Puccini: 16-20.10.2017

[underthecountertenor]

I'm slightly surprised that this week's CotW has so far passed without comment. I've listened to the first two so far. They are distinguished by some wonderful, passionately delivered illustrated analyses by Sir Antonio Pappano (who must live in a world of 42 day months, given how much he does). His analysis of 'Si, mi chiamano Mimì' in episode 2 was particularly illuminating (for me anyway).

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm slightly surprised that this week's CotW has so far passed without comment. I've listened to the first two so far. They are distinguished by some wonderful, passionately delivered illustrated analyses by Sir Antonio Pappano (who must live in a world of 42 day months, given how much he does). His analysis of 'Si, mi chiamano Mimì' in episode 2 was particularly illuminating (for me anyway).

Papano is particularly good on the expressive possibilities of discontinuity Puccini exploited in his music, possibly for the first time. I would love to hear other contributers to COTW considering such matters with equal detail and passion: Debussy would provide a comparatively straightforwardly presentable starting point on Debussy as more of a harbinger of modernism in this particular respect than Puccini, I would think. I always feel Puccini overplays his hand, whenever I hear his music: lots of good ideas played to death. Perhaps one needs temperamental affinities with this composer to really appreciate his music? (Perhaps the same can be said of any composer, come to think of it...)

[Stanfordian]

Papano is particularly good on the expressive possibilities of discontinuity Puccini exploited in his music, possibly for the first time. I would love to hear other contributers to COTW considering such matters with equal detail and passion: Debussy would provide a comparatively straightforwardly presentable starting point on Debussy as more of a harbinger of modernism in this particular respect than Puccini, I would think. I always feel Puccini overplays his hand, whenever I hear his music: lots of good ideas played to death. Perhaps one needs temperamental affinities with this composer to really appreciate his music? (Perhaps the same can be said of any composer, come to think of it...)

Nothing is perfect but I'm afraid I wouldn't try to find fault with such a genius. Like Verdi, Puccini was a master of exploiting the mood of the time!

[BBMmk2]

Love these programmes. I have only heard the extracts from La Boehm and Tosca. Will have to play more opera again. The problem here, for me at the moment is concentration.

[gradus]

Another admirer here, I haven't yet heard any programme in it's entirety but Sir Anthony's passionate advocacy and wonderful pianism sweeps me away. ' Love these programmes' - absolutely

[Ein Heldenleben]

I'm slightly surprised that this week's CotW has so far passed without comment. I've listened to the first two so far. They are distinguished by some wonderful, passionately delivered illustrated analyses by Sir Antonio Pappano (who must live in a world of 42 day months, given how much he does). His analysis of 'Si, mi chiamano Mimì' in episode 2 was particularly illuminating (for me anyway).

Hear , Hear to that . Couldn't agree more . I've heard all four and they are so full of insight . And how right he should have been conducting - magnificently - tonight's incandescent Tosca.

[BBMmk2]

Hear , Hear to that . Couldn't agree more . I've heard all four and they are so full of insight . And how right he should have been conducting - magnificently - tonight's incandescent Tosca.

I am dumbfounded by the lack of response to this week's programmes as well. Especially Tosca!

[underthecountertenor]

I am dumbfounded by the lack of response to this week's programmes as well. Especially Tosca!

to you, Heldenleben gradus et al. I rarely start threads hereabouts, but really thought this merited it. Thanks for your support!

[Pulcinella]

I am dumbfounded by the lack of response to this week's programmes as well. Especially Tosca!

I wonder if, with it now being only in the lunchtime slot, listener numbers are down, even with the LA facility?
I must confess that I haven't caught very many episodes myself lately.

[Serial_Apologist]

to you, Heldenleben gradus et al. I rarely start threads hereabouts, but really thought this merited it. Thanks for your support!

People complain about the narrow range of Radio 3's coverage of music from different periods, yet whenever I plug neglected composers on this forum in the hope that someone on high might take notice, harrdly anybody on here bothers to reply, so I can understand your frustration and disappointment, UTC.

[ardcarp]

I am dumbfounded by the lack of response to this week's programmes as well. Especially Tosca!

Don't be too dumbfounded. I think they're superb! Papano is a genius at communication as well as his musical skills. I guess this Forum is a place where people comment more about things they don't like than things they do.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Also time, perhaps , to recognise the consistently high standard of COTW and the inestimable Donald Macleod and his talented production team . The series is evidently the result of a great deal of thought and hard work and seems to have the knack or really drawing out experts to give their best -though with a great talent like Tony Pappano that isn't so much of a challenge !

[Stanfordian]

Also time, perhaps , to recognise the consistently high standard of COTW and the inestimable Donald Macleod and his talented production team . The series is evidently the result of a great deal of thought and hard work and seems to have the knack or really drawing out experts to give their best -though with a great talent like Tony Pappano that isn't so much of a challenge !

COTW is a frequently a polished gem often amongst less illustrious programmes. I love R3 when it informs and entertains but dislike when it wants to be 'yer mate' such as hearing comments like presenters announcing "it's John Brown's birthday today and he's in his kitchen at Chelmsford preparing chilli" or similar inanities.

[Pulcinella]

I guess this Forum is a place where people comment more about things they don't like than things they do.

Perhaps, but there are often very positive things said too, and COTW is frequently heralded as being one of the best regular programmes on R3.

[Conchis]

I feel Puccini is a bit like ice-cream. Delicious but too much is very bad for you!