BaL 8.06.19 - Janácek: Glagolitic Mass

[Bryn]

Nope, despite being top choice in Gramophone, Penguin and Rough guides!

I decided not to get the Rattle when it came out, having heard the somewhat marshmallow approach to the opening. That it should have garnered first choice from the surveys you mention is something I find very surprising. I think Rob Barnett hits the nail on the head in his musicweb-international review. Last week I finally caved in and ordered a cheap, used double-album including it (the fillip was that includes the Concertino and Cappricio with Mackerras at the helm). No, the Rattle was quite rightly excluded from consideration.

[Pulcinella]

I decided not to get the Rattle when it came out, having heard the somewhat marshmallow approach to the opening. That it should have garnered first choice from the surveys you mention is something I find very surprising. I think Rob Barnett hits the nail on the head in his musicweb-international review. Last week I finally caved in and ordered a cheap, used double-album including it (the fillip was that includes the Concertino and Cappricio with Mackerras at the helm). No, the Rattle was quite rightly excluded from consideration.

And the Bostridge/Ades Diary and piano music, I see (or was that a duplication for you?).

[Bryn]

And the Bostridge/Ades Diary and piano music, I see (or was that a duplication for you?).

Indeed it was, and not my favourite recording of it.

[mikealdren]

I decided not to get the Rattle when it came out, having heard the somewhat marshmallow approach to the opening. That it should have garnered first choice from the surveys you mention is something I find very surprising. I think Rob Barnett hits the nail on the head in his musicweb-international review. Last week I finally caved in and ordered a cheap, used double-album including it (the fillip was that includes the Concertino and Cappricio with Mackerras at the helm). No, the Rattle was quite rightly excluded from consideration.

It's not the fact that Rattle was excluded that perturbed me, rather that there was no mention of it or explanation as to why it as excluded. With such as small field, it would have been so easy to say why other recordings were not discussed and played.

[Pulcinella]

It's not the fact that Rattle was excluded that perturbed me, rather that there was no mention of it or explanation as to why it as excluded. With such as small field, it would have been so easy to say why other recordings were not discussed and played.

But sadly any such comment from the reviewer would immediately be followed by AMcG either concurring with or disputing the decision, taking up even more time in talk and leaving even less for actually hearing any excerpts!

[Bryn]

Though relating to today's RR, rather than the BaL this thread relates to, how interesting that the new Warner recording has notes by Paul Wingfield but uses not his reconstruction of the original version but that edited by Zahrádka for the Bärenreiter-Verlag critical edition. I will be importing from QOBUZ in the near future.

Wingfield's notes can be previewed here: https://www.highresaudio.com/en/albu...ss-sinfonietta

[Bryn]

I am now listening to this new recording of the Glagolitic Mass. Oh dear, I have to concur entirely with Anna Lapwood regarding the balance, but the orchestral playing leaves much to be desired in general. The problems are not down to the edition used. I have heard that much better performed, in orchestral terms. Good job I only imported it from QOBUZ. I don't think it will be staying on board for long. The timp playing is so pedestrian. No real feel for Janacek's rhythmic cross-rhythmic invention, either. Much of it sounds like ot was pasted together from numerous takes on different days, it's so lacking in continuity of line. Not a patch on the Netopil recording. Has anyone else here listened to it? The singing is generally o.k. and the organ playing magnificent but . . .

[Pulcinella]

I am now listening to this new recording of the Glagolitic Mass. Oh dear, I have to concur entirely with Anna Lapwood regarding the balance, but the orchestral playing leaves much to be desired in general. The problems are not down to the edition used. I have heard that much better performed, in orchestral terms. Good job I only imported it from QOBUZ. I don't think it will be staying on board for long. The timp playing is so pedestrian. No real feel for Janacek's rhythmic cross-rhythmic invention, either. Much of it sounds like ot was pasted together from numerous takes on different days, it's so lacking in continuity of line. Not a patch on the Netopil recording. Has anyone else here listened to it? The singing is generally o.k. and the organ playing magnificent but . . .

Listened last night (Deezer/Sonos).
Not such a negative reaction as you had.
Parts of it had almost a chamber orchestra sound to them, and I heard things I hadn't noticed before (though that might be the edition?).
I thought that the tenor was particularly good: no strain apparent in those fearfully high notes.
But yes: pedestrian timps!