BaL 10.11.18 - Couperin: Leçons de Ténèbres

[LeMartinPecheur]

Just arrived in today's post.
Do I reveal the result(s) or not?

Tricky one that... I have my copy too so the question is perhaps best left to those who won't see the Gramophone result. Might give them a favourite to follow in the race though!

[CallMePaul]

I see that Presto is already listing 2 versions of this as BAL choices: https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...ts/2091/browse
Is Presto given advance warning? unfortunately one is listed as download only, which rules it out for me. I shall listen anyway!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Is Presto given advance warning?

Probably - I helped out in an independent record shop in the late '80s/early '90s, and the winners were given in advance so that we could get in extra stock to meet demand (it was a given that the secret must never be made public) - I wouldn't be surprised if Presto were similarly in on the secret, and that somebody this week has been a bit over-enthusiastic on the website.

[vinteuil]

I see that Presto is already listing 2 versions of this as BAL choices: https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...ts/2091/browse
Is Presto given advance warning? unfortunately one is listed as download only, which rules it out for me. I shall listen anyway!

,

SPOILER ALERT - one of those presto choices is available in this fine box =

http://amzn.eu/d/dyLRyr9

.

[HighlandDougie]

,

SPOILER ALERT - one of those presto choices is available in this fine box =

http://amzn.eu/d/dyLRyr9

.

Thank you, o Maître des Falafels. Duly ordered so now one can sit back and enjoy the usually engaging and interesting Simon Heighes without rushing to the Amazon website to snap up any cheaper copies of recommendations which they might happen to be flogging. Incidentally, there is an even fatter Alpha repackaging of some fine CDs called “Les Maîtres de la Baroque” available from Amazon.fr for the same price as the Versailles one.

[Pulcinella]

Second SPOILER ALERT

Given that the BaL result is 'out', here now are the Gramophone choices.
Historic choice: Cuénod and Sinimberghi
Best non-soprano version: Jacobs and Darras
Best dramatic version: Grimm and Zomer
Top choice: Bennani and Druet

[BBMmk2]

Happy 350th Birthday Monsiuer Couperin.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Really? Holy week services seen as 'entertainment'?
Or is this just more W1A intern drivel?

pulc:you might consider some show of contrition on this since Heighes gave chapter and verse, as it were, in the programme!

[doversoul1]

Second SPOILER ALERT

Given that the BaL result is 'out', here now are the Gramophone choices.
Historic choice: Cuénod and Sinimberghi
Best non-soprano version: Jacobs and Darras
Best dramatic version: Grimm and Zomer
Top choice: Bennani and Druet

Not quite the same as SH’s choice.
Recommended Recording:
Sandrine Piau (soprano)
Véronqiue Gens (soprano)
Les Talens Lyriques
Christophe Rousset
DECCA 4667762

Other Recommended Recording:

Hasnaa Bennani (soprano)
Isabelle Druet (mezzo-soprano)
Claire Lefillaitre (mezzo-soprano)
Le Poeme Harmonique
Vincent Dumestre

Has Presto Classics taken it out from their website?

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/awards/building-a-library

11.42am Saturday

I only listened to it in bits but regardless of for whom the library was built, I very much enjoyed it. I’ll catch up later.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

pulc:you might consider some show of contrition on this since Heighes gave chapter and verse, as it were, in the programme!

No need. When has the BBC ever shown any contrition?

[Pulcinella]

pulc:you might consider some show of contrition on this since Heighes gave chapter and verse, as it were, in the programme!

Point accepted......didn't listen to all the programme, but I did catch the bit about timings of performances to suit those wanting to attend.
:contritionemoticon:

[ardcarp]

I think SH made a good argument for his final choice, including the 'chapelle' ambience and instruments Couperain suggested (organ and bass viol). I'm glad he paid due reverence to the earlier Emma Kirkby/Judith Nelson/Hogwood CD.

I am rather sorry though about two omissions from the review:

1. This one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbREakKFTow
(it does have a plucker...as you'd expect from Jordi S.)

2. An excerpt from the troisieme piece where Robin Blaise and Dan Taylor could be heard together.
(In fact I thought he was a bit rude about Dan, whose voice sounded superb to me. But I know he'd
ruled out countertenors, and in this case the slowish tempo. Aren't slow tempi all part of Tenebrae???)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Having listened to the Composer of the Week programmes this week, and not (I'm genuinely sorry to say) been tremendously moved or excited by the Music played, I nearly gave this BaL a miss. I'm glad I didn't: this is glorious Music, and I thought SH did an excellent presentation of the work, its history, and his expectations from a recording of it. I think the one that struck me with greatest force was that by Hogwood/Kirby, but the Rousset might also make demands on my wallet - and once again, a short clip from Alfred Deller made me keen to hear more.

So, not the inexpensive BaL I'd been predicting!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

No need. When has the BBC ever shown any contrition?

Ooh - I don't think we should base our behaviour on that model! (And Pulcie's #26 was a model for them )

[MickyD]

Having listened to the Composer of the Week programmes this week, and not (I'm genuinely sorry to say) been tremendously moved or excited by the Music played, I nearly gave this BaL a miss. I'm glad I didn't: this is glorious Music, and I thought SH did an excellent presentation of the work, its history, and his expectations from a recording of it. I think the one that struck me with greatest force was that by Hogwood/Kirby, but the Rousset might also make demands on my wallet - and once again, a short clip from Alfred Deller made me keen to hear more.

So, not the inexpensive BaL I'd been predicting!

I agree with you about the Kirkby/Hogwood version, ferney - it could be because it was the very first one I heard, and that initial experience often influences our choices. One should also give a mention of Jane Ryan playing the bass viol along with Hogwood at the organ.