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Post by julesd68 on Aug 14, 2021 0:07:58 GMT
Here’s a new thread for Classical Music streaming - I’m hoping my 'lockdown' streaming thread has run its course now! First up is a recent concert from the Salzburg Festival 2021, a programme of Beethoven / Brahms / Franck with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra under Daniel Barenboim. I’d quite happily have skipped the tedious Beethoven palate cleanser and fully expected the Brahms Double featuring concertmaster Michael Barenboim and cellist Kian Soltani to be the highlight - I was looking forward to making my reacquaintance with this work as had last listened to it on vinyl some years ago with Oistrakh and Rostropovich. This performance doesn't reach those heights, though I did enjoy Soltani’s wonderfully ripe cello tone (an artist to surely explore further), but to my great surprise it was the Franck Symphony in D Minor that really moved me! The first movement doesn’t quite take off as it might in terms of musical themes, but this superb orchestra, whom I was hearing for the first time, were fiendishly committed and managed to almost elevate the music above its natural station. The second movement on the other hand is really enigmatic and engaging from the off, featuring some very fine Cor Anglais and Horn solos with pizzicato strings. The final movement was a wonderfully full-blooded finale and I have to say this performance fully justified the extended and warm applause from the audience who seemed to agree with me in their assessment of the evening, unless I’m much mistaken.  I’ve just installed the app for Arte TV on my ‘smart’ TV but you can also watch on their website. www.arte.tv/en/videos/104805-000-A/west-eastern-divan-orchestra-with-daniel-barenboim/ |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 14, 2021 17:56:07 GMT
An interesting aside to this concert.
It appears that a horn player invoked the wrath of Barenboim Sr and got roasted for accidentally standing up to take the applause of the audience when the Maestro had signalled to someone else. Apparently the horn player didn't sit down as requested so Barenboim went over to have a word. In the concert film this appears to have been edited out but might perhaps explain why Barenboim looked ashen faced at the very end. Saying that he barely managed to raise a smile all evening ...
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 14, 2021 23:20:55 GMT
Another concert from Salzburg this year well worthy of your attention is this Mahler 3 with the Vienna Phil under Andris Nelsons. No surprises in the superlative standard of musicianship, the Tempo Di Menuetto for example is utterly exquisitely crafted and the Mezzo, Violeta Urmana, is also most persuasive; a most cohesive and satisfying performance from all involved. Unbelievably for me this is the first time I have listened to this symphony in full since singing in the choir for a performance some 43 years ago ... One thing I had quite forgotten is that it can take 80 minutes to be called into action! I also noted that in comparison with Barenboim you couldn't have a greater contrast in conducting style - Nelsons is fully emotionally engaged throughout and offers constant and willing encouragement. www.arte.tv/en/videos/105086-000-A/andris-nelsons-conducts-mahler-symphony-no-3/ |
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Post by MartinT on Aug 14, 2021 23:29:17 GMT
I used to listen to the Haitink Mahler 3rd a lot. He was the master of that symphony.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 15, 2021 12:13:16 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Aug 15, 2021 13:00:41 GMT
Well, he does like Tennstedt, another great Mahlerian.
But leaving out Haitink...?
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 15, 2021 21:04:47 GMT
I've saved the Ivan Fischer for future listening - seems to be one of the best received recent recordings
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 17, 2021 11:21:00 GMT
Here is something for lovers of Bruckner to enjoy, the 7th, again from Salzburg. It's the VPO once more but this time under the attentive baton of Christian Thielemann who was conducting without a score. It seems a symphony that is tailor-made to show off the talents of each of the sections of the VPO. Wonderful depth and texture. www.arte.tv/en/videos/104845-000-A/vienna-philharmonic-christian-thielemann/There is also Mahler's Rückert-Lieder with Elina Garanca. Whilst I'm not over familiar with these songs I felt somewhat underwhelmed until the final song where she opened up in such a way that really probed the emotions deeply, with an atmosphere to match; everything that preceded it sounded subdued and mundane in comparison. |
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Post by MartinT on Aug 17, 2021 21:21:19 GMT
The 7th is possibly Bruckner's most magnificent symphony. I'll try and have a listen tomorrow.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 18, 2021 10:04:48 GMT
I'll be interested to know what you think.
