BaL 28.01.12 Mendelssohn's Elijah

[EdgeleyRob]

More a love of English music and a desire to make Parry's underappreciated 5th Symphony better known.

Not underappreciated by me. All Parry's music should be better known.

A lot of equally or even more distinguished conductors seem to have given it a wide berth though...

Which is their loss !

[Rolmill]

I think Elijah is possibly more fun to perform than to listen to, as so often with Oratorios, but there are some exciting choruses and excellent solos so it's definitely worth having on the shelves IMO.

I have a different Sawallisch recording from that listed by EA - his 1968 Leipzig recording, which has pretty good soloists (Theo Adam weighty but not always centre-of-the-note in the title role), a very good choir and the marvellous LGO, all in a slightly bathroomy acoustic.

I used to have the Terfel/Daniel English version as well, but it seems have gone AWOL; I recall some vivid singing from Terfel, other soloists less memorable, rather woolly choral singing and good orchestral playing. I think this is the version IGI refers to above (though I believe it's Paul Daniel, not Mackerras, who conducts) - laughably bad cover picture, as he says.

[Nick Armstrong]

I think Elijah is possibly more fun to perform than to listen to

I'm sure that's true. It applies to quite a few pieces (particularly choral).

[VodkaDilc]

I'm sure that's true. It applies to quite a few pieces (particularly choral).

And most chamber music!

[Nick Armstrong]

And most chamber music!

Harsh!

[EdgeleyRob]

And most chamber music!

[VodkaDilc]

Harsh!

Harsh but honest! (Can we add solo harpsichord music?)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Harsh but honest! (Can we add solo harpsichord music?)

You may "add" whatever you wish, sir - especially as it's your own "list".

I would merely suggest that such a list seems to me to be one to starboard, Vods!

[VodkaDilc]

You may "add" whatever you wish, sir - especially as it's your own "list".

I would merely suggest that such a list seems to me to be one to starboard, Vods!

Living about as far from the sea as is possible in the UK, I do not understand the nautical reference. (Should I copy the current Cameron-speak and say I don't "get it"?)

I would say that I do not enjoy chamber music (except those works I have played in), I detest the sound of a harpsichord, and, having been taught music from the age of 11 to 22 by predominantly the generation born in the first decade of the last century (who detested all things Victorian, such as Mendelssohn), I was brought up to dislike Elijah. In my late 20s, I sang in a performance with a good choral society and I have loved it ever since. QED, as we used to say in Geometry lessons.

[Nick Armstrong]

Harsh but honest! (Can we add solo harpsichord music?)

Honest... no doubt... but fair ?

[Black Swan]

Yes, I think this means another free morning for me - yippee! - and think of the savings...

Yes, I agree, not a fan so leave this to the fans of Mendelssohn.

J

[vinteuil]

I would say that I do not enjoy chamber music (except those works I have played in), I detest the sound of a harpsichord...

Well, we now know where you're coming from!

For me, chamber music is the highest and best there is. And I write as a harpsichordist...

[VodkaDilc]

Well, we now know where you're coming from!

For me, chamber music is the highest and best there is. And I write as a harpsichordist...

Nothing personal! The sounds of some instruments are deeply exciting for me, irrespective of what they are playing - organ, piano (of course), 'cello, oboe, to name four. Other sounds are at the other extreme - harpsichord, much solo violin music, a great deal of string-based chamber music. Sorry! We're all different.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I like the harpsichord when heard live, but in many recordings, it sounds jangling and harsh, almost likeand electrically amplified instrument.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I think this is the version IGI refers to above (though I believe it's Paul Daniel, not Mackerras, who conducts) - laughably bad cover picture, as he says.

Paul Daniel, of course! Why did I think it was Mackerras? (Possibly because of the OAE/ Edinburgh Festival connection...)