Vienna New Year's Day Concert BBC R3 FM broadcast
Posted by: Chris G on 03 January 2012
Was anyone else disappointed with the sound for this live broadcast? I listened to the FM with my Naim NAT05 - the sound seemed a little dull and lifeless, certainly not as good as usual from this event. Also, there seemed less information than expected coming from the right hand side of the orchestra - the TV broadcast showed the 2nd violins and violas to the right, but their parts didn't come over very clearly. A balancing fault from the engineers? Was the sound and balance better over the internet?
The concert as a whole was so disappointing that I didn't pay any attention to the sound! Who ever knew that the New Year's Day Concert could sound so routine? I don't suppose that it helped that unfamiliar (and less well-sounding) versions of well-known music were chosen.
Whatever the reason, this was nowhere near the heights achieved by Herbert von Karajan in his only ever appearance or the two conducted by Carlos Kleiber.
Graham, I thought the sound was responsible for making me disappointed but I do agree that Karajan and Kleiber were considerably more inspired than Jansons on this occasion. Kleiber was always in a league of his own, and Karajan was probably mindful that his appearance would be his only one at this prestigious event. Jansons first concert seemed more inspired. A shame because this is such a wonderful occasion.
Chris, it gets worse, as next year we have to endure Frankly-Worse-Than-Most, again!
I wonder if the concert is losing its cachet among conductors. I think that they need to consider bringing in 'outsiders' to Vienna, such as Pappano or Ticciati.
Graham, at least FW-M is better than Lorin Maazel, though not as charismatic he is more idiomatic! Pappano would be an interesting choice and one I would look forward to. Other good candidates would be Ivan Fischer and Manfred Honeck - the latter gave a very good Proms concert some years ago. I have to say that I welcome new repertoire as continually repeating the same works every few years leads unsurprisingly to tired performances.
Chris, I agree that Ivan Fischer, as well as my previously-suggested Sir Antonio Pappano, would be good choices for the concert. And Ticciati, whom I saw conducting at Glyndebourne, can light a flame under an orchestra.
I simply cannot get excited about FW-M, so I may wander out for a walk along Brighton Promenade next year, followed by a large Scotch in my local pub!
Have to disagree with Honeck, though, as I fear that the concerts are becoming too incestuous: they need to import outsiders.
Shame that Sir Thomas Beecham is no longer about. He would put a bomb under them, and they are my favourite orchestra when there is some fire about.
I rather liked Georges Pretre [last year?] as an athletic eighty year old leading some Francophone performances [as Beecham would have if available], and a reminder that the smootzy Viennese thing is a totally post 1945 phenomenon. Recordings from Erich Kleiber [1928], George Szell [1936], and Clemenz Kauss [1933-54] show an old more regular rhythm that would actually be danceable!
ATB from George
George, that's silly.
Sir John Barbirolli would have been streets ahead of Sir Tommy for this music, particularly with this orchestra, who loved him.
(And it's a crying shame that his Brahms Symphonies with them are no longer available!)
You are SO RIGHT!
HE would have swung it! And the audience would walked away six foot off the pavement!
ATB from George
I thought the sound/music from this years was as flat and boring as a pancake.
My fave is still the 2010 with the football.
Stu
We listened to this concert on French public FM radio with our MD90. The sound was as good as usual for live concerts.
We also found that Mariss Jansons was quite good, compared to previous year conductors.
Chris, I agree that Ivan Fischer, as well as my previously-suggested Sir Antonio Pappano, would be good choices for the concert. And Ticciati, whom I saw conducting at Glyndebourne, can light a flame under an orchestra.
I simply cannot get excited about FW-M, so I may wander out for a walk along Brighton Promenade next year, followed by a large Scotch in my local pub!
Have to disagree with Honeck, though, as I fear that the concerts are becoming too incestuous: they need to import outsiders.
Graham, your comment about incestuous choices: yes, too many would be unhealthy, but after years of the roundabout of Maazel-Mehta-Muti, I welcome FW-M and others! I haven't heard Ticciati but I know he's getting some rave reviews in various quarters.