Azurite
Junior Member
Posts: 43
Registered: 13-11-0707
Member Is Offline
|
 posted on 13-4-1010 at 06:24 PM |
|
|
CBSO 2010/11 Season?
So, will the CBSO 2010/11 season brochure be out soon? Seem to have been inundated through March, and so far in April, with other musical groups vying
for my attention up to June 2011, but want to get CBSO stuff in the diary first….  Now that the International Concert Season Brochure for THSH has arrived, I’m keen to get booking, lol!!! 
The Mahler Cycle looks exciting, and 3D Performance of Rite of Spring intriguing, so what else is the CBSO going to get up to…..?!
|
|
|
erinaco
Junior Member
Posts: 42
Registered: 21-6-0606
Location: Birmingham
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 21-4-1010 at 12:14 PM |
|
|
Well, my 2010/11 concert brochure has arrived, and I'm pretty unexcited.
Sorry.
|
|
|
patrick116
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Registered: 27-6-0707
Location: Market Drayton
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying the CBSO in 2010 and already booked for next season.
|
| posted on 21-4-1010 at 05:35 PM |
|
|
Hi erinaco.
I haven't had a 2010-11 season brochure yet, even though I am a MDC member, when did you receive yours?
Patrick
|
|
|
Azurite
Junior Member
Posts: 43
Registered: 13-11-0707
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 21-4-1010 at 05:40 PM |
|
|
Hi Erinaco (and everyone else! )
Yep, got mine today. (friends got theirs last Saturday, so was feeling left out!)
No reason to be sorry, we all have our own tastes/wishes for concerts. So, what would excite you?
I could do without Beethoven and Mozart for a season, though I've heard others comment there's no point playing stuff since them as they said it all
?!?!? And I imagine they're reasonably safe bets for bums on seats. Having said that I did actually enjoy the Beethoven Violin Concerto yet again
this season- twice- as Isabella Faust with CBSO played it so delicately, tenderly, delightfully and made it all seem new somehow and completely
different to Joshua Bell just a month earlier (and others last season). So sure Andris will bring something fresh to Eroica etc.... we shall see.
I am excited about the Stravinsky with the 3D "film/dance/performance", even though have heard the Rite of Spring a fair few times over the years.
I am also looking forward to the Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and the Mahler. Expect the Bernstein and Ravel nights could be fun. The horror film music
night should be a laugh too  Guess those who don't like Mahler might not be
so thrilled about his big presence in the season.
Many years I've loved the pieces I knew little or nothing about, or been excited by concerts that looked so-so on paper, ...so I'm open to it all,
and will go to as many as I can.
Shame the CBSO Benevolent fund concert is on the same night as Macmillan, would have liked to go to the latter, but like to support the CBSO's night,
so....
I imagine in the current economic climate (and Arts very likely to be facing more cuts after the election) innovation has to be very carefully
balanced against what brings in audiences. I'd love a season full of stuff I've never heard live before, but who knows if that would sell well.....
It looks like quite a well balanced and varied season, if not massively new or risky. Must be hard work to figure out what people want, especially
with such varied tastes... even amongst friends, or the few of us that post here, etc.
Hope you do find something you manage to go to and enjoy
|
|
|
erinaco
Junior Member
Posts: 42
Registered: 21-6-0606
Location: Birmingham
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 22-4-1010 at 12:34 PM |
|
|
Patrick - my concert brochure arrived last Monday, I think. Certainly no later than Tuesday! Hopefully you will have received yours by the time you
read this. It's also already on the stands at Symphony Hall!
Azurite - thanks for your positive post. I'm afraid I'm one of those who don't like Mahler, so there go about a dozen concerts out the window
before I even start! I believe a Mahler symphony cycle is being done at the proms this year - in my view the correct place for such a thing. I really
hope the CBSO get full houses for these concerts, but I wonder? In these days of drastically shortened attention spans, will people want to sit
through so many 70 and 80 minute symphonies?
The Rite of Spring is my absolutely favourite work, but I'm afraid I won't be coming to the 3D presentation. The RoS simply doesn't need these
gimmicks, and this is just another example of dumbing down. I suppose an attempt is being made to attract more people into the concert hall and expose
them to classical music. A laudible project, of course, but I question whether this is the right way to go about it. The concerts of film/TV music,
and arrangements of popular songs seem to be in on the increase too. I think I counted eight such concerts in this year's brochure. Again, not for
me.
