Dave you're hilarious! Being newer to classical music, though, I might actually give a few of these a listen as a way of testing my ability to listen critically and compare performances. I know some people might say that I should judge the quality of the performance for myself - but my first goal wouldn't be so much to judge based on my liking or not liking the performance, but just to (hopefully) notice the contrasts in approach. I think it might be a good starting place for me, because I'm not sure I could notice a difference between a good and great performance - or what the criteria between the two would be. But the contrast between an obviously lackluster and great performance might help. I'll probably start with Mahler's 9th because I've been studying the score for a while, and have listened to so many versions of it. The idea of it being played without vibrato in the strings sounds really strange.
Wow Dave, I remember you telling the story about “the maestro who kept you waiting in the antechamber and then revealed he didn’t care about his recordings” in precious videos, but it was truly a Christmas gift to get the identity reveal!
lol. I like that only we know what all those scarves mean. It’s like a community. Or family. Or cult. Lol. We are your tribe, Dave. Thanks for another year full of informative and entertaining vids.
I would love to see a new category, the Hot Pink (or perhaps Heliotrope) Scarf of Hysterically Informed Performance. For all of those recordings of Mahler, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and DSch on "original instruments." Thank you for the vid!
I have listened many times to the Tchaikovsky symphonies nos. 5 and 6 with Markus Poschner and the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana, on the Claves label. They are, in my opinion, at least good performances. It is still fun and enlightening to listen to Mr. Hurwitz's opinions, reasoning, and arguments. But I have been attending Utah Symphony concerts for 25 seasons now (all the main "Masterworks" concerts, as marketing calls them), and have been a record collector and listener since 1991. I have at least an idea of what a "bad" performance or interpretation sounds like, live in the concert hall, or on record, whether online archival broadcasts or commercial releases. I simply disagree with Mr. Hurwitz on the value of these two performances.
I look forward to this every year. The upcoming list of the year's best recordings will certainly be more useful, as I might want to buy most or all of those (if I don't already have them), but the negative reviews are more fun.
Dave, I love how you delineate between bad and pointless. Most conductors have had, in their careers, performances or recordings that missed the mark and were bad; but to do something that should never have been attempted in the first place, let alone, committed to a performance or recording is unforgiveable.
Exhausted from christmas shopping coming home, little bit googling around and logarhythm sent me to uncle Dave. Imidiately relaxed and I began to smile. There is this thought may bad classical music never die out so we can enjoy Dave at his best but then my brain comes back and I am finally looking forward for the Kolas. Great Job. Have a good time😅😅😅
I’m really going to enjoy Christmas after this ‘hors d’oeuvre’… It’s like all my rants on all kinds of subjects condensed into 27'.45”. Many thanks! I feel much better now.
Guess these recordings wouldn't even qualify for THE "PORTSMOUTH SINFONIA" awards. Have a great holiday season, Dave. Much thanks for all those wonderful videos of 2024. Looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2025. You're like a Timex Watch, takes a licking and keeps on ticking.... Fred
To show how low we've come, there once was a good (although fairly silly) performance of the entire play with all the music, alas, mono and only on LP.. "I shall meet thee at Ninny's tomb." "That's Ninus!"
Sometimes (as a novice) it's helpful to be pointed to a "bad" performance to understand what makes another performance good. I don't see these videos so much as "bashing" but rather instructional.
Thank you Dave for your great parade of shame. In fashion beauty is a new form of ugliness. Maybe in the classical music world/business it works like this too.
I think I am repeating myself.Some years ago Thelemann conducted a concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra .He also gave a pre concert interview.Both events were truly awful to sit through,he was a total dead loss at the interview,I don't think (maybe wrong) he was invited back.He totally lacked personality,he looked like a tub of grease. I have seen John Wilson a number of times in classical concerts.I cannot comment on his show music etc because they don't interest me,but I do sometimes wonder whether he is choosing the right repertoire on the classical side,he seems a shade too lightweight
I cannot take John Wilson's recordings seriously. He did a dreadful and boring proms performance of Walton's symphony no.1 last year...a complete snooze fest. I'm not nationalistic, over the years I have taken The Gramophone and BBC music reviewers to task. It is the same old boys network. I could go on...Cheers Ian. Leicester . UK.
