Poll
Question:
What is your preference for baroque chamber and orchestral music?
Option 1: Period Instruments
votes: 25
Option 2: Modern Instruments
votes: 4
I select period instruments - reasons later.
Although I can be happy with either, I generally prefer period instruments these days.
--Bruce
Quote from: James on September 05, 2008, 08:50:18 AM
Same ol' tired topics... :-\
I personally don't care, whether it's played on synthesizers, saxophones, brass, electric guitar, mallets, period instruments or whatever - as long as the performance is really fresh & happening, I'm open to all possibilities.
An eclectic view. I much prefer period strings for their more pungent/cutting tones.
Quote from: bhodges on September 05, 2008, 08:35:15 AM
Although I can be happy with either, I generally prefer period instruments these days.
Ditto.
For recordings, definitely period; we've got enough of the other type, and as beautiful as some of the older recordings are, I still revel in the period instruments' leaner sound. But in a concert setting I'm a little more like James. :)
Quote from: jochanaan on September 05, 2008, 10:05:58 AM
For recordings, definitely period; we've got enough of the other type, and as beautiful as some of the older recordings are, I still revel in the period instruments' leaner sound. But in a concert setting I'm a little more like James. :)
Separately . . . YHM, you know 8)
I knew that.
It all depends on the period.
Period for Baroque, in fact, all the way through early Romantic. My passion is diminished after 1840, but I still would give a listen and possibly go with it, it just matters less. :)
8)
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Listening to:
Peter Schreier / Walter Olbertz - Bia 496 WoO 136 Lied in D "Andenken"
I guess the question becomes uninteresting if you listen to modern music... ;D ;D
Quote from: DavidW on September 05, 2008, 05:23:19 PM
I guess the question becomes uninteresting if you listen to modern music... ;D ;D
Quote from: Keemun on September 05, 2008, 01:10:42 PM
Read the poll question. ;)
No, not really. :)
8)
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Listening to:
Otetto Italiano - Octet for Oboe (2), Clarinet (2), Bassoon (2) and Horn (2) in Eb - Op. 103: 2. Andante
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on September 05, 2008, 05:33:36 PM
No, not really. :)
8)
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Listening to:
Otetto Italiano - Octet for Oboe (2), Clarinet (2), Bassoon (2) and Horn (2) in Eb - Op. 103: 2. Andante
*cough* neo-baroque *cough* 8)
Quote from: DavidW on September 05, 2008, 05:38:15 PM
*cough* neo-baroque *cough* 8)
I knew that's what you meant... ;D
8)
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Listening to:
Otetto Italiano - Octet for Oboe (2), Clarinet (2), Bassoon (2) and Horn (2) in Eb - Op. 103: 3. Menuetto
Well alright I admit it, I didn't read the poll. D'oh!
Musical playing and style is the #1 criterion. If it doesn't have that, in whatever form, then it doesn't matter if it is played on "period instruments" or not. If it has that, it doesn't matter either. The instruments used and the colors produced from them are only part of the overall picture. And probably not even the most important part. It is a complete error to believe that "period instruments" automatically sound "authentic". Anyone who knows just a little bit about period performance knows that a lot of people play music from historical periods with wrong historical instruments and playing styles. At that point, it becomes simply ridiculous.
I also enjoy the vivid, strong and characterful colors many period instruments can produce, especially natural horns, "period" oboe and bassoon sounds etc, but again, the musical value of a performance is what counts.
Quote from: M forever on September 05, 2008, 05:53:37 PM
Musical playing and style is the #1 criterion. If it doesn't have that, in whatever form, then it doesn't matter if it is played on "period instruments" or not. If it has that, it doesn't matter either. The instruments used and the colors produced from them are only part of the overall picture. And probably not even the most important part. It is a complete error to believe that "period instruments" automatically sound "authentic". Anyone who knows just a little bit about period performance knows that a lot of people play music from historical periods with wrong historical instruments and playing styles. At that point, it becomes simply ridiculous.
I also enjoy the vivid, strong and characterful colors many period instruments can produce, especially natural horns, "period" oboe and bassoon sounds etc, but again, the musical value of a performance is what counts.
Completely agree. Which is why I, for one, very carefully avoided any mention of "authenticity". It is precisely the sound that I prefer. I have lots of recordings of "old" music on "new" instruments, and enjoy a great many of them. But if all other things are equal, then the colors will tip the scale for me every time. :)
8)
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Listening to:
Otetto Italiano - Sextet for Clarinet (2), Bassoon (2), Horn (2) in Eb - Op. 71: 1. Adagio - Allegro
Quote from: DavidW on September 05, 2008, 05:49:00 PM
Well alright I admit it, I didn't read the poll. D'oh!
Spoken like a gentleman! (Apart from the barbaric "d'oh," I mean) 8)
Quote from: bhodges on September 05, 2008, 08:35:15 AM
Although I can be happy with either, I generally prefer period instruments these days.
--Bruce
That speaks for me too.
Mike
Quote from: M forever on September 05, 2008, 05:53:37 PM
Musical playing and style is the #1 criterion. If it doesn't have that, in whatever form, then it doesn't matter if it is played on "period instruments" or not...
Very much agree. This was also the point of Celibidache's remark that "you can have false phrasing on gut strings too." :o
Where's the option for, 'Whatever's in the best interests of the music'?
Generally, I prefer period instruments for Baroque music; but as has been stated, the manner of playing makes a world of difference. Also, sour intonation as inherently heard with many period instruments, especially on adagios, is a real turn-off! :P
Quote from: Mark on September 07, 2008, 04:14:59 AM
Where's the option for, 'Whatever's in the best interests of the music'?
There is none. If you want it, you'll have to start your own poll.
