Sir Simon's new role

[Stanfordian]

Last Friday Sir Simon Rattle made his Wigmore Hall debut as a pianist accompanying Magdalena Kožená (Lady Rattle) in recital together with several other musicians. I knew he played piano but didn’t know he was at the level to accompany at such a prestigious chamber venue as the Wigmore. Maybe he played ad-lid percussion too.

[Serial_Apologist]

ad-lid percussion

A certain free jazz pianist we booked did that on the establishment's piano, leading us to be banned thenceforth from hiring the venue.

[Stanfordian]

A certain free jazz pianist we booked did that on the establishment's piano, leading us to be banned thenceforth from hiring the venue.

Hiya Serial_Apologist,


Nice image though. Somehow I can't see Sir Simon getting barred from the Wigmore Hall.

[Beef Oven!]

A bit off topic, but have people noticed that SR's new BPO Sibelius 1-7 CD box-set isn't available in the UK? It's on Qobuz, though.

[pastoralguy]

A bit off topic, but have people noticed that SR's new BPO Sibelius 1-7 CD box-set isn't available in the UK? It's on Qobuz, though.

It's available from Presto for a little over £50. I've just bought one and am rubbing my little hands with glee in anticipation of its arrival!

[Beef Oven!]

It's available from Presto for a little over £50. I've just bought one and am rubbing my little hands with glee in anticipation of its arrival!

Lucky fellow!

[Flay]

Last Friday Sir Simon Rattle made his Wigmore Hall debut as a pianist accompanying Magdalena Kožená (Lady Rattle) in recital together with several other musicians. I knew he played piano but didn’t know he was at the level to accompany at such a prestigious chamber venue as the Wigmore. Maybe he played ad-lid percussion too.

Back in 1972 he was the pianist for the Merseyside Youth Orchestra^* - no longer just percussion. This was at the Fourth International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Lausanne. I recall him slamming effortlessly through the "12 Days of Christmas" on an upright piano at a disco/dance there - each verse a semitone higher. Happy days

*yours truly is in with that lot

[Serial_Apologist]

Back in 1972 he was the pianist for the Merseyside Youth Orchestra^* - no longer just percussion. This was at the Fourth International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Lausanne. I recall him slamming effortlessly through the "12 Days of Christmas" on an upright piano at a disco/dance there - each verse a semitone higher. Happy days

*yours truly is in with that lot

Was that the Trotskyist Fourth International, Flay?

[Barbirollians]

How very odd that his new BPO cycle has disappeared - one could always console oneself with the CBSO cycle for about £11.

[gurnemanz]

Last Friday Sir Simon Rattle made his Wigmore Hall debut as a pianist accompanying Magdalena Kožená (Lady Rattle) in recital together with several other musicians. I knew he played piano but didn’t know he was at the level to accompany at such a prestigious chamber venue as the Wigmore. Maybe he played ad-lid percussion too.

I thought the same as you on his piano skills. I read a rave review in the Indie which speaks of "unobtrusive competence". Online here.

[Flay]

Was that the Trotskyist Fourth International, Flay?

No but our behaviour was fairly anarchic!

[mahlerei]

How very odd that his new BPO cycle has disappeared - one could always console oneself with the CBSO cycle for about £11.

Even better, Okko Kamu's new Lahti cycle for around £22. Far, far superior to Rattle's, IMO.

[Stanfordian]

A bit off topic, but have people noticed that SR's new BPO Sibelius 1-7 CD box-set isn't available in the UK? It's on Qobuz, though.

One is supposed to buy Berliner Philharmoniker recordings from its online shop. My review set came from Berlin. Personally I would not bother with the Sibelius set that comes with CDs and Blu-ray music and videos of the concert. I enjoyed the set but there are better accounts this cycle these available.