BaL 30.10.21 - Elgar: Violin Concerto in B minor

[Barbirollians]

Has the old thread been deleted re the 2012 BAL ? If so that’s a shame .

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Has the old thread been deleted re the 2012 BAL ? If so that’s a shame .

Not deleted. It’s been temporarily hidden to enable this thread to be the one used to discuss tomorrow’s broadcast. The old one will be restored before too long.

[pastoralguy]

Really ? I suppose that might be lockdown as well . But having seen the documentary about performing the Marsalis concerto I doubt if there is a more committed instrumentalist around . She really is dedicated.

Nicky and I go back a long way.

[BBMmk2]

I have both of Nigel Kennedy’s and Tasmin Little’s. It be interesting to see which recording in Alpie’s list comes top.

[Darloboy]

The DON’s kicked off with Handley. Is he going to pick Kennedy?

[Ein Heldenleben]

The DON’s kicked off with Handley. Is he going to pick Kennedy?

Or is it Rattle / Kennedy? He’s teasing us …

[Goon525]

Or is it Rattle / Kennedy? He’s teasing us …

Not really - he’s made clear his preference for the later Kennedy.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Not really - he’s made clear his preference for the later Kennedy.

Good BAL. But I thought Gielgud meant classic and restrained with Olivier a bit hammy and a teensy - weensy bit over the top.?

[Alison]

Very interesting edition. Wasn’t that enthralled with the Kennedy ending, I prefer more poise.

A swimmy acoustic for Tazza? I’m inspired to revisit my owned versions and learn a few new ones.

Solti very much in charge of the Chung version by the sound of it!

[Pianoman]

No real surprises here - he picked Kennedy in the Violin Sonata on BAL, so obviously a fan; personally I prefer his Handley recording, but my new 'favourite' (for now...) is Catherine Manoukian, live and with tremendous orchestral support. This will change by next week I'm sure.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Very interesting edition. Wasn’t that enthralled with the Kennedy ending, I prefer more poise.

A swimmy acoustic for Tazza? I’m inspired to revisit my owned versions and learn a few new ones.

Solti very much in charge of the Chung version by the sound of it!

Yes I thought both Kyung-Wha Chung and Tasmin produced some of the most purely beautiful violin sounds - an important consideration. Also impressed by the quality of the Elgar remastering and Sammons’ portamenti.
The winner didn’t surprise or indeed disappoint me but I prefer the Handley version. I think Rattle / Kennedy a tad too histrionic…

[BBMmk2]

I do rather like Tasmin’s and both of the Kennedy recordings.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Slightly puzzled by DON's strictures on Sir Henry Wood in the Sammons. Despite his claims that Wood holds Sammons back too often, this is still by far the fastest of my timed versions:

Wood/ Sammons 14'51 + 11'05 + 17'21
Elgar/ Menuhin 17'25 + 13'00 + 19'22
Handley/ Kennedy 18'58 + 13'21 + 21'26
Boult/ Menuhin 17'39 + 11'58 + 18'09
Solti/ Chung 18'00 + 12'34 + 18'52
Barenboim/ Zukerman 17'57 + 12'23 + 20'02

So if Wood really had kept up with Sammons what would the timings have been?? And would we, and perhaps DOM and all critics from Day1, be saying it's just ridiculously rushed?

(The one that doesn't give timings is the Boult/ Haendel: slow but how slow? Her version with Rattle looks to be decidedly brisk. Having ordered it the other day my anticipation is further whetted)

[Keraulophone]

Wood/ Sammons 14'51 + 11'05 + 17'21
Elgar/ Menuhin 17'25 + 13'00 + 19'22
Handley/ Kennedy 18'58 + 13'21 + 21'26
Boult/ Menuhin 17'39 + 11'58 + 18'09
Solti/ Chung 18'00 + 12'34 + 18'52
Barenboim/ Zukerman 17'57 + 12'23 + 20'02

The one that doesn't give timings is the Boult/ Haendel: slow but how slow?

Boult / Haendel 19’52 + 13’49 + 21’39
Rattle / Haendel 17’03 + 11’23 +18’00
.

[Barbirollians]

Slightly puzzled by DON's strictures on Sir Henry Wood in the Sammons. Despite his claims that Wood holds Sammons back too often, this is still by far the fastest of my timed versions:

Wood/ Sammons 14'51 + 11'05 + 17'21
Elgar/ Menuhin 17'25 + 13'00 + 19'22
Handley/ Kennedy 18'58 + 13'21 + 21'26
Boult/ Menuhin 17'39 + 11'58 + 18'09
Solti/ Chung 18'00 + 12'34 + 18'52
Barenboim/ Zukerman 17'57 + 12'23 + 20'02

So if Wood really had kept up with Sammons what would the timings have been?? And would we, and perhaps DOM and all critics from Day1, be saying it's just ridiculously rushed?

(The one that doesn't give timings is the Boult/ Haendel: slow but how slow? Her version with Rattle looks to be decidedly brisk. Having ordered it the other day my anticipation is further whetted)

I missed the first 20 minutes but any review that describes Menuhin’s playing in 1932 as histrionic does not get my approval . I have always preferred Nige’s first recording and I don’t think his rather treacly ending to the accompanied cadenza played today did him any favours. I assume Menuhin/ Boult not mentioned or airily dismissed as by Martin Cotton ?