tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post1004591199266202225..comments2024-03-26T07:58:59.761+00:00Comments on I'll think of something later: Tchaikovsky's elusive TempestDavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-18764098104536868972011-12-10T18:54:49.616+00:002011-12-10T18:54:49.616+00:00Very late reply about The Tempest and the local ba...Very late reply about <i>The Tempest</i> and the local band, re: recording. Not Chicago, but <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Symphony-5-Tempest-Tchaikovsky/dp/B000003F0D/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1323543165&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">this group</a>. I haven't actually heard this CD, admittedly.Geo.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05688490063600488617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-17099868006631534712011-11-30T09:56:23.417+00:002011-11-30T09:56:23.417+00:00Yes - I felt Farnes handled it, whereas our much a...Yes - I felt Farnes handled it, whereas our much admired John Wilson failed to shine as he usually does, despite some nimble tempi. I did miss the 'terrific charge' for the most part - there was that fatal sense of sometimes trying too hard, though everyone characterised decently. But I've been spoilt by the supreme exuberance/pathos of the Union-in-Wilton's Iolanthe and even the King's Head Mikado.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-82451338573933123552011-11-30T09:51:00.234+00:002011-11-30T09:51:00.234+00:00So glad you felt that about Ruddigore. It was a te...So glad you felt that about Ruddigore. It was a terrific charge of a production, but Gilbert drives Act 1, while Sullivan drives Act 2. I adore the Ghosts' scene, but we're asked to believe so much, to have it dashed in front of us. I do wonder whether it's all worth it... and, as you said about QofS, the Barbican acoustic is an unflinching serial killer.Gavin Plumleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367649538228383713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-20570797881676194302011-11-30T09:03:53.766+00:002011-11-30T09:03:53.766+00:00Well, Adrian Thompson sang v. 2 of Lensky's ar...Well, Adrian Thompson sang v. 2 of Lensky's aria so beautifully ppp - still not sure why - that I bet he could still make a good job of Lensky's farewell.<br /><br />You may well be right about the casting. Gergiev was saying that when he conducts the same production at the Met, Netrebko will sing Tatyana, and possibly the very sexy Marius Kwiecien will be Onegin. Trebs didn't hugely move me as Prokofiev's Natasha, but she will at least be in the right zone for the Letter Scene.<br /><br />I still think my main problem is that I didn't KNOW what Warner wanted me to think about the characters.<br /><br />Ruddigore: not as overwhelmed as folk promised me I would be, though there were terrific scenes and Burkhard's Sir Despard lifted it all. I did wonder whether it's not the top notch G&S I used to think it was (the Dick Dauntless stuff, apart from 'The battle's roar is over', seems like an unflinchable bore). See TAD Buzz piece (http://www.theartsdesk.com/opera/opera-north-making-londons-flesh-creep).Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-89729110884370488442011-11-30T08:46:38.148+00:002011-11-30T08:46:38.148+00:00P.S. How did you get on with Ruddigore?P.S. How did you get on with Ruddigore?Gavin Plumleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367649538228383713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-54911300108297532442011-11-30T08:14:30.424+00:002011-11-30T08:14:30.424+00:00I saw the Onegin again last night - with an ailing...I saw the Onegin again last night - with an ailing Toby Spence and Adrian Thompson, no less, singing Lensky's Act 2 from a box. It is of course my opinion, but it's equally shared by many... but I totally agree, as I thought I made clear, that I was unmoved by the Tatyana (vocally and dramatically). I just think, as you did about the Tsarina's Slippers, that the production could really zing when well performed.Gavin Plumleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367649538228383713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-81297848268383481072011-11-29T14:42:35.857+00:002011-11-29T14:42:35.857+00:00'The local band' being? Chicago? They did ...'The local band' being? Chicago? They did it with Abbado, right? Can't think who else would fit the bill.