The Brahms Experience

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Shurely the Brahms and Liszt Experience is next............?

Not so much off-topic as off piste?

[muzzer]

More on the piste...

[Serial_Apologist]

The Brahms "controversy" spread to the Today Prog. on R4 this morning featuring a few minutes debate at the end between music critic Michael Tanner and Jessica Cottis, Assistant Conduct**** of the Sydney S.O.

Interesting (at least to me!) that Tanner said he disliked the German Requiem the most which he found 'depressing'. That is the Brahms work I've always liked the best, certainly to date. I can think of some popular works by other composers which are much more depressing than that!

Tanner also said many of the composer's songs 'are to do with rain' which he also finds 'depressing'.

I assume he was joking ... or that he is extremely prone to depression?

This "item" came immediately after a time-wasting self-advertisement for the Toady programe itself, would you believe it - which in turn followed a very important interview with somebody which was cut short to make way for it due to "lack of time". Absolutely disgraceful!

[french frank]

This "item" came immediately after a time-wasting self-advertisement for the Toady programe itself, would you believe it - which in turn followed a very important interview with somebody which was cut short to make way for it due to "lack of time". Absolutely disgraceful!

There was a moment when I thought they were actually laughing at Michael Tanner who has a thoroughly depressing voice.

I found this clip from 2011, presumably why they invited him back. Guess which piece he chose as 'boring work'.

I don't call either of these contributions being a critic, though.

[ardcarp]

This "item" came immediately after a time-wasting self-advertisement for the Toady programe itself, would you believe it - which in turn followed a very important interview with somebody which was cut short to make way for it due to "lack of time". Absolutely disgraceful!

It was a facile and ridiculous debate (if one could hallow it with such a word) but I suppose one might grudgingly admit that to have Brahms even mentioned on the Today programme is a sort nod towards civilisation...a bit like having that snatch of a motet at the end of WATO last week.

[kernelbogey]

Back on topic - - I wonder what everyone thought of The Brahms Experience as a whole? After my caustic response to TS (no, not him) I didn't listen to any of the evening concerts, in order to avoid him; I intend listening to as much as I can on iPlayer this week (so I can scroll through the manic huffing and puffing). Also missed most of COTW, and look forward to catching up on that too.

What did you think? Better or worse than the 'Immersion' formats?

[verismissimo]

Not so much off-topic as off piste?

[ahinton]

It was a facile and ridiculous debate (if one could hallow it with such a word) but I suppose one might grudgingly admit that to have Brahms even mentioned on the Today programme is a sort nod towards civilisation...a bit like having that snatch of a motet at the end of WATO last week.

It was indeed awful - and pointless with it - and the spectacle of the tannery worker attempting to rain on Brahms' parade was perhaps the most ridiculous part of the whole piece; I wonder if Mr Tanner feels simiilarly about any or all other works inspired by or portraying rain, from Jardins sous la pluie to Boston Concerto.

That said, I, too, was surprised that a piece about Brahms appeared on Today at all.

[mercia]

What did you think? Better or worse than the 'Immersion' formats?

a 'Better' vote from me. I think we heard all the major works and a lot of the less well known (depending on what position you're coming from). I suppose like the Ravel weekend (or was it a day?) there aren't so many works to be swamped by.

[kernelbogey]

I intend listening to as much as I can on iPlayer this week

These are apparently now available for 28 days rather than the standard seven: good news as far as I'm concerned.

[muzzer]

Permission to grump sir?

Permission granted, son, go ahead.

Has it ever been easier to get hold of great music? Whatever one thinks of dumbed down R3/CFM, etc.

Brahms was famously misunderstood. Like alot of so-called curmudgeons his irony was often lost in the ether. I can't help but think he'd say of his R3 "Experience" - How much easier do you bu88ers need it to be made for you?