Quote from: moldyoldie on September 07, 2008, 04:16:03 AM
Generally, I prefer period instruments for Baroque music; but as has been stated, the manner of playing makes a world of difference. Also, sour intonation as inherently heard with many period instruments, especially on adagios, is a real turn-off! :P
On the contrary, I often find that modern strings sound sour in baroque music.
Depends, with music which is relatively abstract, such as The Art of the Fugue, The Well Tempered Klavier, I prefer arrangements for modern instruments or performance on a modern keyboard instrument, mainly because of my aversion to the sound of the harpsichord. For orchestral music which depends on the colors of the orchestra I prefer original instrument performance. The reason for this preference is that I think that skilled composers wrote these pieces to take advantage of the sonorities that they were familiar with, and that balances get distorted when transferred to a modern orchestra. This opinion is probably facilitated by the fact that I mostly hear this music in recordings. In a concert hall, I suspect an original instrument ensemble would be underwhelming.
Quote from: Don on September 07, 2008, 07:20:41 AM
There is none. If you want it, you'll have to start your own poll.
Then I don't get it. ???
Surely, many of us like period instruments in some instances, and modern ones in others. So how can anyone (apart from Rod Corkin, perhaps) vote so decisively in this poll?
Quote from: Mark on September 07, 2008, 09:30:22 AM
Then I don't get it. ???
Surely, many of us like period instruments in some instances, and modern ones in others. So how can anyone (apart from Rod Corkin, perhaps) vote so decisively in this poll?
I had no problem with it. The question is clear: for Baroque music, do you prefer period or modern instrument? Since there is no instance (aside from crappy playing, which isn't part of the question) where I prefer modern instruments, the answer was simplicity itself. :)
8)
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Listening to:
Royal Concertgebouworkest \ Jochum - Op 125 Symphony #9 in d 4th mvmt - Presto - Allegro assai
Like DavidW, I didn't read the poll question properly. :-[ (Sorry, Don.)
I'm going to say 'Period'. Especially harpsichord for Bach keyboard works.
I used to dislike period instruments, but have grown much more tolerant of them.
Many just sound better than the earlier recordings and performances, and even sound more
like modern instruments.
The gut strings have often sounded awful ; a nasal, pinched wheezing sound.
But I still enjoy modern instrument performances, and it's actually refreshing to hear the recordings by Marriner and Leppard etc again.
But the movement has gone way too far. Do we really need "authentic" Wagner, Brahms,
and Mahler? And how authentic are they actually?
Your formatting looks weird.
Quote from: eyeresist on September 15, 2008, 03:32:14 PM
Your formatting looks weird.
the way you said that made me burst out laughing ;D
Quote from: Superhorn on September 15, 2008, 12:07:25 PM
I used to dislike period instruments, but have grown much more tolerant of them.
Many just sound better than the earlier recordings and performances, and even sound more
like modern instruments.
I can't say I would want period instruments to sound more like modern ones. For me, this type of merging effect tends to negate the distinctive nature of period instruments.
BTW, my username is not an indication of how I will conduct myself. It's just the description of the next dog I intend to adopt soon.
(As I am replying to this thread, I may as well give an opinion, not that mine means much at all) HIP neatly coincides with the type of performance I like - speedy and with nice transparency. Fortunately many non HIP performances also fulfil this criteria as well. I have a faint perference for HIP over non HIP if both performances in question are of the same quality, due to a preference in hearing the works with smaller forces.
Quote from: Bulldog on September 16, 2008, 09:27:51 AM
BTW, my username is not an indication of how I will conduct myself. It's just the description of the next dog I intend to adopt soon.
I hope that it won't have the breathing problems that seem to be common in that breed nowadays :(
Quote from: Bulldog on September 16, 2008, 09:27:51 AM
BTW, my username is not an indication of how I will conduct myself. It's just the description of the next dog I intend to adopt soon.
It was our high school mascot.
Quote from: karlhenning on September 16, 2008, 10:08:53 AM
It was our high school mascot.
And an excellent choice, especially for contact sports.
Quote from: Lethe on September 16, 2008, 09:40:42 AM
(As I am replying to this thread, I may as well give an opinion, not that mine means much at all) HIP neatly coincides with the type of performance I like - speedy and with nice transparency.
Hey,
I think your opinion counts.
Especially as I agree on light-footedness and transparency as virtues . . . .
I prefer period instruments for
most Baroque music. The one exception I've found so far is Bach's
Cello Suites. Having listened to good performances on period and modern cellos, I definitely prefer the sound of the modern cello for these works.
Quote from: karlhenning on September 16, 2008, 10:08:53 AM
It was our high school mascot.
Mine too. :o
Quote from: Bulldog on September 16, 2008, 09:27:51 AM
BTW, my username is not an indication of how I will conduct myself. It's just the description of the next dog I intend to adopt soon.
We're curious as to what you'll name your new bulldog.
Quote from: Dm on September 16, 2008, 11:51:02 AM
We're curious as to what you'll name your new bulldog.
Max is the name we're currently aligned with; if a female, I like Maxine. My wife doesn't though; that's her mom's name.
I voted for the period instruments; Bach keyboard music would be an exception, as I prefer most of it on piano, (though not the organ music obviously).
I remember listening to the Norrington version of Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique; the sound of the orig. instruments gave a completely different colour to the music and although I treasure my modern instruments versions, I often spin the Norrington.
Mike
Quote from: karlhenning on September 16, 2008, 10:08:53 AM
It was our high school mascot.
And mine. :)
If you want a period-instrument version of Wagner or Mahler or other late Romantic composers, one major orchestra fits the bill, or so I understand, since the design of its instruments hasn't changed for a hundred years or so. I've seen them in television broadcasts, and their woodwinds and brass look very different from those I'm used to. The orchestra: the Vienna Philharmonic. ;D