The following story might be of particular interest to Forum stalwarts Hornspieler and Ventilhorn, who might just have firsthand knowledge..........
This season I am attending Proms concerts containing Nielsen S5 and Mahler S6, in the company of a friend who knows neither piece. I set about finding a CD of the Nielsen. To my surprise, not only did I discover a BBC Legends recording by the great Jascha Horenstein, but it was coupled with his Bournemouth BBC recording of - yes - Mahler S6!
Not only that, but I was unexpectedly present during the recording, because there is a little story surrounding the making of that 1969 recording of the Mahler by Horenstein on these CDs.
In the days when Mahler symphonies were clearly not familiar to orchestra managements, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra winter season had billed a concert with Clifford Curzon playing Brahms 2nd piano concerto, followed by Mahler 6. Eventually it must have come to the management’s attention that people would miss the last bus home if the concert went ahead as planned, and the Mahler was replaced by, I think, Haydn!
But an announcement was made at the previous week’s concert that ticket holders could attend free of charge a BBC recording of the Mahler on the Friday following the revised concert. I took up the offer, and sat in the balcony at the Winter Gardens.
I recall the long silence at the end, since we did not know how long to wait before applauding. We were left in no doubt, when eventually Jascha bellowed at the top of his voice: “EXCELLENT!” He did not even ask for any retakes.
Imagine my delight when I discovered that this very performance was still around, rescued by the BBC Legends label! Less surprising was the realisation that this was an interpretation that has stood the test of time, by one of the most underrated of master conductors, who of course did so much to establish Mahler and Bruckner in this country, especially via Proms performances.
So my friend, who hails from Bournemouth, has both two excellent recordings to work with (which should greatly enhance her enjoyment of what are two potentially fine Proms), and a little bit of local history to go with it. Is there anyone else out there who was present at that BSO performance?
This season I am attending Proms concerts containing Nielsen S5 and Mahler S6, in the company of a friend who knows neither piece. I set about finding a CD of the Nielsen. To my surprise, not only did I discover a BBC Legends recording by the great Jascha Horenstein, but it was coupled with his Bournemouth BBC recording of - yes - Mahler S6!
Not only that, but I was unexpectedly present during the recording, because there is a little story surrounding the making of that 1969 recording of the Mahler by Horenstein on these CDs.
In the days when Mahler symphonies were clearly not familiar to orchestra managements, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra winter season had billed a concert with Clifford Curzon playing Brahms 2nd piano concerto, followed by Mahler 6. Eventually it must have come to the management’s attention that people would miss the last bus home if the concert went ahead as planned, and the Mahler was replaced by, I think, Haydn!
But an announcement was made at the previous week’s concert that ticket holders could attend free of charge a BBC recording of the Mahler on the Friday following the revised concert. I took up the offer, and sat in the balcony at the Winter Gardens.
I recall the long silence at the end, since we did not know how long to wait before applauding. We were left in no doubt, when eventually Jascha bellowed at the top of his voice: “EXCELLENT!” He did not even ask for any retakes.
Imagine my delight when I discovered that this very performance was still around, rescued by the BBC Legends label! Less surprising was the realisation that this was an interpretation that has stood the test of time, by one of the most underrated of master conductors, who of course did so much to establish Mahler and Bruckner in this country, especially via Proms performances.
So my friend, who hails from Bournemouth, has both two excellent recordings to work with (which should greatly enhance her enjoyment of what are two potentially fine Proms), and a little bit of local history to go with it. Is there anyone else out there who was present at that BSO performance?
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