Recorded Music Societies - Anyone a member?

[pilamenon]

I have a lot of time for Sir Neville & the AoSMiF.

And so do I - again they were my introduction to vast swathes of string music, especially English 20th century, and I value many of their recordings.

[amateur51]

And so do I - again they were my introduction to vast swathes of string music, especially English 20th century, and I value many of their recordings.

Yes indeed and their Mozart piano concerto recordings with Alfred Brendel - lovely stuff!

[Stanfordian]

I see there is one quite close to where I live - not an idea I relish to be honest - what if someone wanted to subject us to an evening of recordings by Sir Neville Marriner ?

Hiya Barbirollians, I've had a lot worse than that at the Recorded Music Societies in my area. It's more about meeting friends and being prepared to hear works that you wouldn’t normally choose to hear. You have to be very tolerant but there are rewards especially if the members are a good friendly bunch. I give various presentations in the North West and I find it most enjoyable.

[cloughie]

I see there is one quite close to where I live - not an idea I relish to be honest - what if someone wanted to subject us to an evening of recordings by Sir Neville Marriner ?

Me too, I've got loads of his recordings - let us not forget that in the sixties he and Thurston Dart without doing the full HIPP thing actually changed many peoples perceptions of the baroque orchestral repertoire - the Bach Suites, Handel water Music and Vivaldi Four Seasons were somehow relieved of the stodginess that had been inflicted on them.

...and his Mozart 25/29 on Argo were excellent.

[Gordon]

I see there is one quite close to where I live - not an idea I relish to be honest - what if someone wanted to subject us to an evening of recordings by Sir Neville Marriner ?

Touche.. what if it were Sir John Barbirolli then?

[Barbirollians]

Then let me in !

Sir Nev's recording of the Enigma Variations and a record of French music including a Sorceror's Apprentice that sounded more like a 15 year old on work experience with a hangover - ought to have had him referred to that committee that strips people of honours -atrocious .

Generally , a metaphor , for neat precise dull as ditchwater music making IMO .

[Stanfordian]

At one recent presentation at a RMS one presenter played the whole of Korngold's Symphony. I reall one member who sat through it saying afterwards, "I thought is was never going to end."

[Pianoman]

What a cop-out ! You might as well stay at home and listen...The whole point IMO is a well-structured talk, with a central theme, illustrated by extracts. Some can be substantial, but I would never play a whole (long) symphony. Course not everyone agrees; there's a society near us in Wakefield that basically advertise a programme (usually overture, concerto, symphony-type of thing) and the talking is kept to a minimum, really just an intro. to each piece. Needless to say, I won't be joining any time soon !

[amateur51]

What a cop-out ! You might as well stay at home and listen...The whole point IMO is a well-structured talk, with a central theme, illustrated by extracts. Some can be substantial, but I would never play a whole (long) symphony. Course not everyone agrees; there's a society near us in Wakefield that basically advertise a programme (usually overture, concerto, symphony-type of thing) and the talking is kept to a minimum, really just an intro. to each piece. Needless to say, I won't be joining any time soon !

Gripping stuff, Pianoman - do they clap between movements too?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What a cop-out ! You might as well stay at home and listen...The whole point IMO is a well-structured talk, with a central theme, illustrated by extracts. Some can be substantial, but I would never play a whole (long) symphony.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Gripping stuff, Pianoman - do they clap between movements too?

[Pianoman]

Gripping stuff, Pianoman - do they clap between movements too?

Haha, not far off the truth ! The bizarre thing is, they genuinely wonder why membership is falling...

Don't get me wrong, some of these talks are really excellent; Sheffield are particularly adventurous, as they invite academic staff from the Uni (as I've tried to do at Huddersfield) but it's quite easy to see why some don't survive, or indeed dwindle to just a few friends meeting in someone's house.

[Stanfordian]

Haha, not far off the truth ! The bizarre thing is, they genuinely wonder why membership is falling...

Don't get me wrong, some of these talks are really excellent; Sheffield are particularly adventurous, as they invite academic staff from the Uni (as I've tried to do at Huddersfield) but it's quite easy to see why some don't survive, or indeed dwindle to just a few friends meeting in someone's house.

HIya Pianoman, At some societies it has become the tradition for the presenter to hide the theme of their programme behind a cyptic title and they wonder why they cannot attract new members. However, another society I know has stopped this unhelpful and confusing practice. Having said that I enjoy attending, hearing music familiar and unfamiliar, socialising and giving my own presentations at several societies.