ombre double, for Ensemble and Dialogue de l'ombre double, for Bassoon and Electronics

Bassoon?

[Bryn]

Bassoon?

Indeed, on this disc. Double the reed value, what?

[Beef Oven!]

Bassoon?

Clarinet, originally. Transcribed for Bassoon in 1995. Someone transcribed a version for recorder, too.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Indeed, on this disc. Double the reed value, what?

Clarinet, originally. Transcribed for Bassoon in 1995. Someone transcribed a version for recorder, too.