BaL 13.11.21 - Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 28-10-21, 18:57

Has the BBC lost its imagination? There are so many big works that have not been given an outing on BaL in recent years, yet we now have two that cover the same works that were reviewed approximately 10 years ago. I just hope it doesn't go the same way as last time, pushing a version to the top that I would dismiss in the first five minutes for several reasons.

**Ein Heldenleben** · 28-10-21, 19:02

Which version was that and why ?

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 28-10-21, 19:08

Originally posted by Ein Heldenleben View Post

Which version was that and why ?

Karajan's DG version:

Oppressively recorded, especially the violins.
Some poor tuning from the BPO.
An offstage band that's apparently slap-bang in the middle of the orchestra.

But if you like his interpretation, there's a DVD version with HvK conducting live. Far superior to the studio version imo.

**Nick Armstrong** · 28-10-21, 19:22

Originally posted by Ein Heldenleben View Post

Which version was that and why ?

And who was the reviewer?

**Petrushka** · 28-10-21, 19:56

Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View Post

And who was the reviewer?

Richard Osborne, if I remember correctly.

I have to disagree with EA about the Karajan CD. It has since been re-mastered and sounds absolutely glorious in the one I have in the 1970s box. I also have the DVD and found the sound intolerable, not a patch on the CD. The massed horns baying out the 'Bruch Violin Concerto' theme on the CD are incredibly thrilling.

Karajan would definitely be my first choice.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 28-10-21, 20:04

Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View Post

And who was the reviewer?

William Mival in 2011.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 28-10-21, 20:08

If sound quality isn’t a priority, Schuricht and Knappertsbusch are worth considering.

**Ein Heldenleben** · 28-10-21, 20:09

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

Richard Osborne, if I remember correctly.

I have to disagree with EA about the Karajan CD. It has since been re-mastered and sounds absolutely glorious in the one I have in the 1970s box. I also have the DVD and found the sound intolerable, not a patch on the CD. The massed horns baying out the 'Bruch Violin Concerto' theme on the CD are incredibly thrilling.

Karajan would definitely be my first choice.

It gets stellar reviews in the Penguin guide with particular praise for the recorded sound of the violins !

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 28-10-21, 20:23

Originally posted by Ein Heldenleben View Post

It gets stellar reviews in the Penguin guide with particular praise for the recorded sound of the violins !

It remains the only CD I’ve given away!

**richardfinegold** · 28-10-21, 20:25

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

Richard Osborne, if I remember correctly.

I have to disagree with EA about the Karajan CD. It has since been re-mastered and sounds absolutely glorious in the one I have in the 1970s box. I also have the DVD and found the sound intolerable, not a patch on the CD. The massed horns baying out the 'Bruch Violin Concerto' theme on the CD are incredibly thrilling.

Karajan would definitely be my first choice.

I will go back and listen to the Karajan, but I burned it to a server a few months bag and thought it was thrilling. I don't remember any of the sonic issues that EA mentions. However, he is the undisputed expert on this work

**Ein Heldenleben** · 28-10-21, 20:44

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

It remains the only CD I’ve given away!

I am going to listen on Qubuz tomorrow

**Darloboy** · 28-10-21, 22:58

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

Has the BBC lost its imagination? There are so many big works that have not been given an outing on BaL in recent years, yet we now have two that cover the same works that were reviewed approximately 10 years ago. I just hope it doesn't go the same way as last time, pushing a version to the top that I would dismiss in the first five minutes for several reasons.

Couldn't agree more - although it's not quite as bad as when they managed to cover Die Meistersinger 4 times in 20 years.

I appreciate that BaL needs to cover major works fairly regularly for new listeners but I do wish they'd be a bit more imaginative in their programming. The programme's title is "Building a Library", not "Collecting multiple versions of the same works".

I'd suggest that the producers look back at past programmes to see what hasn't been covered recently before deciding to wheel out the old favourites.

Just looking at Strauss, Tod und Verklarung has only ever been covered once on BaL - and that was in 1977; as has Sinfonia Domestica (in 1992); and Elektra (in 1993); and Arabella (in 1995). Salome was last covered in 1995 and Don Juan in 1998. Neither Capriccio nor Die Frau ohne Schatten have ever been covered by BaL. There's some pretty major works in there that BaL has neglected for a quarter of a century or more. Elektra and Salome are surely core works for any self-respecting Strauss library.

Even Elgar (whose work I think BaL covers far too often anyway) has some works which the programme has a blind spot for, notably Sea Pictures and Serenade for Strings, neither of which I think have ever been covered by BaL. And surprisingly, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches only appear to have been covered once - in 1977 (note to any BBC producers reading this - I am not requesting a programme on the Pomp and Circumstance Marches).

Rant over, apologies.

**Lordgeous** · 28-10-21, 23:49

Interesting. Where can one find all this info? Thanks.

**Darloboy** · 29-10-21, 00:45

Originally posted by Lordgeous View Post

Interesting. Where can one find all this info? Thanks.

The BaL fact sheets going back to 1999, listing all recommendations made on the programme (except for a few errors/omissions) are available on the Record Review site. I also have the fact sheets going back to 1991, which is when I started listening to the programme - you used to send off a stamped addressed envelope to the BBC at the end of each series and they’d send you the fact sheet back.

The rest of the information I’ve put together from the BBC Genome site which has all of the listings from the Radio Times going back many years. Each listing for Building a Library indicates the work which was to be covered that week. I’ve clearly got too much time on my hands!

I’m sure someone somewhere is sitting on a pile of Building a Library factsheets going back to the 70s or even earlier - it’d be fascinating to get hold of copies.

BaL 13.11.21 - Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie

BaL 13.11.21 - Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie

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