[LAU] Some new Bach

[Lorenzo Sutton]

On 14/02/13 19:35, Fons Adriaensen wrote:
> On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 11:16:27PM +0530, Rustom Mody wrote:
>
>> On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 10:15 PM, Folderol <folderol at ukfsn.org> wrote:
>>
>>> This displays the very rigidity I don't like. But as I said, it's a matter
>>> of personal preference.
>>>
>> I wonder how much is the performer and how much the original
>> composer-intention?
> I can't imagine how the initial 'Magnificat' could be played
> in any other way than 'a tempo giusto' without breaking it.
> It's a collective outburst of joy, leaving little room for
> hesitation.
I agree. Same goes for Mozart, especially symphonies - I simply can't 
stand it when conductors (voluntarily or not) can't keep the tempo.

> Herreweghe tends to maintain rather strict tempo even for romantic era 
> orchestral music, maybe that's one reason why I like his work in 
> general. Rubato (in the broad sense) for me is something that can be 
> done by a soloist or a string quartet (within reason - it becomes 
> slimy rather easily). For a full orchestra plus choir it mostly sounds 
> fake to me.

As for 'Romantic' music (but also 'Baroque') I think there is space for 
intelligent agogics - again what I think is important is the concept of 
'beat' (more in the way ethnomusicologists intend it), that is.. the 
tempo may locally fluctuate, but the listener should have the sensation 
of a steady beat/flow... simple in theory hard to achieve in practice.
Although not perfect this is one of my favourite interpretations of the 
Fifth (not to mention I love the conducting in general, the facial 
expressions, the way he addresses instruments..) - in my humble opinion 
tempo here is managed very well (and notice he is conducting by heart):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K_IuBsRM4

[...]
>   I found it difficult to sit still in my chair :-)

When I listen to the Magnificat (but Bach in general) I can't stop 
myself from rhythmically fidgeting, sometimes with some 'armchair 
conducting', not to mention humming - which probably makes me look quite 
weird when on the metro  :)

Lorenzo.