Downloaded (once I managed to get past the various 'security' checks at iTunes, which I've never used before). Thanks, it's a wonderful performance!Originally Posted by heliocentric
Downloaded (once I managed to get past the various 'security' checks at iTunes, which I've never used before). Thanks, it's a wonderful performance!
Glad you liked it.
I don't know if you're aware of the Wolf Fifth blog - it's dedicated to "rare vinyl records from the golden age of avantgarde and experimental music" and contains three recordings of the Marteau - Boulez conducting in 1964 and 1974 (my favourite one until Rundel came along), and Robert Craft in 1961.
Full Member
Did anyone hear last night's Prom, or attend?
I hope the audience enjoyed the Boulez as much as I, having been afforded the luxury of the two Beethoven symphonies. Notwithstanding the ostensible inspiration, the Boulez was, I thought, one of his wittiest and most accessible works, with even a few hommages to Messiaen's harmonic methods in the parallelling of the solo violin part near the start. I did think Beethoven 8 was taken a little too slowly, however.
Full Member
The Beethoven 8 & 7 repeated this afternoon, S_A?
Not in the Hall but heard both broadcasts. Yes, all the symphonies were much slower than I believe LvB intended, but I thought Barenboim pulled them off to his own standards - I particularly liked the Seventh as a "Symphony in One Movement". And, like last year's Missa Solemnis (conducted by Davis), I felt it was like watching a slow-motion lightning flash: fascinating to watch the details unfurling themselves. I still prefer "blink-and-you-miss-it" Beethoven, where Music becomes a force of Nature.
I enjoyed all the Boulez pieces - the Dialogue de l'ombre doubles a wonderfully beguiling mixture of Beckett (Not I) and Lava Lamp: those beautifully gloopy clarinet sounds - and the joie de vivre of Anthemes, in particular. Gloriously enthusiastic performances by this new generation of Musicians: the ensemble pieces were dispatched with a finesse that would've made the London Sinfonietta weep!
I think Boulez can happily rest assured that his place in the repertoire is now secure - not just in Historical significance, but in the affections and enthusiasm of audiences and performers alike.
As Berio puts it in his Sinfonia: "Thank you, Mr Boulez!" And thank you, Mr Barenboim, too!
Full Member
That's right, ferney.
I am aware of it but I'd lost touch with the site when I lost some bookmarks (same with the High Ponytail) - thanks for the reminder!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote