Prom 17: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (2) - 31.07.19

[Maclintick]

Not so much the interpretation, which was too obviously a work-in-progress, more the technical deficiencies in its execution..(which seemed to me obvious in the first movement especially; by the finale, it was, as I said, a bit more together.....).

BRSO/YNS was a live performance, so a degree of imprecision may be expected, although I only noted a couple of brass fluffs early on when listening back on headphones for the second time. The live vs. recorded comparisons may be fascinating, but I'm unlikely to invest in an extra Sibelius 1 as I already have Kajanus, Maazel, Gibson, Askenazy, Davis, & Storgårds -- Berglund/COE may be tempting though...

I picked out the GSO/Rouvali earlier this year as a truly exceptional Sibelius record. Do seek it out if you've not already..

This is really fine, isn't it ? -- the Gothenburgers and their young conductor firing on all cylinders, although he's not immune from the temptation to over-egg the pudding or shoot his bolt prematurely, if you'll forgive the clumsily mixed metaphors. One instance is at the start of the 1st movt's allegro energico, when the 2nd violins launch into their semi-quaver rhythmic ostinato way above the mf sempre marking, so that he's forced into making an unmarked diminuendo when the 1sts enter with the first subject proper (or is it the second subject, the sinuous shape-shifting initial clarinet theme being the true first subject ?). A comparison with Kajanus is always instructive, and at the outset he ensures that the 2nds maintain a rock-solid mf sempre throughout the passage.

I criticised YNS for shameless Puccinification of the finale's "big tune", but to be honest, Rouvali does much the same, indulging in "lingering inappropriate rubato" -- to borrow one of Ed Seckerson's strictures in his Gramophone review of YNS's ATMA recording. Of course, Kajanus's passionate peroration manages to be truly Sibelian, rock-like, in its sense of having endured the tragedy, without resort to such liberties.

[Flay]

I'm really enjoying this prom on BBC4 at the moment.

[Bryn]

I'm really enjoying this prom on BBC4 at the moment.

For rather too long into this broadcast I thought the infamous RAH echo had returned. It then dawned on me that I had forgotten to mute the television's own speakers, the main audio feed being via HDMI through a Yamaha 'home cinema' amp to decent speakers.

[LMcD]

I'm really enjoying this prom on BBC4 at the moment.

I have to confess to being a little disappointed in the Sibelius. Yannick wotsisname seemed determined to wring every last ounce of emotion and drama out of every note with the result that I sometimes lost any sense of momentum - I've heard much smoother performances. The contributions from orchestral soloists were well up to the usual excellent standard for which this orchestra is rightly renowned. The Prokofiev was splendid, and Gil Shaham was clearly enjoying himself while stylishly meeting all of the many challenges which Prokofiev set his soloist.

[Flay]

wotsisname

Neddy Seagoon?

Lovely Rosenkavalier. I must say the whole prom was a joy to watch. It's good to see smiling performers

[LMcD]

Neddy Seagoon?

Lovely Rosenkavalier. I must say the whole prom was a joy to watch. It's good to see smiling performers

'How would you like to join the Kensington Round Pond police?'

[gradus]

The TV sound seemed differently balanced to the R3 broadcast, much more vivid and immediate and I much preferred it.
It may well be down to listening on TV speakers rather than a hifi system for the R3 broadcast. If so, cheaper and smaller appears to beat more expensive larger - sometimes.

What an orchestra though!

[kernelbogey]

Watching this, I was fascinated by Yannick's conducting style: no baton, a great deal of body-language, and, I thought, almost conducting with facial expression. Despite what looked to my untrained eyes as not a clear beat, I wonder how he gets such fabulous results. (Are the Bavarians familiar with him?) I shall make a point of going to see Met Opera relays this winter to find out more!

[alywin]

Watching this, I was fascinated by Yannick's conducting style: no baton, a great deal of body-language, and, I thought, almost conducting with facial expression.

Well, Jansons has been known to do quite a bit of that in the past, so perhaps it's not unknown to the Bavarians :)