I stopped Munch conducting Mendelssohn to listen to this! Thanks for making our lives so much richer. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
And Happy Hannukah.
Dave you're hilarious! Being newer to classical music, though, I might actually give a few of these a listen as a way of testing my ability to listen critically and compare performances. I know some people might say that I should judge the quality of the performance for myself - but my first goal wouldn't be so much to judge based on my liking or not liking the performance, but just to (hopefully) notice the contrasts in approach. I think it might be a good starting place for me, because I'm not sure I could notice a difference between a good and great performance - or what the criteria between the two would be. But the contrast between an obviously lackluster and great performance might help. I'll probably start with Mahler's 9th because I've been studying the score for a while, and have listened to so many versions of it. The idea of it being played without vibrato in the strings sounds really strange.
The ALDA awards is the thing we never knew we needed for our lives!? THANK GOD 😂
I've been waiting for them all year, lol :D
My favorite award show is back!!
The Night of the Long Scarves…. My cup overfloweth….😂 AND I get to brush up on my Yiddish!
‘He can conduct. But he just chooses not to.’ 😂
Wow Dave, I remember you telling the story about “the maestro who kept you waiting in the antechamber and then revealed he didn’t care about his recordings” in precious videos, but it was truly a Christmas gift to get the identity reveal!
And I NEVER would have guessed it was him.
@@petterw5318 Me neither. I had a number of guesses knocking around in my head, and Bychkov wasn't even close.
Likely apocryphal regarding Bychkov. And a comment made in passing. In jest. It, however, makes for a good point of discussion.
I’m kvelling. You are a real tumler! Following a great tradition of critics being at their witty funniest when panning things.
What? Is it ALDA season already? Marry ALDAS to everyone. Thank you Dave for sharing all this time with us!
A bold claim by Stravinsky on his music not needing "interpretation."
Love your Awards Programme!
lol. I like that only we know what all those scarves mean. It’s like a community. Or family. Or cult. Lol. We are your tribe, Dave. Thanks for another year full of informative and entertaining vids.
Still waiting for you to announce an example of Redeemable chutzpah ;) Thanks for this posting, David.
I would love to see a new category, the Hot Pink (or perhaps Heliotrope) Scarf of Hysterically Informed Performance. For all of those recordings of Mahler, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and DSch on "original instruments." Thank you for the vid!
I’ll get right on that.
Thanks for your work. Hope you have a peaceful holiday.
Dave we love when you spill the tea with these interviews!
The highlight of the festive season! The 'Black Scarf' winner review made me laugh out loud - 'Holy Cow'! Wishing you a great holiday, Dave. 🍾
I love this! So funny and entertaining😀👏👏👏
Dave Happy Chanukah to you and everyone, great video.
Thank you!
How many people are actually going to listen to these? I barely have time to listen to the good stuff!
Aren’t you just a little bit curious…? 😶
I have listened many times to the Tchaikovsky symphonies nos. 5 and 6 with Markus Poschner and the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana, on the Claves label. They are, in my opinion, at least good performances. It is still fun and enlightening to listen to Mr. Hurwitz's opinions, reasoning, and arguments.
But I have been attending Utah Symphony concerts for 25 seasons now (all the main "Masterworks" concerts, as marketing calls them), and have been a record collector and listener since 1991. I have at least an idea of what a "bad" performance or interpretation sounds like, live in the concert hall, or on record, whether online archival broadcasts or commercial releases.
I simply disagree with Mr. Hurwitz on the value of these two performances.
One of the funniest things I've seen on You Tube . No one , whatever their reputation , should be spared if they produce bad music .
Haha, great! This is the best time of the year and has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas! Thank you, Dave! :)
I wonder if 2025 will bring us the much desired Savall Ring Cycle, released in at least four languages
I certainly hope so, and I think one of the four languages should be Klingon.
I'd snap that one up--it's more interesting that the language of Mordor.
