BaL 8.05.21 - Smetana: Má Vlast

[cloughie]

LCP/RN, of course. Very fine and went down very well in Prague, too.

That’s not HIPP it’s just Roger ... and now I’m out!

Actually it is quite good but it was his LCP days - it’s the Stuttgart stuff that goes too far!

[Petrushka]

Vltava isn't actually my favourite movement from Ma Vlast: From Bohemia's Woods and Fields is.

I've got a fair number of recordings but it is always those from the Czech Philharmonic that I turn to, notably Ancerl, Neumann and Kubelik. I've not heard the version from Mackerras as I wasn't aware that he'd recorded it with them so I'll seek that one out.

How does Belolhavek's Supraphon recording compare with the Decca? I only have the latter and, as mentioned above, found it a little disappointing.

[cloughie]

Jakob Hrusa's Prom performance in 2019 was very impressive - first time I've ever been completely convinced by it as a set.

If I remember correctly the harps were stunning at the start!

[vinteuil]

LCP/RN, of course. Very fine and went down very well in Prague, too.

... very fine indeed - and going for a song -

: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000002SRH


.

[Darloboy]

IIRC, the Kubelík/ Czech Phil was the winner last time this cycle was considered.

Yes, your recollection is correct, chosen by Jan Smaczny in Feb 96 with Smetacek as modern recording choice and Talich as historic choice. And back in March 1985 Robert Philip chose Ancerl with Neumann as alternative choice for better recorded sound. All five of these recordings on Supraphon.

[Darloboy]

Yes, your recollection is correct, chosen by Jan Smaczny in Feb 96 with Smetacek as modern recording choice and Talich as historic choice. And back in March 1985 Robert Philip chose Ancerl with Neumann as alternative choice for better recorded sound. All five of these recordings on Supraphon.

Although I think the reference to the Smetacek as a "modern" recording choice was in fact an error on the BBC factsheet. I think in reality it was Jan Smaczny's digital studio recording choice.

[ardcarp]

Vltava isn't actually my favourite movement from Ma Vlast

...or Die Moldau as we used to know it at school. It was sold to us heavily, and I must say as an imprssionable 11-year old I loved it and the 'river's story'. I saved up and bought an LP and played it to death. I've no idea which recording it was, so if anyone has any images of a late 50s LP cover, I'd recognise it instantly. I agree that Vltava/die Moldau has become a somewhat over-played extract from Ma Vlast.

[Roslynmuse]

...or Die Moldau as we used to know it at school. It was sold to us heavily, and I must say as an imprssionable 11-year old I loved it and the 'river's story'. I saved up and bought an LP and played it to death. I've no idea which recording it was, so if anyone has any images of a late 50s LP cover, I'd recognise it instantly. I agree that Vltava/die Moldau has become a somewhat over-played extract from Ma Vlast.

The one in my father's LP collection was on HMV concert classics coupled with Grieg Peer Gynt - here's one going for £34!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/20018-Grieg-Suites-Nordwestdeutsche-Schuchter/dp/B00KY434WI

[Bert]

VPO Harnoncourt

[ardcarp]

The one in my father's LP collection was on HMV concert classics coupled with Grieg Peer Gynt - here's one going for £34!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/20018-Grieg.../dp/B00KY434WI

Thanks for the suggestion. Roslyn. I'm sure mine had rocky boulders on the front (not distant mountains) and I also seem to remember it was the Vienna Phil...but which of their (several?) recordings I'm not sure. I also think it was a mono LP.
Anyway, I doubt it will be under consideration tomorrow!

[cloughie]

Thanks for the suggestion. Roslyn. I'm sure mine had rocky boulders on the front (not distant mountains) and I also seem to remember it was the Vienna Phil...but which of their (several?) recordings I'm not sure. I also think it was a mono LP.
Anyway, I doubt it will be under consideration tomorrow!

https://www.discogs.com/search/?q=smetana+moldau+lp&type=all&page=3

https://www.discogs.com/search/?q=smetana+ma+vlast+lp&type=all

Should be amongst these!

[Keraulophone]

Should be amongst these!

https://www.discogs.com/Smetana-Kubelik-Vienna-Philharmonic-Má-Vlast-Excerpts/release/1853641

This 1958 VPO/Kubeilk looks the rockiest!

[Goon525]

Is it just me, or are we getting a succession of extracts played without any meaningful analysis of strengths and weaknesses? Quite a contrast with Messrs Wigmore and Simeone.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Is it just me, or are we getting a succession of extracts played without any meaningful analysis of strengths and weaknesses? Quite a contrast with Messrs Wigmore and Simeone.

No it is not just you , I was thinking exactly the same thing .

[Alison]

Not many musical points being made