Post by tream March 26, 2005 (61 of 63)
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I was tempted to respond with an interesting anectdote about the first time a girlfriend saw and heard the Firebird Live.....Especially when that first big drum went off..........more if you really want to know.....
OK, let's hear it, you can't leave us hanging!
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Post by flathead March 26, 2005 (62 of 63)
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raffells said:
Hi flathead,, with the greatest respect, you state that you cannot stand experts reviews, then state "you find the Best reviews to be from people like yourself just getting into classical music".Then speak of interlectualy involving.....whilst these are interesting contradictions even if you yourself dont see it......Can I suggest that If you bought an sacd of a work that was new new to you that had just had high recommendations by other newbies to the arena and suddenly heard a version that is in every way superior and at less cost...would you still be happy ?....probably yes, if you want two versions of every piece?...I and a few others on this forum do have three or even four versions of many works and have heard many others versions...I dont profess to be elitist,.....Im from the wrong background....and I tend to revert back to my sense of humour when someone suggests as such(Ill eat most anything!) ..........
Whilst I may disagree with the odd review in this forum and I am always glad to see ANY review of ANY sacd It all adds the greater good and advancement for sacd and music.......I do hope for more information to be included in these reviews and I have been guilty myself of not putting enough into some of mine..and also losing some in posting.........Overall The subject of SACD has enough unwanted detracters without the need for insiders to squabble.....I may add that some things that Brenda stated in a currect topic of greater seriousness also that I dont agree with.....related to "opinions formed from our younger days"........I was tempted to respond with an interesting anectdote about the first time a girlfriend saw and heard the Firebird Live.....Especially when that first big drum went off..........more if you really want to know.....
I agree with response follow up that more tolerance is needed and possibly fewer responses that are emotive reactions.............Dave
Actually I agree with you and DrOctodivx above. I was shooting from the hip a bit. I have benefited a lot from reading various reviews that are knowledgeable with respect to the composition and the quality of various performances. But as noted by others above, knowledgeable reviews are not necessarily on the mark. I purchased Haitnik's Shostakovich cycle at the U CD Shop, used, for dirt cheap, and then read a "knowledgeable" review of Haitnik's cycle on Amazon which indicated that Haitnik just does not know Shostakovich and the cycle is not that good, etc. I was glad when others posted positive reviews because I thought these performances were great. My only other comparisons are Toscanini's and Mata's versions of the 7th. I like them both, and for what ever reason I really like Toscanini's even though the recording is not great. I think it is an excellent performance. My concern with Polly's request is that speaking to performance is to some extent in the eye of the beholder and how "educated" will you have to be before you can comment on performance? Luckily for artists, performance is something that people appreciate, and experience, without having to be an expert in the field of the performance or medium. Granted, one person’s great performance may be another's "he just doesn't know Shostakovich." But as many seem to state here, let everyone provide their interpretation of performance when being brave enough to provide a review.
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Post by raffells March 26, 2005 (63 of 63)
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flathead said:
Actually I agree with you and DrOctodivx above. I was shooting from the hip a bit. I have benefited a lot from reading various reviews that are knowledgeable with respect to the composition and the quality of various performances. But as noted by others above, knowledgeable reviews are not necessarily on the mark. I purchased Haitnik's Shostakovich cycle at the U CD Shop, used, for dirt cheap, and then read a "knowledgeable" review of Haitnik's cycle on Amazon which indicated that Haitnik just does not know Shostakovich and the cycle is not that good, etc. I was glad when others posted positive reviews because I thought these performances were great. My only other comparisons are Toscanini's and Mata's versions of the 7th. I like them both, and for what ever reason I really like Toscanini's even though the recording is not great. I think it is an excellent performance. My concern with Polly's request is that speaking to performance is to some extent in the eye of the beholder and how "educated" will you have to be before you can comment on performance? Luckily for artists, performance is something that people appreciate, and experience, without having to be an expert in the field of the performance or medium. Granted, one person’s great performance may be another's "he just doesn't know Shostakovich." But as many seem to state here, let everyone provide their interpretation of performance when being brave enough to provide a review.
Ok Killing two birds wuth one stone....Imagine the 60s with mini skirts et al....Then think of the quiet peacfull start to the Firebird and the girlfrend enraptured by the exotic sounds of a massive orchestra lulling her into s sleepy trance..Then big drum...first sight of girlfriens underwear for those nearest and in the rows behind...nowadays she wouldnt get the same round of applause...In answer to Brendas point...I still giggle at this point in the work whoever is playing or conducting....
Meanwhile A kind response to flatheads excellent reply......I have the Shostakovitch symphonies by Haitink and marvel at the performance and recording,,,The tenth is currently my favourite but thats just this week,,,,I also have Russian and American versions of the symphonies I like and sometime they are almost different works.../..a previous discussion re Rostropovitch comes to mind...problem is that Shosty was a Janus type enigma trying to get away with whatever the authorities allowed and secretly putting in messages into the music So we are recently to believe...So the jury is still out on authentic versions of his music...The recording quality of Haitink cycle is probably the best you can get...So dont worry.....Also ..Dont worry about the educated ! part of reviewing...in time instict will tell you what sounds right or wrong...eg Ive just listened to Lang Langs playing Schuberts Wanderer....Great if you like Franz Lizst to be part of the listening .please...not for nothing was he knicknamed Bang Bang? Yet that and the rest of the recital and recording at the Carnegie Hall are outstanding.remarkable even....and I have only the CD version.!....
What I will post is, for someone to tell me, IF the sacd version adds to the sonics of the CD...for once I very much am beginning to doubt it....I also am one who consider Toscannini an overated stick waver...Yes he makes certain music exciting...but...???,,,,Ive said this in my Grammaphone forum and you should have seen the replies....also once said that If composer could come back from their graves and listen to whats being said about their music They would also burst out laughing.....Dave
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