The Brahms Experience

[kernelbogey]

Confusingly, three of the first four items listed in the page linked in the OP above are dated 29 September but in fact are broadcast next Monday 6 October. The whole thing all kicks off with CD Review on 4 October.

[richardfinegold]

Confusingly, three of the first four items listed in the page linked in the OP above are dated 29 September but in fact are broadcast next Monday 6 October. The whole thing all kicks off with CD Review on 4 October.

Looks interesting. The previews aren't long on detail, however.

[muzzer]

I'm looking forward to this but I wonder how many of the old canards they will trot out as they present his 'human' side......

Is it a Klein-free zone?

[Sir Velo]

Is it a Klein-free zone?

I think that's the triumph of hope over experience unfortunately.

However, regular R3 listeners will remember when La Klein presented a short lived Sunday morning show. Memorably she once admitted to an anathema towards Brahms, describing him variously as "stodgy" and "beery". Strange adjectives to use for the 3rd piano sonata; 4th symphony; 1st piano concerto; 1st piano trio; horn trio; the Requiem; the third violin sonata etc.....So, really, she shouldn't be within a million miles of this Brahmsfest.

[kernelbogey]

describing him variously as "stodgy" and "beery"

I've often thought that the over-used late life heavily-bearded picture of him has done his reputation no favours.

[muzzer]

Sounds as if she meant to be describing a bad steak and kidney pie.

[muzzer]

And if she doesn't like his music she can always do the other.

As I find myself doing whenever assailed by her tones.

[BBMmk2]

Why havn't R3done a Richard Strauss Season, like this?

[Serial_Apologist]

Why havn't R3 done a Richard Strauss Season, like this?

Don't give 'em ideas, BBM!

[BBMmk2]

Don't give 'em ideas, BBM!

SA, come on now!! :)

[Serial_Apologist]

SA, come on now!! :)

It's funny, BBM, but, as with Liszt, (who exercised I think a not inconsiderable influence on R Strauss), I tend to go with those influenced one way or another by them - preferring Franck, Saint-Saens, Balakirev, Rimsky-Korsakov and Busoni for what they managed to do with Liszt's innovations in form, harmony and orchestration; and in Strauss's case what Szymanowsky, Elgar and Bartok made out of his harmonic sense. In Liszt's case it's the ofttimes downright banality in some of the themes and the way this is thrown at the listener; and in that of Strauss a similar self-regarding pomposity. I also agree with Maurice Ohana in finding Strauss's scores too full of cholesterol; and with Schoenberg who said words to the effect that "Whatever I learned from Strauss" - and I guess he was speaking of harmonic inquisitiveness - "I quickly unlearned".

[Zucchini]

Why havn't R3done a Richard Strauss Season, like this?

Because the occupants of nearby offices / studios threatened Radio 3 with an ASBO if they did

[mercia]

Brahms Experience all kicking off, as we say, tomorrow

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p024q7l3

[BBMmk2]

It's funny, BBM, but, as with Liszt, (who exercised I think a not inconsiderable influence on R Strauss), I tend to go with those influenced one way or another by them - preferring Franck, Saint-Saens, Balakirev, Rimsky-Korsakov and Busoni for what they managed to do with Liszt's innovations in form, harmony and orchestration; and in Strauss's case what Szymanowsky, Elgar and Bartok made out of his harmonic sense. In Liszt's case it's the ofttimes downright banality in some of the themes and the way this is thrown at the listener; and in that of Strauss a similar self-regarding pomposity. I also agree with Maurice Ohana in finding Strauss's scores too full of cholesterol; and with Schoenberg who said words to the effect that "Whatever I learned from Strauss" - and I guess he was speaking of harmonic inquisitiveness - "I quickly unlearned".

Personally, though, the harmonic invention of R Strauss, is highly original and this is why I love this composer.

[kernelbogey]

Just discovered there are now two threads - mea culpa, Das Fleisch ist nur Grass etc - so I've asked FF to intervene.

kb