BaL 5.01.13 - Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D

[Nimrod]

Well said Ferretfancy, and those others before you who pointed some of the weaknesses of her discourse. Looking through many of the comments before yours I see a thread that argues for a more discerning approach to this review, I'm sure others would have made a better fist of it. My favourite, and it seems I am not alone in this, is the Barbirolli/RPO recording and the brief excerpt showed just how 'alive' this peformance is. The end of Davis's "nd did not make me want to rise from my seat at all! As for the extra timpani beat, that should have been dismissed in the opening few words of the review. Back to the drawing board Ms Jeal and maybe you should listen to some of the more expirienced members of the team

[LeMartinPecheur]

Those who like me were much struck by the Kajanus recording of the 2nd Symphony (v fast first mov't) may care to note that Naxos issue this month an Obert-Thorn remastering c/w Belshazzar's Feast and Karelia Suites (8.111394)

[LeMartinPecheur]

Well said Ferretfancy, and those others before you who pointed some of the weaknesses of her discourse. Looking through many of the comments before yours I see a thread that argues for a more discerning approach to this review, I'm sure others would have made a better fist of it. My favourite, and it seems I am not alone in this, is the Barbirolli/RPO recording and the brief excerpt showed just how 'alive' this peformance is. The end of Davis's "nd did not make me want to rise from my seat at all! As for the extra timpani beat, that should have been dismissed in the opening few words of the review. Back to the drawing board Ms Jeal and maybe you should listen to some of the more expirienced members of the team

We still appear to be expecting Ms Jeal to have stepped, like Aphrodite, fully-formed from the head of Zeus! Might we not allow the possibility that she will improve as she goes along? (Assuming of course that R3 allow her any further chance after the fusilades the poor woman has been treated to here!)

Doing a BaL is surely a completely different thing from music journalism, and not something that you can practise anywhere else.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Always signed his posts as John Davis, Totnes, Devon. (118 118?)

HS

See my #66. It looks like he's moved to Dorset. Perhaps to be nearer to family??

[amateur51]

We still appear to be expecting Ms Jeal to have stepped, like Aphrodite, fully-formed from the head of Zeus! Might we not allow the possibility that she will improve as she goes along? (Assuming of course that R3 allow her any further chance after the fusilades the poor woman has been treated to here!)

Doing a BaL is surely a completely different thing than music journalism, and not something that you can practise anywhere else.

Seconded, LMP

[akiralx]

Well said Ferretfancy, and those others before you who pointed some of the weaknesses of her discourse. Looking through many of the comments before yours I see a thread that argues for a more discerning approach to this review, I'm sure others would have made a better fist of it. My favourite, and it seems I am not alone in this, is the Barbirolli/RPO recording and the brief excerpt showed just how 'alive' this peformance is. The end of Davis's "nd did not make me want to rise from my seat at all! As for the extra timpani beat, that should have been dismissed in the opening few words of the review. Back to the drawing board Ms Jeal and maybe you should listen to some of the more expirienced members of the team

I have to say you do sound just ticked off that a recording made post-1970 was chosen...and a tad sexist.

[mikealdren]

We still appear to be expecting Ms Jeal to have stepped, like Aphrodite, fully-formed from the head of Zeus! Might we not allow the possibility that she will improve as she goes along? (Assuming of course that R3 allow her any further chance after the fusilades the poor woman has been treated to here!)

As Deputy Editor of Opera magazine, perhaps she should review something in that area?

Mike

[Hornspieler]

As Deputy Editor of Opera magazine, perhaps she should review something in that area?

Mike

Does it matter? In the words of the French "One man's fish is another man's Poisson."

Nobody needs to be influenced by another's opinion; whether that other person is an expert or just one's next door neighbour.

By all means listen to the options presented, but make your own choice (including some recordings not even discussed on the programme)

HS

[pastoralguy]

Does it matter?

By all means listen to the options presented, but make your own choice (including some recordings not even discussed on the programme)

HS

[Barbirollians]

I disagree about it not mattering. The purpose of BAL is to provide guidance as to a version of a work that should be a " library " choice - for those who do not know the work . Hence , a personal preference should not necessarily lead to the answer for BAL - if it was say a performance that was idiosyncratic and wild but exciting but ignored all the composer's markings etc .

It may well not matter to experienced collectors or those already passionate about music - who can either pat the reviewer on the back or fulminate against the idiocy of the choice ! I do think it matters as there is that responsibility to the new listener .

As for the LSO/Davis I played it again this morning . It is a good performance I have no doubt and every bar speaks of Colin Davis's love for and knowledge of the music but it never quite catches fire for me as was illustrated by the passage from the finale that the reviewer played. I only have the CD version . I wonder whether the CD layer on the hybrid SACD or the SACD sounds significantly better .

[verismissimo]

Took delivery yesterday of the 1930 Kajanus recording (with the RPO).

It's a revelation for me. And the recording outstanding for its date. Terrific transfers by Mark Obert-Thorn.

[Hornspieler]

Took delivery yesterday of the 1930 Kajanus recording (with the RPO).

It's a revelation for me. And the recording outstanding for its date. Terrific transfers by Mark Obert-Thorn.

It's a revelation for me too.

The RPO was not formed until after WW2

HS

[verismissimo]

It's a revelation for me too.

The RPO was not formed until after WW2

HS

How right you are (of course), HS. And equally it can't be the LPO which was only formed in 1932. It must be the LSO.

Naxos flags it as the RPO throughout, including in all the spin-off publicity.

[Barbirollians]

The Sibelius 1 on their website for Kajanus also refers to the RPO having recorded it .

Record companies can be so depressingly slipshod . The other year EMI in the puff for the Barbirolli box they issued referred to his legendary recording of the Sibelius Violin Concerto with Ida Haendel . Sadly not just a legend but a myth !

[salymap]

Inspired by all this I have spent ages looking for my Sib 2s. Cassette of Sargent and the BBCSO. LP of Antol Dorati and the Stockholm Phil, CD of Colin Davis and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

I rarely play it but have it in my head.

I now have another one. Beecham Box set just arrived, including Sibelius Symphony 2 with the LPO c.1947