What a disappoinment, the BPO digital Conc. Hall
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| Posted on April 28, 2022 at 10:28:04 | ||
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Posts: 363
Joined: August 16, 2013 |
I signed up for a one year subscription, but won't renew. Sound quality in terms of orchestral balance is so-so, though I didn't expect it to be really great. I can hardly hear the oboes at all, which may be a good thing because their sound is so weak and reedy - strictly run-of-the-mill; no longer special as when Lothar Koch was there with his almost English horn sonority, nor the guy who came after him, I can't recall his name. But recorded sound quality is not the real issue. I don't think the group can be considered the best in the world any longer. It certainly does not sport a unique, easily-identifiable sound as they did under Furtwangler or Karajan. They still play hard, but seem to sound like most any other technically accomplished European ensemble, no more than that. I think the fault lies with later conductors. Abbado always struck me as a competent kappellmeister (sp?) but nothing more, and Rattle's sound inconsistent in terms of balancing the orchestral choirs to gain any sort of balance between clarity, precision, and sonority, something Furtwangler and Karajan seemed to be able to do in just about any style or period of music. I think the word is uninspired. Same for this guy Petrenko. And watching him is painful - he jumps around on the podium as if his pants were on fire. Some of the interviews with retired members seem often marked by a real regret and nostalgia for the "good old days". As for a unique sound, the Dresden orchestra sounds more individual in its sonority than the BPO nowadays, to my ears a better orchestra now (though they were never chopped liver.) IMHO both the VPO and the Concertbebouw are also better in terms of the elusive quality of individuality of sound and style. Maybe Petrenko will create a unique sound of his own, but I'm not holding my breath. Sic transit gloria. LowIQ
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