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Post by julesd68 on Oct 25, 2022 18:39:38 GMT
Well it's a bit late, but tell me what you make of this ...
It's not just another 'Lark', this time it's only for violin and piano, with the benefit of the estimable Benjamin Grosvenor providing the accompinament. I must confess to not having heard of the soloist before - Hyeyoon Park.
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Post by Slinger on Oct 25, 2022 19:39:10 GMT
Interesting. Thanks, Jules. I'll try to give that a go tomorrow.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 25, 2022 20:52:04 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Oct 26, 2022 18:52:00 GMT
Beautiful recording, both piano and violin are set in a space to breathe although there is something in the high string being picked up that I can't identify. I think also the violin level is set high against the piano, at least in the crescendi. The two instruments complement each other musically, too.
Does it work as a whole? It's different and it misses those high emotive moments when the full orchestra joins in during full performances. I think, while beautifully performed, it lacks emotion in this stripped down version and is a touch too stark for me. I'll give it 2/5 as it didn't quite take off for me.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 26, 2022 20:45:57 GMT
Listening on headphones, in the upper registers of the solo violin, I'm hearing a lot of the contact of the bow travelling across the string, as opposed to the note that produces, so I'm thinking it has been too closely mic'd - I find this rather distracting. Of course you don't hear that once the piano plays but I'm left with the impression of a slightly unnatural balance. I'm also not really happy with the acoustic, or lack of - there doesn't seem to be any sense of a room / hall, perhaps it's a studio recording?
I find the performance to be immensely sensitive on the whole and there's a wonderful empathy between the two. There are some moments of magic and I absolutely love the climaxes in the second movement. The space and calm in the third is quite lovely before that intense climax. At 2-08 I can hear some unwanted resonances with a few high treble notes. Gorgeous piano at the end of the third. The violin in the final movement is perhaps a little too understated for my liking and again, I'm hearing the bowing just too much.
I love the arrangement but I feel the recording could / should have been better and there's just something missing from the violin finale. I'm somewhere in between a 3 and 4, but will go for a 3.
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Post by Slinger on Oct 27, 2022 15:30:53 GMT
Sorry, Jules, but only a "2" from me. More of a "turkey carcass the day after Boxing Day," than a lark. Bare bones with very little meat on them. ...Lark is supposed to swoop and soar and carry us with it. This interpretation did none of those things for me.
Regarding the violin sound, I'm wondering if there was a contact mic, either on the soundboard of the violin, or clipped to the bridge, it would account for your "too much violin, not enough music" sort of description. I'll take another guess, and say it was probably recorded with the two artists beside/in front of each other, rather than in isolation booths, to give a "live" sound which I don't think works. The instruments bleed over each other, necessitating the close-miking and reducing the amount of processing individual instruments can be given. Last guess - the piano was also close-miked, and a bit too close to the hammers I think, which gives it a more percussive, and a thinner sound.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 27, 2022 15:38:35 GMT
Regarding the violin sound, I'm wondering if there was a contact mic Yes, that fits and could have been the case. |
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 27, 2022 17:29:24 GMT
We can only speculate but for certain the violin is too closely mic'd when you can hear the bowing like that. I think it could have made a much better live recording with a decent acoustic and more passionate performance from the violin. They went for a more understated approach - I can understand why but it doesn't quite come off ...
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Post by John on Nov 9, 2022 8:51:08 GMT
The Lark Ascending is beautiful to listen too. One of my favourite classical pieces of all time. I find it reflective and uplifting at the same time.
So as a track a rare 5 from me
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 9, 2022 13:26:42 GMT
Indeed it is John, a truly miraculous piece of music .
I have four Larks in my collection - the classic Iona Brown, followed by contemporary recordings from Tasmin Little, Nicola Benedetti, Hilary Hahn and James Ehnes. If anyone has anything they consider "superior" let me know!!
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Post by MartinT on Nov 9, 2022 13:48:11 GMT
I would rate the Marriner / ASMF recording as my favourite.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 9, 2022 13:58:46 GMT
Yes, Iona Brown is sublime.  |
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Post by Slinger on Nov 9, 2022 14:25:07 GMT
It's the lovely Nicola for me.  |
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 9, 2022 15:24:46 GMT
Nicky B gave a miraculous performance of this as a stand in at the Proms 2020. Sadly I can't find any footage to share.
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 11, 2022 10:26:43 GMT
Minimalist.
Quite nice
The boss liked it
Will listen to a 'normal' version
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 18, 2022 10:21:20 GMT
Prefer the Marriner / ASMF version. Seems to accentuate the violin
Park / Grosvenor have their place though
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 19, 2022 14:28:30 GMT
Nice one Mike.
We are certainly spoilt for choice with some outstanding recordings of this gem.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 9, 2022 18:12:54 GMT
A new recording of the piano and violin version but am not sold on it - why the violinist is in such a hurry at the start I don't know.
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