BaL 24.04.21 - Stravinsky: Violin concerto in D

[jayne lee wilson]

Excellent news. I did my own mini-BaL listening from Qobuz this morning, comparing half a dozen or so. I don’t know this piece very well, and don’t have any strongly-imprinted older versions in my head, but found both the solo and orchestral playing on the new Nebel/K Jarvi recording very impressive.

See my review #60 on page 6 here....

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?22916-BaL-10-04-21-Stravinsky-Violin-concerto-in-D/page6

....posted as ever after several comparative hearings. No other way to get the measure of a recording, especially of very familiar music, where you can find your responses on auto-pilot or too wedded to older favourites. It is an advantage not to suffer from those vestigial attachments.

Newer and younger artists (the Stravinsky is Nebel's solo debut) surely need to have something new to say about a frequently-recorded work - which may of course mean a freely creative reading of the score's instructions; benefit to the music and experienced listener inter alia is de-familiarisation. So the music can speak to her, and she may respond to it, anew.

[LMcD]

All will be revealed 10 days from now!
Should it transpire that the top recommendation is download only, or requires the purchase of a box set, I shall be more than happy to settle for an acceptable performance on a single CD - preferably coupled with a work or works that are new to me or of which I don't currently have any versions.

[Barbirollians]

It certainly happens other professions. I have seen many examples, possibly one involving myself, in my line, and have heard of numerous cases in other fields.

I am speculating Rosand’s decision to covert from Judaism didn’t win him favors with Stern or his circle, but I don’t remember if Rosand himself raises that as an issue

Or could it be that Rosand found that the great was the enemy of the good ? a fine violinist but no Stern.

[LMcD]

It's to be hoped that, in cases such as this where a goodly number of recordings are available, young Andrew and his interlocutor can find one recommendable version that doesn't require a download or the purchase of a multi-disc box set. Should they feel unable to meet this perfectly reasonable expectation, I shall do what I normally do and seek the advice of fellow Forum members.

[Bryn]

It's to be hoped that, in cases such as this where a goodly number of recordings are available, young Andrew and his interlocutor can find one recommendable version that doesn't require a download or the purchase of a multi-disc box set. Should they feel unable to meet this perfectly reasonable expectation, I shall do what I normally do and seek the advice of fellow Forum members.

"It's to be hoped that, . . . " By you, maybe, but please do not presume to impose such aspirations on others. For my part, I hope the choice is made based on the qualities of the performance and recording quality, regardless of the carrying system employed. Recordings solely available in large, multidisc boxed sets, however, do, I feel, deserve demerits bases on that limitation to their availability. All too often, individual recordings in such boxed sets are excluded from the list of those available as downloads from such sets.

[Rolmill]

"It's to be hoped that, . . . " By you, maybe, but please do not presume to impose such aspirations on others. For my part, I hope the choice is made based on the qualities of the performance and recording quality, regardless of the carrying system employed....

But LMcD didn't specify "the recommended version", just "one recommendable version" that is available (and not only in a box set) on CD. Given that many people (such as me) do still rely on CDs for their listening, it seems a reasonable request which is in no way inconsistent with the "aspirations" of others.

I'm sure LMcD will correct me if I have misinterpreted his post!

[LMcD]

But LMcD didn't specify "the recommended version", just "one recommendable version" that is available (and not only in a box set) on CD. Given that many people (such as me) do still rely on CDs for their listening, it seems a reasonable request which is in no way inconsistent with the "aspirations" of others.

I'm sure LMcD will correct me if I have misinterpreted his post!

I think my post has been misinterpreted, but not by you! I was merely suggesting that an acceptable single-CD recording be additionally recommended where the first choice is a download or part of a box set (and vice versa). I have a strict 'non-presumption' policy in all matters on which I don't claim any authority, and this is one of many! (Mind you, there are limits to my modesty - I came close to representing Great Britain in the 1948 Olympics until they regrettably reversed the decision to include a 20 yard stroll for athletes of limited ability).

[Barbirollians]

Have they just shifted all the BALs back a week or two?

[BBMmk2]

Have they just shifted all the BALs back a week or two?

Yes,because of Prince Philip’s passing. They had only sequences of music on and tribute themed programmes.

[richardfinegold]

Or could it be that Rosand found that the great was the enemy of the good ? a fine violinist but no Stern.

I am not sure how to compare the two. I never heard either live. Rosand never had the kind of opportunity to record like Stern. Stern recordings often over emphasize him in the sound picture, making the soloist sound larger than he should be. The Rosand recordings that I have do not unnaturally spotlight the soloist, but then again they suffer from the overall Vox recording technology. His Brahms Sonatas disc from the later stages of his career was very fine. Stern’s late recordings tend to show his tone becoming cramped and acidic, which is perhaps why most of his late recordings are chamber music

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

At last!

The great day cometh.

[gurnemanz]

At last!

The great day cometh.

Thanks for the nudge. Just enough time to play my two CD versions:
Grumiaux/Concertgebouw/Ernest Bour
Isaac Stern/Columbia SO/Composer

[Pulcinella]

Thanks –it's a piece I'm incredibly fond of, so it was lovely to be asked to take it on. I've had about six weeks of intensive Stravinsky immersion and came out of that enjoying the piece even more.

Many thanks for all your insights, Nigel, in the fascinating BaL you've just given us.
I wasn't sure that I could enjoy the piece even more than I already did, but now I do!

'Winner' added to my queue for listening to later.

[cloughie]

Many thanks for all your insights, Nigel, in the fascinating BaL you've just given us.
I wasn't sure that I could enjoy the piece even more than I already did, but now I do!

'Winner' added to my queue for listening to later.

Good BaL. No too much unnecessary interference from Andrew.

[Bert]

Good BaL. No too much unnecessary interference from Andrew.

Yes, very enjoyable programme. But I never find Andrew McGregor's input unnecessary or interfering, anyway.