Prom 26 (2.8.12): Bach – Mass in B minor

[Alf-Prufrock]

Isn't it amazing the variety of views one can have about the pace of music! What one person finds sedate others find too fast for proper articulation.

I must say I am on the fast side of the question and found most of the performance very good. The choir, I thought, was excellent (look at the famous or at least familiar people standing there - surely many of the 16 were present?), and on my equipment there was no hint of slurring. In fact, I thought the opening Kyrie should have been quicker yet - it is such a trudge if it isn't taken with some speed.

If anything, the orchestra was on the large side, but the sound was wonderful. The violins played beautifully with lustrous tone (in baroque terms). I don't think I've heard lovelier sound from HIPP violins anywhere else. But that is obviously only my experience.

Actually I was watching it on BBC4, and the sound there is certainly better than on Radio 3, whatever format.

[amac4165]

Isn't it amazing the variety of views one can have about the pace of music! What one person finds sedate others find too fast for proper articulation.

It would be a very dull place if there wasn't !

Being in the hall and at home are of course completely different experiences - many a time I have come out of the hall and thought "brilliant" listened on the iPlayer and thought "the isn't the same performance! - and vice -versa !

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

All joking apart, I would say this was the best HIPP performance of the work I have heard , by a considerable margin.

[amateur51]

It would be a very dull place if there wasn't !

Being in the hall and at home are of course completely different experiences - many a time I have come out of the hall and thought "brilliant" listened on the iPlayer and thought "the isn't the same performance! - and vice -versa !

Very strange, I agree but it has happened to me too

[jean]

Actually I was watching it on BBC4...

I had to miss it last night, but I thought I would watch as well listen to some of it, at any rate.

Can anyone explain why, when I click on 'Watch again' here, I'm still directed to the radio iPlayer?

[mercia]

Can anyone explain why, when I click on 'Watch again' here, I'm still directed to the radio iPlayer?

not sure, I think this is what you want
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ss_in_B_minor/

[Caliban]

Very strange, I agree but it has happened to me too

Definitely. I find that the R3 mikes are very cruel to solo singers, and performances which sounded fine in situ sound awful on R3.

Oddly, that often isn't the case with TV microphones - something can sound rough on the radio but fine on TV.

[jean]

not sure, I think this is what you want
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ss_in_B_minor/

Yes that's it - thanks!

[salymap]

I gave up after too many close ups of the soloists. Whatever happened to mid distance shots, so that one can imagine being in the hall.

I shall stick with my JEG cassette, made from cousin's recording. Funny the B Minor Mass used to be my favourite Bach choral workI

[rank_and_file]

I listened to the first part on the radio, and watched the second part on TV, and found it somewhat bland and tedious. For me HIPP versions very rarely move me compared to the sort of performances being given when I first heard works like this, then being quite overwhelmed.

Some years ago I downloaded this clip and always thought the uploader had credited the wrong orchestra as it’s the New Philharmonia and I have it on LP. I see that YouTube has added an advert but the attribution is now showing the correct performance - don’t think Klemperer ever did the B Minor with the Berliners.

Anyway - the excerpt seems about the same tempo as last night, but it has the heft and majesty that I feel Bach meant which Bicket does not find. Personal view of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMq44NLoVPc