BaL 1.06.19 - Mendelssohn: Symphony no. 4 "Italian"

[Mal]

CD guide recommendations: Rob Cowan recommends Solti/Chicago, but Stephen Chakwin ("Third Ear") doesn't, suggesting he is "very driven". Having sampled on Spotify I agree with Chakwin... and he seems, to me, to be a good guide to Mendelssohn. Cowan also recommends the complete set by Masur but, again, I agree with Chakwin, it's "pleasant but somewhat generalised". My favourite Spotify listen, one of Chakwin's choices, was Harnoncourt's "lovely and fresh" performance on Teldec 72308; he provides great urgency in III, which Sinopoli (my current library version) does not. Chakwin also recommends Solti/Israel, Mackerras OAE, and Stokowski. He also recommends the complete sets by Seifried/Irish National Orchestra (Naxos), Abbado/LSO/ DG, and Dohnanyi/VPO... He especially recommend's Abbado's set as having a good 4.

Stokowski (Cala CACD 0531 Nat. PO) is Penguin's sole "key" choice "one of the last recordings Stokowski [1978] made with a first class orchestra of London's top musicians... fizzingly brilliant..."

Rough Guide plumps for Abbado/DG in 4 "adroitness.. urgency...power", but suggests the coupled 3 is only "marginally convincing".

Abbado/DG ""structural direction and emotional abandon" is also Gramophone's top choice, but there are several near competitors in a "big box" review.

Gramophone and Third Ear have comprehensive reviews of the symphony worth digging into if you have particular needs (e.g, HIPP recommendations...)

[DracoM]

Another fjpsrub9emuames /f twofer!

[Bryn]

Another fjpsrub9emuames /f twofer!

And sounding rather too clearly as if read from a prepared script, by both of them.

[Pulcinella]

Another fjpsrub9emuames /f twofer!

I fear that we are now stuck with them, but may I suggest that we express our dissatisfaction directly to BBC rather than via these weekly threads.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I fear that we are now stuck with them, but may I suggest that we express our dissatisfaction directly to BBC rather than via these weekly threads.

But comments on specific gaffes and inaccuracies made in individual programmes belong here - just as those made in Essential Classics belong on the EC Thread etc etc. That way, AMcG's errors and the reviewer's stammerings can be confirmed or corrected by other Forumistas before we send in our complaints to the Beeb. It's a matter of "as well as" rather than "rather than".

[DracoM]

I have on at least three occasions. And drawn their attention to this forum - a hub of dedicated and informed R3 listeners - did not even get an automated reply.
They know all right - they just do not care.
So we know this REALLY is now 'THE ANDREW McGREGOR SHOW'
.........and much, much the poorer for that.

The so-called reviewer today was clearly seriously fed-up and baffled by the unscheduled interruptions - which is why I could not listen any more. The music - gosh was there music too? - upstaged by stammerings and chirpings.

Lost me.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

We might also try:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1WbP92b6YbpP9j4mwwbtc9Q/contact-us

[Pulcinella]

But comments on specific gaffes and inaccuracies made in individual programmes belong here - just as those made in Essential Classics belong on the EC Thread etc etc. That way, AMcG's errors and the reviewer's stammerings can be confirmed or corrected by other Forumistas before we send in our complaints to the Beeb. It's a matter of "as well as" rather than "rather than".

I was really meaning our general displeasure with the twofer format.

[DracoM]

The 'format' is obscuring the music and any reviewer's carefully prepared analysis. Huge mistake.

[doversoul1]

We might also try:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...c9Q/contact-us

A petition for No Twofer here and send in the result?

[DracoM]

Good idea.

[Mal]

Programme summary, and my response, quotes from reviewer Oliver Condy "" and AMcG ''

Opening & first movement:

(1) JEG 'is it warm enough', "JEG is too like a schoolmaster forcing the fun, or a tourist guide, need to chill out" 'do we need a local' "maybe", so...

(2) London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado "1984, baton in one hand wine gass in the other, relaxation, bit too rich, desert before starter, bit bogged down, superb recording"

(3) ASMF Neville Marriner 1993 Philips 'no smaller in scale than Abbado' "Abbey road engineers doing a great job, but strings friskier, more alert, I prefer it, punchy brass, extra refulgence"

(4) Gardner CBSO "well articulated"

(5) Blomstedt SF 1989 "sedate, well articulated counterpoint, massive hall, drive, big vintage car"

(6) Bergen Litton... "I really like this one"

(7) Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin "real spring in step, bouncy, really together"

Second, slow, processional, moving to church, movement:

(1) "JEG too literal, not in the sun, are we in Italy?"

(2) Blomstedt SF 'comfortable, chugging away' "reassurance, avuncular" Not exactly glowing praise!

(3) Gardner CBSO Chandos "a bit frivolous, which this movement should be" 'that's also slow' "Hmm yes, I thought it was faster..." (!)

(4) ASMF Neville Marriner "too rich & indulgent, end of the road for this recording..."

NO COE here, maybe the procession needs the grandeur of a large orchestra? I think Sinopoli provides a better performance than any on offer here. He's not frivolous, but I'm don't agree with Condy that this movement needs frivolity.

Third movement:

Litton, Bergen "wonderful, can't fault it, but..."

Gardner CBSO "... speedier has the edge" Doesn't sound *that* speedy to me , maybe amongst lumbering dinosour performances it sounds speedier.... 'spacious, not that fast, ...' "I like it"

Blomstedt "grinds to a halt, unlike..."

Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin 'liking closer focus' "Loving it, get to hear the bassoon in this smaller orchestra, certainly trumps Blomstedt for liveliness [too right!] Blomstedt bites dust"

Fourth movement:

"Want something mad, unhinged, but tight in ensemble," and we don't get it with:

Litton, Bergen "not tight"

Only two left now:

Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin 'it's right when you hear it posted drive precision, crisp clean' "magical, whips into a real frenzy, not too sure about other movements, need over-arching excellence, no historical performances are good enough,..."

Gardner, CBSO "final movement even more driven" Really? Doesn't sound it to me.... but Gardner is the winner.

From what i heard, Gardner doesn't displace my current library choice, Sinopoli, nor does anyone else. I was most impressed by the nimbleness of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, but I'm an old dinosaur who likes the big orchestras so will not be making a purchase.

[edashtav]

And sounding rather too clearly as if read from a prepared script, by both of them.

Yes, indeed, Bryn, wooden, but better than most of these twofers and the course of the argument was clear and logical. Is there a case for an extended edition on-line so that a wider spectrum of performances is brought into play?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks again, Mal.

[antongould]

I don’t think it was the #BoyMcGregor who did the trail’ with Alkers this morning - but then I was still struggling in the Malvern Hills with flip-flops on ....