The Album Review Club - End of Round #9 Break (page 1904)

KnaresboroughBlue said:
Just go with how it makes you feel. No specialist knowledge required. It won't be for everybody but hopefully some people may get a bit of something from it.
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The opening bit of the first poem feels more Austrian to me with the horn section(s) (that maybe more of a classical stereotype on my behalf) and some form of jubilation (I think I clocked it about 9 minutes in?).

However, I am possibly way off the mark.

This review is going to be a work in progress.........
 
I've listened to the Václav Talich conducting the Czech Philharmonic recording this morning, but I definitely need a few more listens before writing a review.
 
RobMCFC said:
I've listened to the Václav Talich conducting the Czech Philharmonic recording this morning, but I definitely need a few more listens before writing a review.
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That's my favourite recording but obviously the sound isn't the greatest being from 1954 (unless you found one of his from the 30s).

I have just found a remastered version of his 1954 recording on YouTube this morning
 
KnaresboroughBlue said:
That's my favourite recording but obviously the sound isn't the greatest being from 1954 (unless you found one of his from the 30s).

I have just found a remastered version of his 1954 recording on YouTube this morning
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This is the version I am listening to.

Smetana: Má Vlast - Decca: 4833187 - CD or download | Presto Music

It is lovely in bits but I will need more listens to make cohesive sense of it.
 
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Something different but also something tricky to score. The musicians are all going to be highly qualified and skilled because that's the nature of orchestras, there's no hiding places, and if it's a recording with a conductor of note, then the prestige of the orchestra itself is going to be higher too. That said, the musicians cannot do anything other than play as the composer intended and/or conductor instructs. And as I myself cannot tell the difference between one top level conductor & orchestra combination and the next, I am left purely scoring the composition.

I'm no expert on classical music and I rarely listen to recordings in full, but I have my favourites - such as perhaps the uninspired choice of Vivaldi's Four Seasons - but generally it will be select pieces from composers such as Debussy, Sibelius or Erik Satie, or just random Classic FM.

I reviewed this nomination using the 1994 recording of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antoni Wit. I enjoyed some of it, the intro to #4 being the highlight for me but the bits I was drawn to seemed too short for my liking, with the rest being okay but not something that would make me listen again I don't think, but neither would I turn any of it off if it popped up on Classic FM.

I think 6 / 10 is a fair score from my perspective.
 
KnaresboroughBlue said:
Had a really tough time choosing which album to review and after much though finally decided on a change of pace and genre and we’re going to be having some classical music. My choice is:

Bedřich Smetana - Má Vlast (My Homeland)

Despite not being as well known internationally as compatriot Dvořák, he is the most revered composer in his homeland and his composition Má Vlast is regarded by many as both his greatest work and the unofficial national anthem of the Czech Republic. What makes it an even more remarkable piece of work is that the majority of it was composed after he was completely deaf.

Má Vlast is a set of 6 symphonic poems composed between 1874 and 1879. These poems were set around the time of the Czech National revival, a cultural movement aiming to bring the Czech language and culture back to life after 200 years of Germanisation under Austro-Hungarian rule. As such it is considered a patriotic and nationalistic work. These 6 poems were originally composed individually and given their own premieres but were always designed to be played together as a series alternating between historical/mythological narrative and musical interpretations of prominent natural features, all the while celebrating his native Bohemia.

The 6 poems are:

Vyšehrad (High Castle) - The place where the Bohemian court flourished in the 8th century. A dreamy piece about the past. Sets the 4-note motif that crops up regularly in the other poems. O The harps of the seers begin; fortune tellers singing of goings on at Vyšehrad - fame, brilliance, tournaments, fights - up until the final decline and ruins. The song ends in an elegant tone of regret at the present ruin.

Vltava - Probably the most popular of the 6 movements and often played on its own in ‘best of’ concerts. It paints a portrait of Bohemia’s mighty river from its source (flutes and clarinets) as it winds its way through the country (strings) passing groves and meadows. Sometimes swift and shallow, sometimes deep and slow with the light of the sun flickering upon it (pizzicato). Along the way we hear hunting horns, wedding dances, merry feasts, and foaming rapids, finally disappearing into the Elbe.

Šárka - After the depiction of history and nature we move on to the legend of wild and passionate Šárka. A tale of love, betrayal, rage and revenge.

Z českých luhu a haju (From Bohemia's woods and fields) - Following the violence of Šárka, Smetana paints a pastoral portrait, celebrating the beauty of nature on a warm Summer’s day. At times cheerful, at times melancholic. The fugato of the strings represents the rustling of the wind in the grass and we hear hints of songs and polkas as they drift over the wide open countryside.

Tábor - A portrait of the Hussite warriors of the 15 century who set up their stronghold at the town of Tábor, which they were prepared to defend to their deaths. It conjures up imagery of their prayers, preparations for battle, glory and praise from their victories and sadness after their ultimate defeat.

Blaník - Blaník takes over from where Tabor left off, The Hussite heroes are now at peace under the mountain of Blaník, deep in sleep, always ready and waiting to come to the rescue of Bohemia in her time of need and led by St Wenceslas. A poem about hope for the future and a fitting way to end the work. Both Tábor and Blaník draw heavily from the Hussite hymn ‘Who are you, God’s warriors’.

The Czech Republic is the place I have always felt most at home and I am very passionate about all aspects of Czech culture, life and language. Consequently, it is a piece of work that is very important to me and I listen to it usually at least once a month. I love to put on my headphones, close my eyes and let the glorious magic of the music conjure up its own images. That’s how I would recommend listening to it if you can.

Classical music has always been my favourite and makes up probably 90% of my collection. I do realise that it isn’t to everybody’s tastes and that it isn’t likely to fare well in the scoring stakes but I hope that you will all find it pleasant enough for at least one full listen and that it brings you some of the pleasure that it has given me.

Of course there are many variations with different composers and orchestras. I would personally recommend Václav Talich conducting the Czech Philharmonic but as that is a 1954 recording (I think), the sound might not be as good as a more modern recording. For a more modern rendering, Jakub Hrůša conducting the Bamberg Symphony orchestra is very nice.

Sorry for the ramble!
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Great post that Stephen and Mrs Prague agrees with me :)

We're coming over next Monday for a week as Eva hasn't seen her mum for over a year and obviously we haven't been to our house either.

Take care mate, Phil
 
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