So what's left? Not as much as I'd like. Numerous 'old favourites' which get played year after year. Oh dear.
On a positive note I have just picked up the International Concert Season brochure for 2010/11, which has proved to be something of a revelation. I
may just opt for a subscription from this instead of the CBSO this year.
An heretical thought, but needs must ....
|
|
|
patrick116
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Registered: 27-6-0707
Location: Market Drayton
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying the CBSO in 2010 and already booked for next season.
|
| posted on 22-4-1010 at 12:59 PM |
|
|
Hi Erinaco and everyone
Sadly still no brochure but I have contacted CBSO who are posting one today 1st class (Thanks Eve!).
I agree about the Rite of Spring, erinaco, if they want to do a "pop" version then fine, but it would be nice if they also did a standard
performance on another night for those of us who don't want to follow the latest 3D fad. (Wearing those red/green glasses not my thing!).
I think this season has had plenty of variety and some expensive productions requiring a large orchestra so maybe, if 2010-11 does contain more of the
basic repertoire, the CBSO are playing safe to get in the revenue?
How/where do you get an International Series brochure? I expect there will be some on display at SH but I wasn't aware of a mailing list so I shall
investigate!
At least it seems that SH will offer plenty of good music, albeit from various sources, so hopefully everyone will find something to match their
tastes :-)
|
|
|
RichardBratby
Junior Member
Posts: 11
Registered: 23-3-1010
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 23-4-1010 at 10:26 AM |
|
|
Just to throw in one observation - Stravinsky's score for Rite of Spring was written as the accompaniment to a visually dazzling, state of the art
stage production.
Just playing it "straight", in the concert hall as a kind of concerto for orchestra is actually inauthentic (and I personally feel that the music
isn't strong enough in its own right to work without visuals...though I don't expect many people to agree with me on that one!) A "standard"
performance should be one with some visual element.
|
|
|
patrick116
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Registered: 27-6-0707
Location: Market Drayton
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying the CBSO in 2010 and already booked for next season.
|
| posted on 23-4-1010 at 11:51 AM |
|
|
Hooray my brochure(s) have arrived today, my "original" plus the "backup" copy sent by Eve Smith :-)
Sadly I am rather underwhelmed as much of the concert content was either in this season's performances or last season's. With so much great music to
choose from I would have expected more variety and less repetition. The Bruch violin concerto yet again!!!!
On the positive side there are some really good concerts, especially if you like Mahler, (sorry if you don't!) and the Mozart Requiem is a welcome
addition. Good to see Ravel and Debussy getting a good look in too and Marie-Christine having a solo work.
Really looking forward to the Bach double violin concerto with Laurence and Zoe I expect that will really be special! Competitive duo - I wonder?
Certainly I'm expecting some glorious violin playing as they both produce such beautiful phrasing and tonal quality as demonstrated in the St.
Matthew Passion solos.
Shame that Dvorak's symphonies are the same as the last few seasons (7th/8th/9th), he did write others worthy of performing what's wrong with the
5th?
Some good Sibelius too and a few other often neglected shorter works.
As a huge Andris fan I am sorry that he is only operforming c. 18 concerts (including those duplicated on different nights) compared to about 20 this
season and c. 24 in his first season.
I appreciate that he is now in great demand elswhere but I do find his concerts are really special and I have never left one without feeling
uplifted!
I suppose that it will be good to hear some of the other guest conductors, Sakari especially, but on past concerts some guests do not seem to get the
best from our talented CBSO players. Only my opinion and we all have different tastes :-)
Richard - thank you for you enlightenment about the Stravinsky but whilst I take your point I doubt that he had a 3D production in mind when he wrote
it! The novelty 3D factor may fill SH, I hope so, but it's not for me I regret.
Overall I suppose there is something for everyone but not as innovative or exciting programming as this season for my personal tastes.
Erinaco - I have now downloaded an International brochure and agree it has some super offerings which I will certainly be considering attending.
|
|
|
brucknerian
Junior Member
Posts: 29
Registered: 2-7-0707
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 24-4-1010 at 10:44 PM |
|
|
Have to agree with both Patrick and Erinaco about the rather underwhelming (or, to be fair, 'semi-whelming') nature of the 2010-11 season programme
- and also about the several unusally appetite-whetting offerings featured in the International Series. More than once on this site I've praised the
much more interesting programming of the CBSO as against that of visiting orchestras/ensembles, but to be honest the gap seems much narrower for next
season than it has been for a while.
