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Musical Discussions
Topic: Bad orchestras shell not be trying to play well.

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Posted by Romy the Cat on 11-14-2008
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I am not hiding my snobbish inclinations and I know that it is a ridicules view but it truly does not work with me when a generally poorly sounding orchestra, instrumentalist or a vocalist are trying to play something distinctively well. I poor sounding orchestra, instrumentalist or singer performing at mediocre level of objective do impact me what they are – the mediocre, average playing event. Here is nothing wrong with it. There is in this mediocre play a normal association between a quality of orchestral sound, vocal sound, or instrumental sound and the quality of interpretation attempt. However, if an orchestra, an instrumentalist or a singer offers something very objectionable in terms of interpretation and performing of musical materials but at the same time do not hold the quality of sound (of cause I am not taking about audio sound) then it sounds very unfortunate to me and in a way more painful to listen it then just a mediocre perfomance.

The Cat
Posted by JANDL100 on 12-12-2008
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I can tolerate 2nd rate playing in great performances.  I find that a great conductor playing with a 2nd or even 3rd rate orchestra can produce excellent music - and a 2nd or 3rd rate conductor with a great orchestra can produce horrible or just plain boring music (who said Simon Rattle with the Berlin Phil? !!  ;-)  )

One of my favorite examples is Anton Nanut (surprise!!) - his Ljubljana S.O. was not one of the great orchestral instruments, but to my ears he produced several recordings of lasting splendour.

Another example of great music coming from a less than 1st-class 'musical technician' is Yehudi Menuhin.  Once past the technical glories of his youth his technique was sometimes painful and embarassing - but the musical insight with which he illuminated the music is substantial and makes his recordings very worthwhile.
Posted by Romy the Cat on 12-14-2008
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... when a teacher asked children in a class how would be call a man who want a women sexually but can’t. All children raised their hands and a called up girl answered:  This man would be call impotent.” Then the teacher asked: “How would you call a man who can but does not want?” None of the children know the answers. The only one girl stood up with tears on her eyes and screamed: “Such a man deserves to die!”

In reverse, I feel that when some poor orchestras with poor sound play well then I feel some sadness that such a great play is not able from a good sounding band. I understand your frustration with Ljubljana orchestra. Here in Boston we have the same with Boston Philharmonic (do not confuse with Boston Symphony). They sometimes do very good play but they generally sound like crap - very sad.

I wrote the initial post listening Georgiev with Senegal Philharmonic BTW…

The Cat

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