BaL 5.01.13 - Sibelius: Symphony no. 2 in D

[MrGongGong]

There's a lot more to this story, but it does not belong on this thread.

That's all very well , but (going by the way in which Ravi Shankar's death was reported) it was all meaningless stuff until he played this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6iAykoKLog

[salymap]

Funny, I've never heard a good word spoken of Lt Col Geary by several different people

The Annals of the RPS is by Robert Elkin [no s] and I was given a copy which I stupidly gave away fairly recently. He was the father of my boss, Bill Elkin, and also wrote another very good book on music,the history of the Queen's Hall.

[Barbirollians]

Because he was conducting the RA Band on the Bandstand at Eastbourne, which was where Civil was supposed to be!

It was one of the old ladies in the Grand Hotel, where Geary was staying, who happened to say in all innocence "I saw one of your musicians on television tonight, playing with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra, Colonel" which blue the whistle.

HS

[Alison]

A rather uninspiring BaL IMHO leaving me unmoved to seek out fresh versions or listen to existing ones. Ms Jeal still deserves another chance and in general I do like hearing new critics having a bash rather than relying too much on the Stephen Johnsons and Ed Seckersons.

I'd have chosen David Nice for this review.

[Alison]

What is it about CD Review and LSO/Davis releases?

The Sibelius is palpably a 7 or 8 out of 10 affair !

[Petrushka]

A rather uninspiring BaL IMHO leaving me unmoved to seek out fresh versions or listen to existing ones. Ms Jeal still deserves another chance and in general I do like hearing new critics having a bash rather than relying too much on the Stephen Johnsons and Ed Seckersons.

I'd have chosen David Nice for this review.

In the old days you'd have had Robert Layton 'doing' Sibelius. Now there was a real authority on the composer!

[Petrushka]

What is it about CD Review and LSO/Davis releases?

The Sibelius is palpably a 7 or 8 out of 10 affair !

Having got both the LSO Live and RCA discs I'd agree that 7/8 out of 10 is about right. Szell and the Concertgebouw for me.

[Alison]

Actually the weight of esteemed of opinion behind RPO/Barbirolli is compelling me to acquire that version. No recessed timpani I hope ; - )

[Petrushka]

Actually the weight of esteemed of opinion behind RPO/Barbirolli is compelling me to acquire that version. No recessed timpani I hope ; - )

I have Halle/Barbirolli but not the RPO version. I remember the praise showered on it at the time of (re)release but never acquired it. My resolve to go easy on CD purchases this year hasn't lasted long!

[Alison]

What label's it on ? Truth to tell I don't normally go historical !

[Petrushka]

What label's it on ? Truth to tell I don't normally go historical !

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00142X57S/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Just succumbed and ordered! Amazon reviews look promising.

[Barbirollians]

What is it about CD Review and LSO/Davis releases?

The Sibelius is palpably a 7 or 8 out of 10 affair !

Yes - very much an 8 out of 10 when a BAL reviewer should be looking for a 9 plus . It was also notable - from her twitter feed and a comment by an esteemed critic that she had not considered the Bournemouth SO/Berglund even though only a few months back they had announced that BAL reviewers could consider deleted versions . In which case , any reviewer worth their salt should have mentioned the Kletzki and by the sounds of it the Sargent !

[Barbirollians]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ls_o00_s00_i00

Just succumbed and ordered! Amazon reviews look promising.

It is wonderful and I think sounding better on the Testament than my old Chesky - which of course does not have the live No 5 as a coupling .

[Barbirollians]

Testament or Chesky Alison - but you get a splendid live Fifth with the Testament . It is from 1962 so not that historical .I always think of historical as being mono !

[Don Petter]

Testament or Chesky Alison - but you get a splendid live Fifth with the Testament . It is from 1962 so not that historical .I always think of historical as being mono !

I thought it was a wind-up?