BaL 22.02.20 - Grieg: Holberg Suite

[Historian]

Beautifully put Jayne.

[BBMmk2]

A musical realisation of.... that unachievable, almost perfect, happiness, contentment.... something we knew and felt, way back, and spend the rest of our lives looking for....often in vain.....

A kind of lost innocence. But we can have it, preciously, for a few minutes, when we hear the Holberg Suite....

I think I love it most when I hear it unexpectedly, on a radio somewhere....

Very much agreed with you, JLW, here. I’ll have to hear this.

[pastoralguy]

Very interesting BaL this morning. This chap is really good. I was hoping to hear from Karajan und Die Berliner Philharmoniker but I suspect it's not being considered.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Very interesting BaL this morning. This chap is really good. I was hoping to hear from Karajan und Die Berliner Philharmoniker but I suspect it's not being considered.

Yes some really detailed remarks and real appreciation of the subtleties of string sound...

[MickyD]

I've always found the string textures a bit thick for modern orchestras in this work - bearing in mind it pays hommage to 18th century dances, and that we have now used gut strings in early 20th century repertoire, I'd like to hear an HIP version.

[Alison]

This was pretty good wasn’t it? Listened to a lot of Grieg in childhood and it invariably comes up wonderfully fresh.

Must listen to the Symphony again.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Very interesting BaL this morning. This chap is really good. I was hoping to hear from Karajan und Die Berliner Philharmoniker but I suspect it's not being considered.

It was obliquely dismissed in a derisory way.
Although he came up with some interesting things, his sometimes supercilious attitude was unnecessary.

[BBMmk2]

I thought this wasn’t too bad a review. Oliver Condy, imo, showed Andrew the way.

Now a very good segment of organ releases.

[Pulcinella]

Given that no recording completely satisfied Oliver Condy and it's not a piece I really need another recording of, I'll stick with what I've got, though admittedly might be more critical of it next time I listen to it.

Andrew seemed somewhat less invasive this week, too, giving OC a looser rein.
Perhaps our criticism of previous twofers has had some effect.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I've always found the string textures a bit thick for modern orchestras in this work - bearing in mind it pays hommage to 18th century dances, and that we have now used gut strings in early 20th century repertoire, I'd like to hear an HIP version.

Ummm, according to Condy Grieg actually wanted an orchestra of 60-odd strings This was one of his (IMO) very good reasons for steering clear of close-up chamber orch performances. Mind you, I was listening out for a Marriner perf with spurious harpsichord continuo, like (IIRC) one of his Capriols

[ardcarp]

It [Berliner Ph] was obliquely dismissed in a derisory way.

I think he said they sounded 'bored'.

I'm very glad Marriner 'won', (a) because I've got it and (b) because being a violinist himself he was totally brilliant with string players.

I was listening out for a Marriner perf with harpsichord continuo

I'm so glad Condy didn't go for a 'fashionable' and highly articulated smaller group. Grieg's homage to folksy dance forms was clearly a 'homage', and not a neo-classical pastiche, so....

bearing in mind it pays hommage to 18th century dances, and that we have now used gut strings in early 20th century repertoire, I'd like to hear an HIP version

...I wouldn't!

[DracoM]

Q: why was Marriner famed as a strings conductor? What technical details did he observe etc?

[MickyD]

Ummm, according to Condy Grieg actually wanted an orchestra of 60-odd strings This was one of his reasons for steering clear of close-up chamber orch performances. Mind you, I was listening out for a Marriner perf with harpsichord continuo, like (IIRC) one of his Capriols

Ah, I didn't know that...thanks for the info!

[ardcarp]

Q: why was Marriner famed as a strings conductor? What technical details did he observe etc?

As I mentioned a moment ago (maybe our posts crossed paths) he was a fine violinist in his pre-conducting days. The Academy of SMF was actually convened by a a couple called Jack and Jean Churchill who were joint organists there. Neville was one of the players, but combining his talent with a certain entrepreneurial skill, the rest is history. Nev (as he was affectionately known) lived close to me and was a personal friend. On occasions he would take a rehearsal with our local pros, and in a modest understated way he could elicit magical playing from them in a way that only a string player can.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Q: why was Marriner famed as a strings conductor? What technical details did he observe etc?

I don’t know but they tell me it’s all to do with bowing ....