RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra Concert 20 March 2012

[Ciaran]

Well, while I enjoyed the Brahms overall, there was a degree of raggedness in the beginnings and ends of some phrases which would point to imprecise conducting or inadequate preparation. It wasn't enough to spoil it for me, but I could understand other people finding it more upsetting.

[Diapason]

Too diplomatic by far, Ciaran!!

[Jared]

Like Jared, I put forward the view that maybe McCreesh is more comfortable with smaller forces.

It's very difficult for me to comment Simon... I have a good many McCreesh recordings and there isn't a duff one in the collection... he won the Gramophone Recording of the Year back in 2008 for this:



and he has only just won the BBC Recording of the Month for May for this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Song-Farewell-M ... 846&sr=8-1

admittedly with smaller forces he would have been more at home with...

but it sounds to me that the problem lies somewhere between not having had enough rehearsal time and familiarity with the Orchestra..