BaL 12.10.13 - Walton's Violin Concerto

[Hornspieler]

Another blood pressure raising BAL .

The dismissal of the Chung/Previn was bizarre- too grainy. What was in the slightest bit grainy about Chung's exquisite playing in that extract ? The horn may have been a bit distant but the direct comparison did Ehnes no favours - he sounded gabbled in the passage played .

As for Ida Haendel - well after being described as a terrific version that had stood the test of time - she was thrown out of the final four for no reason or explanation at all . Do they have intelligent editors at the BBC anymore ?

As for the Kennedy portamento I couldn't see what the fuss was about .

The Bowes recording he raved about sounded cloudy to me and nothing to write home about at all .

On the plus side , however, it was a BAL that did have plenty of recordings showcased and Tazza's winning version did sound very good indeed.

I have heard Nigel Kennedy* and Iona Brown `live' in this concerto and, of course, Ida Haendel on CD.

I will certainly be listening to tonight's performance.

HS

* When Nigel Kennedy was rehearsing this with the BSO, the conductor, a Japanese whose name I don't remember, was all over the place.
Eventually, Nigel had had enough. He walked over to the conductor, dug him into the ribs with the tip of his bow and said
"Nah look 'ere , mate."

[mercia]

Has the Viola concerto had a BaL?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008crvs

[DoctorT]

Is the Tasmin Little recording available ANYWHERE? AMcG said that it was available as a digital download, but so far I haven't been able to trace it. The CD does seem to be available second hand from a few dealers at increasing prices!

[amateur51]

I find I've a few review cuttings tucked inside the Biddulph CD of the Heifetz/Goossens (it's also now on Naxos). In The Gramophone, Alan Sanders wrote: "Those collectors who are familiar with Heifetz's 1950 recording, with the composer conducting, will find a little more depth of feeling in the 1941 performance and a degree of virtuosity which is just as dazzling. Gooseens and his excellent orchestra play the original, slightly more exotically scored version of the score, and this is the only recording of the first edition ... Anyone who has done battle with the HMV 78s will find Biddulph's transfer comparatively easy on the ear. In fact, transfers throughout are of a high standard."

Edward Greenfield in The Guardian wrote: "Some of the very finest recordings of British music have come from America, including two of the earliest versions of the Walton Violin Concerto. Jascha Heifetz, who commissioned the piece, made the very first recording in 1941 with Eugene Goossens and the Cincinnati Orchestra, and it has never been quite matched since for its passionate urgency as well as its brilliance. Biddulph offers a splendid CD transfer." One American reviewer wrote that "both Heifetz and Goossens project the incredible excitement of first discovery in Walton's Violin Concerto" whilst another described it as "excellent and of historic interest." Because it was recorded on 78s it will indeed be only of "historic interest" as only a stereo version is likely to be top choice.

Many thanks for this, seabright - how nice to read Edward Greenfield's typically enthusiastic response once more.

[Hornspieler]

Originally Posted by teamsaint
Has the Viola concerto had a BaL?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008crvs

For me, the Viola concerto, whilst probably not as difficult technically as the violin concerto, is musically superior.

I have also played the Cello concerto (once). I would not bother to listen to it again (but then I am not a cellist)

HS

[Nick Armstrong]

I will certainly be listening to tonight's performance.

[amateur51]

I have heard Nigel Kennedy* and Iona Brown `live' in this concerto and, of course, Ida Haendel on CD.

I will certainly be listening to tonight's performance.

HS

* When Nigel Kennedy was rehearsing this with the BSO, the conductor, a Japanese whose name I don't remember, was all over the place.
Eventually, Nigel had had enough. He walked over to the conductor, dug him into the ribs with the tip of his bow and said
"Nah look 'ere , mate."

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The dismissal of the Chung/Previn was bizarre- too grainy.

What an odd word to use for this crystal-clear, polished performance.

[Nick Armstrong]

What an odd word to use for this crystal-clear, polished performance.

That horn solo did sound horrible ("tubby" was a good word for it ), though, and as if he or she was in the khazi down the corridor....

[Hornspieler]

Originally Posted by Hornspieler
I will certainly be listening to tonight's performance.

Originally Posted by Caliban

Confused, Caliban? Yes. So am I.

A senior moment, but I'm sure that the BBC Phil are scheduled to include the Walton concerto in their next concert.
Juajo Mena in charge. Should be worth hearing, if it is to be broadcast.

HS

[Sir Velo]

Confused, Caliban? Yes. So am I.

A senior moment, but I'm sure that the BBC Phil are scheduled to include the Walton concerto in their next concert.
Juajo Mena in charge. Should be worth hearing, if it is to be broadcast.

HS

Well maybe not tonight,but we should all get a chance to hear it on Monday.

[mercia]

Is the Tasmin Little recording available ANYWHERE? AMcG said that it was available as a digital download, but so far I haven't been able to trace it.

?????

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4705082

click on download options - I have never in my life bought a download, so don't blame me if that's wrong

[Black Swan]

I missed the ending. What was the preferred selection?

[Barbirollians]

I suppose nothing shows us more than BAL about how subjective record reviewing is . The 2002 winner Bell was dismissed without a note even being played !

[teamsaint]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008crvs

Thanks Mercs.