Oliver Knussen: 26-30 September

[doversoul1]

This must be what I heard. I enjoyed the reflective atmosphere of the work.

Ophelia's Last Dance Op.32
Kirill Gerstein, piano

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07wrbwr

Does Knussen qualify to be in Here and Now or is he considered to be a main stream composer (I guess the latter)?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Does Knussen qualify to be in Here and Now or is he considered to be a main stream composer (I guess the latter)?

Definitely mainstream - practically "establishment" - and very good stuff! (Really nice bloke, too.)

[Richard Barrett]

practically "establishment"

"Practically" in the sense of "completely" I would say! I got quite excited about his 3rd Symphony when that first appeared, whenever in the middle ages it was, and I still quite like it but I can't see much in what he's done since then.

[ardcarp]

Does Knussen qualify to be in Here and Now or is he considered to be a main stream composer

It matters not. The programme name 'Composer of the Week' does not imply any restriction about what sort of composer it discusses. I for one am looking forward to finding out more about Olly K, mainstream or not.

[EdgeleyRob]

What's happened to the evening repeat ?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What's happened to the evening repeat ?

All the party celebrations have led to revised schedules this week, Edgey - i-Player only for Listen Again.

[Bryn]

All the party celebrations have led to revised schedules this week, Edgey - i-Player only for Listen Again.

But at least you can now Listen Again via the iPlayer without risking the vulnerabilities of Adobe Flash.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Quite so

[Serial_Apologist]

I once had the huge pleasure of meeting the American composer Gunther Schuller. While speaking to him my friend and I noticed a very tall gentleman standing nearby, looking on, whose looks reminded me of the actor comedian Willie Rushton. "Oh by the way", Schuller said, introducing him "this is my friend Olly Knussen", and we shook hands. I happened to mention having been at a Prom concert in the 1960s at which Gunther Schuller had conducted one of his pieces. Knussen was immediately able to give us the title and correct me on the orchestration, as he had been present at the very same Prom!

It was only later that I found out about Tanglewood.

[EdgeleyRob]

All the party celebrations have led to revised schedules this week, Edgey - i-Player only for Listen Again.

Ah thanks ferney.

[doversoul1]

Where the Wild Things Are

Did anyone on the Forum read the book or saw the opera as a child, or more realistically (the book was first published in 1963), with a child? I ask this because I have a deep suspicion that this book and almost all* Sendak’s books are for adults disguised as picture books for children. I watched a clip of the opera of the Wild Things and wondered how much appeal this had to child audience. All this has nothing to do with the quality of the composer’s music but I am curious.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07wrbww

*almost all critically acclaimed books

[Richard Barrett]

I watched a clip of the opera of the Wild Things and wondered how much appeal this had to child audience.

Virtually zero I would think. My daughter liked the book and also the film of Wild Things (I especially like the film!) but I really fail to see the point of this opera (except as an attempt to pay homage to L'enfant et les sortilèges which it draws on rather blatantly). I wouldn't take a child to see it. (Or an adult for that matter.)

[teamsaint]

Did anyone on the Forum read the book or saw the opera as a child, or more realistically (the book was first published in 1963), with a child? I ask this because I have a deep suspicion that this book and almost all* Sendak’s books are for adults disguised as picture books for children. I watched a clip of the opera of the Wild Things and wondered how much appeal this had to child audience. All this has nothing to do with the quality of the composer’s music but I am curious.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07wrbww

*almost all critically acclaimed books

Loved the book as a child, and my kids all loved it too when we read it to them . Thought the film was decent.

As I wandered past the fish bowl at the RFH yesterday I noticed a copy of WTWTA on a seat, and had no idea why it was there .