Obviously some of the disappointments one feels when reading through a new season's brochure are very personal and self-interested. For example I'm
sad that no Bruckner symphony at all will be performed in Birmingham in 2010-11, and peeved that, in order to hear Stenhammar's Second live for the
first time, I'll have to take a day off work! But then again, we've not done badly for Bruckner in recent years (3rd and 4th this season, for
example), and it may be that one can catch Stenhammar in, I don't know, Warwick or Dudley.
Of greater because more general concern is the fact that, as it SEEMS at least, next year's season will be rather light on lesser known, challenging
modern and contemporary works (with some exceptions, of course, such as the Jonathan Dove and the really fascinating-looking Edward Gardner
programme). In particular I'm sorry that this year's really terrific policy of getting some 'difficult' but rewarding contemporary concertos in
'by the back door' alongside regular symphonic blockbusters seems to have been abandoned (I'm thinking in particular the Lindberg, Dutilleux and
Ligeti concertos). No doubt economics are behind this (Richard Bratby recently wrote on this site of the box office damage sometimes caused by just
one unfamiliar name - maybe even Beethoven 6 sales, for example, can't escape a coupling with Ligeti unscathed?). But it's a shame.
There is though, of course, plenty to be positive and excited about. Some major symphonies you don't often get to hear (Mahler 10, Shostakovich
8...). A real feast of Ravel (including great works that don't often get done live - the full Daphnis, L'Heure espagnole [what a pleasant surprisethat was!]). And, not least, what I should imagine is as good a roster of conductors as the CBSO has ever had. Not many other cities where you could
get to hear people of the calibre of Nelsons, Rattle, Weller, Oramo, Mackerras, Sinaisky, Litton, Volkov (to mention only my own personal favourites),
all in one season!
|
|
|
Stephen
Junior Member
Posts: 14
Registered: 23-6-0606
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 25-4-1010 at 03:36 PM |
|
|
Great to see a lively debate here on the contents of next season. I won't add much except to lob in the following:
1. Clearly your reaction to next season will depend on how much you like Mahler! It's a real one-off opportunity (and I do realise that everyone
will be seizing it all over the world) but we did think that the particularly strong history of the CBSO in Mahler in recent decades, Andris's
enthusiasm and evident skill in Mahler, and the fantastic acoustics of Symphony Hall for these large-scale works, merited Birmingham's first cycle of
the symphonies. There was no Mahler in 2009-10 and we will also steer clear of him in 2011-12, after which he will return to his normal place: at the
centre of the orchestra's repertoire, but no more than 2 or 3 times a year!
2. It was also a really good opportunity to invite three great conductors and their orchestras to join in the cycle, as part of the Birmingham
International Concert Series.
3. We are perhaps a little lighter on new music than the current season, but that's mostly because of the planning constraints when you have all
those huge Mahler symphonies - it's certainly not a permanent change! But we still have Widmann, Weir, Turnage, Adams, Sorensen, Dalbavie, Whitacre
& Dove, which isn't a bad haul.
4. There are always quite a few evergreen favourites that are going to come round every two or three seasons, partly because audiences like them (and
we do have to sell over 100,000 tickets each season!) but mostly because they are wonderful music! The only pieces we are repeating from the current
season are Dvorak 8 (in the Benevolent Fund concert), Saint-Saens 3 (in the last Benevolent Fund concert) Elgar's Cello Concerto (last played by the
Youth Orchestra), Sibelius 5 (which we wanted to use for a Tuned In concert) and the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story (which hadn't appeared for
a few years before that).
5. And we have also programmed a host of pieces that have not been played by the CBSO for more than a decade, and some for a lot longer than that if
ever: the two Lutoslawski works, the Rückert Lieder and Kindertotenlieder, Stenhammar's Second (a real masterpiece in its CBSO debut), Haydn 90,
Bach's double violin concerto, Busoni's Berceuse Elégiaque, Strauss's Intermezzo waltzes, Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain, Mahler 10,
Gershwin's An American in Paris, Liszt's Les Préludes, Nielsen's Violin Concerto, Sibelius's Oceanides, Dvorak's Water Goblin, Liszt's Second
Piano Concerto, Benjamin's Romantic Fantasy, Ravel's complete Daphnis, Emmanuelle Haim's Lully, Purcell and Rameau, Prokofiev's War and Peace
Overture, Bartok's Second Piano Concerto, Ravel's L'heure espagnole, Fauré's Masques et Bergamasques, Britten's Simple Symphony, and
Butterworth's Shropshire Lad songs. That's 28 works in 40 programmes if you exclude the Friday nights and Family Concerts (which themslelves
include plenty of music that is new to us) - add the 8 living composers and you have 36 pieces that have not been played for over a decade, if ever.
