Typecast Artists (or, indeed, Composers)
Posted by: Tam on 28 May 2006
A while back I started a thread on Eugen Jochum (now one of my favourite conductors) the title of which played upon the fact that he was, unfairly in my view, known primarily for his Bruckner when he was excellent in a lot of other music.
Anyway, I wondered then whether there were any other conductors, musicians or, composers for that matter, who had been similarly (unfairly or otherwise) marked. I was reminded of this again as I sit here listening to Hans Knappertsbusch's superb reading of Parsifal from the 1951 Bayreuth festival. I have (and have heard more) a lot of his Wagner and a quick search of amazon would seem to indicate that he certainly did an awful lot of it. Certainly, to my ears, he was one of the fine Wagnerians of his generation, but did he do much else, is it available on disc and is it worth investigating.
I suppose this thread would be most interesting for examples of artist who have been unfairly put in a box (not literally, obviously) and whose wider repertiore it would be nice to have pointed out. So the floor is open...
regards, Tam
Posted on: 28 May 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear Tam,
Klemperer in Beethoven - 'A dog collar round my neck!' was his rueful comment.
Boult in British Music: British Music Boult! He was too stoical to comment, but others did, such as Casals and Tortelier (senior), who both refered to him as the most Universal conductor.
Both these great musiciains were greater in Brahms than their so called specialisms for example.
ATB from Fredrik
Posted on: 28 May 2006 by Tam
Dear Fredrik,
Boult was horribly typecast (and, indeed, underrated - or, at least, these days he seems to be). However, from what I know of his English music, it is very fine indeed.
I have very little Klemperer, and must admit that the works of his I'm most in a hurry to get are his Beethoven (especially that Testament issue of the ROH Fidelio which features, among others, Hans Hotter).
regards, Tam
Posted on: 28 May 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear Tam,
I have a friend who was Principal ROHCG double bass in that run, with Klemperer! The rehearsals were not happy! In fact the whole issue was in doubt, but the actual performances are splendid, and went Klemperer's way, much to the surprise of the band! They hated him, but he got his way, and it was a great way. Enjoy that. Who sang Leonore?
It remains a mystery that Boult never really entered the pit in opera. Berg called him the 'greatest operatic conductor' after the BBC spent three months preparing Lulu in 1933! Could one imaginte that sort of rehearsal time today! It was broadcast throughout (then peaceful) Europe and Berg exclaimed that at last he had listened to what he had in mind!
Boult and Berg were to have an interesting collabortation in that the Violin Concerto was done under Weburn in Broadcasting House, and Boult took rehearsal for weeks to prepare for the incompetant conducting of Weburn. The recording was one of Testament very first issues, though I have only listened to the piece twice: at the Proms and a fortnight later at the (Worcester three Choirs) with the BBC Philharminice under Downes (with Elgar Two), and came to the conclusion that Berg understood the atonal style enough to make natural music by un-natural means. Boult was so professional that he totally understood the music and made the best of it, while not enjoying the process one bit. It is a tribute that Berg was so impressed.
All the best from Fredrik
Posted on: 28 May 2006 by Tam
Dear Fredrik,
According to the Testament website Sena Jurinac sings Leonora. The cast also features Jon Vickers and Gottlob Frick. The only drawback, if such it can be called, is that the set is in mono.
Interesting the Boult did not do more in the opera house, and a great shame. Chandos have just put out, at budget price, a rather attractive looking set of Lulu, conducted by Paul Daniel (who is, in my view, much underrated and was treated appallingly by the management at ENO - losing him was an act of gross stupidity).
regards, Tam
