[Doc Sarvis]

Quick notes about the above new release:

1. It marks the first new Reference Recordings release I've seen in a while;

2. It's the first time that Keith Lockhart has recorded with my home team, the Utah Symphony. The USO has a rich recorded legacy from the 60s and 70s under Maurice Abravanel (including what I believe was the first Mahler cycle), but this is the first AFAIK with Lockhart.

3. It's actually the second Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances under Reference Recordings; the first was from Oue/MSO.

 

[Mark from HFR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Sarvis Quick notes about the above new release: 1. It marks the first new Reference Recordings release I've seen in a while; 2. It's the first time that Keith Lockhart has recorded with my home team, the Utah Symphony. The USO has a rich recorded legacy from the 60s and 70s under Maurice Abravanel (including what I believe was the first Mahler cycle), but this is the first AFAIK with Lockhart. 3. It's actually the second Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances under Reference Recordings; the first was from Oue/MSO.

I can't wait to hear that! I've been wanting to hear Lockhart in non-Pops repertory, and this looks like the perfect way to check him out. Also great to see a new RR title.

 

[mbhaub]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark from HFR I can't wait to hear that! I've been wanting to hear Lockhart in non-Pops repertory, and this looks like the perfect way to check him out. Also great to see a new RR title.

I have always been skeptical of Lockhart in the standard rep, but no more. I heard him and the Utah Symphony do an all Russian concert a few weeks ago. Schchedrin's Naught Limerick was very fine, and the Shostakovich violin concerto no. 1 superb. But what really made a stunning impact was their reading of the Tchaikovsky 6th: flawless. Very emotional yet not hysterical. He controls the orchestra well. The third movement was as brilliant as can possibly be imagined. There was no point of trying to stop the applause after that movementl; it was just too exhilirating. The finale was touching and the final fade out remarkably well controlled. Maybe he's not just another pretty boy after all: he can conduct.

 

[mbhaub]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark from HFR I can't wait to hear that! I've been wanting to hear Lockhart in non-Pops repertory, and this looks like the perfect way to check him out. Also great to see a new RR title.

I have always been skeptical of Lockhart in the standard rep, but no more. I heard him and the Utah Symphony do an all Russian concert a few weeks ago. Schchedrin's Naught Limerick was very fine, and the Shostakovich violin concerto no. 1 superb. But what really made a stunning impact was their reading of the Tchaikovsky 6th: flawless. Very emotional yet not hysterical. He controls the orchestra well. The third movement was as brilliant as can possibly be imagined. There was no point of trying to stop the applause after that movementl; it was just too exhilirating. The finale was touching and the final fade out remarkably well controlled. Maybe he's not just another pretty boy after all: he can conduct.
By way of his pops background being a detriment: the best New World symphony ever recorded was the Boston Pops under Arthur Fiedler. There's more to being a successful pops conductor than doing Leroy Anderson.

 

[Mark from HFR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub By way of his pops background being a detriment: the best New World symphony ever recorded was the Boston Pops under Arthur Fiedler.

You know, I never have heard his version of the New World. I'll have to look for that.

I was very interested to hear a few months ago on the radio an early (pre-Boston Pops) recording that Fiedler made of Pachelbel's Canon. I don't know if it was the first recording made of that old chestnut or not, but it must have been one of the first (plus I remember it didn't become so HUGE a hit until after Paillard's lush recording). Anyway, the amazing thing was, aside from the old mono sound, it sounded a lot more like the lean up-tempo versions being made by period specialists today. Just goes to show that a good musician working on instinct can be the equal of all the research in the world.

But getting back on topic, I'll be interested in comparing this Lockhart to Zinman's Telarc recording of the Symphonic Dances, which is one of my favorites.

Doc- Do you know where the disc was recorded?

M

 

[Doc Sarvis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark from HFR Doc- Do you know where the disc was recorded? M

Don't know - I was invited to a reception last night for the new CD with Lockhart in attendance, but I couldn't attend. I would have been able to find out there.

I ordered the CD on Amazon so I'll let everyone know. I'm guessing it was recorded in Symphony Hall, SLC.

 

[Doc Sarvis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub I have always been skeptical of Lockhart in the standard rep, but no more. I heard him and the Utah Symphony do an all Russian concert a few weeks ago.

Agree. Over the last few years I've come to see him as a very solid conductor indeed. His Mahler 5 this year was awe-inspiring. Also, I've met him on several occasions and his knowledge of the repetoire is quite impressive. It's nice that he also admits to loving Led Zeppelin!

To me its great that he's starting to record the real stuff.

 

[rudyhf]

It was recorded in Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City.

 

[Doc Sarvis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudyhf It was recorded in Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City.

Oops - you are right - that's the "new" name for Symphony Hall - for the last ten years or so...

You'd think I would remember that by now!

 

[Doc Sarvis]

Just a quick follow-up note: I love this disc. The performance is rock-solid, and the sonics and dynamic range are in keeping with the Reference Recordings house sound (in other words, excellent - careful on the volume knob, though).

The real suprise of the disc is the piece "Latin-American Dances" by the unknown Gabriela Frank. This is the first recording, and likely will not be the last. Very interesting music.

 

[Bunnyears]

Looks like I've found something to spend more money on.