I don't think that's a bad strike rate!
Anyway, I hope that whatever your tastes you will find plenty to enjoy next season.
Stephen Maddock
Chief Executive, CBSO
|
|
|
brucknerian
Junior Member
Posts: 29
Registered: 2-7-0707
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 26-4-1010 at 09:52 AM |
|
|
I think all of Stephen's points are valid and well made. I had meant to say something myself about the inevitable effects on programme balance and
box office economics of staging a Mahler festival - which, of course, the CBSO just HAS to do. For every person who struggles with the idea of there
being so much Mahler in a season, I guess there are several who would moan justifiably if a full cycle weren't on offer. And let's not forget it IS
a proper full cycle - unlike the Proms one, which certainly doesn't include the Tenth or the Lied von der Erde (that has to be wrong, doesn't
it?).
My only other response is a general one, namely that it is very helpful for concert goers like me to have the perspective of CBSO 'insiders'.
Because those perspectives are generally interestingly different and complementary. In the past it's been helpful to be reminded of the 'Centre
Stage' activities, which normally completely pass by the average concert goer in full-time employment; and here it's been valuable to be reminded
that certain works I would regard as 'CBSO staples' haven't actually been performed by the orchestra for ten years or more. If asked, I'd have
said that several items from Stephen's list of seldom-played items were actually still CBSO regulars: Haydn 90, Bach's Double Violin Concerto,
Busoni's Berceuse Elégiaque, Mahler 10, An American in Paris, Bartok's Second Piano Concerto, Daphnis (the orchestra has after all recorded several
of these). But the truth is, of course, that the performances of these works I can still vividly remember date back to the Rattle era, indeed probably
to Town Hall days. The concert-goer's memory often plays tricks, in other words, and needs to be put right by those with the data to hand!
One other difference in perspective emerges from Stephen's list, which I agree is very impressive under the circs, of contemporary composers to be
represented next season. He's right, of course; the CBSO IS laubably committed to contemporary music. But, from the average audience-member's point
of view, the point is liable to be lost when you come to read your season's brochure in chronological order. Because, simply, most of these exciting
new composers feature only very late on in the season, May/June indeed. So when you wade through your brochure, see a Weir piece listed for November,
then nothing until Turnage in February, etc., you're likely to have formed an (admittedly false) impression of the balance of the season before you
get to read about, say, Simon Halsey's concert. I'm not saying this is an important point or a problem, but it is a practical reality. And the
reason why a discussion board like this needs to have people coming at it from very different perspectives.
|
|
|
patrick116
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Registered: 27-6-0707
Location: Market Drayton
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying the CBSO in 2010 and already booked for next season.
|
| posted on 26-4-1010 at 11:56 AM |
|
|
Agree with "brucknerian's" comments and in particular about the benefits of "insider's" comments and I think it is indeed very good that both
Richard and Stephen often add their perspectives on forum issues.
Regarding the late season inclusions in May/June of new works I wonder if this is due to the fact that audience numbers often appear to be lower in
the latter months of the season and/or after January most regulars know that price discounts are available!
Both Stephen/Richard obviously have a more global perspective as they are not only concerned with the music but also, to differing degrees, the
revenue flow and the players requirements.
I notice no mention has been made of an overseas tour, but did wonder looking at the season brochure, if one has again been planned for March/April?
I've heard that there is certainly a demand to have a tour of Latvia (no surprise that Andris would want to show his great CBSO to his home fans!)
and maybe that is also a factor in this debate?
Finally, after a season when I found it difficult to choose what not to attend, it really is probably no surprise that next season contains more
"standard repertoire" given the orchestral and financial demands of the Mahler cycle!
Don't worry too much, Stephen, I've still managed to find 19 CBSO concerts to be booked despite being "underwhelmed" by the 2010-11 programme.
