Michael Tippett (1905 - 98)

[Richard Barrett]

I suppose that needs clarification about "difficult for whom", ardy? I think that many of his works are more "demanding" of the listeners' attention than others - and, for some, that isn't what they want from a work of Art. But there's no doubt that these works reward the effort required of them - so that, for me at any rate, they are "richer" and "more generous" for their "complexity" than many a more "accessible" composer.

Obviously I'm going to agree completely with this! One of the interesting things about Tippett is that he maintained an interest in what younger generations were doing and what enormous stylistic changes were taking place in the 1950s and 1960s, and then he transmuted this interest into a music which made no concessions either to older and more conventional ways of looking at things or to the "postwar avant garde", while being clearly affected by both. I don't think that can be said of many composers of his generation either in the UK or elsewhere - Elliott Carter maybe.

[Pulcinella]

The Third ? LSO/Davis & Bournemouth/Hickox are valiant but imperfect in Part One. I await BBCSSO/Brabbins with bated breath...

I, and others hereabouts, struggle with S3.
I too am waiting for the release of the Brabbins (though I was not overly impressed with the soprano in the broadcast), but in searching/checking the release date came across this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tippett-Fantasia-Concertant-Michael/dp/B000024JZZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549232198&sr=8-1&keywords=Tippett+leppard

Anyone heard it?
I splashed out on a (cheaper) used copy.

[Richard Barrett]

Anyone heard it?
I splashed out on a (cheaper) used copy.

No, I'd be interested to hear your opinion of that. As I've probably said too many times, this is perhaps my favourite Tippett work (and, I think, a counterexample to anyone who thinks his vocal writing is undercharacterised compared to what he does with instruments). I grew up with the Davis recording but these days I only listen to Hickox. I can imagine something better but I haven't heard it yet.

[Bryn]

No, I'd be interested to hear your opinion of that. As I've probably said too many times, this is perhaps my favourite Tippett work (and, I think, a counterexample to anyone who thinks his vocal writing is undercharacterised compared to what he does with instruments). I grew up with the Davis recording but these days I only listen to Hickox. I can imagine something better but I haven't heard it yet.

The only review I have read re. this recording suggests that Heather Harper was not best suited to the work.

[Maclintick]

The only review I have read re. this recording suggests that Heather Harper was not best suited to the work.

But did the reviewer express any opinion on Dame Josephine and Raymond Leppard's performance ? It would seem to me to be stretching the definition of "a review" beyond perfectly valid expectations, were it not to include mention of the artists' contribution...(great fan of Dame Josephine, by the way -- unforgettable Katerina in the 80s ENO "Lady M of Mtsensk" among many rôles)

[Pulcinella]

No, I'd be interested to hear your opinion of that. As I've probably said too many times, this is perhaps my favourite Tippett work (and, I think, a counterexample to anyone who thinks his vocal writing is undercharacterised compared to what he does with instruments). I grew up with the Davis recording but these days I only listen to Hickox. I can imagine something better but I haven't heard it yet.

It arrived this morning, and I've just listened.
As you know, I don't know the work that well, but I have to report that, whether through increased familiarity or not, I felt I would like to listen to it again! If the score were not so expensive, I'd get a copy and follow it. The balance seemed a little
percussion heavy at times (RFH acoustic?) and some bits were a little scrambled, I thought, but I liked Barstow's contribution very much.

Would love to hear other thoughts on this performance.

PS: Listening again! Scrambled perhaps unfair. Flying by the seat of their pants in places perhaps more like it!

[Richard Barrett]

It arrived this morning, and I've just listened.
As you know, I don't know the work that well, but I have to report that, whether through increased familiarity or not, I felt I would like to listen to it again! If the score were not so expensive, I'd get a copy and follow it. The balance seemed a little
percussion heavy at times (RFH acoustic?) and some bits were a a little scrambled, I thought, but I liked Barstow's contribution very much.

Would love to hear other thoughts on this performance.

PS: Listening again! Scrambled perhaps unfair. Flying by the seat of their pants in places perhaps more like it!

Thanks. I'm even more intrigued now.

[Pulcinella]

Thanks. I'm even more intrigued now.

Used copies still reasonably priced: worth it I would think, since you admire the piece so much.

[Pulcinella]

It arrived this morning, and I've just listened.
As you know, I don't know the work that well, but I have to report that, whether through increased familiarity or not, I felt I would like to listen to it again! If the score were not so expensive, I'd get a copy and follow it. The balance seemed a little
percussion heavy at times (RFH acoustic?) and some bits were a a little scrambled, I thought, but I liked Barstow's contribution very much.

Would love to hear other thoughts on this performance.

PS: Listening again! Scrambled perhaps unfair. Flying by the seat of their pants in places perhaps more like it!

Just ordered a copy of the score! Well, I want to keep Banks in business here in York.


Now what we need is for you to come over, Richard, and give a workshop on the piece.
I don't imagine that there are many performances to tie that in with though.

[Richard Barrett]

Now what we need is for you to come over, Richard, and give a workshop on the piece.
I don't imagine that there are many performances to tie that in with though.

As it happens I may well be performing in York in October!

[Pulcinella]

As it happens I may well be performing in York in October!

Make sure you keep in touch.
Hope not Thursday (choir) night!