BaL 30.10.21 - Elgar: Violin Concerto in B minor

[Ein Heldenleben]

Top four were Little,Kennedy/Rattle, Graffin/Handley and Sitkovetsky/Menuhin.

Thanks I knew I’d only half remembered it !

[Goon525]

How was Capuçon received...?

Dismissed with a single mention.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Yes. I think it’s difficult even if you are over 60 let alone 50 . Back on thread I didn’t find it a helpful analogy…

Exactly. If its important that these are live* where was the producer, insisting in AM's earpiece that the analogy be explained. My goodness - R3 devotes all these initiatives to bringing in The Youth, who weren't born when these persons were alive...... One interruption that would have been justified as necessary, as against many interruptions over past months which were anything but.

(* I am right? - these are live, so that the presenter is part of it - as it seems so important).

[Ein Heldenleben]

Exactly. If its important that these are live* where was the producer, insisting in AM's earpiece that the analogy be explained. My goodness - R3 devotes all these initiatives to bringing in The Youth, who weren't born when these persons were alive...... One interruption that would have been justified as necessary, as against many interruptions over past months which were anything but.

(* I am right? - these are live, so that the presenter is part of it - as it seems so important).

I wonder if DON ever saw either live ? Perhaps their reputations are so stellar that anyone with an interest in theatre would know what he was getting at : classical restraint vs heart on sleeve? Perhaps we should all be flattered ?

[gradus]

No mention of Zukerman/Barenboim, love for the work very evident in their performance imv.

[Maclintick]

I still hope Vilde Frang and MGT will record it after their dazzling CBSO performance.

I was thinking exactly the same thing -- not having heard VF in this concerto, but on the strength of a stunning Barbican performance of the Britten, which she has recorded. I'd also love to hear Alina Ibragimova. Not convinced by NK in the Rattle/CBSO extracts chosen by DON, which some describe "on-the-edge" but which I would characterise as "seat-of-the-pants". Intrigued by Graffin/Handley, of which there weren't many examples, IIRC. A good BAL, nonetheless, with fascinating insights into the concerto's genesis. If I can be forgiven for fielding a sporting metaphor as opposed to DON's not entirely convincing thespian analogy I heard Zukerman smash it out of the park, in a good way, at a Prom some years ago.

[Barbirollians]

Gosh having listened to the whole I thought this was a dire BAL for all DON’s erudition. Menuhin/Boult ignored despite referring to Menuhin conducting the piece later in life , Campoli and Zehetmair dismissed as “ Gielgud” whatever that Olivier/Gielgud nonsense means , an extract from the forgettable Hahn recording why I wonder ? , choosing Kennedy /Rattle over the Handley apparently simply because Kennedy preferred it.

Rehashing W.H.Reed’s belief the piece was about rivers ( which I don’t get ) , criticisms of Sir Henry Wood which were not clearly illustrated or explained ( I think he is a bit brusque but I do not get the “ catch up “criticism )

The only plus was hearing the Graffin extracts.

Awful.

[visualnickmos]

No mention of Zukerman/Barenboim, love for the work very evident in their performance imv.

That really is a fine, fine version. An odd BaL; the acting analogy completely pointless, as like me, I'm sure many listeners won't have had a clue of what he was talking about!

[BBMmk2]

Well, at least I won’t have to splash out!

[Dave2002]

Well, at least I won’t have to splash out!

I might try the Little version, since I have most of the other major contenders already - and fortunately in CD form rather than downloads! The Graffin is another which I don't have, and includes a violin part which reverts back to what Elgar wrote first, so might investigate that further. In the meantime I should spend some time listening to the versions I have already.

[Barbirollians]

I might try the Little version, since I have most of the other major contenders already - and fortunately in CD form rather than downloads! The Graffin is another which I don't have, and includes a violin part which reverts back to what Elgar wrote first, so might investigate that further. In the meantime I should spend some time listening to the versions I have already.

An excellent idea. I am starting with Zukerman/Barenboim which I have not heard for a while . I note that this appears to be the one major work of Elgar Barenboim has not re-recorded in his Berlin Staatskapelle series.

[Barbirollians]

I might try the Little version, since I have most of the other major contenders already - and fortunately in CD form rather than downloads! The Graffin is another which I don't have, and includes a violin part which reverts back to what Elgar wrote first, so might investigate that further. In the meantime I should spend some time listening to the versions I have already.

What has also occurred to me about the stupid Olivier/Gielgud analogy is it’s sexism - where are the great women violinists meant to fit in ? From Marie Hall ,KWC to Ida Haendel et al ?

[Ein Heldenleben]

What has also occurred to me about the stupid Olivier/Gielgud analogy is it’s sexism - where are the great women violinists meant to fit in ? From Marie Hall ,KWC to Ida Haendel et al ?

At least he didn’t refer to more Sarah Bernhardt , less Ellen Terry ….

[mikealdren]

Just listened to DON's typically interesting views, I learned more from this BaL than I expected and I was also largely happy with his assessments despite not really understanding the Gielgud/Olivier comparison. He also seemed to compare a reasonable number of performances although I also didn't really see why he played Hilary Hahn's version.

For me, Graffin's start of the cadenza far too gushing rather than nobilmente, probably just French rather than English and I would immediately dismiss it for that, I was intrigued by the Sitkovetsky which I hadn't heard; very good if a little 'cool', certainly in comparison with Kennedy.

I agree with PG's view of the Igor Oistrakh and apart from the non existent Kreisler, the greatest loss must be David Oistrakh's Russian radio broadcast that has not resurfaced.

As to performers yet to record it, in addition to Vidle Frang, I think it would suit Lisa Batiashvili and, particularly, Janine Jansen very well, Of course it would be fascinating to see what Pat Kop could make of it too!

[jonfan]

Come on Hyperion, it’s time Alina Abragimova recorded the piece with Martyn Brabbins conducting.