Beethoven: 'Hammerklavier' Sonata, etc - REVIEW

Beethoven: Sonatas in C, Op.2/3; in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier'; etc
Sviatoslav Richter (piano)
ICA Classics ICAC5084
A complete recital from a master at the very height of his powers, recorded in the Royal Festival Hall in 1975. Richter toured this programme a great deal, and several broadcasts have found their way to disc; indeed BBC Legends released the Aldeburgh Festival version recorded (in significantly better sound) a few days earlier. That version is now deleted, and in any case the London 'Hammerklavier' has a frisson that makes for riveting listening. Furthermore, Paul Baily has done wonders with unpromising source material, and this disc deserves to be heard by anyone interested in great Beethoven playing.
****

Mozart: 'In Between' - REVIEW

Mozart: 'In Between' - Piano Concerto no.9; Symphony no.23, etc
Geneva Chamber Orchestra, David Greilsammer (pf & cond)
Sony 88725430252
An elegant reading of the concerto, directed from the keyboard with real flair and a convincing 'period' feel, follows one of Mozart's neglected masterpieces, the D major symphony with its arresting opening. Greilsammer's project is to present the composer 'In Between' his youthful exuberance and mature mastery, a project that would have succeeded without the ten minute work commissioned from Denis Schuler which sits uncomfortably on a disc to which it adds nothing.
***

My Beloved Spake: Anthems by Henry Purcell & Pelham Humfrey - REVIEW

My Beloved Spake: Anthems by Henry Purcell & Pelham Humfrey
James Gilchrist (tenor), Neal Davies (bass), Iestyn Davies (counter-tenor); Choir of St John's College, Cambridge; St John's Sinfonia, Andrew Nethsingha
Chandos CHAN 0790
An inspired idea to couple well-known works by Purcell with pieces by his slightly older, and tragically short-lived, contemporary Humfrey. His anthem 'O Lord My God' is cast on the largest of scales, and comes across superbly in excellent sound. Gilchrist and Davies are particularly impressive here, as they are in Purcell's so-called 'bell' anthem, 'Rejoice in the Lord Always'. The choir are on top form, and are joined by an instrumental ensemble whose name hides a who's-who of the UK early music scene. Warmly recommended.
*****

One Man, Two Guvnors - REVIEW

Yes, I know: this is a bit off-topic for this blog.

And, yes, I know: I'm a bit late to this particular party.

A show that's garnered more unconditional love than a YouTube clip of kittens watching a YouTube clip of a baby panda sneezing. A show that appeared to have absolved James Corden from the tawdry mess that was Lesbian Vampire Killers. A show that went stateside quicker than a white collar criminal.

Yes, I know. I'm a bit late.

You may have seen it? You may have loved it? If so, look away now.

Your faithful reporter, hoodwinked into going along last night, was fooled by the pre-curtain music: the excellent skiffle band (period-informed performance?!?) was easily the best thing of the evening.

For it soon became clear that the meat in this particular pasty was a dessicated pellet of cod Am Dram rattling around hollowly in an impenetrable pastry coffin of cheap gags, sub-panto mugging and unconvincing 'audience'-participation.

Perhaps my 800 fellow-patrons last night were less resistant to lines such as "What a Count(ry Life)" - hilarious! - or the sub-Are You Being Served spectacle of an old man falling repeatedly down stairs?

Was I missing the point? Could this have been an edgy, on-the-button critique of provincial theatre? A visionary director letting his actors put everything on the line by baring every fibre of their souls? Mike-Leigh-meets-Haneke? "Oh no it wasn't!"

As a celebration of the mediocre, a hymn to the lowest common denominator, 'One Man, Two Guvnors' was, at best, an embarrassing Perfect Storm of awfulness. At worst, it was a reminder of how fearful we have become of Art, how cheaply we feel we need to flog culture, and truly depressing.

*/2 (the half-star for its being indoors, in case it had been raining)