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The Radio 3 Boards > Admin Boards > Viewable archives > Proms 2007 > Prom 22: Les Musiciens du Louvre - Marc Minkowski
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Author Topic: Prom 22: Les Musiciens du Louvre - Marc Minkowski  (Read 418 times)
tonybob
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vrooooooooooooooom
« on: 12:48:24, 29-07-2007 »
faure and bizet on period instruments.
is this a first?
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sososo s & i.
Ian Pace
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« Reply #1 on: 12:51:21, 29-07-2007 »
Quote from: tonybob on 12:48:24, 29-07-2007
faure and bizet on period instruments.
is this a first?

The Fauré Requiem was recorded a while ago by Gardiner and the ORR on period instruments. Can't think of any Bizet, though.
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'These acts of keeping politics out of music, however, do not prevent musicology from being a political act . . .they assure that every apolitical act assumes a greater political immediacy' - Philip Bohlman, 'Musicology as a Political Act'
Tony Watson
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« Reply #2 on: 15:34:58, 29-07-2007 »
Quote from: tonybob on 12:48:24, 29-07-2007
faure and bizet on period instruments.
is this a first?


The bassoons might be interesting in this French band, given some recent correspondence on this MB (the concert's on BBC4). L'Arlesienne must be an early example of the saxophone in the symphony orchestra.
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HtoHe
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« Reply #3 on: 20:58:45, 29-07-2007 »
I admire Johnny Frenchman.  He’s given us much fine music from Lully to Boulez.  He’s welcome to bring his music to these islands any time.  But if I should notice THREE Proms of ALL FRENCH music in nine days I should have to say “Oi, Pierre NON!!  I appreciate your tuneful but robust artistry and I’m aware that the word ‘promenade’ is French; but now you’re going too far.  Get your own world-famous music festival if you want to do that kind of thing.”

Seriously, though, I must admit tonight’s Prom was a pleasant experience.  I missed most of the Fauré so I’ll have to catch that next week; but Les Nuits d’été and the familiar-but-different l’Arlésienne were enjoyable and contrasted well with the excitement of yesterday’s brass extravaganza. 

OK, only 62% French content tomorrow.
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tonybob
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vrooooooooooooooom
« Reply #4 on: 21:32:02, 29-07-2007 »
best prom so far this year, imho.
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sososo s & i.
iwarburton
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« Reply #5 on: 21:46:06, 29-07-2007 »
The L'Arlesienne Suites have been in my collection ever since the late 60s (I currently have the old Philharmonia/Karajan version from 1958) but I had never previously heard the entire work so it was fascinating to hear different arrangements, choral sections and familiar pieces out of the usual Suite order.  But did anyone else feel that the orchestra sounded a bit strained in places by the brisk tempi being demanded?

Ian.
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BobbyZ
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« Reply #6 on: 22:00:05, 29-07-2007 »
I thought the performance was exuberant and committed ( the reverse of what I'm expecting from tomorrow night )  Time to own up, I had no idea what the L'Arlessiene Suites were, Bizet being a composer who has pretty much passed me by apart from Carmen. Of course, when I heard the "tunes" I thought, oh so that's what it is. But then the performance made the familiar sound unfamiliar which was good, if that makes sense. Les nuits d'ete did more for me than on previous occasions too.
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Dreams, schemes and themes
Mary Chambers
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« Reply #7 on: 22:11:14, 29-07-2007 »
I really enjoyed the whole performance, but in particular I thought Anne Sofie von Otter was superb in Nuits d'été, a gorgeous song cycle if ever there was one. It was interesting to hear her say how difficult she found it - you certainly wouldn't have known. Also in the interval someone said that Berlioz was generally considered difficult, I think they meant to listen to. This had never occurred to me. It doesn't seem difficult at all, at least not the things I know..
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #8 on: 22:38:10, 29-07-2007 »
Quote from: HtoHe on 20:58:45, 29-07-2007
But if I should notice THREE Proms of ALL FRENCH music in nine days I should have to say “Oi, Pierre NON!!  I appreciate your tuneful but robust artistry and I’m aware that the word ‘promenade’ is French; but now you’re going too far.  Get your own world-famous music festival if you want to do that kind of thing.”

OK, only 62% French content tomorrow.


And don't forget Debussy and Varese on Tuesday, Boulez on Wednesday and Debussy and Ravel on Thursday.

Considering that Shakespeare is one of the two themes this season and the anniversaries of Elgar, Auden and Blake are being commemorated, there's a helluva lot of French stuff going around. Even when we get some Britten, it's sung in French!

I enjoyed L'Arlesienne particularly tonight; I'd never heard the whole thing before. It was easy to see why we don't here Faure's Shylock very often. Was there anything in it to suggest the Merchant of Venice? It was pleasant enough light music that could have been for many a play. They should have had Sullivan's music if they wanted something light but suggestive of Venice, but that would have spoilt the all-French theme.
« Last Edit: 22:40:08, 29-07-2007 by Tony Watson » Logged
IgnorantRockFan
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« Reply #9 on: 15:30:50, 30-07-2007 »
Best bit: Steve Martland daring to break the mould of the usual "superb, fantastic" BBC commentators to say "I thought it was a bit boring". Bet he doesn't get asked back  Cheesy

I'm afraid I agreed with him, the first half was pleasant but boring. I did enjoy the song cycle but not sufficiently to rush out and listen to it again, and the piece that preceeded it was instantly forgettable...
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Allegro, ma non tanto
tonybob
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vrooooooooooooooom
« Reply #10 on: 15:35:17, 30-07-2007 »
it's interesting what music does to people, isn't it?
i am of the opinion that the first half was far inferior to the second.
good of marters, tho.
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sososo s & i.
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