Maybe it is partly a sympathy gesture as a reward for such a great season this year ;-)
Still waiting for Dvorak's 5th Symphony though!
|
|
|
ruref
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 26-4-1010
Location: Birmingham
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 26-4-1010 at 02:14 PM |
|
|
My feeling about the 2010-11 season is that compared to the last couple, it seems to feature a few more "high-level" operators, in terms of
conductors and soloists. The repertoire seems a fair mix of of the old, the new, and some less familiar numbers.
It requires courage to programme pieces and personnel which at first sight might appear to come at a price, however, even in these straitened times, I
believe that given the right approaches, funding can be found to cover them. Remember, excellence costs, and it is vital not to compromise artistic
ambition purely on financial grounds.
A dream become reality by convincing those who hold purse strings that the dream cannot remain just that - a dream. Symphony Hall, the NIA, the NEC,
the 2003 Rugby World Cup win were all achieved by properly resourcing the dream.
|
|
|
brucknerian
Junior Member
Posts: 29
Registered: 2-7-0707
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 26-4-1010 at 06:38 PM |
|
|
Just a footnote in support of Patrick's Campaign for Real Dvorak! Almost every orchestra and record label is indeed apt at times to behave as though
he wrote only three symphonies - but the 5th, as well as the 4th and (especially) 6th are to my mind right up in the Premier League of 19th c.
symphonies. Guaranteed not just to send you away humming loads of great tunes, but with spirits lifted and soul strengthened (sorry if that sounds
pompous).
Maybe all the symphonies before the 7th still get pigeon-holed as early and hence problematic. Nos 1 and 2 are indeed pretty dire, but (as Robin
Ticciati's performance a year or two ago reminded us) the Third is well worth a hearing and, after that, it's genius all the way...
Also a brief thought occasioned by mention of the Water Goblin. Nelsons would be ideal casting for a cycle of those wonderfully gory Erben-inspired
tone poems (you know, W. Goblin, Noonday Witch, Wood Dove, Golden Spinning-Wheel). Hearing him do those live (and on CD!) really would set the pulse
racing.
|
|
|
patrick116
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Registered: 27-6-0707
Location: Market Drayton
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying the CBSO in 2010 and already booked for next season.
|
| posted on 27-4-1010 at 11:11 AM |
|
|
Thank you "brucknerian" for joining the Dvorak "wrote more than 3 symphonies, plus voilin/cello concertos camapign! :-)
For anyone who hasn't heard the 4th/5th or 6th symphonies I can strongly recommend the late Istvan Kertesz recorded cycle (if currently available)
which he completed before his untimely early death.
Kertesz was a conductor that could really get the best from Dvorak's works and I'm sure Andris could do so too.
I believe that Kertesz also recorded all the Symphonic Suites referred to but I only have some of these. I do have the complete set of 6, as mentioned
by "brucknerian", with a different conductor, and would love to hear more of them live.
Just to add to the "request list" Dvorak's American Suite is rarely performed but is a really melodic and rousing piece about 20 minutes long in 5
movements. I'm sure Andris would really bring this to life and the suite would make a pleasant change from some of the regular concert overtures as a
starting piece for a concert. I'll end here as Dvorak's Slavonic Dances will have to wait for another day!
|
|
|
RichardBratby
Junior Member
Posts: 11
Registered: 23-3-1010
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 27-4-1010 at 11:45 AM |
|
|
I'll second the Dvorak comments (before making the inevitable remark that in next season's Centre Stage. we're doing Dvorak's Sextet, and we've
quite a good track record with works like the Terzetto, Wind Serenade, Cypresses, Op.34 and Op.51 quartets, String quintet, Piano quintet, Dumky and F
minor trios etc) but of course, there's also a question of perspective - and an orchestra's distinctive character.
Growing up on Merseyside in the 80s, we had Czech music "on tap" - every other programme was Martinu, Suk, Novak or Dvorak. "Ma Vlast" seemed to
open every season! Years laters, as assistant orchestra manager, I brought the RLPO to Birmingham to perform "The Spectre's Bride" under Libor
Pesek. The RLPO thought of itself as a "Czech music" orchestra, and even developed a sound and a playing style tailored to that repertoire. At that
time, I thought (fairly or unfairly) of the CBSO as a very different beast - a big, virtuoso orchestra, synonymous with brilliant 20th century
showpieces, new music, and Mahler.
