BaL 15.06.19 - Elgar: Violin Sonata in E minor, Op. 82

[Mal]

Bean or McAslan, Mal?

McAslan is the problem disk, I haven't heard Bean, Penguin's criticisms of McAslan include "lack of body", "forward digital recording", "less bloom", which seems spot on... Note, I think it's mainly the recording at fault, not the musicians, as it is a lively and intelligent performance; but, given the June we're having, I require warmth and comfort on my stormy desert island.

[verismissimo]

How blessed we are to have the superb 1935 recording of Albert Sammons and William Murdoch - both fine musicians. Although Sammons performed the sonata regularly in public from 1919, its very successful premiere was given that year by WH Reed and Anthony Bernard, who did not record it.

However, it was recorded (possibly abridged) by Marjorie Hayward and Una Bourne in 1919. Has anyone heard that?

[pastoralguy]

How blessed we are to have the superb 1935 recording of Albert Sammons and William Murdoch - both fine musicians. Although Sammons performed the sonata regularly in public from 1919, its very successful premiere was given that year by WH Reed and Anthony Bernard, who did not record it.

However, it was recorded (possibly abridged) by Marjorie Hayward and Una Bourne in 1919. Has anyone heard that?

Alas, no! I hope it gets a mention tomorrow. (Well, today!)

[edashtav]

I'm banking on the Bean counters.

[Paulie55]

Why is it that everytime David Owen Norris talks on radio, he sounds like he's on steroids? And why do we have to have 2 people discussing the recommended recordings, constantly talking over each other? Why change the original format of just one reviewer? Can things get any worse on Radio 3? I'm afraid they will.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Steroids or not he has a phenomenal pair of ears . All those great musicians “improving” Elgar’s written notes . An ear opener if ever there was one.I think this is an excellent BAL and it usually is when DON is involved.

[BBMmk2]

I like David Owen Norris. He adds character. Unlike some of the other plainer sounding critics.

[Pulcinella]

Steroids or not he has a phenomenal pair of ears . All those great musicians “improving” Elgar’s written notes . An ear opener if ever there was one.I think this is an excellent BAL and it usually is when DON is involved.

But it could have been still better without AMcG's interjections.
I did smirk though when I heard DON say something like 'Can I just say......' to get his own point across before responding to a feed from AMcG!

[DracoM]

And that's how you do a twofer- Norris knowing his stuff, doing technicals and enthusing, and absolutely and totally steamrollering AMcG.
Little / Roscoe for me, but.............

[Master Jacques]

I like David Owen Norris. He adds character. Unlike some of the other plainer sounding critics.

He also adds deep knowledge, and the ability to communicate that knowledge clearly - unlike some of the more ignorant and inarticulate 'critics'. I've learnt a lot this morning, and been entertained, despite the mothers' meeting excesses of the twofer bants.

[MrGongGong]

I stumbled across this on the way to the shops
Who on earth was the cr*p violinist that was playing when I turned on?
aaaah yes it was Yehudi

I've heard 7-year-olds who play so much better that that.... just awful, thin, dodgy intonation and empty

The only "Nigel" worth listening to

[Stanfordian]

And that's how you do a twofer- Norris knowing his stuff, doing technicals and enthusing, and absolutely and totally steamrollering AMcG.
Little / Roscoe for me, but.............

Norris very detailed but too offputtingly technical for my taste! The occasional talking over each was frustrating too. But what a gorgeous work the Elgar is!

[Master Jacques]

I've heard 7-year-olds who play so much better that that.... just awful, thin, dodgy intonation and empty

I remember Tasmin Little responding to a similar comment on her teacher, Menuhin's, playing a few years back. Yes, she said, but the frailty of the playing is what makes it so human, and helps us get to the heart of the music.

I agree with her. The problem here (for me) is the pianist, not the violinist. I wouldn't want to ditch YM's Elgar Sonata, any more than I could live without his Delius set (with Fenby) or his Walton concertos: all "late" Menuhin, all frail, all unforgettable.

This BaL will have me hauling out my Kennedy disc, for a reassessment. First time round I guess I was too awed by the playing to appreciate the music-making.

[Mal]

Opens with: Vengerov "fantastic violin playing", but i found it a bit driven, a bit harsh, followed by Tasmin Little & Martin Roscoe, 'equals Vengerov for lyricism, power and passion'. Then Sammons & Murdoch, also warmer than Vengerov, but too much historical hiss.

Then Lydia Mordkovitch & Julian Milford 'very beautiful here' [Indeed! Shiver down the spine time... that's the warmth and lyricism I'm looking for...] 'micro-vibrato gives it a lurching quality' [Lurching??? More like a beautiful stroll!] Max Rostal, Colin Horsley (1954) 'really lovely sound' [sounds like an old lurch to me...]

"Brautigam hasn't learned his notes"

Nigel Kennedy (with Peter Pettinger) never misjudges his speeds [very warm and dynamic... sounding like a superstar...] 'major key glow is wonderful... prepared to be rough... it works'

Yehudi Menuhin, Hephzibah Menuhin(1978) "painstaking long, effortful"... may be one to avoid...

What do Van Keulen & Brautigam do with "wood magic?" Sounds like a lurch through a boggy patch to me: "robust, prosaic". Little & Roscoe "more subtle": still in that bog, if on a sunny day, "loves it too bits, too many commas". I think he means by "commas" the sticky patches in the bog. It's nice though; a fun day getting stuck and unstuck in lightweight, designer wellies. Vengerov ploughs through the bog in his Russian tank, 'It's a huge, big, generous sound' "It's a bear" OK, "ploughs through the bog like a Russian bear" is a better metaphor... no trees were damaged...

Kennedy strolls slowly and effortlessly through the bog, it really works, "he holds that long note like a dream. That's something isn't it..." Indeed! Kennedy traverses the bog better than most. But... aaah... lovely... Little is being very sunny & lyrical again, ... still commas though... "Beautiful playing".

Brautigam still trying to get everything wrong, "plays a tone too high... I'm so disappointed, perhaps he's too busy to learn the notes..." Prosaic and wrong notes, how could Penguin make this their top choice? "Others are also getting things wrong...Vengerov instead of playing a B plays a top E..."

Now getting to the crux, shortlist starting to form:

DON starts the run in by enthusing about Tasmin Little's performance, "Tasmin really understands Elgar... explanatory performance... for beginners... way to hear third movement for the first time." Yes, she sounds so warm and lyrical, I could live with this, 'so beautifully done, there's all the time in the world'. "If flows like olive oil" Sammons is still hanging on, but, DON implies, only for old times' sake. It sounds a bit dog eared to me, especially back to back with Little.

Lydia Mordkovitch is used to illustrate Elgar's "music of loss". And very beautiful and moving it is! But "extreme changes of tempo don't quite work". Little's first movement "dodgy". "There are reasons Kennedy's performance is an icon... don't miss the last note... Pettinger also wonderful...". It does seem to have a virtuoso edge to it, very dynamic; plus it's lyrical, warm beautiful; the guys a star!

Kennedy & Pettinger (1984) Chandos wins... "shows the work's full stature."

The top three sounded excellent to me, and the shortlist seems to match the judgement of the main CD guides:

Nigel Kennedy, Peter Pettinger (Rough guide first choice, Penguin 3 stars)
Tasmin Little, Martin Roscoe (Penguin Key & 3 stars)
Lydia Mordkovitch, Julian Milford (Penguin Rosette & Key & 3 stars)

Silly second hand prices on Kennedy! Quick...

[LeMartinPecheur]

Silly second hand prices on Kennedy! Quick...

Mal: i think it's just the original full price Chandos issue, now NLA, that commands silly s/h prices (£30+). The later reissue is still available new and I've just picked up one s/h (following my prediction in #13) for under a fiver