BaL 29.10.11 Dvorak's Symphony no. 8

[Barbirollians]

I don't care two hoots about his accent . I do not find him a reliable guide to recordings that I shall like.

[Roehre]

Does anyone remember him from the ill-fated 'Classic CD' magazine from about 20 years ago?

I do, I still have got their very instructive sampler CDs (from issue 15 [1991] until their demise, their subscriptions being transferred to BBC MM), which opened my ears for many for me then unknown or hardly known pieces or performances. Classic CD was the first classical music magazine (perhaps even the very first altogether) accompanied by a CD iirc, first in a simple plastic envelop, then in a thin chrystal case, finally in a standard one. Happy memories I have to say.

[Nick Armstrong]

It seems we cannot get rid of Cowan on R3 - he must be earning as much as he can for his retirement, which, as far as I am concerned, cannot come soon enough.

Most reviewers come over with an objective review, where their knowledge of music is worn lightly. Cowan, on the other hand, with no in-depth musical education seems to give a far too subjective review and comes over to me as “aren’t I knowledgeable, can even read a score, or the CD notes, listen to what I think is important, and I can list every recording if you like.” The sort of reviewer who knows the price of everything but the value of very little.

I am not worried about his choice as I prefer other Dvorak symphonies and there are loads of very passable Eights around. I just find his method of review too “me, me.”

I disagree with you. I think he's a good broadcaster (whatever the vagaries of his accent) and I for one trust his comprehensive knowledge of recordings (particularly from the period before I personally became interested in music, namely the late 70s) and to some extent his taste. I have discovered many things over the years thanks to his contributions (the Szell recordings of the Schumann symphonies spring to mind as they came up on another thread a couple of days ago). Apart from the horrible 'chat show host' rôle he is forced to play for a while these days, I look forward to his broadcasts and discussions.

[salymap]

No broadcaster is perfect and I enjoy listening to all of them for different reasons.

Rob Cowan has taken the trouble to explain several anomalies in my RVW symphony recordings in the past and spent time emailing me about Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle recording.

I doubt that he enjoys the present set-up as much as he appears to, but it'shis job and he does it well.

[hafod]

I agree that Mr Cowan's credibility has been undermined by his wholehearted embrace of the breakfast programme but in his defence he does have a crust to earn. Plain speaking is not his style and my major gripe about him is his apparent unwillingness to accentuate the downsides of a performance and on those few occasions when he does it is invariably heavily sugared. For me he is not the asset to R3 he once was.

[Curalach]

No broadcaster is perfect and I enjoy listening to all of them for different reasons.

I agree.
We should remember that BaL is, generally, one persons response to surveying recordings of a particular work. The ultimate recommendation may be "right" for the presenter but that does not mean that it is "right" for everyone.
It never fails to astonish me that this programme generates so much knee-jerk response by those who seem to think that their judgement has been called into question by the presenter's choice. Failure to mention, or recommend, a particular recording is not a personal sleight against those who favour that recording.
I like Rob Cowan. I can identify with him as an enthusiastic music lover and record collector rather than as an academic. There is room for all.

[Nick Armstrong]

I like Rob Cowan. I can identify with him as an enthusiastic music lover and record collector rather than as an academic

That's it.

Mind you, I'm not sure he got it "right" with this Davis / LSO version he chose and which is being broadcast now. A very earthbound, I might even say leaden-footed, Allegretto Gracioso movement, lacking a lilt, a touch of magic, that I've heard in that movement....

[salymap]

I've never heard anything to come up to the Vaclav Talich/ Czech PO 78s that I bought circa 1950. Long gone but the were magic.

[amateur51]

I agree.
We should remember that BaL is, generally, one persons response to surveying recordings of a particular work. The ultimate recommendation may be "right" for the presenter but that does not mean that it is "right" for everyone.
It never fails to astonish me that this programme generates so much knee-jerk response by those who seem to think that their judgement has been called into question by the presenter's choice. Failure to mention, or recommend, a particular recording is not a personal sleight against those who favour that recording.
I like Rob Cowan. I can identify with him as an enthusiastic music lover and record collector rather than as an academic. There is room for all.

I completely agree, Curalach - well said.

As most enthusiasts of classical music know, it is very rare for once performance to fully satisfy every aspect of a piece of music, so the whole thing is entirely subjective and very much the choice of the broadcaster, as you say. I have no problem with this at all and quite often I hear an alternative that doesn't make it as the final choice which I prefer. Vive la difference, say I! :lsmiley:

[amateur51]

That's it.

Mind you, I'm not sure he got it "right" with this Davis / LSO version he chose and which is being broadcast now. A very earthbound, I might even say leaden-footed, Allegretto Gracioso movement, lacking a lilt, a touch of magic, that I've heard in that movement....

Would love to get an invitation to Rob's shed for 'a session', taking along a few bottles and some good bread & cheese to keep us going. What larks!

[Dave2002]

Bruno Walter with the CSO is very good, if you can find a copy. There are some used ones, and maybe even a few new ones if you look around. Not sure if this was one which Sony reissued as an SACD (probably only SACD) bit it might be. There are high prices, but some much more affordable ones if you look around.

[Karafan]

Aah, yes the Bruno Walter recording is a treasure. A prime example of his 1961 "Indian Summer" riches - wonderfully warm, almost lit from within. Archetypal Walter.

K.

[Nick Armstrong]

Would love to get an invitation to Rob's shed for 'a session', taking along a few bottles and some good bread & cheese to keep us going. What larks!

My thoughts entirely! May I join you?

[Nick Armstrong]

Bruno Walter with the CSO is very good, if you can find a copy. There are some used ones, and maybe even a few new ones if you look around. Not sure if this was one which Sony reissued as an SACD (probably only SACD) bit it might be. There are high prices, but some much more affordable ones if you look around.

Aah, yes the Bruno Walter recording is a treasure. A prime example of his 1961 "Indian Summer" riches - wonderfully warm, almost lit from within. Archetypal Walter.
K.

This is excellent news, and a nice coincidence! I looked this morning to see which Dvorak 8 I own, and it's the Walter! I was meaning to post here to ask if anyone knows it. Looking forward to giving it a spin.

I don't think Rob Cowan even mentioned it, did he...

[Karafan]

I don't think Rob Cowan even mentioned it, did he...

Only en passant, when listing a huge litany of unavailable recordings towards the end, when he mystifyingly included a reference to Giulini in Los Angeles, when I think he meant to say Chicago....

Enjoy the glow, Caliban!

K.