@@DavesClassicalGuide Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg des Nibelung!
I look forward to this every year. The upcoming list of the year's best recordings will certainly be more useful, as I might want to buy most or all of those (if I don't already have them), but the negative reviews are more fun.
I love hearing you speak Yiddish....even if it might be doubletalk. I wish I could understand it, but I grew up in Houston.
Great, insightful and provocative 28 minutes, entertaining every second. Merry Xmas!
I lost it at the blessing. To be honest I'd rather have the fruit of the vine, but the entertainment of some quality (ahem) chutzpah has its rewards!😂
A wonderfully hilarious listen
Dave, I love how you delineate between bad and pointless. Most conductors have had, in their careers, performances or recordings that missed the mark and were bad; but to do something that should never have been attempted in the first place, let alone, committed to a performance or recording is unforgiveable.
You’re not gonna be in trouble with Alan Alda over this, are you?
Don't think so.
Exhausted from christmas shopping coming home, little bit googling around and logarhythm sent me to uncle Dave. Imidiately relaxed and I began to smile. There is this thought may bad classical music never die out so we can enjoy Dave at his best but then my brain comes back and I am finally looking forward for the Kolas. Great Job. Have a good time😅😅😅
I’m really going to enjoy Christmas after this ‘hors d’oeuvre’… It’s like all my rants on all kinds of subjects condensed into 27'.45”. Many thanks! I feel much better now.
I ultra like the smile at the beginning 😂😂😂
All I want for Christmas is a Fabulous Concert Program featuring Lloyd’s 6th! (the last 2 were objectively your best yet!)
I was rooting for the Mehta Beethoven cycle, but you can’t win ’em all.
That would need the pathetic purple scarf.
Guess these recordings wouldn't even qualify for THE "PORTSMOUTH SINFONIA" awards. Have a great holiday season, Dave. Much thanks for all those wonderful videos of 2024. Looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2025. You're like a Timex Watch, takes a licking and keeps on ticking.... Fred
Are there any great full English recordings of Midsummer Nights Dream? It is one of my favorite pieces.
I will definitely rush to listen to them
To show how low we've come, there once was a good (although fairly silly) performance of the entire play with all the music, alas, mono and only on LP.. "I shall meet thee at Ninny's tomb." "That's Ninus!"
Malcolm Sargent, the Old Vic, on RCA.
@@bbailey7818 Thank you!
When ALDA comes, can KOLA be far behind?
I trust you, Dave, that these are bad performances. They would sound a lot better in Analog 😂.
Happy Holidays
Yup finally, I was waiting for this year's list.
Sometimes (as a novice) it's helpful to be pointed to a "bad" performance to understand what makes another performance good. I don't see these videos so much as "bashing" but rather instructional.
Oh! shoot I listen to all of these. I'm apologize Dave!
I always expect something from Thielemann to show up in the ALDA's every year. Once again, you didn't disappoint.
Agreed.
Thank you Dave for your great parade of shame. In fashion beauty is a new form of ugliness. Maybe in the classical music world/business it works like this too.
I think I am repeating myself.Some years ago Thelemann conducted a concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra .He also gave a pre concert interview.Both events were truly awful to sit through,he was a total dead loss at the interview,I don't think (maybe wrong) he was invited back.He totally lacked personality,he looked like a tub of grease.
I have seen John Wilson a number of times in classical concerts.I cannot comment on his show music etc because they don't interest me,but I do sometimes wonder whether he is choosing the right repertoire on the classical side,he seems a shade too lightweight
Wilson's Daphnis et Chloe is like a musical lecture and absolutely a mess and the sound just sucks.
I cannot take John Wilson's recordings seriously. He did a dreadful and boring proms performance of Walton's symphony no.1 last year...a complete snooze fest. I'm not nationalistic, over the years I have taken The Gramophone and BBC music reviewers to task. It is the same old boys network. I could go on...Cheers Ian. Leicester . UK.
Jordi Savall is excellent at directing de Vitoria's Lamentations of Jeremiah 😢😢😢
So?