It's subjective, of course, but I feel that certain orchestras do have a sort of performing tradition - and it's fairly clear that Czech music has,
for all sorts of reasons, never loomed large in the CBSO's. Maybe conductors (and audiences) sense this too - and when they come to work with or hear
the CBSO, they expect a certain style, suited to a certain repertoire, and choose their music accordingly. And no question, there are things that the
CBSO does better than any orchestra in the world!
It's important that the CBSO doesn't become a purely "specialist" orchestra, and of course we have a duty regularly to play the repertoire
standards (Dvorak 9, 8, 7, the Cello Concerto). But I think that overall, it's good for musical "biodiversity" that different orchestras have
different characters - it's what makes it so special when, say the Czech Phil or St Petersburg Phil tour to the UK, and what makes the CBSO so
eagerly in demand in Europe (and beyond).
Of course, orchestras can evolve, too (and Andris conducts Dvorak magnificently). So who knows? Meanwhile, I'd love to hear more Czech music live,
but it does make me appreciate what we do get. And yes, my top Dvorak cycle is Kertesz followed very closely by Pesek!
**Disclaimer: personal views not professional ones!**
|
|
|
patrick116
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Registered: 27-6-0707
Location: Market Drayton
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying the CBSO in 2010 and already booked for next season.
|
| posted on 27-4-1010 at 12:46 PM |
|
|
Thank you Richard for your as usual informative comments. I hadn't realised that you had been involved with the RLPO!
I grew up in Cheshire so had the Halle (Barbirolli years) before moving to London but also heard the RLPO in the Groves era particularly at the
Chester Summer Music Festival when, in 1973, they performed all of Rachmaninov's symphonies being his centenary year. Sadly the Cathedral, whilst
great for some music, wasn't ideal for some symphonies.
I do take your point about orchestral characteristics, having lived in many parts of the UK my "home" orchestras have ranged from the Halle/RLPO to
everything available in London, (1970's - Previn LSO era), the Bournemouth Symphony and BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Otaka).
SH does really lend itself to big works so maybe that has formulated the programming but I'm sure Andris would make the lesser known of Dvorak's
works seem like new compositions to many :-)
Mind you I expect Andris could make any music sound great with the CBSO in full flow!
Thanks for adding your "personal" views good to know that the forums are seen by the management ;-)
|
|
|
Azurite
Junior Member
Posts: 43
Registered: 13-11-0707
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 27-4-1010 at 06:49 PM |
|
|
Wow so much to reply to, so little time, lol!!!
Hi Erinaco and Patrick - if you love Rite of Spring why not go and listen
with your eyes closed?! If you have your 3D glasses on no one will know, or
if you don’t and everyone else does you can just look round and have a laugh at us all! :p I was going to say what Richard said about it being made
for a performance, so I don’t think this addition of a 3D dancer/film is “dumbing down” in any way but rather adding something more to a concert
performance. The BRB did a ballet to it a few years ago which was pretty special, though, as you'd expect, the sound was not a patch on the CBSO in
Symphony Hall. Of course it’s been performed at SH in recent years CBSO with Sakari, and the National Youth Orchestra, so perhaps you’ve had your fill
of it anyway?! Still, think it’ll be great when Andris gets his hands on it!
Hi Stephen , I’m getting into Mahler more and more, so naturally I’m
thrilled by the Mahler cycle, especially as Andris is doing so much of it, but also will be great to see Sir Simon and Sakari back and Valery Gergiev
with the LSO and the rest of the quality orchestras and conductors. We’re so lucky to have it up here out of London!
Think I heard two Elgar cello concertos last season, one with CBSO, one a visiting orchestra, very different they were too. Oh and Eduardo did a bit
of it at one of those “favourites” concerts didn’t he? Would have liked to hear him do the whole thing, lol! See Purcell’s Fairy Queen gets in the
ICS in full and a wee bit in the CBSO programme. However do you manage to plan it all and not clash with each other etc?! Or do you think the
audiences are generally different so it doesn’t matter if visiting orchestras do the same as the CBSO? Like this season two Beethoven Violin
Concertos, Kristine Opolais singing a very similar programme to Renee Fleming (Kristine was my favourite!) etc etc. I’m so glad I don’t have to do
your timetables, lol!
I will be booking some ICS concerts but way, way more CBSO ones for 2010/11.
