Prom 43: Kurtág - 'Endgame' ('Fin de partie'), BBC SSO, Thurs. 17 Aug. 2023

[edashtav]

The Webster dictionary definition is derived form the Exodus quote surely. “Whoring after a false God” is an immoral and decadent act and breaks one of the Ten Commandments . Whatever Kurtag and RB are doing it’s hardly a sin - quite the reverse really. Perhaps trying to add to the sum total of human enjoyment? Do you really think a search for perfection is a false god ? Although working with perfectionists can be difficult aren’t most talented artist and performers perfectionists? In other words they try to give their very best and demand that others do the same.

I think I need to summonsome grace and allow you to win on points in this ‘whore of words’ game of ping pong, Ein Heldenleben.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I think I need to summonsome grace and allow you to win on points in this ‘whore of words’ game of ping pong, Ein Heldenleben.

The main thing that’s emerged from all this is that according to an unimpeachable source I’m not a perfectionist (apparently) even though I thought I was.

[edashtav]

The main thing that’s emerged from all this is that according to an unimpeachable source I’m not a perfectionist (apparently) even though I thought I was.

Consolation: The originator of Ein Heldenleben admitted "I am not a first-class composer, but I am a first-rate second class composer".

[Ein Heldenleben]

Consolation: The originator of Ein Heldenleben admitted "I am not a first-class composer, but I am a first-rate second class composer".

False modesty I think - he was a first rate first class composer. But he could have wielded the blue pencil a bit more.

[edashtav]

False modesty I think - he was a first rate first class composer. But he could have wielded the blue pencil a bit more.

I agree with you, EH, although I feel that his use of the blue pencil was directly proportional to his age?

[Ein Heldenleben]

I agree with you, EH, although I feel that his use of the blue pencil was directly proportional to his age?

It’s funny . Der Rosenkavalier has its longeurs whereas Capriccio is more or less , bar one or two arias , perfect. I think his problem was maybe he was just too fecund - able to churn it out by the yard so to speak.I often wonder whether he was tough enough on the librettists.

[edashtav]

It’s funny . Der Rosenkavalier has its longeurs whereas Capriccio is more or less , bar one or two arias , perfect. I think his problem was maybe he was just too fecund - able to churn it out by the yard so to speak.I often wonder whether he was tough enough on the librettists.

Fecund - such a descriptive word. ‘Churn it out by the yard’ brings Darius Milhaud to my mind.

Whatever, you have a good grip on your man.

[RichardB]

Anyway.

Having read the various contributions to this thread I promise to give Endgame another listen, I mean a first listen to the Proms performance.

[Bryn]

Anyway.

Having read the various contributions to this thread I promise to give Endgame another listen, I mean a first listen to the Proms performance.

I might listen for my first time ever. I have been nervously putting git off and watching the video from the Beckett on Film DVD set, which I have now backed up in a slightly compressed video content with DVD Shrink.At least the Dolby Digital audio did not get further data-compressed.