I wondered whether it was a little too polished, like Karajan / BPO, but to be fair I was listening late at night so couldn't have it on very loud. Possibly needing a bit more weight and gravitas in parts.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 18, 2021 10:47:35 GMT
The best 7th I knew back in the CD days was the Blomstedt/Staatskapelle Dresden recording, quite superb.  |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 25, 2021 21:25:01 GMT
Bertrand Chamayou has completely and utterly subjugated Saint Saens 2 to his iron will. There are no challenges in it for him it seems with this entirely crystalline rendition. But I wonder if he has become over familiar with it? We look for more than technical perfection from our music, we need humanity, musicality and almost perhaps a hint of vulnerability in the performance. I will have to return to his widely praised recording of this work to see if it offers more charm and insight. www.arte.tv/en/videos/098519-019-A/berlioz-saint-saens-franck/ |
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 27, 2021 12:36:00 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 5, 2021 1:09:42 GMT
Valery Gergiev conducts Four Last Songs and Mahler 5. Münchner Philharmoniker The first song irritated me from the off - we are treated to a very wide vibrato from Diana Damrau, often at the start of the note, whereby I was often not sure what note she was actually pitching ... In the second song, September, she has this much more under control and there are some really lovely moments to be enjoyed. Damrau is doing her best to communicate the emotions of the songs but I didn't particularly bond with the third either, whilst the final song seemed a little flat and slightly lacking in orchestral atmosphere. Not a cohesive performance and not one that will linger in my memory, I certainly wouldn't watch again. Straussian magic is conspicuous by its absence. If there are any other 4LS fans reading I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this. In Mahler 5 the orchestra immediately sounds more emotionally and physically engaged, as if at the flick of a switch. I'm hooked. What an absolutely spectacularly cavernous and dense soundstage they present; no shortage of drama here, it's as if the orchestra are possessed! It's really quite thrilling, such is the soaring drive and propulsion we witness. Perhaps a special shout out should go to the brass section who are outstanding throughout, especially in the extended solos of the First Horn. The Adagietto is admirably restrained and exquisite, without any trace of schmalz, whilst the Rondo is deft and full of charm. This Mahler 5 is an enthralling experience, not to be missed. www.arte.tv/en/videos/095163-000-A/valery-gergiev-conducts-strauss-and-mahler/ |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 5, 2021 6:21:58 GMT
I love the Four Last Songs, Jules.
I'll take a listen later.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 5, 2021 12:26:33 GMT
The first song irritated me from the off - we are treated to a very wide vibrato from Diana Damrau, often at the start of the note, whereby I was often not sure what note she was actually pitching ... There's far too much vibrato in all four pieces. Beim Schlafengehen loses all its power, and what happened to the big note (C?) that represents a thrilling moment in the middle of the song? The orchestral opening to Im Abendrot gives hope, but then she starts with that vibrato. Again, her crescendos are muted and the emotional power of the song is lost. I know Jessye Norman doesn't please everyone with these songs, but the power and emotion she puts into the songs are unquestionable. Her orchestral accompaniment with Kurt Masur is a key ingredient, too, fantastically sympathetic and sounding gorgeous in their own right. I said just a couple of days ago how good the Gewandhausorchester are. I won't be listening to this again. |
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 5, 2021 12:55:34 GMT
From the ridiculous to the sublime though, do find time for the Mahler 5 - it's like a different orchestra is playing!
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 9, 2021 12:41:51 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 9, 2021 16:13:36 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 9, 2021 21:02:23 GMT
On the other hand I might watch it for free on YT.
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