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On the schedule it saysOriginally Posted by Eine Alpensinfonie
'Tess Knighton surveys recordings of works by Gesualdo and makes recommendations'
but it seems to be
'Tess Knighton and Andrew McGregor have a cosy chat, agreeing on many things, and often refer to Gesualdo along the way'.
I am finding TK's observations interesting, but I think R3's use of the chat-up format is becoming far too prevalent.
Host
I've just switched it off. I shall refrain from further comment. It would not be polite.
Host
So repetitive - TK's 'spontaneous' reactions / intros etc kept saying the same thing. AMcG's interpolations were designed to keep her motoring, BUT if she had presented a pre-recorded and properly scripted BAL, we might have heard more and got to the essence of TK's ideas quicker. And I really DO dislike the long intro that more or less tells us how to react to an extract. If you are doing a comparison then play the two examples as close together as you can so that the listener has in his /her head sound A so that sound B is a genuine contrast offered. With a lot of guff between sounds A and B, you are in some danger of losing the sense of contrast. Agree with Don Petter above in his last comment.
BUT all that said, a revealing and interesting piece of radio journalism doing a good job for Gesualdo who surprises and even shocks - bit patronising to the Consort of Muscke - 'oh, snigger snigger, gosh, a bit old-fashioned, but what else could the poor darlings do, they thought they were cutting edge, but we know differently now..." stuff didn't go down too well with me.
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A prime example of how talking about music instead of playing it can miss the point. Despite AMcG's best efforts, TK did a great job of boring for Britain.
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Well, for what it's worth, I thought this was an inspirational BaL which made me want to listen to much more of Gesualdo's Music than I have hitherto. Like others, my heart sank when I heard it was going to be another "conversation piece" and Ms Knighton was prone to "gush" (and, yes, snigger) occasionally - the usual problem in a Live broadcast, and I so wish they could have recorded and edited the discussion. Because, when focussed on the Music, the two of them got to the essence of this astonishing composer: the extracts were long enough to illustrate the points of Harmony and texture in the Music, and balance, pacing and diction in the performances. It whetted my previously damp enthusiasm to hear more of the Music: I don't think I could reasonably ask more from the programme.
Full Member
My guess is that it was both pre-recorded and edited, ferney.
Had I known that I would have sent Prof Knighton my old habit, so she could get on with it. Mind you, it's a pretty dirty old habit.
I switched off the CD review this morning as shortly after 9am my FM tuner started making strange noises, and I wasn't sure if it was the equipment or the programme.
Host
damn the playllist i was far more taken by the Hilliard than the recommended artists and by the instrumental arrangements and there are no details ...any info appreciated greatly
an eye opener as far as music despite the irritation of Prof K's pausing chat and not always finding that i agreed with her call on the music [and the Consort of Musicke were stunning I thought] a very valuable BAL
We are free to do anything we like as long as it is UNIMPORTANT
Full Member
Oh yes. That's what I've investing in.
Host
Yes; what was she talking about vis-a-vis the Consort of Musike? She kept referring to 'clipped vowels'. How do you clip a vowel? And AMcG kept agreeing. They've got my money...well actually they had it some time ago! Whilst I'm glad Gesualdo had an outing, and his life and work was explained (as if to 1st year undergraduates), I didn't find this the best of BALs
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