BaL 4.01.20 - Elgar: Enigma Variations

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As an aside...

Q. How do find the perfect partner?

A. Sit with her/him, listening to Nimrod. If (s)he listens in complete, undisturbed silence, you’ve found the right one.

[Master Jacques]

Given that playlist programmes (Oh God...Sunday Morning this morning) are becoming increasingly chatty and giggly, surely it is possible to reserve a few slots for those who want a deeper and more considered discussion of musical matters? A more cynical person than I might suspect R3 has a mission to infantilise adults.......

It's a terrible truth, that if you're looking for the best programmes about art music - the music itself, that is, as opposed to the business of music, infantilised playlist shows or tediously chummy PR interviews with practitioners - then BBC Radio FOUR is the place to hear them.

[ardcarp]

Sit with her/him, listening to Nimrod. If (s)he listens in complete, undisturbed silence, you’ve found the right one.

...especially if Bernstein's conducting.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

...especially if Bernstein's conducting.

[BBMmk2]

I think us older listeners are going to be left out. I might tweet Radio 3.

[Bryn]

...especially if Bernstein's conducting.

What about snoring?

[silvestrione]

It's a terrible truth, that if you're looking for the best programmes about art music - the music itself, that is, as opposed to the business of music, infantilised playlist shows or tediously chummy PR interviews with practitioners - then BBC Radio FOUR is the place to hear them.

Really? Can you give some recent examples? I generally don't take much interest in R4, except in the car on journeys.

[Dave2002]

... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_(sentence_opener)


I think linguisticians might regard it as an expletive or filler : a null term, allowing the speaker time to gather thoughts, like "erm... "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expletive

.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filler_(linguistics)

.

Watchers of Youtube videos e.g. tutorials - might wonder if "what's up" or "whatsapp" has a similar function.

[Dave2002]

What about snoring?

Despite the evidence that it's not what Elgar really intended, I don't actually hate that Bernstein version - which I have - though I think coupled with Sibelius symphonies which are good.

[LMcD]

Really? Can you give some recent examples? I generally don't take much interest in R4, except in the car on journeys.

I gather that 'Tales From The Stave' is well regarded by some. There are 41 episodes available on BBC Sounds.

[Bryn]

Despite the evidence that it's not what Elgar really intended, I don't actually hate that Bernstein version - which I have - though I think coupled with Sibelius symphonies which are good.

Bernstein had a fine way with Sibelius (in both his recorded surveys). However, I feel he rather too often stretched tempi beyond breaking point, as in this Nimrod, Beethoven's 9th and that final chord of Ives's 2nd Symphony.

[LMcD]

Bernstein had a fine way with Sibelius (in both his recorded surveys). However, I feel he rather too often stretched tempi beyond breaking point, as in this Nimrod, Beethoven's 9th and that final chord of Ives's 2nd Symphony.

I recently acquired from a charity shop a 2-CD set comprising Sibelius's 1st, 2nd and 3rd symphonies - The Royal Edition No. 81 - with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Bernstein. Both recording and performance are top-drawer IMHO.

[Bryn]

I recently acquired from a charity shop a 2-CD set comprising Sibelius's 1st, 2nd and 3rd symphonies - The Royal Edition No. 81 - with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Bernstein. Both recording and performance are top-drawer IMHO.

I have the American Oboeist Kathy Gleasman Pisaro to thank for encouraging me to purchase Bernstein's NYPO Sibelius Symphonies. After interviewing me in connection with her research on the Scratch Orchestra we browsed one of the then Bond Street HMV store's sales and she strongly recommended that set. Bernstein's later DG multi-orchestra set is, if anything, even better, I feel, though I would suggest the Duo release, rather than the boxed set, replete with the vitiated 'Enigma' and Britten.

[Once Was 4]

Despite the evidence that it's not what Elgar really intended, I don't actually hate that Bernstein version - which I have - though I think coupled with Sibelius symphonies which are good.

I actually know players who are on that recording and know exactly what they think of it! Despite being an Elgar anorak I had therefore avoided it until I heard BAL (for the first time in years) last Saturday. I started with the thought that "actually I can see the point" but,as it went on and on and on (recurring), began to be troubled - no Elgar should make you desperate to get to the end.

But I could not see the point of BAL either and it did not educate, entertain or enthuse me.

This does though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLNLvcBmoqo

[richardfinegold]

It's Solti/CSO for me. Just saying.

My first record of the piece, coupled with Schoenberg Orchestra Variations. Never obtained it on CD. Monteux/LSO has been my only digital version