Second attempt for this post (I sent it into the internet ether yesterday) Saint-Saens Organ Symphony
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| Posted on February 14, 2021 at 21:27:57 | ||
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Posts: 19827
Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012 |
You think of the Organ Symphony, and you think of the "big guns" of the "golden age of stereo" past: Munch and Paray. I recently acquired a very different take on the work via an SACD the Pentatone label, with Kazuki Yamada and Ansermet's old orchestra, the OSR, and organist Christopher Jacobson. In contrast to the punch and the power of the Munch and Paray recordings, Yamada seems to be looking for something different: a lyrical envelopment, with maximum color and nuance, as well as striking inflections of the phrases. To me, Yamada's interpretation is a valid alternative to the usual way of performing this great work. The tonal quality of the different choirs of the orchestra is almost sensuously appealing in his performance, and the total corporate sound of the orchestra is irresistible, with Jacobson's registrations adding still another layer of exquisiteness to the proceedings. (And, no, the initial entrance of the organ in the finale will NOT launch you out of your seat!)  As it happens, Ansermet himself made a recording of the Organ Symphony, another "golden age" album which was overshadowed by the previously mentioned recordings. I've never heard the Ansermet performance myself, but it's certainly interesting how close Yamada's timings are to Ansermet's. And therein lies the problem, at least for a few listeners - there's one customer review on Amazon where the writer can hardly contain his dissatisfaction with Yamada's alleged "slow" tempos. But just how slow ARE Yamada's tempos? I'm always happy to be of service, and (with the help of the timings of the movements of various performances shown on the Presto Classical site) I hereby present the following handy chart:  Not only is Ansermet just a bit slower than Yamada in all four mevements, but, in certain movements, there are some real slowpokes, such as Karajan in the slow movement, or Pretre in the finale. There are also a couple of makeweights on this album: the Poulenc Concerto for Organ, Strings and Tympani, and the ever-popular (!) Widor Toccata. Our Amazon sourpuss poster is also bent out of shape at Jacobson's alleged "slow" tempo in the Toccata, but, BBC Music Magazine mentions that, in contrast to so many "sprint to the finish" performances of the work we've been hearing in recent years, Jacobson on this Pentatone recording actually takes Widor's indicated metronome mark (quarter note at 118) seriously! Oops! ;-) Anyway, this is an absolutely beautiful recording, which may expand your ideas as to what is possible in the Symphony, even though it may not appeal to all types of listeners. It sure is beautiful though!
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| RE: Well, you made me take a rare listen to the Organ Symphony. Really, I prefer his Carnival Of The Animals., posted on February 15, 2021 at 12:03:07 | |
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Posts: 2689
Location: Near Pisgah Forest Joined: October 30, 2019 Contributor Since: May 23, 2020 |
BTW, did you know that Radio City Music Hall used to advertise having the "Largest Console (snicker) In The World" during the very proper Forties and Fifties? At any rate, I have the Ormandy/Phillies Telarc and the Martinon/ORTF, always well-reviewed and featuring the, famous umm, console of the Eglise St.Louis des Invalides. I played the Telarc. Three things always stand out for me when I listen to any performance of #3, none having to do with the Organ: the clever syncopation of the opening, the silkiness of the string tutti following the low brass chorale, and especially, the miracle of always being able to find a Pianist with six arms to play all through the conclusion. Ormandy gives a great performance but the Soundstream boys obviously got carried away and it isn't one of Telarc's best. Shoulda cued up the Martinon. Next time I will. Visit my Image Gallery
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| RE: What other reason is there? Al Stiefel would have told you that! , posted on February 16, 2021 at 12:46:25 | |
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Posts: 2689
Location: Near Pisgah Forest Joined: October 30, 2019 Contributor Since: May 23, 2020 |
Back around '05 or '06, just before he died, Al and his wife came to visit me in Ohio. He had heard the Best In Show XLH 1812 speakers at the preceding RMAF which I had for awhile at my place. He was at that time promoting his Renaissance Audio line of 811 mono blocks and they drove all the way from Colorado with the amps to hear them drive the 1812s. We played a lot of music that day but the highlight was the CD, it might have been an SACD of the Munch Organ Symphony with the volume at 11. What a grin on his face at THE NOISE! It was the closest I've ever been to being that kid in the chair with his hair blowing off in the Pioneer advert. A lasting memory of a wonderful man. Visit my Image Gallery
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| Those other two hands just get in the way sometimes! [nt] ;-), posted on February 17, 2021 at 01:41:53 | |
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Posts: 19827
Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012 |
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