BBC Singers performing Bach's Christmas Oratorio 10.12.15

[oddoneout]

Is it me or my radio, or are the soprano ladies of the BBCS really not that good? I almost turned off when they came screeching in at the opening chorus of Jauchzet Auf just now. Later when singing quietly there was molto wobbile. For me the main problem seems to lie with one or two very loud very prominent and distinctly unblended sopranos. This is nothing new as far as I'm concerned but since no-one seems to think it needs addressing I am now beginning to think the fault lies with me.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It isn't you.
It isn't your radio.
The BBC Singers are hyped up by the BBC, but the blending of the voices is often atrocious.

And as for the wobble. . .

[DracoM]

If the BBC are looking for economies.............

The BBC Singers are IMO second to none in reading and performing modern repertoire.

There are so many young ensembles these days who do Medieval / Renaissance / Baroque, have been brought up over the last 25 or more years with models of much more scholarly and well-honed contemporary performance practice in such genres. Many [most?] in the listening public have grown up with them and now expect such performance styles.

For reasons I cannot fathom, the BBCS seem resolutely stuck in a 1960's in performance style - except that even then all manner of experts were already beginning to sound the death knell of such styles. The soprano line has done more to divide audiences of choral music.

As soon as I hear the BBCS in Bach or earlier, I know I am listening to a mismatch.

If the Beeb want to do Bach passions, Byrd Masses, why do they not hire one of the brilliant young ensembles around?
Dare I ask - is it a money matter?

[oddoneout]

Thank you both for your reassurance. My ears were sufficiently affronted by today's efforts that I have sent an email to the Beeb - words such as raucous and strident featured - which I know will be ignored, but it makes me feel better. Interestingly, today the tenors seem to have become badly infected by the soprano contagion and were I thought spectacularly bad in at least one chorus. I'm debating whether I can be bothered to listen to the second half..... Shame, as it's wonderfully uplifting music.

[Pulcinella]

They are a huge instant turn-off here, usually recognizable within (micro)seconds if the radio is switched on mid piece.
Can't believe anyone enjoys the sound they produce.
I take Draco's points about their skills and accomplishments with contemporary music, but for me even that doesn't warrant listening to them.
Their BBC Music Magazine CDs remain unplayed!
Shame, as some of their repertoire is interesting.

Let us know if you get a reply.

[ardcarp]

Christmas Oratorio on R3...10th Dec

Oh dear. Why? It had many of the infelicities of a choral society performance in spite of David Hill's best efforts. There are so many specialist groups which could do this better, one can only assume that the BBC has to find things for its in-house institutions to do.

[DracoM]

Yes.

[ardcarp]

I might as well not pull any punches. The BBCS sound like an awful shriek. And despite David Hill's undoubted musicianship, the ensemble with orchestra and soloists is often shaky. For so many EM groups this sort of thing just comes as second nature, and here there was clearly insufficient rehearsal time. Why not leave the BBC Scottish in their natural habitat and let the BBCS draw their pensions? Had this been The Piddletrenthide Choral Society and scratch band, it might have been praiseworthy.

[Old Grumpy]

I'm lovin' it...




... This thread, that is!


OG

[ardcarp]

Try listening to it OG and your might turn to a or more likely a

[oddoneout]

usually recognizable within (micro)seconds if the radio is switched on mid piece.

Absolutely - and not in a good way!
Draco, the full text of your post wasn't there when I first replied. I agree about the modern repertoire(although a naughty voice whispers over my shoulder that the vocal shortcomings may not be so apparent in such pieces....)
I did listen, at a distance and not in great detail, to the second part and what astonished me was the enthusiasm of the final applause - were all those people listening to the same concert?

[ardcarp]

what astonished me was the enthusiasm of the final applause

Well, I suppose microphones are forensic. People watching a live concert may applaud for all sorts of reasons...watching a contest where music nearly triumphs against all the odds, for instance.

[doversoul1]

Unlike many specialist ensembles with er… funny-sounding names, BBC Singers are more likely to fill the hall. I’m sure that’s all there is to it. People who wouldn’t normally go to hear Bach may be enticed to go to their concert, and not everyone is as fussy as some of us are. I just make sure to avoid them.

(All the same)
Catriona Young played Bach's motets by the Swedish Radio Chorus . Would we ever hear her say ‘BBC Singers are one of my favourite choruses’?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06r4glc

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I may have this quite wrong, but I have the impression that in the excessive number of trailers we are being subjected to, the BBC Singers are hyped up far more than all the other (far superior) BBC ensembles.

[jean]

Unlike many specialist ensembles with er… funny-sounding names, BBC Singers are more likely to fill the hall. I’m sure that’s all there is to it.

I don't think that's true, as a matter of fact. The Tallis Scholars or the Sixteen or Stile Antico can fill a hall any time and they give far more concerts than the BBC Singers, most of which aren't broadcast.

Well, I suppose microphones are forensic...

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here!

(I haven't heard the broadcast yet. I'm going to try to listen with a completely open mind.)