Prom 21: Alina Ibragimova plays Bach (1.08.15)

[Barbirollians]

It was a little strange that the BBC should decide to transmit this recording at the very same time as the same violinist was performing live on Radio 3.

Not at all strange - typical BBC lack of thought . Marvellous playing though .

[Stanley Stewart]

Tonight's TV relay of Part II of the compulsive Bach partitas and sonatas was truly a hypnotic experience, following the impact of Part I last week. You could feel the power of concentration from the performance and its contagious spread throughout the vast auditorium; the sensibility of Alina Ibragimova, an impressive figure in her classic gown, created an indelible impression which I'll long remember.

My conversion to the cavernous Hall and its attraction for chamber music became a magnificent obsession moment when I heard an unforgettable performance of Schubert's Trout Quintet, circa 1977, performed by the Amadeus Quartet with Clifford Curzon, as I became enveloped in its intimacy. Am just about to set an overnight recording to DVD as I would be horrified if it disappeared into cyberspace in the meantime.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

My wife who is a baroque violin specialist has confirmed that Alina used a modern not a baroque bow, the pitch was modern A=440, and the strings were almost certainly not 'all gut' but probably 'covered gut' on the three lower strings and a steel E string.

My thanks to Mrs Tony - I was thinking that the Hall lights were shining very brightly off gut strings!

(minimal vibrato but definitely not 'vibrato-less')

[EdgeleyRob]

D Minor Partita.
Don't know about modern v baroque bows,modern pitch,steel strings.
I do know that this was violin playing as if from another universe,dimension.
The most stunning thing I've heard or seen in a long time and the highlight of the proms for me.
The Chaconne has always been a piece that moves me to tears,more usually in the Busoni arrangement for some reason,tonight the thing has done for me.
Still trembling as I type.

[Pegleg]

Welcome to that other world. I've only got two words to say: "Nathan Milstein". The Chaconne from his last public recital at 83 years old.

https://youtu.be/6pOfAv9gQzs

[EdgeleyRob]

Welcome to that other world. I've only got two words to say: "Nathan Milstein". The Chaconne from his last public recital at 83 years old.

https://youtu.be/6pOfAv9gQzs

Many thanks Pegleg,but I will have to save that one for another day.
Too much tonight

[Keraulophone]

My thanks to Mrs Tony - I was thinking that the Hall lights were shining very brightly off gut strings!

Ms Ibragimova said herself that she was using gut strings. If they were three covered gut and a steel E, wouldn't she have said so, Mrs Tony?

Fabulous performances, whatever the stringing.

[Richard Tarleton]

Ms Ibragimova said herself that she was using gut strings. If they were three covered gut and a steel E, wouldn't she have said so, Mrs Tony?

Fabulous performances, whatever the stringing.

I thought - I'll have to listen again - she was deliberately a bit vague about what strings she would be using - used all sorts of strings, hadn't decided, strings behaved differently in different conditions - definitely left herself some wriggle-room

[Keraulophone]

I had no idea...

March 2015



...that's one way to deal with music critics.

[Nick Armstrong]

Mrs Service

You're not serious?!?!

...

March 2015

...that's one way to deal with music critics.

Oh... you are....!!



Imagine... the wooing...

Ahem...

On a more practical note, shouldn't these two Alina Thingummybob threads be wed together too?

[antongould]

I thought - I'll have to listen again - she was deliberately a bit vague about what strings she would be using - used all sorts of strings, hadn't decided, strings behaved differently in different conditions - definitely left herself some wriggle-room

Yes that's what I thought I heard but fabulous performance indeed .......

[Keraulophone]

Just listened more closely to what Mrs Service said, and you're right RT and ag. It's at 38'54 on iPlayer:

"I always use different strings, really... but for tonight I think I'll use gut... but still with a sort of brightness of modern strings."

That does sound like covered gut.

How many violinists would have the confidence to want what she said next? - "I don't really want my violin to do what I tell it to do... I want it to come up with something itself... challenge me...make me react."

[Tony Halstead]

You're not serious?!?!

...




Oh... you are....!!



Imagine... the wooing...

Ahem...

On a more practical note, shouldn't these two Alina Thingummybob threads be wed together too?

Apologies, I hadn't seen this thread when I posted last night. Yes, I agree, the threads should be merged.

[EdgeleyRob]

Welcome to that other world. I've only got two words to say: "Nathan Milstein". The Chaconne from his last public recital at 83 years old.

https://youtu.be/6pOfAv9gQzs

Blimey,I see what you mean.

[Tony Halstead]

Quote Originally Posted by Tony View Post
"playing with almost no vibrato, her tone tended towards monotony"

I agreed with that bit. Vibrato was no stranger to the 1700s.

I didn't say /write that!
I was quoting Mr Allison of the Torygraph.