The Brahms Experience

[kernelbogey]

I think they already have - he didn't used to be like this

But he always is now: what's he on?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But he always is now: what's he on?

Radio Three and BBC4

[P. G. Tipps]

I think they already have - he didn't used to be like this

You've hit the nail well and truly on the head there!

The same applies to Radio and TV interviewers. Many start off being perfectly good at their jobs then almost overnight they suddenly turn into raving John Humphrys, which immediately makes me reach for the off-switch.

In truth, it's a management culture problem as in so many other areas of life today.

So pointless and unfair to 'shoot the messenger' even though Tom Service tends to irritate me these days as well ...

[Nick Armstrong]

You've hit the nail well and truly on the head there!

The same applies to Radio and TV interviewers. Many start off being perfectly good at their jobs then almost overnight they suddenly turn into raving John Humphrys, which immediately makes me reach for the off-switch.

Yes, you and ferney are right. TS was one of the best, now intolerable, ditto Humphrys. It's such a shame.

[ahinton]

Radio Three and BBC4

...said he, paraphrasing Rachmaninov and Kreisler giving a recital at Carnegie Hall...

[cloughie]

Well - if it's the Loughran set, I'd go for the Second Symphony (the first Brahms LP I ever bought). If Walter's it'd be the Third (the first Brahms Symphony I got to know - borrowed from the Public Library). If Karajan's digital set, the First (bought at the RFH shop whilst waiting for the orchestra's instruments to arrive from France) if his '70s set, the Third (saw the video of the performance on BBC2 at around the time this was made), if the '60s set, then the First. Furtwangler, probably the Third as well - or possibly the First. If Maazel, then I'll just watch the sunset and try to imagine the score of the fourth in my mind's ear. Anybody else, and it would probably be the Fourth, because then I wouldn't be anxious about them omiting the Exposition repeats in the First Movements.

And I'd want to know why I'd "only have time" to hear one! What's going to happen? (And, if what I think is going to happen is going to happen, can I have Ferrier, Patzak, Walter and the VPO in Das Lied von der Erde, instead, please.

Are you a Politician ferney? Who'd have thought it would be so complicated to find out which Brahms symphony really lights your candle - do you favour expositon repeats - I do - it makes the works last longer!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Who'd have thought it would be so complicated to find out which Brahms symphony really lights your candle

They all do; they're all equally fine - it's a ruddy chandelier!

[verismissimo]

They all do; they're all equally fine - it's a ruddy chandelier!

Yep.

[kernelbogey]

Yes, you and ferney are right. TS was one of the best, now intolerable, ditto Humphrys. It's such a shame.

I hae' me doots, Calibs. If it's a management diktat, why aren't John Shea, Ian Skelly, Petroc Trelawney, Jonathan Swain et alia - not to mention all but one of the women presenters - gabbling manically when presenting?

I'm rather shocked by some of the presentation from St George's - borderline unprofessional, IMHV.

[DracoM]

No, it's NOT 'borderline', it's over it. I commented the other night
Service is deliberately, arrogantly, obtruding himself between us and the performers / music. he clearly sees himself as some sort of musical stand-up comedian.
Appalling behaviour.

[kernelbogey]

No, it's NOT 'borderline', it's over it. I commented the other night
Service is deliberately, arrogantly, obtruding himself between us and the performers / music. he clearly sees himself as some sort of musical stand-up comedian.
Appalling behaviour.

[kernelbogey]

And now, oh dear oh dear oh dear, we are being subjected to some very strange pan-musical promotion for music from the BBC featuring a totally inferior set of interpretations of a Beach Boys number...! Twenty-seven musicians - Katie Derham, no less, playing the violin - involved. I even have a second or two of compassion for TS having to actually announce it.

[aeolium]

I'm afraid I abandoned listening to this and won't bother with the rest of the evening concerts this week, except possibly Steven Kovacevich whose playing I admire a lot and who may cut through the dross.

A bit of a shambles, really....

[kernelbogey]

And now, oh dear oh dear oh dear, we are being subjected to some very strange pan-musical promotion for music from the BBC featuring a totally inferior set of interpretations of a Beach Boys number...! Twenty-seven musicians - Katie Derham, no less, playing the violin - involved. I even have a second or two of compassion for TS having to actually announce it.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/07/bbc-god-only-knows-pharrell-stevie-wonder-chris-martin-lorde

[Flosshilde]

I know I've got some catching up to do, as I was away last week, but who's completely insane idea was it to have all - ALL - the evening concerts this week featuring Brahms - AND Composer of the Week! I turned to CFM for some relief.

(As if the Brahms wasn't enough, I listened to a couple of episodes of The Archers, to find that it has got even more bonkers than it was during the BolloxFest saga.)