<br /><br />Not sure the Dude's idea of all three together would work (I know there's a CD which I haven't heard). I'd love a concert where both Tchaik's and Sibelius's Tempests co-existed. Why does Abbado not do Sibelius? One could even at a pinch have the best of the not absolutely great Ades opera, which is the orchestral writingDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-54388176204288701602011-11-29T03:59:45.729+00:002011-11-29T03:59:45.729+00:00The closest I've ever been to hearing Tchaikov...The closest I've ever been to hearing Tchaikovsky's <i>The Tempest</i> live is the Dudamel/LA Phil HD movie-cast this past season, with the 3 Tchaikovsky concert overtures inspired by Shakespeare in one program, with actors reading selected passages (Malcolm McDowell and Orlando Bloom among them). It wasn't a long program in terms of musical length, which may be why "El Dude" took each overture rather spaciously, as if to give everyone in the hall and the cinema their money's worth. I don't expect the local band to program the work anytime soon, even though they recorded it two music directors back, so there is some history there.Geo.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05688490063600488617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-30457961789752741662011-11-28T19:42:20.479+00:002011-11-28T19:42:20.479+00:00Yes, I've a very soft spot for the Mahler and ...Yes, I've a very soft spot for the Mahler and Tchaikovsky films, though the Monitor ones I always found a bit disappointing. And although the acting even from good people in a lot of his films seems like village-institute stuff, the star of Salome's Last Dance is compelling. Suppose I'd better say a word or two here in due course.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-76817379708402841152011-11-28T14:04:47.198+00:002011-11-28T14:04:47.198+00:00Your Onegin review dissuaded my own edu-mate (I do...Your Onegin review dissuaded my own edu-mate (I don't think that one's going to catch on somehow...) from ENOing it tomorrow, although it was highly impractical given her work-overload. She was keen to go even after hearing R3's broadcast, which I abandoned after the lacklustre letter scene (Luke asked what language it was, a fairly common operatic problem I admit). But the fateful resonances did take me back to the brilliant 4th Symphony we all thrilled to at the Proms.<br /><br />I would have suggested The Queen of Spades as a substitute but then realised it had finished, but she said it's not one of her favourites.<br /><br />The Building a Library recommendation this weekend was another Abbado masterly performance, and when I heard Julian Johnson talk of Mahler composing the 8th Symphony in the Swiss Alps I had an immediate vision of Ken Russell's lakeside hut which, being Ken of course, later exploded violently. And now I read of Russell's death only yesterday. However idiosyncratic and mythic they were, his films on Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Delius etc. left an indelible mark.Howard Lanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-58869401084509845402011-11-27T23:02:11.458+00:002011-11-27T23:02:11.458+00:00Won't 'greatest concert ever filmed' d...Won't 'greatest concert ever filmed' do it for the edu-mate, who would be missing greatness - but perhaps must be allergic to Mahler? <br /><br />As for Felicity Palmer, I never thought her Countess could be equalled, but Barstow for Opera North brings something different and just as valid to this fascinating role, and sings the French aria with even more supernatural softness.<br /><br />Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving and delighted to see you back online quicker than expected.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-64559983118491156822011-11-27T21:18:44.419+00:002011-11-27T21:18:44.419+00:00So, here I wing in, not having heard either Tchaik...So, here I wing in, not having heard either Tchaikovsky's or Sibelius's The Tempest. Spotify to the rescue, as it has both Abbado versions you mentioned and versions of Sibelius’s, too. I’m listening now to the Chicago Symphony recording (my home town, you see). "this is the isle, and the sea around it, full of mysterious noises." Yes, indeed. I've had to start a "Nice recommendations" playlist on Spotify as I've no chance of keeping up. (I'm still on those Sibelius tone poems (many of which I’ve since purchased)—such magic. Haven’t even got back to Dvorak’s yet.) <br /><br />PS: After 5 weeks and 2 tries, Amazon finally managed to deliver the Abbado DVD of Mahler's 9th, so I'm looking forward to that—though the edu-mate (if you’ll forgive the play on your phrase) has drawn the line on that, so I’m on my own. We did both enjoy the DVD of Glyndebourne's Pique Dame, though, in our plebby way, we couldn't fathom why Lisa fell for nutty Hermann, when Prince Yeletsky seemed such a nice guy. In any event, Felicity Palmer’s Countess, for us, definitely stole the show.Susan Scheidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09250142489341777926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-13825424456290136832011-11-26T23:25:57.684+00:002011-11-26T23:25:57.684+00:00I've heard the Third Suite in concert on two o...I've heard the Third Suite in concert on two occasions, Roger - once conducted very badly by Lazarev, once beautifully by Vedernikov. The others, never. I suspect the problem in the case of the equally wonderful Second Suite is the extra expense of four accordions to play two chords a couple of times!Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-87590927557145494202011-11-26T18:37:59.658+00:002011-11-26T18:37:59.658+00:00David, do the Orch Suites ever get a hearing much ...David, do the Orch Suites ever get a hearing much live? It's as if they were conceived for the recording medium!Roger Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16716925882482994792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-61954506730784232392011-11-26T12:25:18.365+00:002011-11-26T12:25:18.365+00:00In your opinion, Gavin. Not in mine nor that of lo...In your opinion, Gavin. Not in mine nor that of lots of folk I've spoken to. And I've seen a few Onegins in my time; this was much the dullest.<br /><br />And if the Letter Scene doesn't move - and it doesn't seem to have moved anyone - what's the point?<br /><br />I've enlarged on detail over on The Arts Desk, but FWIW I got very little out of Montague's Larina, the usually splendid Wyn-Rogers passed for nothing as Filipyevna, and I didn't care for the Olga. Half the time I couldn't even work out what points were being made - like the extra who stares at Onegin in the ball scene.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-78133690136625610082011-11-26T11:22:14.062+00:002011-11-26T11:22:14.062+00:00You're unreasonably hard on that ENO Onegin......You're unreasonably hard on that ENO Onegin... looking beyond the central couple, who were admittedly nowhere (not a small oversight, I'll give you), I thought there was loads of detail and depth in the other parts. Lensky, you rightly praise, but what about Olga, Madame Larina and Filipyevna? Warner didn't have the right central couple - one chum called it 'Lensky: the Opera' - but the production itself is sound.Gavin Plumleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367649538228383713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-78788971343999275542011-11-26T11:10:42.338+00:002011-11-26T11:10:42.338+00:00Ah yes, Andrew - the finale of Tchaik 5 was just s...Ah yes, Andrew - the finale of Tchaik 5 was just striking up, and being piped more loudly than usual through the foyers, when I came out for the second interval. I've never seen the Barbican more packed: some big event connected to the exhibitions added to the hurly-burly. Quite something when you think the great man had both an opera and a symphony being performed simultaneously.<br /><br />I'll hear what he makes of fab Gubaidulina and Shostakovich 10 tomorrow - and yet another interview is in the offing, but as usual details are sketchyDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-42146545379025801632011-11-26T09:52:18.793+00:002011-11-26T09:52:18.793+00:00Sounds like you had a better time in the Barbican ...Sounds like you had a better time in the Barbican theatre than we did in the Barbican hall - Gergiev drawing Tchaikovsky 5 out to almost an hour. It was beyond awful. A real let down after the first half, with Gubaidulina’s Fachwerk being such an intense and riveting experience.Andrewhttp://devilstrillblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-58036123558125188502011-11-25T23:16:43.526+00:002011-11-25T23:16:43.526+00:00Believe I mentioned it in the piece, Jim: 1873. So...Believe I mentioned it in the piece, Jim: 1873. So after Romeo and Juliet but before he's generally regarded as digging deep into selective orchestration with the orchestral suites. You're right, Petrushka et al come out of those and the fabulous scoring of the two later ballets.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506881804082382739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248503935075362425.post-86388302430594994722011-11-25T21:24:46.768+00:002011-11-25T21:24:46.768+00:00I love "The Tempest". The orchestration...I love "The Tempest". The orchestration shows more imagination than "Romeo", and reminds me of "Manfred".<br /><br />I don't have the composition dates in front of me. I need to know that.<br /><br />The sixth Sym is also more indicative of Tchaikovsky's very modern style of orchestration. Stravinsky had good reason to admire him.<br /><br />Thanks for reviewing.Jim Nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15365146914115121223noreply@blogger.com