After being offline for around five months (life is still possible,believe it,or nor?!) after my pc packed up;I'm finally back,with the cheapest one in the store! Good points,so far. It was very small & easy to carry home;and the quietest one I've owned so far! How long it will last is another matter!
But the important bit,now! While I was offline I still couldn't resist the urge to spend some money on cd's. Well,I just couldn't resist the recent cd of Symphonies 8,21 & 26,anymore! Luckily for me
,but not for my bank balance
,there was still one chap (or chap-ess?) who sends out paper lists
and accepts cheques!
Anyway,to cut a long (continues until page 94!
) .........I was very impressed by the performances. Obviously the sound quality is an advance. The opening of the eighth seems a tad quicker than on the Groves recording. I was a bit surprised by it,after the Groves! Overall,I thought it was a very satisfying interpretation. The twenty first aroused considerable interest,because it was,as it was for many others,one of the first (third,in my case;after Schmidt's Gothic) Brian symphonies I ever heard. Also,the fact that it was a schools orchestra;which made for a particularly interesting comparison. It was wonderful to hear it in such excellent sound. The clarity of the sound,the gossamer textures in the more playful moments. That said,I am sure John will be pleased to hear that I do feel that the LSSO performance has more of that gossamer playfulness and fleet footed-ness. In fact,if the LSSO had been able to enjoy the technical quality of this recording,I think their's would still be my favourite recording of this symphony......and possibly,still is? The Russian orchestra seem to take a less nimble footed approach. That said,they are both very good;and a fine complement to one another. Isn't it wonderful to be able to enjoy the luxury of these comparisons?!I am delighted to hear that the Seventh is going to receive a new recording,as it is one of my favourites. As to the twenty sixth. I have to say,I have left it till least,because it is not one of my favourites. That said,I am obviously very pleased that it has received a commercial recording. I am going to have to listen to it again. Maybe,I will crack it one day. For me,the next Brian symphony I enjoy after No 21,or even 22 (?) is No 30.
Wait a minute! Did someone say that the Faust fund has nearly reached it's target?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course,I did 'disappear' a bit before my pc konked out..........being rather embarassed about not ordering,or buying the cd. I think I justified it by telling myself,repeatedly,that I was quite happy with Groves eighth and the LSSO twenty-first;and didn't really like the twenty-sixth that much! Well,you've got to have an excuse!!
