Andre Previn Warner Edition

[Albion]

Sorry to cross-post, but any discussion with John Wilson is worth a listen:




It will be featured in Record Review (Radio 3, 9am) tomorrow (15th May) at around 10.40am -

"André Previn became a household name in the 60s and 70s and was a prolific recording artist. Conductor John Wilson has been immersed in a box set containing all of Previn's EMI and Teldec recordings as both conductor and pianist. He shares his personal highlights in conversation with Andrew [McGregor]."

 :)

[Albion]

Well, Lionel?

 ;)

[guest822]

Well, Lionel?

 ;)

Oops. Missed it. Was in the arms of Morpheus until 9.30... I'll have a listen later on BBC Sounds. Did you hear it?

[Albion]

Well, Lionel?

 ;)

Oops. Missed it. Was in the arms of Morpheus until 9.30... I'll have a listen later on BBC Sounds. Did you hear it?

Yes, I certainly did and I think you'll approve...

 :)

...basically Wilson said that Previn was the most incompetent, unmusical and personality-free conductor that he had ever come across, a clearly amateur pianist and a general total waste of space. The LSO apparently only hired him for his funky 1970s clobber. Oh, and that his Rachmaninov and Mozart recordings were complete and utter sh*te.



So, all in all pretty positive then. Rush out and purchase the Warner box!

 ;)

[guest822]

...basically Wilson said that Previn was the most incompetent, unmusical and personality-free conductor that he had ever come across, a clearly amateur pianist and a general total waste of space. The LSO apparently only hired him for his funky 1970s clobber. Oh, and that his Rachmaninov and Mozart recordings were complete and utter sh*te.

Hmm.

[Albion]

...basically Wilson said that Previn was the most incompetent, unmusical and personality-free conductor that he had ever come across, a clearly amateur pianist and a general total waste of space. The LSO apparently only hired him for his funky 1970s clobber. Oh, and that his Rachmaninov and Mozart recordings were complete and utter sh*te.

Hmm.

Doubt ye my words? Pish and tush, sir!



 ;D

[guest822]

Doubt ye my words?

Yes I do, and having now listened to that segment of the programme I can hear that I was entirely justified in doing so! Your nose should be so long you can barely get out the door!

John Wilson, a bloke for whom I have the highest regard, obviously appreciates greatly the variegated nature of Previn's gifts. The man was outrageously talented, which John Wlison celebrates without reserve. I loved the exerpts he chose to illustrate the breadth of Previn's recorded legacy. Naturally, as I am as much of a fan as John Wilson clearly is, I have all those in my collection (and very much more besides). I know he was 89 when he died but I was still very sad on the day it was announced. Requiescat in pace, maestro.

[Albion]

Doubt ye my words?

Yes I do, and having now listened to that segment of the programme I can hear that I was entirely justified in doing so! Your nose should be so long you can barely get out the door!

John Wilson, a bloke for whom I have the highest regard, obviously appreciates greatly the variegated nature of Previn's gifts. The man was outrageously talented, which John Wlison celebrates without reserve. I loved the exerpts he chose to illustrate the breadth of Previn's recorded legacy. Naturally, as I am as much of a fan as John Wilson clearly is, I have all those in my collecction (and very much more besides). I know he was 89 when he died but I was still very sad on the day it was announced. Requiescat in pace, maestro.

Respect, remember and treasure indeed: a legacy for future generations. Ain't recordings great?

 :)

[guest822]

Respect, remember and treasure indeed: a legacy for future generations. Ain't recordings great?

Yes. I might, more fittingly, have written Requiescat in pace et in amore, maestro.

[Albion]

Respect, remember and treasure indeed: a legacy for future generations. Ain't recordings great?

Yes. I might, more fittingly, have written Requiescat in pace et in amore, maestro.

I think that everything Previn did, as with Adrian Boult, Leonard Bernstein and Vernon Handley, was con amore.

 :)

[guest822]

Respect, remember and treasure indeed: a legacy for future generations. Ain't recordings great?

Yes. I might, more fittingly, have written Requiescat in pace et in amore, maestro.

I think that everything Previn did, as with Adrian Boult, Leonard Bernstein and Vernon Handley, was con amore.

 :)

I would add Bruno Walter and John Barbirolli to that list.

[Albion]

I would add Bruno Walter and John Barbirolli to that list.

Fair enough! Any of today's stick-wagglers strike you as so devoted?

 :-\

[guest822]

I would add Bruno Walter and John Barbirolli to that list.

Fair enough! Any of today's stick-wagglers strike you as so devoted?

 :-\

That's a good question. The trouble is, like some other members of this forum, I live too much in the past to offer a valid opinion. I think John Wilson certainly has the potenrtial to join that august club one day. Among the recently-departed, Abbado probably deserves an horourable mention.

[Albion]

Thomas Beecham?



Or was he just too flippant? As a moderator, I personally abhor that abominable trait!

 >:(

[guest822]

Thomas Beecham?

Or was he just too flippant? I personally abhor that abominable trait!

Beecham was a fine conductor and, as is often said, he had a way of making second-rate music sound much better than it was. That's not to say, of course, that he wasn't a good conductor of first-rate music too: his Mozart is exemplary, as is his French repertoire. It must not be forgotten that he almost single-handedly rescued Delius from what would have been an undeserved oblivion but, on the down side, he didn't otherwise champion British music. Weighted against the positives must be the fact that Sir Henry Wood regarded him as an upstart, the scrupulous Sir Adrian Boult found him "repulsive" as a man and a musician; and Sir John Barbirolli mistrusted him. I respect the opinions of all those men, especially Boult, and so, overall, he gets a thumbs down from me when it comes to the et in amore aspect. One of Previn's endearing qualities was that there was no 'side' about him. You certainly couldn't say that about Beecham who was boastful, arrogant and pretentious!