Thielemann Beethoven Cycle on Sky

[Bryn]

Good heavens! A bit of Googling reveals that someone has ripped the Blu-ray discs of the Thielemann Beethoven symphonies survey and uploaded the contents to one of those dodgy music download sites. The total download is around 130GB! Why on Earth would they bother? Perhaps its a scam to catch naughty downloaders?

[spasuit]

No need to join the Murdoch evil empire....Virgin Cable carries Sky Arts 1 and 2!

[amateur51]

Actually, I'm not that bothered whether I upset them or not.

Ah I see that you subscribe fully to the Murdoch empire, Mr Pee - not just the programmes but the ethos too

[amateur51]

No need to join the Murdoch evil empire....Virgin Cable carries Sky Arts 1 and 2!

Sadly I regard the Bearded Bride as second only to Mr Murdoch in corporate awfulness, spasuit

[John Skelton]

Being of independent mind and spirit, I searched youtube ages ago for some examples, Panyan, and drew my own conclusions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT37L5-EQY4

I've had more fun at the dentist's (disclaimer: I do not have a ... thing about dentists or dental nurses, white starchy coats, mouth rinse etc.).

[amateur51]

I think it was the late and much-missed Sir Charles Mackerras who found the sight of a conductor 'windmilling' (mirror gestures in both arms) indicative of something that wasn't quite right

[Mr Pee]

I think it was the late and much-missed Sir Charles Mackerras who found the sight of a conductor 'windmilling' (mirror gestures in both arms) indicative of something that wasn't quite right

There are so many different styles of conducting that it is almost impossible to say what's "right". I look at Valery Gergiev, for example, and wonder how on earth the players have a clue where the beat is. Or I watch somebody like Carlos Kleiber , who did so little and produced so much magic. Theilemann's style obviously works, whether or not you agree with his interpretations.

At the other end of the conducting scale, many years ago I played my Clarinet in an amateur production of some G+S or other - I forget which one, but then they all sound the same anyway- and the conductor in question rigged up a small light on the end of his baton, which was connected to a battery in his jacket pocket by means of a wire which ran down his arm. He thought we would have trouble picking out his beat in the relative gloom of the pit, although I'm really not sure whether seeing his beat was a help or a hindrance...anyway, we spent most of our time trying to supress the giggles.....

[rauschwerk]

I quote Egon Wellesz: "Any fool can conduct the Vienna Philharmonic as long as he doesn't disturb them." If Thielemann had had any lessons from (say) Solti he might have learned to raise his stick above chest level occasionally. As it is, I doubt whether those at the back of the orchestra can see his extremely unclear beat most of the time and are obliged to 'go with the flow'.

[Mr Pee]

I quote Egon Wellesz: "Any fool can conduct the Vienna Philharmonic as long as he doesn't disturb them." If Thielemann had had any lessons from (say) Solti he might have learned to raise his stick above chest level occasionally. As it is, I doubt whether those at the back of the orchestra can see his extremely unclear beat most of the time and are obliged to 'go with the flow'.

I'm sure I could conduct the VPO. But I never will, because I would have to prove my ability in "the lower leagues", as it were. You don't get to conduct a top orchestra such as the VPO by accident.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Thielemann

[amateur51]

I'm sure I could conduct the VPO. But I never will, because I would have to prove my ability in "the lower leagues", as it were. You don't get to conduct a top orchestra such as the VPO by accident.

Well no, you have to cosy up to the men-only committee I suppose. Has a woman ever conducted the VPO I wonder?

Later: Two words rather give the lie to your argument Mr Pee - Gilbert Kaplan

[Mr Pee]

Well no, you have to cosy up to the men-only committee I suppose. Has a woman ever conducted the VPO I wonder?

Simone Young conducted the orchestra in 2005.

[amateur51]

Simone Young conducted the orchestra in 2005.

Excellent news, Mr Pee.

I wonder how long we'll have to wait for Ms Young to get a repeat gig?

[rauschwerk]

Yes, I too read the Wikipedia entry. To the statement, "He is regarded as the (my italics) leading exponent of the Austro-Germanic conducting tradition, in the manner of Wilhelm Furtwängler and Karajan" I respond, "by whom?" Compared with Karajan, his recorded repertoire is alarmingly narrow, ranging from Beethoven to early Schoenberg (Carmina Burana excepted). I suspect him of a particular genius for self-promotion but maybe I'm just an elderly cynic.

[Mr Pee]

Later: Two words rather give the lie to your argument Mr Pee - Gilbert Kaplan

If you read Thielemanns' Wikipedia entry, you will see that there is really no comparison. Kaplan is, thankfully, very much unique.

[amateur51]

If you read Thielemanns' Wikipedia entry, you will see that there is really no comparison. Kaplan is, thankfully, very much unique.

Nice try Mr Pee but I wasn't comparing Thiekemann to Kaplan. I was showing that if you are rich enough (and presumably with the right array of external genitalia!) you can get access to the VPO. Talent and hard work do not necessarily come into it.