Tír Na HiFi

Last nights concert was a bit of a mixed bag; but, on the whole, a valuable experience for me at least.

Barenboim and his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra opened with Beethoven's 4th Symphony. I am not sure that this piece worked in the enlarged spaces of the RAH. As a performance it lacked vitality, but still had some pleasant moments.

We were then treated to Boulez's Dialogue de l'ombre double which takes the form of a solo clarinet playing against 6 pre-recorded clarinet parts that are broadcast around the arena from carefully positioned speakers. It took 20 minutes, and to it's credit it felt like 10 - it was not 'pleasant' music in my view but at least I can say I was there!

After the interval the orchestra returned for the Eroica symphony. For me this is hardest LvB symphony to pull off in recordings - it can sound flabby and meandering at times. I also saw a dire performance a few years back at the Proms by the Rotterdam Philharmonic that did the piece no favours at all. This was better though. The climaxes were well judged and, for the most part, the mood was as exultant and revolutionary as the Eroica should sound. I often struggle with the funeral march section, but on thos occasion it was hypnotic even if it was unable to sustain that mood through to the finale. Not a perfect reading by any means; just very good.

Barenboim also taught me a valuable lesson. I now know how to milk an audience's applause effectively. If I follow his method from this concert, I won't go far wrong....

This afternoon I am at Snape Maltings for Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem and La Sacre du printemps under the baton of Mark Elder

Thanks for the update Darren; please keep them coming. I find it as interesting to read about the experiences that you do not enjoy as much as well as those that you do.
I like Mark Elder so I hope that you enjoy this afternoon and I look forward to your report on that one.

bombasticDarren wrote:Last nights concert was a bit of a mixed bag; but, on the whole, a valuable experience for me at least.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

This afternoon I am at Snape Maltings for Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem and La Sacre du printemps under the baton of Mark Elder

I'd love to be there too.

Seán wrote:

This afternoon I am at Snape Maltings for Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem and La Sacre du printemps under the baton of Mark Elder

I'd love to be there too.

I'm sure you would have loved it Sean!

The orchestra was the freshly minted Aldeburgh World Orchestra made up of young musicians spanning the globe.

Sinfonia da Requiem was wonderfully played - intense and dramatic in the right places. It's an often overlooked piece, and a nice companion to the Stravinsky.

La sacre du printemps was an eye opener. I had never heard it live and it certainly adds to new perspective now having heard it this way. It packs an immense punch (aided in no small part by the famous Snape Maltings acoustic) that goes some way to helping me understand all the fuss at the premiere nearly a century ago. In these hands this was an absolutely primal and ferocious piece of music that kept me on the edge of my seat. I expect all my recordings of the piece to sound tame in comparison for some time to come....

bombasticDarren wrote:

Seán wrote:

This afternoon I am at Snape Maltings for Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem and La Sacre du printemps under the baton of Mark Elder

I'd love to be there too.

I'm sure you would have loved it Sean!

The orchestra was the freshly minted Aldeburgh World Orchestra made up of young musicians spanning the globe.

La sacre du printemps was an eye opener. I had never heard it live and it certainly adds to new perspective now having heard it this way. It packs an immense punch (aided in no small part by the famous Snape Maltings acoustic) that goes some way to helping me understand all the fuss at the premiere nearly a century ago. In these hands this was an absolutely primal and ferocious piece of music that kept me on the edge of my seat. I expect all my recordings of the piece to sound tame in comparison for some time to come....

Le Sacre is wonderful music. Stravinsky's orchestration is marvellous it must have been wonderful to be there and watch how it is actually performed, I'm delighted that you enjoyed it.

[quote="bombasticDarren
La sacre du printemps was an eye opener. I had never heard it live and it certainly adds to new perspective now having heard it this way. It packs an immense punch (aided in no small part by the famous Snape Maltings acoustic) that goes some way to helping me understand all the fuss at the premiere nearly a century ago. In these hands this was an absolutely primal and ferocious piece of music that kept me on the edge of my seat. I expect all my recordings of the piece to sound tame in comparison for some time to come....[/quote]


That sounds like a great concert indeed Darren and I too am glad that you enjoyed it.

Today (Wednesday) was my birthday so, as is tradition, I took in a Prom

Jiri Belohlavek/BBCSO

Smetana (orch: Szell) - String Quartet No.1 From My Life
Prokofiev - Violin Concerto No.1 (w/Vadim Gluzman)
Dvorak - Symphony No.7

Will review tomorrow; now off the bed!

Happy birthday Darren. I have heard Belohlavek conduct the Dvorak 7th and it was very good, though with the UBS/Vevey Festival Orchestra.

Belated birthday wishes Darren and I look forward to the review.

The Smetana was an interesting curio - but perhaps nothing more. Full of nice touches, but struggling to maintain itself for the full duration.

The Prokofiev was the nicest surprise in many an Prom. I like Prokofiev, but this piece has not always resonated with me. Here though, it was magnificent tour de force for the soloist. The BBCSO are an orchestra I truly enjoy and here they accompanied excellently.

I love Dvorak's 7th and this was an appealing rendition. It did perhaps lack something in the middle movements but overall it was an interesting performance; but not one to raise the roof off the RAH