classical life

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1. 
   MarK

   It can probably be played better – cleaner, for example, would be nice.

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   September 8, 2015 2:37 pm
2. 
   chris

   I agree with MarK on the quality of the performance. Neat march though. One of those many orchestral bonbons that rarely (and sadly) don’t see a lot of performances nowadays.

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   September 8, 2015 10:12 pm
   • 
     tmangan

     The sloppiness doesn’t really bother me, though, yeah, it would be better without it. One of the things that makes this performance special is missing in this video recording: The original LP is vividly recorded in Victoria Hall in Geneva and the orchestra is French in style, and therefore wonderfully pungent in sound.

     At any rate, I think the piece is very much worth hearing and the Beecham recording is even sloppier.

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     September 9, 2015 10:50 am
3. 
   chris

   How about this performance as a comparison:
   

   I remember when the recording came out that I wondered how often the Vienna Phil played this piece.

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   September 9, 2015 8:12 pm
   • 
     tmangan

     I’m not much of a Gardiner fan. I’ve sampled this before and found it wanting, but I’ll try again.

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     September 10, 2015 10:07 am
     • 
       MarK

       And so, what is your verdict now?

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       September 16, 2015 1:28 pm
       • 
         tmangan

         It’s not bad. I feel the Gardiner performance is a little too fast though. I prefer the intimacy of the Ansermet recording, and the way the percussion are front and forward. I prefer Ansermet’s pesante over Gardiner’s pep. I also think the Vienna Philharmonic sound is not ideal for this music, though they come close hear and there.

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         September 16, 2015 1:44 pm
     • 
       MarK

       It may not be ideal, and i am not completely convinced by certain details of interpretation, but still for my ears this is a far more satisfying performance – playful, colorful and brilliant.

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       September 18, 2015 10:40 am

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