Thielemann Beethoven Cycle on Sky

[amateur51]

Thanks to those who reminded me that this was tonight - I would have missed it otherwise.

I enjoyed it - but who wouldn't enjoy that symphony? Strange about the break after the first movement, especially as Sky Arts 2 does not normally have advert breaks. Ironically it was actually a break for a trail for a forthcoming programme, something very familiar to R3 listeners.

I'll be watching the rest of the series though. (The Sky planner helpfully tells us that this programme is 1 of 9!) And I suppose that any nit-picking about the programme has to be made with the realisation that, while we were watching Beethoven, our national broadcaster (financed by us) gave us, on its two main channels, a choice of Holby City or Hairy Bikers.

Is it reasonable to compare the arts output of 'our national broadcaster (financed by us)' with a subscription channel devoted to the arts?

[VodkaDilc]

Is it reasonable to compare the arts output of 'our national broadcaster (financed by us)' with a subscription channel devoted to the arts?

Whether it's reasonable is something I will leave to others to decide - however I can say that a comparison is very depressing.

[Mr Pee]

Rather a heavy, leaden first movement of No.1 - hardly a surprise with Thielemann - but what on earth's going on with the advert between movements?! This isn't SkyArts' normal practice; they normally screen operas without a single ad.

I agree about the first movement, but it picked up considerably after that. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the cycle. I recorded the preceding documentary and will catch up with that tomorrow. And I too was surprised at the ad break- most unlike Sky Arts. I think perhaps there was some sort of timing or technical issue that necessitated it.

PS: unconnected and yet related: will the coverage of Grands Prix on the much-vaunted new Sky F1 Channel also be interrupted by adverts, as in the bad old days of ITV coverage? Being a non-Sky household, I must rely on others' reports (the BBC1hd coverage will be quite sufficient for my considerable interest in F1 )

Sky have stated that there will be no advert breaks during Grand Prix. And on the strength of what I've seen so far of the F1 Channel, and how they've said they'll be covering the races, it is going to be streets ahead of anything we've had before. The number of cameras and other interactive options is mind-blowing.And all in Dolby Digital 5.1. Can't wait!!

It actually says 'next Tuesday', Mr Pee which as a piece of information could have been a line excised from the original draft of Waiting for Godot

Well, yes. Because I posted it LAST Tuesday. So I said NEXT Tuesday so that people were sure that I didn't mean THIS Tuesday. By which I now mean LAST Tuesday. Not THIS Tuesday, i.e today. Or YESTERDAY if you're reading this on Wednesday morning. Very simple really.....

By the way, since I know this exercises your liberal sensibilities most considerably, Am51, I can report that there were three lady musicians in the VPO for this concert- 2 violinists and an Oboist. But they at least had the good sense to wear trousers in an attempt to blend in.

[amateur51]

By the way, since I know this exercises your liberal sensibilities most considerably, Am51, I can report that there were three lady musicians in the VPO for this concert- 2 violinists and an Oboist. But they at least had the good sense to wear trousers in an attempt to blend in.

How did you ascertain that they were ladies as opposed to women, Mr Pee? Did you check to see if they had their pastry forks with them?

[Beef Oven]

How did you ascertain that they were ladies as opposed to women, Mr Pee? Did you check to see if they had their pastry forks with them?

I think it's shocking what they are doing to the VPO.

[Mr Pee]

How did you ascertain that they were ladies as opposed to women, Mr Pee? Did you check to see if they had their pastry forks with them?

For once in your life, you are right Am51!!

Of course they weren't ladies. Ladies don't wear trousers.

[John Skelton]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsbuLArrIs

[Bryn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsbuLArrIs

Agreed. I did not know these were available on YouTube. The CD set is easily my current favourite Beethoven symphonies survey.

[amateur51]

For once in your life, you are right Am51!!

Of course they weren't ladies. Ladies don't wear trousers.

You obviously stopped going to those sorts of clubs a while back, Mr Pee

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Agreed. I did not know these were available on YouTube. The CD set is easily my current favourite Beethoven symphonies survey.

[Chris Newman]

Originally Posted by John Skelton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsbuLArrIs

Agreed. I did not know these were available on YouTube. The CD set is easily my current favourite Beethoven symphonies survey.

Glorious stuff that Krevine!! I have just listened to Number 7 (my favourite Beethoven Symphony). Although the period timbre is entirely different the overall jollity and brisk tempi take me back to my first records of Beethoven 7 that I bought in the mid-sixties with the LSO under Pierre Monteux and the Philharmonia under Carlo Maria Giulini (who was brisk until old age: much faster in the trio of the scherzo than Krevine. Giulini played it as a jig). I have put the site on a shortcut as it sounds like a companion for my current favourites (both of the Charles Mackerras sets). Many thanks.

[Bryn]

The YouTube offerings appear to have found their way onto a microSDHC card and into my little Archos 7 G2 tablet. The 8th is currently playing back without problem. Not bad audio quality considering the data rate (128kbps ABR AAC-LC).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Glorious stuff that Krevine!! I have just listened to Number 7 (my favourite Beethoven Symphony). Although the period timbre is entirely different the overall jollity and brisk tempi take me back to my first records of Beethoven 7 that I bought in the mid-sixties with the LSO under Pierre Monteux and the Philharmonia under Carlo Maria Giulini (who was brisk until old age: much faster in the trio of the scherzo than Krevine. Giulini played it as a jig). I have put the site on a shortcut as it sounds like a companion for my current favourites (both of the Charles Mackerras sets). Many thanks.

The Krivine set as a whole is magnificent, Chris (and not that expensive, I'm sorry to say! ) - the performances lack nothing in incendiary power, but simultaneously manage to convey a dance-like joy in the Music that I've never heard before. Unlike the You Tube video, all repeats are included and audience noise is barely perceptible: in fact the applause at the ends of the works often comes as a shock. Superb playing (must be all the women: more in the 'cello section than in the entire VPO ) and the instrumental "flavours" as well-balanced and exhilerating as a fine single malt.

I was given this set for Christmas, (following several hints!) and it's repeatedly been played since. The CD Review that was so critical about Thielemann was also quite sniffy about these performances (Stephen Johnson occasionally condescending to comment favourably on the odd moment or two): they really missed a "Library Essential" BIG TIME!

Best Wishes.

[Bryn]

... Unlike the You Tube video, all repeats are included and audience noise is barely perceptible: in fact the applause at the ends of the works often comes as a shock. ...

Eh? Which YouTube videos are you referring to? Those of the complete symphonies (rather than of separate movements) are of almost exactly the same duration as the CD versions, (allowing for very minor patches and excluding applause, etc.). The video versions are each actually a minute or so longer if you include the applause, etc. I have not yet had a chance to listen to the lot to check for repeats, but I think you may be wrong if you are indeed comparing the CD versions with the full symphony videos on YouTube. I have not bothered with the single movement videos.

[John Skelton]

The Krivine set as a whole is magnificent, Chris ... they really missed a "Library Essential" BIG TIME!

I didn't hear that, but they certainly did. I can't think of another instance where a new recording of music recorded so many times over the years has, for me, had such an impact. As though - yes, that's it! and more completely than anyone else. (I'm still very glad I can hear Abbado, Brüggen, Norrington etc., of course). "Dance-like joy" - yes. The sheer joy and exuberance and .... fun of the performances. As though the music is fresh on and from the page.