I love South American Music and was disappointed that I was unable to hear it last night, so I will try the iPlayer some time today.
However, I did manage to listen to the Dvorak, which has already received a mixed assessment. Here is an example from amac4165:
Tidy enough, I thought, but a few dodgy moments from the double basses, especially the pizzicato in the slow movement.
So why did I get the feeling at times that I was listening to a Youth Orchestra? Was it the Simon Bolivar influence?
No, I think it was because of the marked difference of quality output - call it "elan" if you like, between the strings and the wind and brass.
In particular, the oboe and trumpet exuded confidence and seemed, if anything, to be over-playing with their assurance. Am I making sense here?
I have had quite a few dealings with youth orchestras and have always been aware of the difference in sound quality and output between (relatively) inexpensive wind instruments and (" ...couldn't afford that sort of money!") that for professional quality string instruments. Also there is much fiercer competion for the limited number of woodwind and brass places than there is for the string playing applicants.
Tell me if I'm wrong. Maybe it's all down to the problems of achieving a satisfactory sound balance for radio transmission in the Albert Hall.
EV
However, I did manage to listen to the Dvorak, which has already received a mixed assessment. Here is an example from amac4165:
Originally posted by amac4165
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Another problem is that - being such a "popular" piece the chances are you have heard it played better ! Which indeed was the case last night - the rest of the concert was fun though 
So why did I get the feeling at times that I was listening to a Youth Orchestra? Was it the Simon Bolivar influence?
No, I think it was because of the marked difference of quality output - call it "elan" if you like, between the strings and the wind and brass.
In particular, the oboe and trumpet exuded confidence and seemed, if anything, to be over-playing with their assurance. Am I making sense here?
I have had quite a few dealings with youth orchestras and have always been aware of the difference in sound quality and output between (relatively) inexpensive wind instruments and (" ...couldn't afford that sort of money!") that for professional quality string instruments. Also there is much fiercer competion for the limited number of woodwind and brass places than there is for the string playing applicants.
Tell me if I'm wrong. Maybe it's all down to the problems of achieving a satisfactory sound balance for radio transmission in the Albert Hall.
EV
) Having heard the Simon Bolivar gang play 'Malambo', the last movement of the Ginastera, the Brazilians came in some distance behind, too.
I enjoyed the bit I heard anyway and I haven't heard it for yonks.
Probably my favourite of all.
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