BaL 4.05.13 - Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat

[verismissimo]

His picks:
Boulez for the Suite.
Boston Players for the whole thing.

[Flosshilde]

Re-listened to the Boston recording. Excellent! Gielgud in especially fine form. Terrific English version by Michael Flanders and Kitty Black.

I didn't like Gielgud's RP accent in the first extract played - especially the 'peckages' that the Soldier was rummaging around in. I feel it needs to be a bit 'rougher'. Of course, when Gielgud recorded it probably nobody thought that his accent was exceptional.
Vanessa Redgrave (can't remember which recording) hammed it up rather excessively as the Devil.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I didn't like Gielgud's RP accent in the first extract played - especially the 'peckages' that the Soldier was rummaging around in. I feel it needs to be a bit 'rougher'. Of course, when Gielgud recorded it probably nobody thought that his accent was exceptional.

Ah, I think it gives the narrator's part an Oedipus Rex-like detachment, Flossie - and there's a Arthurish "twinkle" in the delivery, too.
And the phenomenal precision in the Boston ensemble's playing was astonishing - cornet and violin flourishes exactly together - so glad to hear this version again after nearly twenty years!

Vanessa Redgrave (can't remember which recording) hammed it up rather excessively as the Devil.

- Nagano, IIRC.

[BBMmk2]

I remember when the Boston Players recording came out, I have the Straviunsky box set, but not acquired their set yet! Also regarding the BPs, they also0 brought out a recording of IS's Octet I think?

[Madame Suggia]

I have the version with Markevitch and Cocteau

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I remember when the Boston Players recording came out, I have the Straviunsky box set, but not acquired their set yet! Also regarding the BPs, they also0 brought out a recording of IS's Octet I think?

You're right, they did, Bbm - and in the same sessions they recorded the Septet, too, which wasn't released until the two-CD set that was the basis of this morning's recommendation:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Australian%2BEloquence/4803300

[pastoralguy]

It was good to hear Jarvie and the SNO players get an 'honourable mention'. I've always thought it odd that the individual players didn't get a mention on the sleeve notes. (Although it's obviously Edwin Paling playing the solo violin part)

[LeMartinPecheur]

It was good to hear Jarvie

Was he a leprechaun perchance?

[gurnemanz]

I do not have a version with spoken narration and dialogue and today's review did not convince me that I really needed one (agreeing somewhat with Flosshilde's comment above about "Gielgud's RP accent"). I have Stravinsky's own recording in the complete box and the suite transcribed for violin, clarinet & piano which was mentioned but not for the excellent and good value Decca Twofer of Stravinsky Chamber Meusic and Rarities which is in my collection which is still available.

[Flosshilde]

The Boulez suite is included in the 'Boulez conducts Stravinsky' set that I was planning on buying - DGG has it for less than the tax dodgers - http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en...UCT_NR=4778730

It's even cheaper at the grocers - http://www.sainsburysentertainment.c...duct=E10363541 with free postage

[LeMartinPecheur]

The Boulez suite is included in the 'Boulez conducts Stravinsky' set that I was planning on buying - DGG has it for less than the tax dodgers - http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en...UCT_NR=4778730

It's even cheaper at the grocers - http://www.sainsburysentertainment.c...duct=E10363541 with free postage

I like the way the grocers describe this set as 'Composer - Pierre Boulez'.

So now we know

[Flosshilde]

What have donkeys got to do with it?

[BBMmk2]

I am never too sure about music with barration, like Histoire du Soldat and another one, ~RVW's A Pilgrim's Progress. Sometimes though, possibly with the exception of the aforementioned works, the narration works well with the music, but otherwise I am not too sure?

[Ferretfancy]

I am never too sure about music with barration, like Histoire du Soldat and another one, ~RVW's A Pilgrim's Progress. Sometimes though, possibly with the exception of the aforementioned works, the narration works well with the music, but otherwise I am not too sure?

I understand what you mean, but feel in this case that the piece really needs the three speaking voices, and certainly not a single narrator. Patrice Chereau did this at a late Prom a few years back. The performance with musicians from the Simon Bolivar orchestra was excellent but I did want to see the characters of soldier and devil on stage. It was, after all, planned for touring stage production and recordings should try to reflect this.

I shall listen tomorrow to the complete Boston performance, my own preference is for the version with Stokowski, OK it's in French and I don't get every detail, but it has enormous verve and Madeleine Milhaud is terrific.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I am never too sure about music with barration, like Histoire du Soldat and another one, ~RVW's A Pilgrim's Progress.

I presume you mean the RVW Pilgrim's Progress as used in the radio broadcast, rather than the opera?