BaL 12.06.21 - Orff: Carmina Burana

[HighlandDougie]

Has anyone heard the Van Immerseel recording? I'm a great fan of his, but I seem to recall this release proving very disappointing to reviewers.

I bought it on the basis that JvI does little wrong to my ears, those Érard pianos in the 'Symphonie Fantastique' apart. I haven't read any reviews of it but can imagine that it might come across as a bit small-scale by comparison with Rattle/BPO or one of the many other recordings. I have to confess that I have probably only listened to it a couple of times, not because of any great faults with the performance but because the work is one to which I have no great desire to listen more than about once a year, usually to hear whether my aversion to it has gone away.

[MickyD]

I bought it on the basis that JvI does little wrong to my ears, those Érard pianos in the 'Symphonie Fantastique' apart. I haven't read any reviews of it but can imagine that it might come across as a bit small-scale by comparison with Rattle/BPO or one of the many other recordings. I have to confess that I have probably only listened to it a couple of times, not because of any great faults with the performance but because the work is one to which I have no great desire to listen more than about once a year, usually to hear whether my aversion to it has gone away.

Yes, Dougie, I think small scale was the issue amongst reviewers. And I agree, his Symphonie Fantastique was a surprising disappointment after so many other wonderful discs.

[visualnickmos]

The Frühbeck de Burgos recording is a remarkable performance blessed by Lucia Popp in fine voice but the digital transfer I've heard is over-bright and not as good as the analogue original imv.

Agree. Digital transfers are certainly not always the silver bullet.

[reinerfan]

I see that the Supraphon version of this work, which was issued on LP around the same time as the Burgos, seems to be no longer available. The conductor of the Czech P O was Vaclav Smetacek, and a CD eventually became available. I have always enjoyed this work, about once a year, and preferably after consuming at least one botle of wine. The Supraphon version has always been my favourite, even above the Burgos, as everyone sounds slightly drunk, which is surely the best way to get the most out of this work.

[Bryn]

I see that the Supraphon version of this work, which was issued on LP around the same time as the Burgos, seems to be no longer available. The conductor of the Czech P O was Vaclav Smetacek, and a CD eventually became available. I have always enjoyed this work, about once a year, and preferably after consuming at least one botle[sic] of wine. The Supraphon version has always been my favourite, even above the Burgos, as everyone sounds slightly drunk, which is surely the best way to get the most out of this work.

Six options here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orff-Carmin.../dp/B000025RA2 . All are used but that should not prove a problem. Also, as the back image makes clear, two discs, not just one that Amazon claim. The current Supraphon offering for Carmina Burana is conducted by Delogu.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Time to “bump” this one in anticipation of today’s broadcast.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Time to “bump” this one in anticipation of today’s broadcast.

Despite the reservations of forumites over the piece this BAL has the merit of what sounds like studio quality sound.

[Goon525]

Despite the reservations of forumites over the piece this BAL has the merit of what sounds like studio quality sound.

Agreed. No dodgy telephone line this week. And Mr Summerly seems to know what he’s talking about.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Agreed. No dodgy telephone line this week. And Mr Summerly seems to know what he’s talking about.

Yes he’s very good on the exact type of voice he thinks is required for this very demanding work. Even if you don’t like the work there is much to learn about voice production from Jeremy’s expert opinions . Amazing how the record companies keep misdescribing the male voices...

[Goon525]

I thought that a really good BaL where you could understand why conclusions were reached. I’ll be listening to the Muti on Qobuz before long.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I thought that a really good BaL where you could understand why conclusions were reached. I’ll be listening to the Muti on Qobuz before long.

It was excellent, looking at the work and its recordings from so many angles.

[Master Jacques]

It was excellent, looking at the work and its recordings from so many angles.

Seconded. What a pleasure to have a really expert reviewer, who knows about singing, knows about the work, knows about recording - and can string more than two words together without throwing in an "absolutely fantastic". There was something here for everyone, whether they knew the work well or not. Alles gegrüßt!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Seconded. What a pleasure to have a really expert reviewer, who knows about singing, knows about the work, knows about recording - and can string more than two words together without throwing in an "absolutely fantastic". There was something here for everyone, whether they knew the work well or not. Alles gegrüßt!

Completely agree . Unfortunately the sound quality on the current opera reviewer really gets in the way of what she is saying...
In fact it’s farcical - her telephone has just started ringing...

[Ein Heldenleben]

Completely agree . Unfortunately the sound quality on the current opera reviewer really gets in the way of what she is saying...
In fact it’s farcical - her telephone has just started ringing...

.l..Now on a new telephone line it emerges that the reviewer was in fact male - which either indicates the quality of the original line or that I have serious hearing problems. Such a shame because it was an interesting review of some good opera recordings.

[Goon525]

The current lockdown rules do not preclude Andrew and guest being in the same studio; this - and not for the first time - has been a disgrace.