Two examples of questionable musical judgements.
Posted by: George Fredrik on 07 November 2010
Years ago on Radio Three Jerold Northrop Moore described the famous recording of Elgar's Cello concerto by Jacqueline du Pre with Sir John Barbiroli as being characterised by "the oily slap of horse hair on steel string [of Miss du Pre's solo cello]," and considering JNM was at the time certainly not only the leading expert on Elgar, and also one of the most respected music critics of the composer's music, it was a moment to sit up and listen in amazement.
Another equally eccentric comment came concerning Haydn's D Major Cello Concerto, which we could well call Haydn's Cello concerto Number Two after the discovery in 1963 of the long lost [but known to have been catalogued by Haydn himself in the 1780s] C Major work, which Rostropovich did so much to bring before the public over the years. It is a gem.
This time it was the leading Haydn expert, Robbins Landon. His perceptions and ability to point out the great in Haydn's music has always seemed to me un-erring except for this description of Haydn's late Cello concerto, as being "a dull thread-bare little work."
Though I am not a cheer-leader for du Pre's recording of the Elgar, I think it is a splendid performance that I can understand why so many really love it, but the D Major Cello concerto is for me a wonderful and charming piece of music by Haydn. One of my favourites.
Would others perhaps like to post about musical opinions that seem way off beam from musical critics and experts whose views otherwise seem perceptive and accurate?
George
Another equally eccentric comment came concerning Haydn's D Major Cello Concerto, which we could well call Haydn's Cello concerto Number Two after the discovery in 1963 of the long lost [but known to have been catalogued by Haydn himself in the 1780s] C Major work, which Rostropovich did so much to bring before the public over the years. It is a gem.
This time it was the leading Haydn expert, Robbins Landon. His perceptions and ability to point out the great in Haydn's music has always seemed to me un-erring except for this description of Haydn's late Cello concerto, as being "a dull thread-bare little work."
Though I am not a cheer-leader for du Pre's recording of the Elgar, I think it is a splendid performance that I can understand why so many really love it, but the D Major Cello concerto is for me a wonderful and charming piece of music by Haydn. One of my favourites.
Would others perhaps like to post about musical opinions that seem way off beam from musical critics and experts whose views otherwise seem perceptive and accurate?
George