I agree about the Dvorak, (blimey is that something we all agree on?! ) I’d
love to hear more of his work live. He’s not a name to scare the audience off is he?! There seem to be many composers who we only get to hear one or
two pieces of, over and over, Rimksy-Korsakov immediately comes to mind- with Scheherazade and there’s nothing wrong with his Symphonies, would love
to hear them live too! If you’ve got a composer who brings in people is it risky to play the less familiar repertoire? Or would they perhaps just see
a name they know and go for it?
I’d love to hear the Moeran Symphony live too, so maybe they’ll come a time to champion more British composer’s music one day. Oh and so much more,
but time will tell… if I keep saving up! Besides I feel lucky to have the Shostakovich to look forward to (Thursday and next season)
Hi Brucknerian , you’re right you’ve not done too badly on Bruckner in
recent times , it’s been pretty well done too, hasn’t it?! Like you, have
the dilemma about the Stenhammar and is it worth/possible to have a day off work?! Plus Zoe and Laurence are playing together (which I’d love to
see/hear) in the matinee but not the evening concert, though I’d also like to hear the Weir, so….. Then there’s Ulrich playing one day and do I go to
that whilst also wanting to hear the Tuned In bit to the Mahler which is the next night instead of Turnage/Ulrich…. Decisions, decisions…. Don’t make
it easy on us do they, haha!!
I think second-guessing the audiences must be a nightmare for the likes of Stephen and co! For example I imagined the Howard Goodall Requiem with
Alfie Boe singing in that and Finzi – Die Natalis, not to mention the splendid CBSO Youth Chorus girls doing Holst would have been much better
attended- although maybe they all went to the matinee? Plus the Bernstein, Ginastera night was really quiet (everyone Christmas shopping or
something?!) but a fantastic fun, lively night. There have been a couple of other nights where there’s been a really well known symphony but something
less so in the concerto (or vice versa) and the audience has been smaller, and not necessarily where you may imagine it to be the case. I like to give
everything a try, even if I don’t end up loving it, it’s always an educational experience and broadens my outlook and helps me with my likes,
dislikes, maybes…
Hi to the other people in the thread too! Think that’s enough waffle from
me for now…
|
|
|
RichardBratby
Junior Member
Posts: 11
Registered: 23-3-1010
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 29-4-1010 at 10:43 AM |
|
|
Just a couple of observations - yes, the Tim Garland/Bernstein/Ginastera night and the two Howard Goodall/Alfie Boe performances were sincere
attempts to do something both imaginative and genuinely popular (and something that played to the strengths of the artists involved).
And as regards next season, the thinking was that - with 11 major Mahler symphonies programmed - it might be wise for various reasons (not least the
audience's patience) to hold back on any other large-scale, late Romantic, Germanic repertoire. 11 beefsteaks on the menu is probably sufficient.
For this reason, though, I understand that we can expect generous helpings of Bruckner, Richard Strauss and Wagner (all of whom Andris is eager to
conduct) in the 11-12 and 12-13 seasons! Watch this space...
|
|
|
patrick116
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Registered: 27-6-0707
Location: Market Drayton
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying the CBSO in 2010 and already booked for next season.
|
| posted on 29-4-1010 at 12:33 PM |
|
|
Just a postcript to my post on 27-4-10 it appears that the Kertesz Dvorak symphonies are still available on a 6 CD set priced c. £29 on the Decca
London label. ASIN: B0000041WV.
These were recorded from early 1960's and some of the Symphonic Poems were on a Decca LP from 1972.
There is also a set of Dvorak's Symphonic Poems and Concert Overtures on a 2 CD Double Decca set c. £22 - ASIN: B000025WPO. Available online at
various outlets.
Thanks, Richard, for your comments which are always informative.
|
|
|
Azurite
Junior Member
Posts: 43
Registered: 13-11-0707
Member Is Offline
|
| posted on 30-4-1010 at 12:43 PM |
|
|
Hi Richard
Smacked wrist for me for missing off Tim Garland. It was great to hear a piece of his work and wonderful to see him and Eduardo play together. Such a
shame so many people missed that evening. Only good thing about the three of us having a stalls row to ourselves was that we could jig along to the
music, in our seats, without disturbing anyone or getting tutted at! Still,
if there were more people about, suspect the rest of the row may have joined in it was such a fun, infectious evening
At least the audiences at both aforementioned concerts were enthusiastic and appreciative, even if small.
|
|
|
|
